On October 19, the Varsity Blues softball team won their Ontario University Softball (OUS) championship final 11–10, securing a walk-off win against the Laurier Golden Hawks at the Napanee Fairgrounds. The commanding Blues team capped off an undefeated playoff tournament, earning their second straight provincial championship and third since joining the OUS in 2002.
It was a long season for the Blues, who participated in the OUS regular season, the Canadian Collegiate Softball Association (CCSA) National Championships, and the OUS Championship, playing 26 games in a span of two months.
The Blues wrapped up their OUS regular season with a 12–6 record, finishing in first place in the East division on October 4.
Thanks to the team’s victory in last year’s OUS Championships, the Blues competed at the CCSA Nationals, held on October 11–13. The team travelled to Ottawa alongside the top eight teams in the nation to crown a national champion. The Blues faced off against University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, winning 6–5; against University of Ottawa, winning 10–3; and against Durham College, losing 6–13. The Blues finished second in pool play, coming from behind in both of their wins to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Matched against the eventual silver medalists, Humber College Hawks, the Blues fell 10–2, and their dream of a national title came to an end.
Returning from Ottawa, the Blues played the final leg of their season from October 19–20, facing off against the top four teams from each OUS division in a bid for the provincial title. The Blues went undefeated in the OUS Championships, defeating their 2023 final opponents, Western Mustangs, 3–1, and dominating the Queens Gaels 10–0. The offense continued to fire on all cylinders as they dispatched the Laurier Golden Hawks 10–0 in the semi-finals, setting up the Blues’ second consecutive OUS final.
What happened?
The Blues entered the game with a 13–14 record against the Laurier Golden Hawks, including a 10–0 blowout win in the semi-finals earlier in the day. The double-elimination format meant Laurier had an immediate opportunity to avenge their blowout loss. The Blues had conceded 25 runs in their two regular-season matchups with the Hawks this season, and the final promised to be a high-scoring affair. Before the tournament, the Blues had not defeated the Hawks since 2017.
Despite taking an early four-run lead in the first inning, the Hawks did not let the game get away, tying it up in the third. The Blues extended their lead to 8–4 in the fourth, but Laurier scored six runs in a row to take the first lead of the game, 8–10, heading into the seventh and final inning. Two runs down, it was do-or-die for the Blues.
First up to bat, utility Janelle Hodge hit a triple before coming home on an error at third to narrow the gap to one. Infielder Shirley Chan then singled to drive in a run, tying the game. With momentum on their side, outfielder Isabella Trakosas walked off the game with a single, ending it 11–10 in dramatic fashion. Rookie catcher Alexia Verches was named Finals MVP for her performance, which included three hits, three runners batted in, and an inside-the-park home run.
“We tried to keep the team focused on what was immediately in front of them — the next pitch, the next at-bat, the next defensive play,” said Head Coach Scott Aquanno, in an interview with the Varsity Blues media. “It means a lot to win as a first-year coach. We worked hard to implement our offensive and defensive approach, and had lots to learn about our players, the other teams, and the pace of the game at this level.”
In an interview with The Varsity, seventh-inning hero Hodge described the win as “unreal” and “crazy.” Reflecting on the team’s transition period for the team, Hodge said, “[At the start of the season], everyone was nervous. You [could] tell that we were playing nervous, but it was just an adjustment period.” Hodge credited Aquanno’s “structured” and “intentional” coaching style in his debut season for the team’s success throughout the season.
Finals MVP Verches prepares for her at bat. COURTESY OF QUEENS ATHLETICS
What’s next?
The championship win secures the Blues a ticket to compete at next fall’s CCSA Nationals. The Blues finished the season riding a seven-game win streak across all OUS competitions. Pitcher Olivia Mather and utility Tala Rennie earned OUS Team All-Star nominations.
The Blues have their work cut out for them in the off-season, as several key seniors, including Hodge, are leaving the team. “It’s always a bit weird when you lose your seniors… [but] I think the team’s in a good place. Our pitching staff is looking strong. Obviously, all the first years really excelled… so I’m excited to see what they do in their coming years,” said Hodge.
Aquanno voiced a similar sentiment to Varsity Blues News and said, “We are super excited to be returning to the [CCSA] Canadian Nationals next year as the OUS champion and look forward to seeing what this team can do. We have a very young team and hope to continue to build the program.”
“The goal of the team is to win nationals,” said Hodge. It’s clear that the Varsity Blues softball team are burning for their first-ever national title, and the back-to-back champions have something to prove next season.
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