Disappointing Final Weekend for Gee-Gees

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 10/27/06 4:02:15 PM 
From:  Scott Searle <scottsearle(at)rogers.com> 

 
Subject:  Disappointing Final Weekend for Gee-Gees  
   

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Disappointing final weekend for Gee-Gees as they finished the
season at the OIWFA Championships in Toronto. The team fell short
of their goal of winning the OIWFA Championship. Despite this
the 2006 season must still be considered a success as the team
accomplished all of their goals leading up to the final weekend.


Game 1
Ottawa 3 vs York 2
A rejuvenated York squad held the potent Gee-Gee offence to just
3 hits and 4 base runners though the first 6 innings but the
cardiac kids came alive in the bottom of the 7th with singles
off the bats of Vanessa Homiak and Erin Durant followed by a
triple to the gap by Sarah Thompson to tie the game at 2. The
Gee-Gees exuded confidence with 2006 League All-Star Lindsay
Mclaughlin stepping up to the plate but the York pitcher was
able to induce a pop out to second base. Gee-Gees RBI leader
Sam Pantalone seemed to spook the Lion’s catcher who made a throwing
error on a pick-off attempt to allow the winning run to score
and complete the comeback for the Gee-Gees. Congratulations are
in order to the entire York team and their coaching staff led
by former Gee-Gees Brian Robertson and Genevieve Walkden who
did a great job on the weekend. Ashley Sands took the win for
the Gee-Gees behind a very strong outing, allowing only 5 hits
and 2 runs.

Game 2
Ottawa 5 vs Windsor 6
The Gee-Gees squared off against a much-improved Windsor team
than the one they faced opening weekend looking to take control
of their division. The story of the game was the lack luster
defensive effort on behalf of the Garnet and Grey, combined with
several uncharacteristic base running mistakes made it a tough
game for everyone involved. The Gee-Gee's defense had a total
of 5 errors leading to 4 Windsor runs while our base runners
made a few very costly mistakes by running into outs in the early
innings. Jill Taylor got the start and pitched very well scattering
6 hits over 7 innings. Despite a rough game, the Gee-Gees made
it interesting in the 7th inning with a strong comeback attempt
with the final score 6-5. Erin Durant was 2/3 at the dish while
Sam Pantalone once again proved her mettle in clutch situations
and was 1/4 with 2 RBI's. The story of the game was the confidence
the Gee-Gees took away in their team, knowing they could score
at anytime and putting that thought into the rest of the competition.
There are no easy outs on this team.

Game 3
Ottawa 8 McMaster 1
After a fantastic dinner courtesy of the all too-kind McLaughlin
family, the team returned to the diamond in a must-win situation.
The team faced a good deal of adversity leading into the game.
Due to the facilities provided by the host team, there was only
one lit diamond so all evening games would be played at one park.
This caused a major delay as the Windsor-McMaster game had to
be delayed and moved under the lights. This pushed the Ottawa-McMaster
game, already scheduled for 8:30 to 9:15. The team was not able
to warm-up properly for lack of adequate lighting and was forced
to wait in the cold and watch the end of the early game. To kill
time, the team played dodge ball but were forced to listen to
Assistant Coach, Scott Searle sing “ “You are my sunshine” as
punishment for hurting a player with a waffle ball. Despite these
drawbacks the team put together their best performance of the
weekend racing to an 8-1 game that was stopped after 5 innings.
Every athlete scored a run behind offensive leaders Vanessa Homiak
who was ½ with two runs scored and Erin Mulvihill, 1/1 with a
pair of walks and RBI’s. Allie Rutherford also scored a pair
of runs for the Gee-Gees. Ashley Sands reveled under the lights
throwing a 1-hitter and striking out 9 of 15 batters. A very
impressive performance from a very talented pitcher. The Gee-Gees
appeared to be peaking at the right time heading into Sunday.

The team would like to send a major thank you at this time to
the McLaughlin family. They welcomed all 15 athletes to their
home for our 3 weekends in the GTA and provided delicious meals
for a group of rowdy university students. The team would not
have been able to function at many times without their support
and will be forever in their debt. They are without a doubt one
of the most kind, generous families I have ever had the pleasure
to meet and would like to extend my personal gratitude in addition
to the teams for their help and support over the years.

Lindsey McLaughlin and Sam Pantalone were awarded 2006 League
MVP awards before the game.

Game 4
Ottawa 4 vs Toronto 7
100% chance of rain came through Saturday night as the fields
were wet and sloppy. A giant effort from Ottawa, Windsor, and
Western coaches helped ensure the games would go on. We would
also like to thank publicly, Brian Robertson and Stacey Lymer
from York who pitched in to help ensure the diamonds would be
safe to play on. The games were moved to the 3rd Birchwood diamond
without lights or fences.

The rivalry continued in the semi-final between U of T and Ottawa
after a short rain delay and the Gee-Gee bats started where they
left off as the Garnet and Grey jumped a 3-0 after two innings.
With Jill Taylor on the mound, throwing a gem, the Gee-Gees seemed
in control in the fifth up 3-1 but an error then a bunt single
put runners on 1st and 3rd Jillian was replaced in favour of
Game Three star Ashley Sands. Jillian suffered from bad luck
on the weekend as she had two stellar starts wasted; she allowed
the powerful Toronto offence only 2 hits in 5 innings before
giving way to Ashley. Ashley had a rough welcome to the game
with a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases before a pair of
singles stretched the Blues lead to 6-3. The Gee-Gees cut the
lead to 2 behind a Homiak double but Toronto put it out of reach
in the top of the 7th with another run. Vanessa Homiak who was
3/4 with an RBI and run scored received MVP honours. Vanessa
has been a very welcome addition to the team, and always seems
to play her best when the team needs her most.

Congratulations to the University of Toronto for coming out on
top of what must be one of the most heated rivalries in the OIWFA
and advancing to the final. A very big congratulations are also
in order for the University of Western Ontario who won their
first OIWFA Championship. This is a very well-deserved victory
by a very classy program. We are looking forward to heading to
Byron in 2007 to once again seek the top prize.

A sad day for the Gee-Gees as they say good-bye to two of the
most recognizable players from their 5 year history. Champagne
corks will be popping all over Ontario from opposing teams as
Lindsey McLaughlin and Nicole Dunlop competed in their last game
in a Gee-Gee uniform These are the only two remaining athletes
from the 2003 Championship team and have been some of the driving
forces behind the teams success throughout their history. The
most rewarding aspect of coaching over the past 5 years has been
developing relationships with a group of very special people
and I am very proud to have coached these two athletes and am
honoured to call them both friends. These athletes are very special
people and excellent models for what University Sport is about.
You will be missed.

Fans of the Gee-Gees can look forward to 2007 as the team will
re-load for another run to the Championship. Stellar rookies,
Vanessa Homiak, Erin Mulvihill and Allie Rutherford will be returning
to the Garnet and Grey as the team changes shape, but keeps the
same goals. The team will be stellar in the circle as usual as
they welcome back all 4 pitchers from 2006. Ashley Sands, Jill
Taylor, Elissa Sivel, and Isabelle Richard will be back to cause
opposing batters fits. One of the most explosive offences in
the OIWFA will be back in action with Sam Pantalone, Allison
Hibbett, Jen Alexander, Erin Durant and Sarah Thompson reunited
to test opposing pitchers.

Watch our website in the off-season for updates on the team and
information on how to try out for the 2007 version of the Gee-Gees.
 
From:  Scott Searle <scottsearle(at)rogers.com> 


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