Steinbach Storm - 2018 Provincial U19 B Softball Champions
Back Row: Mya Laderoute, Sarah Gesell, Dana Andres, Sonya Goertzen, Kori Gryba, Jayde Gryba & Hannah Goertzen
Front Row: Cynthia Cote, Steph Cabral, Morgan Friesen, Mackenzie Eden & Kirstin Gautron
Coaches: Robert Goertzen & Cliff Froese
Missing: Taylor Friesen & coach Kaeleigh Maggrah

 

The Steinbach Storm reeled off six straight wins and captured Softball Manitoba's Provincial U19 B Girls championship banner.

"It's been a really good season," said Storm coach Robert Goertzen. "We played well together. Some of the girls hadn't played together for a couple of years but many of them knew each other from years past playing in high school together or on local teams over the past few years. They really stepped up and decided to make the game that they love fun and play hard."

The Storm were dominant in the round robin as they defeated BoniVital East 24-1; Nations United 13-2 and Thunder Bay 19-5.

Steinbach then downed Hamiota 9-2 in the quarterfinals; shutdown Seine River 12-0 in the semifinals and beat the Brandon Heat 9-3 in the Gold Medal game.

Goertzen said the depth of his ball club was the difference.

"We came into the provincial tournament with five pitchers and we were able to use all five. Even though it was very hot and very windy, the weather was draining but we were able to rotate our lineup in a way to keep everyone fresh for every game."

As for the 86 Storm baserunners that crossed the plate at John Blumberg Softball Complex.

"Looking back over the games we noticed that every batter in the lineup produced runs," said Goertzen. "It didn't matter whether they were a power hitter or if they were a short-game bunter - it didn't matter - they all played together and effectively moved the runners around the bases and produced runs. We were very happy to be able to come up to bat everytime knowing that we had people ready to go."

Despite winning their first five games in dominating fashion, Goertzen says his team was a bit anxious prior to the final with the Heat.

"There are always nerves. We knew that we had a good season but come provincials, every game is a different kettle of fish. We were a little apprehensive but confident that we had a good team and that we were going to play well. In the game against Brandon, we knew that they had a very good tournament as well. We just kept on playing our game. We worked hard at defense, we supported our pitchers and when we need runs - we got runs."

When the last out was recorded, Goertzen says it was a tremendous feeling to watch his team celebrate a championship season.

"It was wonderful. There was a lot of excitement and jubilation and a little bit of relief because we knew that Brandon was a very good team. Every inning they had a chance to come back. We were really glad for the result."

The Grunthal Fusion defeated Seine River 13-3 in the Bronze Medal game.

The Fusion beat BoniVital East 7-5 in the quarterfinals and then lost 9-2 to Brandon in the semifinals.


photo courtesy Softball Manitoba