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The Kelowna Heat lived up to their moniker with a hot start to the season that included four wins in five games at their own Ice-Breaker open fastball tournament at Kiwanis High Noon Park on the weekend.
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Playing host to 13 teams from throughout B.C. and Alberta, the Kelowna Minor Fastball Society U18 Heat opened with a 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Prospects, led by Gina Selfe’s three-run double in the first inning.
Selfe, a recent recruit of the of Lake Region State College in North Dakota, was also the winning pitcher, getting help in relief from Jeadyn Foley. Second baseman Danya Truscott-Plitt drove in two runs and contributed to the solid infield defence that included shortstop Shayla Tyerman — signed on with the University of Jamestown in North Dakota — and third baseman Tatiana Brazinha.
A five-run second inning led to an 8-7 Heat victory over Sherwood Park in the second game that saw Truscott-Plitt and Katie Huston share the pitching duties. Sara Miki and Danielle Knopf had key hits in the decisive opening frame.
Another quick start that saw the Heat score four runs in a first inning of an 8-4 win over St. Albert in the third game. Brazinha hit a double during the rally, while Maddie Foster collected a pair of RBI in the fourth inning.
Truscott-Plitt and Racquel Bennett added doubles in the second inning while Emma Wilton made her presence felt with a steal of home.
Brazinha and Selfe took care of the pitching duties for the winners, getting plenty of support behind them from Foster in centrefield and Dana Ingram on first base.
The Heat’s only loss came in the fourth game, a 7-1 decision to Calgary. One of the few highlights in the game was an outstanding catch by Candice Vuong.
In their final game, the Heat shut out Kamloops 8-0. Foster ignited a third-inning rally, that included a double by Bennett and a Huston single.
Brazinha and Huston shared the pitching shutout.
Up next for the Heat is a tournament in South Delta this weekend, followed by U18 tournaments in White Rock, Spokane and Kelowna. They’re also scheduled to play in women’s tournaments in Sicamous and Kelowna.
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