The Prince Albert U15 Astros are ready to show the rest of the country what they have to offer.
The Astros have qualified for the U15 Boys Softball Canadian Championship which begins next Wednesday in Saint-Leonard-d’Aston, Quebec which is located approximately 130 kilometres northeast of Montreal.
Astros head coach Neil Finch says the tournament will serve as a great end to their season, regardless of the final outcome.
“It’s always fun to go and play against the best of the country. Knowing that we are in that tournament is always exciting for the boys that work hard to get there and just looking forward to coming out and playing against the best and seeing how we do.”
The Astros punched their ticket to Quebec after finishing second place in the Saskatchewan Boys’ U15 Provincial Championship which was held at Prime Ministers’ Park in Prince Albert from July 19-21.
The Astros picked up wins over the Valley Blue Jays, Rosebud Royals, Okanese Thunderstrikers and Delisle Diamond Dogs in round robin play. Prince Albert would defeat Delisle in the semi-final before a 6-2 loss to the Valley Blue Jays in the final.
Finch says the key to having success for Prince Albert will be staying consistent with the bats.
“When we entered into provincials, we knew we had to hit the ball and score runs. And if we’re going to have success at nationals, we will have to do that. We’re a very good defensive team. We just need to make sure we’re hitting the ball and the team is doing a good job that way.”
With the Astros set to face some of the best pitching in the country at nationals, Finch says the Astros will be ready thanks to facing high velocity during their practices leading up to the tournament.
“I don’t know if our approach really has changed. We try to make sure that whatever we see for batting practice is really fast. Whether that’s with the pitch machine or live pitching, we see some really good at-bats when we’re practicing. When we get to see that pitching, it just looks like what we’ve practiced with.”
With many players on the team making their first trip to Quebec, Finch says the chance to play in nationals will provide lifelong memories for the team both on and off the diamond.
“Anytime you get to go somewhere in a different province for sports, the on the diamond stuff is really important. Off the diamond, you get to build a team and memories that will last a lifetime. Whatever that might look like for us, we don’t know yet because it’s hard to plan for that, but the stuff off the diamond is really important for building and (making) memories.”
The U15 Astros kick off national play at 8 a.m. on August 14 when they take on the Newfoundland Rebels.
U17 Astros update
The Prince Albert U17 Astros are off to a 2-1 start at nationals in Saint-Gervais, Quebec.
Prince Albert dropped their first game 5-1 to the Napanee Express and have picked up wins over the Amherstview Athletics and Team NL. The U17 Astros were playing a pair of games on Thursday evening, but results were not available as of press time.
sports@paherald.sk.ca
