The U16 Bandits posted a perfect 6-0 record over the weekend on their way to a provincial gold medal in Regina. (Submitted photo/Darren Russell)

By Martin Martinson

Softball supremacy

U16 Bandits cap undefeated season with provincial gold

Jul 26, 2021 | 3:08 PM

The Battlefords Bandits U16 softball team capped off a season for the ages over the weekend after taking home a gold medal win at provincials in Regina.

The team started their weekend with a thrilling extra-innings victory over the rival Southeast Supernovas 3-2. From there, the Bandits never looked back, topping Tisdale 14-1, Melville 17-7 and Weyburn 11-2 to close out the round robin on a roll and earn their place in the playoff rounds on Sunday.

The U16 Bandits pictured here with their gold medals and team banner as 2021 provincial champions. (Submitted photo/Darren Russell)

In the semifinals, the Bandits continued their torrent pace as the club topped Unity 15-11, to set up a second meeting with the Supernovas in the weekend finals for gold.

This time the Bandits took home a convincing 10-3 victory to close out their season with a gold medal and perfect 21-0 record on the year.

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Head coach of the team, Darren Russell said just being able to watch the team be rewarded for their hard work all season with a gold medal this weekend was something special.

“It was just perfect; they played like a team all year long, they supported each other, didn’t miss practices and just completely bought into what us as coaches were saying,” Russell said. “Being able to have that successful season and then to finish it off at provincials [with the gold] was amazing.”

The weekend marked the first provincial tournament for minor softball in the region since pre-pandemic in 2019, nearly a full two years ago.

Also in provincial action, the U14 Bandits placed fourth at provincials in Saskatoon, while the U12 team played in Prince Albert.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1