The South Surrey-White Rock Thunder ’99s played much bigger than their age last month, en route to winning a U16 rep ‘B’ provincial championships in Prince George.
Nicknamed “the little ones” by their competition – most of which was a year older than the 1999-born Thunder – the South Surrey girls fastpitch squad won the B.C. banner after a 9-3 win over the South Delta Invaders ’98.
Earlier in the day, it was the Invaders who, with a 5-4 win, bumped the Thunder into the consolation bracket of the playoffs, forcing the younger squad to win four straight do-or-die games to advance to the title game of the double-knockout tournament.
After the initial loss – the team’s only one of the weekend – the Thunder reeled off playoff victories over the Ridge Meadows Rage and their older ‘sister’ team, the Thunder ’98, before meeting the Cloverdale Fury ’98 in the semifinals.
In semifinals, the Thunder jumped out to a two-run lead after the first inning, and plated five more runs in the third, eventually winning 14-0 in a game shortened by the mercy rule.
In the final against South Delta, the Thunder’s red-hot offence paired nicely with the team’s play in the field, led by pitchers Michaela Epp and Jessica Podskalny.
“Every player showed up this weekend and helped each other out... we played as a team. I am so proud of them,” said Thunder head coach Glenn Kirkpatrick.