Brussels' Stevenson brings home softball bronze from Ontario Summer Games
BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN
The 2024 Ontario Summer Games were held in London, Ontario this year and Lerissa Stevenson from Brussels and her softball team, the Huron Perth Nationals U17 Tier 1, based out of Crediton/Exeter Ontario, had earned a spot to compete.
After finishing their Canadian Qualifier in Oshawa with a 4-2 record, the team was ranked third in the Ontario Summer Games’ eight-team tournament.
The local girls’ team plays its regular season games in Exeter/Crediton as part of the Grand Valley Fastball League, where the club sits in first place with a 9-1 record among the 14-team league. The Nationals have also competed in the tournaments in Ohio and Quebec to prepare for the season.
The Ontario Summer Games opening ceremonies were held on Thursday, Aug. 1 at Western Alumni Stadium, featuring Drives the Common Man, Eagle Flight Singers, the athletes’ parade, greetings from the City of London, the Province of Ontario, and London Hydro. There was also a guest appearance by three-time Olympian and Tokyo Olympic Flag-bearer for Team Canada, Miranda Ayim and a performance from Juno Award-winning artist, Reve!
On Friday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m., the team took on the Waterloo Ghosts Gold team, followed by a game later that day against Brampton. On Saturday, Aug. 3, the girls took on Port Perry.
There was a rain delay on Friday morning and the Huron Perth Nationals ahead of their first game against Waterloo Ghosts Gold. The U17 Huron Perth Nationals T1 2024 were victorious against Waterloo Ghosts Gold U17, winning by a score of 4-1. Stevenson got involved offensively, extended the Nationals’ lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning on the way to victory.
The girls then won their next game in dramatic fashion, with a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Brampton Blazers. The game was tied at six in the bottom of the seventh when Stevenson singled to drive in the winning run.
The tournament was back on schedule Saturday morning. The Nationals took down Port Perry Angels-Pipher U17 by a score of 4-3. Despite the strong efforts from the Nationals on Saturday afternoon, the girls lost to Guelph Gators by a score of 7-2. The girls had to play another game on Saturday evening, in which they defeated the Brantford Bobcats by a score of 6-5.
As Sunday morning rolled around, the girls were determined to play their best game yet, despite the heat and having to stay at the Fanshawe College dorms over the course of the weekend. They played Brampton Blazers and won by a score of 9-3. Stevenson collected three hits in that game.
They had to play back-to-back games. With the next game, both teams were strong in the circle, But the Whitby Eagles were just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 3-1 victory, leaving the Huron Perth Nationals to win the bronze medal at the 2024 Ontario Summer Games.