Some of the best female baseball players from across the country have made their way to Saskatoon this weekend for the 16U Girls Baseball Nationals and Prince Albert’s Criseyde Borthwick is looking to make a name for herself.
Borthwick is in her third year competing at the 16U level. Saskatchewan head coach Tyson Black says she is looked at as one of the leaders on the team’s roster.
“Criseyde’s been around for a couple years now, so she’s kind of a vet. She’s still got another year or two in this program and she’s a vet at her age. She brings really good energy, a really good positive energy to the team and a big bat at the plate. She can catch, throw, and play first. She’s definitely a big part of the team.”
Borthwick will find herself playing all over the diamond for Saskatchewan. She primarily plays catcher, but also plays first base and can pitch.
With a busy schedule over the four days of the tournament, teams could play as many as two games per day. Black says the versatility that Borthwick provides will be extremely important if Saskatchewan finds themselves in medal contention later in the weekend.
“It’s huge, especially with a potential (for) 7-8 games in a weekend. It’s really nice when we are throwing a lot of people on the mound to have other people fill in spots behind. So it’s really good. I think our team does a good job with that.”
Saskatchewan started off the tournament with a 15-2 win on Thursday night over Manitoba.
Manitoba took a 2-0 lead thanks to an opposite field solo shot off the bat of Dayle Bettens in the second and Kennedy Morrisette single in the top half of the fourth.
The Saskatchewan bats would be held at bay through the first three innings thanks to the efforts of Manitoba starter Ally Neufeld. In the fourth, the tide would shift as Saskatchewan would explode for 15 runs in the inning.
Some of the big hits in the frame included a two-run double off the bat of Makenna Dobrowolsky and a two-run single by Elizabeth Hanson.
“It was a great day, especially being able to start off with a big win, and I think we can keep the momentum going for later.” Borthwick says. “I think it’s great because I can be able to play in front of the home crowd and be able to see all my family and friends are able to come watch me.”
Growing up, Borthwick spent the majority of her baseball career playing in La Ronge until her family relocated to Prince Albert. Her parents Corey and Carissa were heavily involved with baseball in La Ronge and were both honoured with the Baseball Sask. Builder of the Year award in 2008.
She often played on the same baseball team with her twin brother Declan, including with the U15 Prince Albert Royals the last two years and Team Lakeland at the Saskatchewan Summer Games last month in Lloydminster.
Declan was selected by the Prince Albert Raiders in the sixth round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft and will be at training camp next week. He is committed to playing U18 AAA hockey this winter with the Warman Wildcats.
Borthwick says playing in La Ronge gave her plenty of opportunity growing up, but she is thankful to be able to play baseball at a high level.
“It’s a very big difference, especially playing more competitive ball. It was good to start off in La Ronge because I got to develop, but then later on I got to be able to be at this competitive level.”
Off the diamond, Borthwick excels in other sports as well. Last winter, she suited up for the Prince Albert U15 AA Foxes and recorded six points in 26 games. As a grade 9, Borthwick also made the Carlton Senior Girls Basketball team.
Borthwick says playing other sports have helped her become a better baseball player.
“I think it’s helped a lot especially with the team aspect and the mental game. I think a lot of my sports have helped because baseball is a really mentally hard sport.”
In their Friday afternoon contest, Saskatchewan defeated Prince Edward Island 3-2. Borthwick earned a save on the mound in relief of Rylee Stewart. Results from the 7 p.m. game against Nova Scotia were not available as of press time.
sports@paherald.sk.ca
