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Paris Panthers Girls Fastball second in AABHN

By Casandra Turnbull

The Paris Panthers Girls Fastball team came very close to an undefeated season, unfortunately recording their first loss of the season in a well-fought battle against McKinnon Park Secondary School (MPSS) in the season’s championship game. The Athletic Association of Brant Haldimand Norfolk year end tournament took place on Wednesday at Jaycee Park in Brantford. Paris coasted to a 14-1 semi final win over St. John’s College during their first game of the day. During the final match-up, MPSS got off to an early 4-0 lead after two innings. Paris responded in the third with three runs on hits from Abby Tinnes, Olivia Worrall, Pyper Morley and Emmalyse Risteau. On the mound, Worall managed to shut down MPSS’ offense, striking out eight batters and keeping MPSS off the scoreboard. Down by one run heading into the final inning, Paris’ Mya Padusenko hit a one-out single to put the tying run on base, but the Panthers were unable to cash in that run, losing the game 4-3. Coach Shelley Weaver attributes the team’s success to strong pitching, catching and a wellbalanced batting line up. Tinnes and Worrall showed control and execution on the mound all season, while Morley was solid behind the plate and also had some clutch hits, said Weaver. Worrall and Risteau led the team’s offense. “The girls have great attitudes, they play hard and support each other whether things are going our way or not,” said Weaver. She also credited Tinnes, a returning Grade 12 player, for her excellent leadership. In regular season play, Paris dominated the score board recording the most runs for (69) and was among the top three teams for fewest runs against (30).

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They finished their 6-0 season just ahead of BCI, who lost only once to Paris in a 13-7 decision for the Panthers. Wednesday’s games are the end of the season for the Panthers. This might also be the end of the line for girls’ fastball in high school. Weaver explained that OFFSSA has decided to run Slo Pitch for girls next year, which could push schools towards running Slo Pitch, rather than fastball. As of now, schools are waiting to see if CWOSSA and AABHN will follow suit and implement Slo Pitch in all schools. “It would be a shame to lose this sport with so many talented fastball players in our area. It’s a great game with lots of opportunities for them to continue to play competitively at post secondary both here and in the States,” said Weaver.

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