The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - June 26, 2007
COOKS RAIDERS GO TO FINALS
The mighty, mighty Cooks Raiders have earned their way to the Bantam 'C' Fastball Provincials. Early in the season the girls decided that they wanted to play ball for fun but they also decided that with hard work and a commitment to learn more about the game, they could attain the realistic goal of winning District playdowns.
The Districts were held in Vernon last weekend and the girls played like a cohesive unit each game. They faced a first year Vernon squad in their Saturday morning game and it was evident in the first inning that their opponents lacked skill but not spirit. Their coach conceded early in the game.
The afternoon game was another mercy game 12-4 over Westside. Base running speed of Tanniel Bishop kept the other team and fans in awe.
Alyssa Larsen was busy in the field and did a great job covering all the throws to first. However, the evening contest against the 2nd year Vernon team turned out to be a challenge; made even more frustrating with the constant rain. The Raiders jumped out to the early lead and found themselves tied 3-3 after 6 innings. The experienced Vernon team scored two tough runs...one on an umpire's incorrect ruling to put the pressure on Princeton to score 3 to win. Rachelle Cromarty snuck on base with a pass ball then made her way around the bases to score. Dez Bruneau and Milen Wilkinson each hit singles to add to the tension and excitement. Dez scored but the Vernon team took Milen at home and left Kiel Liberatore to advance to first base. Kiel stole around to 3rd and snuck in on Ashlee Cathro's pass ball to end the game.
The parents from both teams couldn't think of when they last saw a more exciting game of fastball.
Sunday morning the Raiders faced off against the Kelowna Temptations in which they knew would be the start of a long day of ball. This Kelowna team was closely matched in skill but Princeton got runs from all parts of their line-up and won the game 6-3. This gave Princeton the opportunity to rest and scout out the only other undefeated team, a different Kelowna team.
When the semi-finals started the Cooks Raiders were matched up against the tough Vernon team that they barely beat in the rain the night before. After two scoreless innings, the girls knew that they had to work harder than ever. Dez, Milen and Kiel started the 4th inning with solid hits and got the scoreboard moving in Princeton's favour.
Vernon kept hitting and pulled within one run in the 7th inning and Princeton won the game 7-6 without their last bats.
That close victory put Princeton in the finals against the also undefeated top Kelowna team. The Raiders found themselves down 4-0 after the 1st inning but battled back with 6 runs in their next turn at the plate. Kelcy Banks, Maria Shenton and Crystal Manion were kept busy in the field while Katie Liberatore and Rachelle Cromarty had lots of action in the middle of the infield. After Brittani Clifton struck out the first batter of the 6th inning, Coach Denise Cook called time out.
She told the girls that they were 2 outs away from going to provincials by mercying Kelowna if they prevented them from scoring any runs. The girls were pumped. Brittani pitched faster than she did all weekend and got another strikeout. Soon the girls were faced with runners on 1st and 3rd. Catcher Kiel Liberatore signalled Britts to throw an outside pitch so Kiel could fire the base runner out who would be stealing from 1st base.
In a risky move, known only to Kiel and Brittani, the pitch was outside and the ball was rifled down to 2nd base with the echo of Coach Cook yelling "NO!!!" in the background.
Liberatore has an arm like a cannon and the throw was on the mark. Rachelle Cromarty tagged the unsuspecting runner while the ump bellowed, "OUT!"
The Princeton girls, parents and grandparents went wild with cheers, hugs and tears. Presentations were made and Brittani Clifton was named as the team's MVP. Half of the players batted between .350 and .650 for the entire weekend!
The girls worked so hard to achieve this goal and their dedication and focus earned them a place in the provincials on July 6, 7 & 8 in Port Coquitlam. They are busy planning some fundraising activities so do NOT wash your car until they organize their carwash in the near future!
SCHNEIDER HAS INCREDIBLE SEASON
You may have heard the name Taylor Schneider before.
If you haven't chances are you won't forget it after reading this. The 8th grade student is having an amazing season in the High School Rodeo circuit.
Schneider was recently named the Pole Bending Champion at the BC Provincial Junior High School Finals Rodeo held June 14-16 in Kamloops. The BC Junior High School Rodeo Association also recently named her girl's All-Around Champion for the year. To earn this honour, Schneider accumulated more points in two or more events than any other female BC Junior High School Rodeo members for the 2006-07 rodeo season, which ended with the Finals held in Kamloops.
Schneider finished the Finals with a First in Pole Bending and Breakaway Roping and second place finishes in Goat Tying and Ribbon Roping.
What's next on the schedule for Schneider?
She is off to compete with other members of the BC provincial Wrangler Junior High rodeo team in Gallup, New Mexico from July 2-7 to compete in the third annual Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo.
Schneider will compete in the Pole Bending, Goat Tying and Breakaway Roping events.
The New Mexico event will feature more than 900 contestants from 44 states, provinces and Australia making the Wrangler Junior High Finals the world's largest junior high rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $75,000 in prizes, WJHFR contestants will also be vying for more than $50,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named WJHFR National Champion.
The Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the 20X Rodeo High telecast series and will be on RFD-TV July 4 and 11.
Schneider has participated this year in local rodeo events where she is listed as being from Hedley.
Her parent own and operate Dewdney Trail Self Storage in Princeton.
