OSHAWA, Ont. - For the first time in three years the Durham Lords are the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association women's softball champions, completing a perfect season in the progress.

The Lords blanked the Humber Hawks 8-0 in the gold medal game on Saturday. Makayla Benz (Simcoe) pitched a complete-game two-hitter, allowing two walks while striking out four.

Durham scored two runs in the second and third innings before adding three more in the fourth. The Lords scored their final run in the sixth.

Peyton Jones (Oshawa) and Jayden Bennett (Bowmanville) both went 3-for-4 at the plate, combining for three runs and two RBI. Jessica Greene (Stratford) also had multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with a double, scoring twice and stealing a base.

Jones was named OCAA Championship MVP. In three games the first-year player went 6-for-11, including a double and triple, for a .545 batting average, scoring three runs and driving in two RBI. Jones also pitched a gem against the St. Clair Saints on Friday, allowing one earned run over seven innings in a 5-1 victory. Jones struck out eight and walked two.

It marks the 22nd time that the Lords have won the OCAA women's softball title, the winningest program of any sport within the conference. Following a perfect regular season record of 24-0, Durham won three straight at the championship for an overall record of 27-0, tying the 2022 St. Clair Saints for the most wins in an undefeated OCAA season.

Earlier in the day, Humber defeated St. Clair 3-0 to advance to the gold medal game. Hawks pitchers Zoe Scougall (Springwater) and Shade Hansen (Etobicoke) combined for a two-hitter, striking out eight. The loss ended St. Clair's two-year reign as OCAA champions, as the Saints settled for the bronze medal.

Humber's silver medal was its best finish at the championship since winning gold in 2019. Durham, Humber and St. Clair have all shared the podium at five consecutive championships.

Greene and Jessica Benz (Simcoe) of Durham, Humber's Scougall and River Johnston (Toronto) as well as Danna Juarez Ojeda (Airdrie, Alta.) of St. Clair were named OCAA Championship All-Stars.

OCAA Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/soft

OCAA WOMEN'S SOFTBALL AWARDS

OCAA Women's Softball Championship MVP

Peyton Jones, Durham

OCAA Women's Softball Championship All-Stars

Jessica Benz, Durham

Jessica Greene, Durham

River Johnston, Humber

Danna Juarez Ojeda, St. Clair

Zoe Scougall, Humber

2024 OCAA WOMEN'S SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Thursday, Oct. 17
Game 1: St. Clair def. Sheridan 6-0
Game 2: Conestoga def. Fanshawe 12-4

Friday, October 18
Game 3: Durham def. Conestoga 10-0
Game 4: St. Clair def. Humber 3-0
Game 5: Humber def. Conestoga 13-3
Game 6: Durham def. St. Clair 5-1

Saturday, October 19
OCAA Bronze Medal Game
Humber def. St. Clair 3-0
*Loser awarded Bronze, winner advances to Gold Medal Game

OCAA Gold Medal Game
Durham def. Humber 8-0

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

For over 50 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com