The Westlock U14 Wild has had a busy summer, taking gold in Edmonton June 9-11 on the heels of sweeping the Edmonton Blue Crew tournament in Edmonton June 3-4.
The team posted six wins and no losses at the games over the weekend, defeating the Enoch Wild in the gold medal game Sunday.
“We were expecting to do quite well,” said head coach Dan Shank.
This team is a combination of Westlock Wild 1 and 2 teams in the Westlock Minor Ball Association, bringing together the strongest players from both sides, excelling at hitting, defence and especially pitching — noting Peyton Shank, Sidney Montgomery, Heidi Huppertz and Sierra Tymko.
“They pitched winning games,” he said. “It’s pitching that wins you the game.”
The Wild battled against the St. Albert Angels, Bonnyville Angels, Enoch Wild and the Beaumont Brats in close competition.
“There were a couple teams that were a little weak but overall it was very comparable,” he said. “We pretty much edged them out on the pitching. Whereas lots of teams have one pitcher that can pitch well for this level, we have four that can do the job, at least four and more if need be.”
Sandwiched between these was a loss against fellow locals Westlock Wild Team 2. The Wild are now 3-2-0 in the Westlock Minor Ball Association.
“We played five games and won them all,” Shank said. “Our defence played very well and we hit the ball really well. They improved right from the first game through the last. Their confidence got really high. They didn’t panic and they did a really fine job.”
The Wild dominated against teams from Legal, Sherwood Park and Edmonton. The team first blew past Valleyview before taking out both Sherwood Park teams in the round robin. After knocking Legal out of the park, the team had a rematch with Sherwood Park, whom they defeated 8-3.
He congratulated three of his pitchers for each completing an entire game on the mound. Peyton Shank, Signy Montgomery and Emily Andruziak each kept their teams ahead for the majority of the Blue Crew Tournament.
Overall, he said the girls were taking the area by storm.
“We need to tweak a bit more on defence,” said Shank.
“And more practice on hitting. Always more practice on hitting.”
Wild 2 return to St. Albert this weekend for a tournament and the Wild U14 fastball club head to Athabasca June 24 for a league tournament. Then it’s on to provincials in Irma the second weekend of July.
