Fusion dominates west
Langley Advance
Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Fraser Valley squad stamped an exclamation point on its western Canadian title by slamming the Richmond Islanders 9-2 in the gold medal game.
The Fusion 94 can officially lay claim to the title of being best in the west.
The Fraser Valley girls fastpitch squad rolled to a gold medal at the Peewee ‘A’ Western Canadian Championships in Richmond last weekend.
The Fusion placed first in the round robin, winning five of six games while outscoring their opponents 31-5.
Facing a tough Saskatoon Lasers squad in the semi- final, the Fusion trailed by one run in the fifth inning.
That’s when Nicole Ratel slammed a two run homer deep to left field and the Fusion took the lead for the first time in the game.
A few batters later, Jess Edmiston hit a double up the middle with two runners on base to extend the Fusion’s lead to three runs.
The Fusion were then able to hold off the Lasers, beating them 5-4.
In the western Canadian final, the Fusion faced a tired Richmond Islanders 95 team.
The local girls beat their Richmond foes in a mercy rule shortened game, winning 9-2 in five innings.
It looked as if the Islanders were about to make a comeback, until Mikaela Chranofsky hit a solo home run deep into centre field.
Chranofsky’s blast sparked a seven-run inning which finished the Islanders.
On the strength of her fine outing, Cranofsky won her second MVP award of the tournament.
The Fusion received solid performances on all fronts.
Nicole Ratel and Jaimi Wainright had solid games behind the plate, with strong pitching performances by Jennine Walsh and Brooke Anderson, who were supported by Lauren Barrie.
Kayla Smith, Katie Young and Mikayla Fowler had great offensive outings at the plate, and huge defensive performances all weekend.
Other MVPs were awarded to Lauren Iverson, Nicole Ratel, Brooke Anderson, Jenine Walsh, Danica Kump, and Jessica Edmiston.
The Fusion are coached by John Walsh, Dave Edmiston and Lorri Iverson.
