WINDSOR, ON - The Durham College women's softball team won their 21st OCAA provincial championship banner, defeating the host St. Clair Saints 8-7 in an exciting extra innings championship final on Saturday afternoon in Windsor.
The most decorated individual league team in the OCAA, the Lords softball program continued to add to their legacy returning to the top step of the podium after last claiming gold in 2018, which was part of a four year run of championships. Entering the 2021 OCAA championship in an underdog position as the No. 3 seed overall, Durham found their form at the perfect time going undefeated through four contests over the weekend.
In the gold medal final the Lords quickly jumped ahead 5-0 after two innings to put the top seeded Saints in a tough position of coming from behind. However, St. Clair was up to the task as they tied the game 6-6 with a three run seventh inning to push Durham into extra innings. After one inning solved nothing, it was a
Chloe Showers (Uxbridge, ON) sacrifice fly in the ninth inning that drove in the game-winning run and secured the provincial banner for the Lords.
Third-year veteran outfielder
Alexis Pereira (Newmarket, ON) was sensational at the plate all weekend long, including a perfect 5-for-5 performance in the gold medal game. Pereira was rewarded for her efforts by being named the 2021 OCAA championship MVP. Joining Pereira as award winners, teammates
Gracie Hearns (Napanee, ON) and
Abi Suffel (Whitby, ON) were also honoured as OCAA championship all-stars in just their first season in the green and gold, while fellow DC rookie
Natalie Clemens (Marmora, ON) was named played of the game for the gold medal game..
A full list of championship award winners and all-stars is included below.
• Pereira delivered a masterpiece from the batter's box in the gold medal final going 5-for-5 with one stolen base, one RBI and one run.
• Championship all-star Hearns was also impressive in the championship game, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run.
• Named player of the game for the Saints, Jacklyn Yewchyn drove in three RBI on a 2-for-4 night at the plate.
• Starting in the circle for DC in the championship final, OCAA league all-star
Sydney Redick (Alvinston, ON) went four innings total, conceding three unearned runs on four hits and a walk.
• Picking up the win for the Lords, first-year pitcher
Hannah Oke (Brooklin, ON) came in in-relief of Redick, ending up going five innings with three strikeouts and three earned runs against.
• Allison Dufour and Rya Cowan combined for the Saints in the final game of the year, giving up five earned runs on five walks and 12 hits combined through 8.2 innings.
OCAA Championship Awards
All-Star Team
Alexis Ferreira (Humber College)
Amy Claydon (St. Clair College)
Shae-Lyn Murphy (St. Clair College)
Abi Suffel (Durham College)
Gracie Hearns (Durham College)
Championship Most Valuable Player
Alexis Pereira (Durham College)
Fair Play Award
Cassey Leader (Conestoga College)
Overall Record: 15-8 (W-L)
Conference Record: 11-7
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