Softball sweeps season series with Fanshawe on seniors night

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – With its home diamond adorned in blue and gold - and orange - as the Hawks honoured the children who never returned home and the survivors of the residential school system on Orange Shirt Night, Humber softball (13-3, 2nd OCAA) swept the twin bill against the Fanshawe Falcons (6-10, 5th OCAA) on Friday under the lights at Connorvale Park. Second-year pitcher Shade Hansen was dominant in game one, recording 11 strikeouts over seven innings pitched, only allowing one hit. Melissa Hahnfeld was red-hot at the dish in game two, going three-for-four, including a home run.

The doubleheader sweep was just one of the night's highlights. This matchup continued the Humber tradition of honouring its seniors in their final home game. The Hawks celebrated Michaela Tuck and Julia DeVuono for their countless contributions to the Humber softball program.

Game one (Humber 4, Fanshawe 0)

The Hawks fans welcomed Humber softball back to Connorvale Park for a faceoff against the fifth-ranked team in the province, the Fanshawe Falcons. After a nail-biting 3-2 victory against the Falcons on Sept. 8, the Hawks were dialled in and ready to capture the season series sweep.

As Eminem's "Without Me" blared over the speakers, the crowd knew Humber ace Shade Hansen was stepping into the circle. Hansen's message was clear: "Guess who's back?" And the Falcons had no response, as the second-year star made quick work of the lineup with a one-two-three inning, grabbing two strikeouts.

The Hawks' offence would have a cold start in the first two innings, but Hansen kept the temperature high, recording five strikeouts by the end of the third frame to give Humber a chance to control the game. The offence would reward its pitcher, as Rilee Devries put the first number on the scoreboard with an RBI single to left field, driving in Shea Hilpert. Looking for more breathing room, River Johnston singled to right field, cashing in Reese Velocci, while Devries scored on an error by third baseman. The Hawks left the inning up 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, a first-year player would steal the spotlight from the seniors at their night. Regina native Melia Farrow stepped into the batter's box and calmly smashed a bomb over the center field fence, recording the first home run of her Humber career.

With the Hawks up by four in the top of the seventh inning, Hansen locked in defensively, recording two more strikeouts to capture the first game for Humber, 4-0.

The Etobicoke native was named the player of the game, recording 11 strikeouts over seven innings pitched, only allowing one hit.

Game two (Humber 8, Fanshawe 3)

Starting pitcher Angelina Bomberry saw a Fanshawe lineup looking for redemption in game two. Knowing the importance of capitalizing early in the game, the Falcons got on the scoreboard first, thanks to Belle Houle's RBI single. Despite being behind in the score, Humber did not take long to open the gates. Velocci levelled the game by scoring on a wild pitch, and rookie Marlee Greer smashed an RBI triple that hit the right-field fence, driving in Devries.

Humber was able to open the flood gates in the second inning, capitalizing on a Fanshawe error with the bases loaded to bring in three more runs.

Seeking to avoid the mercy rule coming into effect, the Falcons stepped in the gas at the top of the fifth inning, scoring two runs. But Melissa Hahnfeld, ruthless, would not allow the momentum to shift to Fanshawe's side. The lead-off batter launched a rocket over the left field fence — her third career homer.

After a scoreless inning in the sixth, coach Duaine Bowles replaced Zoe Scougall with Brampton-born pitcher Michaela Brown for relief. Brown slammed the door shut and captured the season series sweep for Humber, 8-3.

Humber seniors Michaela Tuck and Julia DeVuono were named the players of the game for the Hawks.

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 23-15 all-time against Fanshawe.
• Shade Hansen leads the conference with 80 strikeouts and became the first Humber pitcher pitcher to record 200-plus career strikeouts.
• Hansen's 80 strikeouts in the season are more than the total number of strikeouts of six teams in the league.
• Rilee Devries leads Humber in the season with a .417 batting average.

What's Next?

The Hawks will now head to Mississauga as they take the Sheridan Bruins (5-7, 6^th OCAA) on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The doubleheader is set to start at 5 p.m.