Twelve girls aged 12 and 13.
Some are fast on the trails. Others hit far or throw the ball with precision.
Above all, these Outaouais players have been making history for two days at the Quebec Games. This is the first provincial final to feature women’s baseball.
“Honestly, it was about time,” admits Jessica Nantel, a former player in the junior development program for Team Canada.
The mother of the family is part of the coaching staff of the Outaouais team. She is one of the assistants of manager Joël Vaillancourt with Julien Cameron and Luc Simard.
The quartet had as much fun as the players on Thursday afternoon when their team won a second game in three outings in Rimouski. She defeated Sud-Ouest by a score of 13-6 to remain in the fight for a Quebec Games medal.
“We have managed to keep our pitchers so far. We only used two girls today. We still have 10 that can throw. In a tournament like this, that’s important. We are in a good position,” said Vaillancourt.
“Our girls are hitting too. The blows go out. Even the players who have sometimes struggled contribute. We are proud of them. Some are even in their first year of baseball. There are some who threw a ball for the first time last May.
Vaillancourt took care to highlight to its 12 athletes the significance of their participation in the Quebec Games.
“They mark history. They are part of the first cohort. They have given an outstanding performance so far.”
Thursday, Ophélie Vaillancourt pitched three and a half innings. A peak for her since her baseball debut.
What moved her even more?
Massive support from the spectators. In the crowd, there were family, athletes from other sports, but also ordinary citizens of Rimouski.
“Usually, there is a small, half-full stand at our matches (in the Outaouais). There were a lot more people there. It gave a nice atmosphere.”
Young Ophélie and her teammates will play a quarter-final match Friday morning against Chaudière-Appalaches.
One eye on volleyball, the other on mountain biking
In other sports, the Outaouais will try to increase its harvest which currently stands at 16 medals, including five gold.
Indoor volleyball teams are in on the action. They both advanced to the championship round.
The girls have notably won their six games so far in the tournament, not missing a single set. They will meet on Friday morning in the quarter-finals, just like the boys.
On Thursday, Nicolas Gauthier was the only athlete from the region to make the podium, once again finishing first in mountain biking on the Olympic course. The day before, the Chelsea athlete had been crowned champion of the Quebec Games on the short course.
2023-07-28 00:05:48
#finally #taste #Quebec #Games
