Saints win softball gold

 

 

By Jordan Caschera

The St. Clair Saints softball team have won their first ever National Championship by defeating the four time champions Western University.

The Saints beat defending National Champions, Western University 2-1 with a 7th inning walk-off hit by infielder Sarah Bondy. The Saints finished the first three games with a 2-1 record after dropping a close game to Western placing the team in second place after pool-play. During the quarter-finals the Saints defeated the University of Regina to advance to the semi-finals where the Saints outlasted the University of Saskatchewan to bring them to the gold medal game.

In the championship game the Saints scored in the 3rd inning to tie the game at 1-1. Both teams played to a tie until the 7th and final inning where eventual winning-pitcher Allison Telfer singled with one out. Following the hit head coach Doug Wiseman pinch ran Telfer for Sydney Macpherson to set up a sacrifice bunt to put the runner in scoring position with Sarah Bondy up to bat. Bondy hit a sharp ball to left field scoring the winning run and setting up the walk-off home plate celebration.

Recruiting director, Bernie Labute said the soft and baseball teams are becoming successful and it begins with the philosophy of being the best.

Coach Wiseman said his team has been positive all season long.

“Our teams attitude this season has been positive and confident,” said Wiseman. “we were focused on being the best we can.”

According to Wiseman his team stuck to their attitude for the final game against Western, the same team they lost to the day before in Oshawa.

“We felt confident against Western, having played them the day before and losing in extra innings,” said Wiseman. Wiseman said the hit by Telfer and the perfectly executed bunt from Sierra Johnson set up Bondy’s walk off hit.

“Bondy has been a steady and consistent player this season and contributes to our teams dynamic,” said Wiseman.

Infielder Sarah Bondy said she admits to being nervous during the at bat but Wiseman had some encouraging words for her.

“I looked my coach in the eyes, with nervousness and doubt .. and he said to me ‘The pressure isn’t on you, it’s on them’ and that calmed me down,” said Bondy.

Bondy said all she could do while in the batters box was believe she would hit the ball.

“You don’t have much time to think,” said Bondy. “ All you can really do is believe you are gonna hit the ball.”
According to Bondy the moment was just that, a moment and before she knew it she and the team were champions.

Bondy said throughout the season they followed Wisemans motto.

“We constantly preach 100 per cent effort, 100 per cent of the time,” said Bondy. According to Bondy everyone brings something to the table and the team has been successful because of the faith they put into each other to consistently play to their bes ability.

“When you search the word ‘team’ St. Clair softball is the definition,” said Bondy.