The Come Back Kids!The Ramsay Lampman Rhodes Nanaimo Breakers 95 softball team’s 2010 season culminated at the 2010 Bantam B Provincials in Port Alberni.
Prior to the Provincial tournament the team worked hard to prepare, putting in intense effort in 35 practices and 14 exhibition games in Nanaimo, Port Alberni, & Parksville. They also participated in 4 tournaments in BC and 3 in Washington State. After more than 2500 kms of driving, 16 hours on the ferry, and 48 games, the team was ready for the big weekend.
Coach Bryce Johnson’s initial goal for the first year Bantam team was to finish top 8 at Provincials but by tournament number three it became apparent to him that with continued effort and drive, this team had the potential to medal at Provincials. The team improved throughout the season, medaling in the last 5 tournaments, winning one gold, three silver, and one bronze, and showing the heart and determination needed to achieve this goal.
The RLR Nanaimo Breakers 95 participated in the 2010 Bantam B Provincials in Port Alberni, July 16-18. As a first year Bantam team, the players faced some stiff competition, but through their perseverance and never-say-die attitude, they became known at the tournament as the “Giant Killers”.
The team went 4-0 in the round robin portion of the tournament. In Game 3, the team was down 9-2 going into the final inning. The team dug deep and scored an astonishing 8 runs in the top of the inning to go ahead 10-9 and held their opponents to steal the win in the most amazing come back of the tournament.
The team moved into the playoff round featuring the top eight teams and were handed their first loss at the hands of SSWR Thunder, the eventual bronze medal winners. In the next game, the RLR Nanaimo Breakers 95 were tied 5-5 with the North Shore Stars heading in to the 6th inning. The Breakers scored 2, but North Shore tied them again in the top of the 7th. Again, the Breakers refused to give in, and stole one run in the bottom of the 7th to take the win.
The team then faced Cordova Bay, the top ranked Vancouver Island team in a must win elimination game. Down 5-2 with time running out, again the team fought back to tie the game in the last inning. The Breakers gave up one run in the international tie breaker inning, but stole two back to take the win in an intense, emotional battle.
Next up the Breakers battled the second seeded Richmond Islanders 94 and were down 7-0 heading into the fifth inning. Again the “come back kids” scored 5 runs in the 5th and 4 more in the top of the 6th to take a 9-7 lead. Strong bats at the top of the order allowed the Islanders to come back and score three to take the win in the bottom of the 6th, eliminating the highly respected and amazing “Giant Killers”. The team finished 4th in the province and 1st for Island teams in an emotion-filled weekend with 6 wins and 2 losses.
Coach Johnson, who has been coaching fastball for over 10 years, commented that he has never seen a team that displayed the heart and determination shown by these 12 amazing young ladies. In the hearts and minds of many in attendance, this young, first year bantam team showed the character and confidence of gold medal winners.
