On May 24–25, the Cache Creek Chaos U13 girls’ softball team, sponsored by Safety Mart Foods, participated in their first tournament of the season.
They travelled to Vernon and entered the 10-team U-13 girls Vernon Spring Classic. The girls represented Cache Creek Minor Softball by showing their hard work and sportsmanship on and off the field all weekend.
The team played a total of five games all weekend against some great competition. Saturday started bright and early with a tough match-up against Westside. This game ended with a 12–1 loss, but not from lack of effort or trying.
Their second game was against the host Vernon team, which found Cache Creek on the winning side with a score of 18–11. The final game of the day was against Salmon Arm, which was close as they had to come from behind, but they fell a little short, losing 15–12.
After round robin play on Saturday was complete, Cache Creek finished in eighth place, meaning an early morning match-up on Sunday with seventh place Castlegar. This game was definitely the team’s most exciting one of the weekend. The girls were leading 9–4, but Castlegar had last bat and tied the game 9–9, meaning extra innings.
Neither team scored runs in the first extra inning, meaning a second extra inning was needed. When all was said and done, Cache Creek narrowly took the win with a score of 14–13.
The win over Castlegar set up another meeting with the same Westside team they started the tournament against. Cache Creek battled very hard after their extra-innings game, as well as with the 30 C Okanagan heat, but came up short, with a 14–3 loss to end their tournament.
There were many takeaways from the girls’ first tournament. It was the first look at U13 competition for five of the players, and they improved with each game as they picked up valuable experience. They always got the loudest cheers, and there was so much positive support for each other, which makes this team pretty special already, no matter whether they win or lose.
The coaches, team manager, and parents deserve a huge thank you for their guidance and support, and for keeping the team cool and hydrated all weekend. Also thank you to Vernon Minor Softball Association for being fantastic hosts, and to their umpire crew: many of them were young, and learning at the tournament. Just like in any minor sport, without them there are no games.
There is no rest for the team: this weekend (May 31) they travel to Kelowna to participate in their Spring Sizzle tournament. Good luck Chaos!
