SLEMON PARK, P.E.I. — Emma Leard and Eryn Hustler could not have written a better final chapter to their high school playing careers.
The two Grade 12 students were members of the 2019 Westisle Wolverines, who won the P.E.I. School Athletic Association (PEISAA) Senior AAA Girls Softball League championship in Slemon Park on Wednesday. Westisle defeated the defending-champion Colonel Gray Colonels 4-0 in the championship game.
“It’s a big win because this is our (school's) ninth banner (this year) and this is the most Westisle has ever taken home,” said the 17-year-old Leard, who is from Mill River East and plays shortstop and centre field. “It’s a big deal to us that we took home the last banner this year.”
What did the title mean to Hustler?
“It’s pretty special, it’s our Grade 12 year and we are graduating in two weeks,” answered Hustler, who also won in powerlifting and was a member of Westisle’s gold-medal-winning senior A girls’ basketball squad for three provincial titles in her senior year.
It also marked the first softball championship for Westisle since 2014.
“It’s great to be part of such a great bunch and knowing we brought home Westisle’s first banner in such a long time is just awesome,” added Leard, who also won provincial gold with Westisle’s senior A girls’ basketball team.
-
Scores
- Scores from PEISAA senior softball championships Wednesday:
- At Slemon Park:
- Semifinals
- Westisle 8 Charlottetown Rural 1
- Colonel Gray 12 Three Oaks 4
- Bronze-Medal Game
- Charlottetown Rural 7 Three Oaks 0
- Gold-Medal Game
- Westisle 4 Colonel Gray 0
Small ball
Hustler, who plays second base, said one key for the Wolverines was an ability to execute small ball, along with timely hitting and strong pitching and defence. Westisle executed multiple sacrifice bunts and used their speed to pick up extra bases.
“We were doing lots of bunting and the bats really came out when we needed them,” continued the 18-year-old from St. Louis. “We were kind of slow starting off, but our bats got going. That was the key to winning for us today.”
Westisle head coach April Hustler agreed.
“All the girls came together and played really, really well,” she assessed. “Our bunting was key at key moments in the game and our pitcher, Ally Hustler, pitched a gem.”
Key defensive play
The Westisle head coach pointed out a key defensive play by Wolverines right-fielder Shailynn Richards in the fourth inning. The Colonels, trailing 1-0 at the time, had loaded the bases with one out.
“(Richards) threw the ball to home and got her at the plate,” explained Coach Hustler. “A couple of runs would have come in there and that was the game-changer.
“It was unique to see that in high school ball.”
[email protected]
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
https://www.facebook.com/jason.simmonds.180