Bronze Medal for Lancers Softball in OUS Championship Weekend

By: Julia Dostaler

Photo credit: Instagram – windsorlancers

Windsor Lancers softball team after winning bronze at the OUS Championship in Kingston, ON. 10/20/2024. Photo credit: Instagram – windsorlancers

The Lancers softball team brought home the bronze medal after a strong fight in the Ontario University Softball (OUS) Championship weekend.

The Windsor’s Lancers softball team provided a bronze medal performance at the OUS championship tournament over the October 19-20 weekend.

The 13-5 Lancers came into the double-knockout tournament is structured that pitted them against squads from the East and West divisions, with the top eight teams being represented. Aubrey Johnson, Lancers team captain, said her team was buzzing with a combination of excitement and nerves heading into the tournament at the Napanee Fairgrounds, not far outside Kingston.

“Staying focused and being mentally tough is something we have talked about and worked towards all season,” said Johnson.

The OUS was originally founded in 2001 by four schools: York University, the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and the University of Ottawa. The league was then called Ontario Intercollegiate Women’s Fastpitch Association (OIWFA). One year later, in 2002, the league welcomed four more schools to have a total of eight teams. In 2022, OIWFA changed its name to Ontario University Softball and now has twelve teams.

 Windsor Lancers vs Queen’s Gaels at the OUS Championship at the Napanee Fairgrounds diamond. 10-19-2024. Credit: Facebook – Ontario University Softball

19-2024. Credit: Facebook – Ontario University Softball

LANCERS CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND RECAP

Game 1

The Lancers lost to host Queen’s Gaels 2-0 on Saturday.  Traditionally, the Gaels have given the Lancers a stiff test. The last time the Lancers faced the Gaels on the diamond was at last year’s OUS championship tournament and a lopsided Gaels win was the result.

Game 2

The Lancers bested the Western Mustangs 3-0 win on Saturday afternoon, buoyed by Allison Dufour’s great pitching.

Game 3

The Lancers trounced the York Lions 11-5 to keep the team’s medal hopes alive.

Game 4

As the action shifted to Sunday, the Lancers had the chance for a rematch against the Gaels side that seemed to have their number. Lancers head coach Francine Stadler said she believed they were the team to beat, as long as they stayed focused and remembered they had the skills to win.

Once again, Dufour was a stalwart on the mound, allowing just one hit over five masterful innings. The Lancers proved too much for the Gaels on day two, beating them 7-0 to move to the semi-finals against the Laurier Golden Hawks.

Game 5

The Lancers weren’t able to keep pace with the Golden Hawks, dropping the semi-final 7-3. The tournament ended there for the Lancers.

As for the gold medal match, the Varsity Blues defended their title with a big comeback win of 11-10 over the Golden Hawks. With bronze around their necks, the Lancers softball team will have momentum heading into next season.