U11 HPFL Rockies claim silver at Goderich tournament

The Dunny’s Source For Sports U11 HPFL Red St. Marys Rockies earned a silver medal in the Goderich Seahawks Tournament July 17-19. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Kristen Maddock, Ivy Smith, Lola Gropp, Lydia Harris, Aurora Darling and Scarlett Maddock. In the back row, from left, are Calvin McKay, Noelle McKay, Ava Wilder, Monica Hinz, Madelyn Weber, Hailey Wilson, Sianna Sicilia, Izabella Feltz and Jacquie Wilson. Not pictured were Grace McLean and Laura Parkinson.

By Spencer Seymour

The Dunny’s Source For Sports U11 HPFL Red St. Marys Rockies took home the silver medal in the July 17-19 Goderich Seahawks Tournament.

Coach Pat McLean credited the team for rising to compete and faring very well amongst the tough field of teams during the tournament.

“We ran into some tough competition, and all our girls rose to the challenge,” McLean said. “How far pitching has come has really helped us be able to be competitive, and it’s been so fun to watch. The bats really came alive, and it was right through the whole lineup. Everyone was able to contribute.”

McLean added the tournament reflected the team’s steady development over the course of the season.

“We are really starting to hit our stride,” McLean said. “The girls have come so far in being able to support each other and gel as a team. As a coach, it’s so nice to be able to not have to stress too much about what spot the girls are going to play because they’ve all been able to develop the skills to play anywhere. We have become aggressive at the plate and are really focusing on good contact and getting good quality at-bats.”

After their first game was nullified to a tie due to poor air quality, the Rockies battled back from behind to earn an 11-9 walk-off victory on the morning of July 18 against one of two Mitchell teams. Later that day, they fell to a strong Exeter squad by a score of 15-10. Monica Hinz added a homerun during their round-robin play.

This set St. Marys up for a semi-final clash against the second Mitchell team, with an outstanding effort lifting the Rockies to a 15-13 win, securing a berth in the final in a rematch against Exeter.

Though falling narrowly in the gold medal game after a walk-off homerun gave Exeter a 13-12 win in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Rockies still delivered a gutsy performance before taking silver.

Izabella Feltz hit a massive homerun in the final, and Lola Gropp and Scarlett Maddock both threw great games from the pitcher’s mound in the championship final.

Gropp, Hinz, Maddock, Noelle McKay, Hailey Wilson and Aurora Darling all pitched exceptionally well throughout the weekend, and Grace McLean and Ava Wilder were outstanding defensively all weekend.

Pat McLean noted he and his fellow coaches had nothing but positive takeaways for the team’s showing over the weekend.

“The coaching staff was extremely proud of the effort and commitment shown by every player all weekend long,” said Pat McLean. “While the result wasn’t quite what they hoped for, bringing home tournament finalist medals after such a competitive weekend is a great accomplishment. Most importantly, the girls really came together as a team and showed tremendous character, determination and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.”