After an incredible, and memorable few days, the U15 Central Energy captured silver at nationals, earning them the right to call themselves the second best softball team for their age in the country.
An all-time team
Looking back over the tournament, and the way the group played, coach Kevin Convery says there's a lot to be proud of. "We reflected as a group of coaches, and we just felt the kids were always positive. We had a lot of tight games, and they never, ever got down on themselves. It stood out for us as coaches just how resilience, and the never say die attitude of the girls. We were in a lot of one run games, and for us to win five games in a row with the playoff situation, it was absolutely incredible. To make the final was amazing. We felt like losing that last game was tough, but getting there was a major accomplishment for our organization, and we're super proud of the girls for finishing second in the country."
Pressure? What pressure?
On top of facing the best teams in Canada, the Energy were also the host team, but Convery says other than the start of the event, the team never felt any added pressure. "Talking about pressure is an interesting thing," the coach says with a grin. "We told the girls at the start that there was no extra pressure, but you could tell on their faces and in their play, they felt it a little bit, being that host team. Once we got through that second game on Saturday, the kids started to relax. When we beat the BC1 team to make our way to the Sunday championship round, everything seemed to fall into place. That first game (on Sunday) against Eastman, who are a team we've played all year, and struggled to beat all year, the girls just stepped up, rallied, and overcame a three run deficit late in the game, that proved that the girls were feeling it. We're just so proud of how they battled back to win that game, and it really gave us the confidence to carry on throughout the tournament."
Earning respect
As the wins piled up, so did the confidence of the group, and Convery says the respect for the team grew, too. "Other teams, and even umpires, they were saying to us that we were on a special run. Athletes and other coaches, they recognize when a team is in that zone. I had several umpires tell me that it was a magic run that we were on, and they wished us the best. Every game, we just seemed to find a way to win the game. No matter how bleak things looked, or how far we were behind, the kids just believed and battled. To see them knock off win after win, to get to that final game, we were really proud as coaches. I think that for the program itself, it says a lot. Central Energy is a program on the rise, Softball Manitoba, having three teams finish in the top six at the event, it shows Softball Manitoba is on the rise, so we're extremely proud of the program we have, and the growth of softball in the province."
Not sad it's over, happy it happened
After that final game, Convery says there were a lot of emotions, and most of them were positive because of how special this team is. "One of the comments I made to the other coaches, when that final run crossed the plate, and the other team was celebrating at home plate for a well deserved victory, our girls gathered with our pitcher, who just suffered a loss, but there were no tears. Everyone was positive, and the kids were really enjoying the fact that they won a silver medal at nationals. We saw right away that there was no down time, like everyone was so happy that we came through in a major tournament, and won a silver medal. While it was disappointing to lose that game when we had a little lead late, we obviously realize that we were playing against the best team in the country, and we're really proud that we gave it our all. It's tough to lose that game, but we're very proud that we finished second in Canada."
Thanks to the community
Having the community support was a huge boost for the team, and Convery says from the organizers to all the fans, everyone made it a very special event. "We really appreciate the support of the community. (Sunday) was a colder, wet day in Winkler, we had lots of fans lining the outfield lines, in the stands, the bleachers, and packed behind home plate, umbrellas up and cheering for the girls. It's incredible to have the support from the community. We know that everyone was behind us, and we're really thankful for all the support we got locally. It meant a lot to the girls."
One last tip of the cap
Wrapping up a magical, one of a kind season, Convery says it'll go down in the organizations history what this group of incredible athletes and people were able to accomplish. "We didn't even talk about this with the girls, but I've asked parents and people who have been involved with the organization who have been involved for years, Central Energy have never finished better than tied for top eighth at a national event. So, for our team to finish second place in the country, it's really, truly special. We let the girls know that we're so proud of them. It's so hard to walk away from that last game when you have a 1-0 lead late and lose it, but we really played above our heads all week. We went on a special run that some teams get on in sports, and it was just magical to be a part of. Everyone realizes that we really did experience something unique with this team. We're so proud of the girls, they know that, and congratulations to them for winning a silver medal at the national championships."
Rest, well a little at least
Kevin Convery and the coaches will enjoy a few days to soak it all in, then the process of coaches being named to teams, tryouts and the whole thing starts over again, trying to capture a little magic like the U15 Central Energy did this past year.