Only three of them had played the game beyond initiation-level leagues before this season, but the Estevan Elite moulded themselves into one of the best in the province, on display at home last weekend.
The Elite got some timely good pitching and a consistent effort in making the Saskatchewan Softball Association's Squirt B Girls final Sunday at Wellock Road. Through scorching hot temperatures that went well into the 30s Saturday and Sunday – and occasional water breaks – the Elite lost 15-1 in the final to the Battlefords Bandits, having finally ran out of gas.
“They've been together since the beginning of May,” said Gooding. “There's only three girls that have been here before and are second years. The rest of them are brand new kids.”
The team went to several tournaments throughout the year and found success there. The Elite won gold in a Regina tournament, second in Saskatoon and second in Moose Jaw earlier this year and now second in provincials.
The Elite opened off the tournament Friday with a 14-4 win over Carry The Kettle reserve and a 15-8 win over the Moore Jaw Ice B team. Saturday they defeated the Davidson Red Sox 16-10 but lost 14-10 to the Melfort Spirit.
For Sunday's playoff, they defeated the Ice again 17-10 after coming from behind early but fell short of winning gold with a 15-1 loss to the undefeated Battleford team.
“It was a long, hot weekend and they're all young and tired of playing ball now,” he said. “It's hard, with 10-12 year old kids to keep them focussed. You just let them have breaks and lots of water.”
And there was no discouragement at all from the Elite, no matter what the score was. As is softball tradition, the singing and encouraging chanting was nearly constant from the bench as they batted and there were few few errors on the field.
“They worked hard and they stuck together as a team and helped each other out,” Gooding said.
And with only three players aging out of squirt, the future looks bright for the team next season.
