Thunder earn a spot in provincial playoffs

Times Reporter

 

The Bantam A Girls Fast Pitch Provincials were held in Stony Plain, July 13 – 15. Strathmore’s U16 Boston Pizza Thunder team dropped the first two games to Calgary and Lloydminster on Saturday. 

In both games coach Lanky Johnson said the Thunder has the bases loaded, with no one out in the early innings yet were only able to score one run. 

Johnson said the reason the girls only scored the one run was because of “failing to get the big jump when you have the chance to break a game wide open, normally and did end up having us lose all momentum in both games.”

Later on Saturday, Thunder made a comeback playing two impressive games, one taking down Red Deer 6-0 and the other against Edmonton ending 8-0. 

“You could not ask for two better games played by the girls,” said Johnson. 

The wins helped eliminate Red Deer and Edmonton, while pushing Thunder into the final four playoff round along with River City, Lloydminster and Calgary. 

Sunday’s playoff were postponed and rescheduled to July 21 due to rain. 

The four remaining teams have all guaranteed themselves post provincial play, which Johnson said is great for the locals. 

“It is much better having earned the right to play in Western Canadian Championships in Strathmore Aug 9-12, than just being in it as a host team,” said Johnson. 

Team members are Shae Lane, Alyssa Lavallee, Jessica Murphy, Kirstyn Johnson, Payton Bevill, Shania Carataga, Shayla Klein, Shelby Leavitt, Sara Lightbown, Julia Lindal and Allison Nowell.

Coached and managed by Lanky Johnson, Kirby Lindal, Rolland Lavallee and Amanda Howard a local star in the game herself, with numerous USA college awards.