Penticton Power coach Jeff Korven said if there were Vegas odds on his team defeating the Kelowna Homers, they would have been 60-1.
Taking on the favourites during the under-16 girls District 9 fastball championship, the Power dumped the Homers 8-3 at Summerland’s Dale Meadows Park on June 16.
“Our pitching was unbelievable, that’s No.1,” said Korven of Tatiana Brazinha. “She was unbelievable. She pitched the game of her life.”
The Power scored one run in the first and second inning, then watched as the Homers tied it at two in the third. It remained a 2-2 draw until the Power loaded the bases with Courtney Olexa at the plate. She connected for a three-run triple.
“Just an amazing hit in the gap,” said Korven.
Leading 5-2, the Power added another before the Homers made it 6-3. The Power scored two more runs to seal their berth to provincials.
The Power opened the tournament, featuring two other Kelowna teams, one from Naramata, West Kelowna and Vernon, with a win, loss and tie. Korvin said the players didn’t perform to their potential to start the championship. The Power clinched a spot in the semifinals against Naramata. Korven said the most valuable players were Caitlin Neary, Olexa and Brazinha, adding that Jaedyn Foley gave the Power strong pitching performances in three games.
Korven, assisted by coaches Paul Kindel and Darren Wilms, said the focus during practice will be on hitting, defence and strategy.
Provincials will be held in Chilliwack July 5 to 7 and will feature 16 teams. When the team heads to the Lower Mainland, they will have two new faces in Penticton’s Katy Huston and Naramata’s Madison Foster.
The Power are also looking for local companies interested in making a donation to support their trip. Anyone interested in helping is asked to call Jacqueline Foley at 250-494-4140.