[Alsfastball] University of Ottawa Gee Gees

[Al Doran]

From: "Scott Searle" <Scottsearle at rogers.com>
To: "Al Doran" <fastball at pmihrm.com>
Subject: University of Ottawa Gee Gees
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 00:25:44 -0400


The University of Ottawa Gee Gee's are set to begin their title defense 
this weekend in Guelph. After placing first in the Ontario Intercollegiate 
Womens Fastball League last fall the Gee Gee's return to the field a 
deeper, younger team. The team capped a very successful offseason by adding 
Gil Read to the coaching staff. Gil is fresh off a strong 5th place finish 
in Athens as team Canada's Team Leader. Gil will provide the Gee Gee's 
young coaches with both expertise and experience. Gil joins the three 
stooges, Brian Robertson, Scott Searle, and Genevieve Walkden as the Gee 
Gee coaching staff. Genevieve is also coming off a special summer, 
successfully defending her national junior title with the Brampton Blazers. 
This was Genevieve's third national championship in a row.

The team improved on the field as well, adding depth in nearly every 
position from last year. There were several difficult goodbyes over the off 
season as key players who had been with the team since its inception could 
not come back due to graduation, graduate studies etc. But with a core of 8 
players returning from the championship team and 16 new players trying out 
the coaching staff knew they would be in good shape.

In the pitchers circle Erica Chan will be joined by hard-throwing Ashley 
Sands from Kingston and Lindsey Hutton from Orleans. The coaching staff is 
thrilled to have three legitimate aces and three very different looks to 
give opposing batters fits. Behind the plate veteran Jen Blakely will be 
joined by Sarah Thompson from Kanata and Allison Hibbett from St. 
Catherines. To add two players of this quality to a position that was 
already strong is indicative of the depth of this Gee Gee team. All three 
catchers have the ability to keep baserunners honest with their strong 
arms, and batters off balance with their game calling ability.

In the infield, the corners are well looked after with, Jessica Prot, a 
defensive gem for the team last year returns at third base while Kerry 
Ground who has saved more outs then anyone else on the team will remain at 
first. Up the middle the team is thrilled to welcome back one of its stars 
from the first year, Pam Hrick. Returning also is Nicky Dunlop who was a 
star both offensively and defensively last year. Watching those two turn 
double plays is something to behold. A new addition to the team is Shannon 
Lundrigan from Newmarket, she was the teams best hitter during tryouts, 
absolutely pounding the ball.

The outfield has been a perennial strength for the Gee Gees and this year 
will be no different. With Jen Leppard, Danna Masters, and Lindsey 
McLaughlin returning the outfield is already excellent but the team has 
added Erin Durant from Prescott who will add speed as well as strong 
defence to the lineup. With Danna, Erin, and Sarah Thompson this might be 
the Gee Gee's fastest team ever which should serve as a warning for 
opposing catchers. Jen Leppard's leadership and fantastic defense 
complements a great bat in the middle of the order and Lindsey McLaughin 
coming off a nationals appearance with Hamilton in the summer has been 
killing the ball in practice. This is a very exciting team to be around. 
There is an excellent mix of veterans and rookies with strong hitters mixed 
in with fast runners. The team plays its first games on Saturday in 
Cambridge, directions can be found on the OIWFA website at 
http://www.geocities.com/oiwfa/ . This will be a good weekend for the Gee 
Gees as their first two games are rematches of last years semi-finals and 
finals against UofT and Guelph. For more information on the team please 
visit our website at 
<http://www.eteamz.com/ottawaufastpitch>www.eteamz.com/ottawaufastpitch



Scott Searle

Scottsearle at rogers.com

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