SASKATOON - The third Unity-born player in nine years to make the roster of the University of Saskatchewan softball team, Marina Gampe, will begin her season on the diamonds in Saskatoon in the Western Collegiate Softball Association regular season.
For the 2021 season, the WCSA includes eight teams: U of Calgary Dinos, Briercrest Clippers, U of Regina Cougars, SAIT Polytechnic Trojans, U of Lethbridge, UBC-Okanagan and the U of Victoria, along with USask team. UBCO and U of L were absent for opening weekend in Saskatoon.
Gampe, daughter of Lindsay and Cindy Gampe of Unity, says she will be playing short stop, first base and some utility positioning. She attended tryouts in October of 2020 when they announced the possibility of having a season this year.
Gampe is a 2017 UCHS graduate and went on to post-secondary at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alta. for three years earning an agribusiness diploma and crop technology diploma, both with honours. She wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture; therefore, she is now enrolled in classes at the U of S, majoring in agribusiness.
“Staying organized is the key to accomplishing both academic goals and playing with this team. We practice in evenings and mornings, as well as workouts throughout the week,” says Gampe
Gampe says she was able to align her class schedule in a way where she was able to travel on Fridays with the team.
“With hard work and dedication to my studies and my team, I won’t have issues doing it all with the support of my family and friends,” says Gampe
Asked who her biggest influence in softball was, Gampe responds, “Keith Mackintosh. I wouldn’t be here without his knowledge, coaching and endless support over the last seven years.”
Tosh, as he is known, is a five-time national champion, previous national junior women’s softball coach and men’s national softball player as well as co-owner of 222’s Fastpitch.
Marina’s strong presence in the softball community was driven by her time with the 222’s Fastpitch team, a travel team that practiced on weekends and travelled for competition in all parts of the United States. Gampe played four consecutive seasons with this high-performance fastball program and is now assisting as an instructor with the 222’s based out of Saskatoon.
“My goals this season are to work with all the talented ladies on the team and secure a spot at nationals for the 2022 season,” says Gampe
On opening weekend, Gampe and her U of S team showed much promise as the only team they lost to was the University of Calgary in the six-game weekend schedule. Their first loss to U of C Dinos was an extra-inning game. The team travels to Shouldice Park in Calgary next weekend, and play every weekend in September heading to Regina, Lethbridge and back to Saskatoon, before competing at WCSA championships the first weekend in October in Calgary.
Follow the U of S Softball Facebook page for updates on the team this season, as well as the WCSA website, http://wcsasoftball.pointstreaksites.com/view/wcsasoftball.
The U of S softball team has a long history of success both in the WCSA and the CCSA that include: 2019 WCSA bronze; 2017 and 2018 WCSA silver; and 2016 WCSA gold. This team also captured silver at CCSA finals and gold in 2016 CCSA championship. Kelsey Ackerlund (Wildeman) was part of the team from 2012-14 and was part of a national bronze medal in team 2012, WCSA gold in 2013, bronze in 2014 and fifth place at nationals that year. Shelby Solomko is also a U of S Softball alumnae, playing in the 2013 and 2014 seasons earning WCSA gold in 2013 and WCSA bronze in 2014 as well as fifth place at nationals.
