The Richmond Islanders 08B softball team qualified as the youngest team for the U15B provincials in Port Alberni last week.
As such, their goal was to finish in the top eight out of the 16 teams involved and it looked a tall order when they lost their first round-robin game 4-2 to the 07 Abbotsford Outlaws.
However, they then won three straight over Ladysmith, Central Saanich and Surrey Storm, which placed them fifth in the gold pool.
With great pitching and timely hitting, the Islanders defeated a tough 07 Vancouver Wildcats team 5-4, followed by a resounding 9-2 win over West Kootenay and a 10-3 victory over the 07 North Shore Stars to put them in the finals against the 07 Abbotsford Outlaws.
In the final, the Islanders got off to a quick 6-3 lead, but could not hold onto the lead against the more experienced Outlaws.
However, the girls’ story continues next month when they represent B.C., along with Abbotsford, in the Western Canadian Championships which take place from Aug. 3-7 in Stonewall Manitoba.
The team will be fundraising by selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts for $15 for a dozen on July 30 at the Save On Foods in Steveston from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The team will also be taking pre-orders at [email protected].
