WINDSOR, ON - Winning two games on Day 2 of the 2021 OCAA women's softball championship, defeating Humber 5-3 and St. Clair 5-4, Durham secured their spot in the gold medal game in Windsor.
The Lords opened the second day of the provincial tournament with a impressive win over a very strong competitor in Humber. Trailing 2-1 after four innings of play, DC rallied with four runs over the final three innings played. Durham bats continued their momentum from the end of the regular season and Day 1 of the competition, outhitting the Hawks 12-4 in the victory. Meanwhile stifling the Humber offense was Lords first-year pitcher
Morgan Salter (Battersea, ON) who delivered another complete game gem.
Following up the opening game win, Durham then faced off with the No. seed St. Clair Saints and took advantage of a hot start to jump ahead 4-0 after two innings. Putting the pressure on the Saints to respond, the Lords were able to hold on and secure the one-run win with another five innings of stellar pitching from Salter and two relief innings from OCAA all-star
Sydney Redick (Alvinston, ON).
The two victories propel Durham into the gold medal game on Saturday, Oct. 23. DC will face the winner of the gold semifinal featuring the aforementioned Hawks and Saints. First pitch for the gold medal game is set for 1 p.m. All championship action will be streamed via
OCAA LIVE.
Game 1
• Veterans
Alexis Pereira (Newmarket, ON) and
Nicole Mancini (Toronto, ON) made their presence felt in the opening contest, both going 3-for-4 with Mancini scoring an RBI and a run, while Pereira crossed the plate twice.
• Pinch hitting late in the game, first-year hitter
Kaylen Wilson (Pickering, ON) came in and delivered a two RBI single in the sixth inning to help secure the crucial win for the Lords.
• Always a highlight for the Hawks, Alexis Ferreira cleared the fence in the sixth inning with a solo home run to make things tense down the stretch, but it would not be enough.
Game 2
• Continuing her strong championship performance, Pereira delivered once again going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run in the crucial matchup with the top seeded Saints.
• First-year second base
Gracie Hearns (Napanee, ON) was also exceptional at the plate with a 2-for-3 day, adding one run and one RBI.
• Saints standout Amy Claydon went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI.
Game 1
• Continuing to add to an impressive rookie campaign Salter delivered another complete game effort, conceding four walks and four hits, while striking out five Hawks batters and giving up just two earned runs.
• Mikaela Moore led the way from Humber from the circle, going 5.1 innings and allowing 11 hits and four earned runs in the loss.
Game 2
• Winning her second game of the day, Salter went five innings with four strikeouts, giving up seven hits, one walk and three earned runs.
• Redick came in and delivered two scoreless innings, giving up just two walks, while striking out two.
• In addition to her work at the plate, Claydon also started in the circle going three innnings with five earned runs and nine hits.
Overall Record: 14-8 (W-L)
Conference Record: 11-7
Next match: Saturday, Oct. 23 - 1 PM (OCAA Championship Gold Medal Game - Windsor, ON)
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