Historic night for Hansen as Softball sweeps Sheridan

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – Humber Softball (9-1, 3rd OCAA) extended its unbeaten streak after sweeping the Sheridan Bruins (1-9, 9th OCAA) Thursday evening on a doubleheader at Connorvale Park. Michaela Tuck led the Hawks at the dish, recording three RBIs in the first game. The defence stood out in the second game, with light-out pitches from rookie Shade Hansen securing the win in the twin bill. 

Game One (Humber Hawks 10, Sheridan Bruins 0 - 5 innings)

Meagan Muir got the nod in the circle for game one, leading off a great start for Humber's defence. After a scoreless first half, it was time for Alexis Ferreira to add the first run to the board. After a walk, the Mississauga native stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch to put the Hawks on the board.

Humber's offence started to roll in the second frame when senior Hannah Koziolek hit a triple to deep right field, followed by an RBI single from Melissa Hahnfeld. With runners on the corner, Michaela Tuck would step into the box and crush a two-run single, and would later score on an RBI single thanks to Shea Hilpert.

In the third inning, the Hawks would show off their chemistry on defence with an astonishing play. Reese Velocci would catch a ground ball and throw across the diamond to Melissa Hahnfeld, who went into the splits to retire Sheridan's Olivia Weiss and get the third out in the inning.

Leading by four in the home half of the inning, Humber would tack on two more runs. Rilee Devries drove a triple to deep center field and would later score on a passed ball. Michaela Tuck would again come up clutch, recording her third RBI of the game, driving Hannah Koziolek home. Humber would leave the inning up 6-0.

As the sun went down and the temperature began to drop, Humber's offence did not cool down. Devries singled to the right field, recording her tenth RBI of her career as a Hawk, sending Alexis Ferreira home. Reese Velocci would not leave the inning without a run, thanks to Amelia Russo's RBI single out at second, 8-0.

Humber would wrap up the first game with Tuck scoring her second run of the day after Zoe Scougall's RBI single to right field. Alexis Ferreira would walk it off with an RBI double, driving Scougall home to end the game early with a 10-0 victory in five innings. 

Meagan Muir was all business in the circle, allowing no runs on four hits, while striking out four.

Game Two (Humber Hawks 14, Sheridan Bruins 0) 

All eyes were on freshman phenom Shade Hansen in game two, as the hard-throwing righty needed just four strikeouts to set the new program single-season season record for strikeouts. With a dropped third strike allowing the Bruins shortstop to reach first base, Hansen had a chance to set the record with a four-strikeout inning, but Michaela Tuck hosed the runner trying to steal second.

The Hawks would make Hansen wait to get her recorded, putting up eight runs in the home half of the inning. Rolling through the lineup, leadoff batter Shea Hilpert singled and was driven home by Alexis Ferreira's single to center field. Rilee Devries smashed the first home run of the day to center field and sent Ferreira home. Hannah Koziolek got inspired after Devries' play and also homered to deep centre field. 

Needing to face just four hitters to set the record, Hansen opened the second inning with a swinging strikeout of Olivia Weiss to break Presly Buchannan's program record of 54 strikeouts set in 2019.

The home run parade was not over for Humber, as Amelia Russo smashed her first home run of the 2023 season after the ball deflected off the centre fielder's glove and went over the fence. Shea Hilpert followed with a two-run double, driving Hahnfeld and Koziolek home, extending Humber's lead to 11.

While the Hawks' offence cooled down in the third inning, the defence stood out. Strike after strike, the Bruins were stunned and finished another inning with no runs. Outstanding performance from Humber's defence in both games of the doubleheader. 

The offence came back alive in the following inning. With the bases loaded, Reese Velocci stepped into the box and made quick work of Sheridan pitcher Hailey Everett, scoring two RBIs single to center field that drove Hilpert and Julia Devuono home. Humber would end the inning up, 14-0. 

Heading towards the fifth, the mercy rule came into play. The Bruins' offence could not find a solution to beat lights-out pitches from Hansen, who needed three more outs to record a no-hitter. To no ones surprise, Hansen struck out the side, recording the first no-hitter of the season and finishing with ten strikeouts.

Humber Highlights

• Shade Hansen's no-hitter was the fourth in program history.
• Alexis Ferreira and Shea Hilpert currently lead the conference with nine stolen bases.
• Rilee Devries leads the OCAA with three long balls and is tied for second with 12 RBIs.
• The Hawks are 6-0 against Sheridan since they rejoined the conference last season, outscoring the Bruins 80-4 during that span.
• Hansen's five wins and 61 strikeouts are the most in the OCAA.
• Humber's nine home runs are the most in the league - seven more than second-place St. Clair.

What's Next?

Humber will host the Conestoga Condors (3-7, 8th OCAA) and the Mohawk Mountaineers (3-7, 4th OCAA) next Saturday, Sept. 23, at Connorvale Park. The first pitch is scheduled for lunchtime, at 12 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.