The Southside Slammers recently returned from competing in nationals, held in Delta, B.C. from August 8 to 13. The Slammers were ranked the number two-seeded team from Saskatchewan. They had a great showing with three wins against Red Deer Rage 2-1, Calgary Kaizen 6-0 and Manitoba Thunder 6-5 and five losses against Victoria Devils 6-2, TC Titans 9-2, Whiterock Renegades 9-2, Winnipeg Lightning 10-3 and Oakville Angels 8-1. The Slammers won the consolation final.
The Southside Slammers are a bantam under-16 provincial girls softball team that was formed in January with players from Estevan, Weyburn, Oxbow, Alameda, Arcola and Balgonie. Coaches are Trent Walter, Rene Blanchette, Caroline Chartrand and Kevin Pekrul. Practice was twice a week in Estevan with double-header league games every week in Regina.
The Slammers hosted a couple of double-header exhibition games in Estevan during the season. They split games with the Regina Lazers and won both games against the Brandon Westman Magic, then travelled to Brandon July 30 to play a Brandon team and a Winnipeg team, but unfortunately were defeated in both games. They had their first tournament in Regina in May where they finished with a silver medal.
Their second tournament was in Saskatoon where they fell a little short in round robin play and didn’t make it to playoffs. The third tournament was also in Regina where they earned a gold medal. In their last tournament of the season, held in Melfort, they earned a gold along with each of the girls receiving Hillberg and Berk Earrings.
While competing at provincials in Saskatoon, the Slammers fought hard in the round robin play to finish top two in their pool and finished fourth overall. League playoffs were finished after provincials with the Slammers winning silver for their efforts. The Slammers had a great season playing 54 games, winning 32, losing 21 and tied once. The team is looking forward to next year.
