CASS Knights girls fastball team in familiar position, unfamiliar territory

College Avenue’s Emma Perryman pulls into third base safely during a 10-0 win over Lord Dorchester. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

The Woodstock College Avenue Knights girls’ fastball team finds itself in both a familiar position and unfamiliar territory as the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) Southeast regular season unfolds.

The Knights’ 10-0 shutout win over Lord Dorchester on Monday, May 11, at Woodstock’s Southside Park placed the defending Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations champions atop the standings with a perfect 4-0 record. But as coach Ryan Stafford pointed out, that unblemished mark has come with more of a battle this season.

“The competition has definitely increased, this year especially,” he said. “We’re taking nothing for granted, we know it’s going to be a battle this year, right to the end.”

Monday’s game was an exception, CASS’s Hannah Ryksen walking off Dorchester from third, pushed across the plate with a bases-loaded base on balls.

“Literally a walk-off,” she smiled. “I literally walked in.”

The Knights’ tenth run kicked in a mercy-rule victory, despite Stafford’s hopes for another defensive inning.

“He was like, ’Don’t take a passed ball, I want you to pitch again,’” Ryksen explained.

The Grade 10 Ryksen, along with sisters Morgan and McKenzie Howard, and Payton Jones, the little sister of ‘Miss Softball’ Chloe Jones, currently playing at the University of Windsor, give the Knights formidable depth in pitching, the key to softball success.

Typically, each team’s strongest players also play with club teams, Ryksen with the U17 Waterloo Ghosts program, Morgan Howard with the U19 Brampton Blazers. But they also enjoy suiting up with the high school teams and competing in a comparatively short, yet intense spring season.

“It’s fun to play with your friends from school,” said Ryksen.

‘A lot of fun,’ agreed Morgan Howard, as well as arguably, less pressure.

“Enjoy this year because it is my last one. Not taking it for granted.”

The Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers underscored her last point, pushing CASS to the limit in their Monday, May 4 season-opener. Howard, who also struck out 11 in six innings of pitching, drove in the game-winning run in a tight 3-2 victory with a single to right field on an 0-2 count in the bottom of the seventh, said Stafford.

“They’re a great team, well-coached,” he credited. “Becky Elliott has them dialled in.”

Blue Bombers pitcher Erin Plaquet also takes the mound for the Lucan-Ilderton U17 team, says Stafford, striking out nine during the game and adding a home run.

“She pitched an absolute gem against us.”

Later that day, the Knights took the back end of a doubleheader by a 4-2 margin over an equally competitive Woodstock CI Red Devils squad, led by Lily Wenberg, who pitches for Mitchell as well.

“She carved us up pretty well,” said Stafford. “It could have gone either way.”

As defending champions, the Knights tend to get opponents’ best games, Stafford continued, putting CASS on notice that it will also have to bring an A effort.

“We don’t take anybody lightly. Every game is 0-0 to us, every inning is 0-0.”

College Avenue’s seasonal goal remains the same, says Howard.

“To go undefeated.”

“Continue the path we’ve taken,” added Ryksen.

“Take it one pitch at a time,” Howard continued.

“And work together,” Ryksen concluded.