Two members of the 2000B Richmond Islanders completed their season by capturing a bronze medal in the girls’ softball competition at the B.C. Summer Games in Abbotsford.
Ellen Yam and Jessica Porter were selected to play on the Vancouver/Coastal Zone 5 team, along with members of the North Shore Stars, South Delta Invaders and Delta Heat.
The journey began for this group last September when close to 100 girls from Vancouver, Richmond and Delta tried out for a position on this team.
Coaches Jake Geboers, Scott Stoilen and Crystal McKenzie spent many hours to narrow it down to the final 15 that would compete for this zone.
After going 3-1 in the round robin, Vancouver/Coastal secured a spot into the playoffs, which only 4 teams advanced to.
On Friday night, in the first round of the playoffs they fought hard against the Fraser Valley team but lost 5-3. After a tiring day of three games, in the sun the girls headed back to their accommodation to rest up and bring their ‘A’ game to the Bronze medal contest. The team set their plans in motion and finished the game in the sixth with a walk off single for a convincing 8-1 victory over Fraser River.
Their only two losses in the tournament came against the eventual gold and silver medalists
A combination of home run hits, diving catches, great pitching, solid back catching and all around good spirit contributed to the success of the team. The weekend brought many memories from opening ceremonies right through to the close that this team will not soon forget.
Both Yam and Porter made big contributions to the team's success with solid defensive play in right field and at shortstop respectively, and timely hitting when needed.
