SUNDRE – Demonstrating a hunger to hustle from base to base, members of the U17 Stealers fast-pitch softball squad seem to be living up to the team’s new name.
The Sundre Minor Ball team, which plays in the Central Alberta Softball League, had as of late last week been enjoying a wonderful start to the season, coach Lyndsay Edgar said during a phone interview.
As of Friday, May 26, the team had gone undefeated in five games, with a record of four wins and one tie, Edgar said, adding the team had gone up against tier 1 and tier 2 squads and still played some really good ball.
“I think we have a great overall team and every player is definitely bringing something to the field,” she said when asked where the team’s strengths lie.
“We have some good hitters and we have some great pitchers and fielders,” she said.
“But honestly, our base running is what won” a game on Tuesday, May 23 against a team from Lacombe, she said.
“The girls showed complete aggression on the bases; it was super awesome.”
Asked if the players were living up to their team’s name – the Stealers – she said “100 per cent.”
They played their fifth game against another Lacombe-based squad on Thursday, May 25 at Westward Ho just east of Sundre, which is counted as a home game as the Diamond 2 outfield in Sundre is allowed to recuperate after being reseeded. The team handily won the contest to maintain their undefeated streak.
As for the focus during practice, the coach said the team has been drilling a lot on batting.
“We’re working on hitting and really exploding and forcing the ball into the outfield,” she said. “They’re very hesitant to hit the ball, so we’re trying to get them to feel more comfortable at the plate.”
The Stealers will be playing in a tournament hosted by Stettler this weekend.