Season Summary

An innovative solution by the Host Committee moved the 2016 CCSA National Championships indoors, when cold snowy weather prevented the games being held outside.

The University of Saskatchewan won the 2016 CSSA national championship in exciting fashion, beating the previously undefeated University of Western Ontario Mustangs 1-0 in 9 innings in the championship final.

A brilliant catch by U of S right fielder Carly Zultok kept the score tied in the bottom of the 8th inning and the U of S took the momentum into the 9th.  In the 9th, All-star Short Stop Dana Lahti hit in her sister Claire from 3rd for what turned out to be the winning run. It was the only run given up all weekend by Championship MVP Rae Jacques.  The Championship’s Top Pitcher Kailey Strouts, did the rest in the bottom of the 9th as she got Western in order to earn the 9 inning shut out.

The University of Regina Cougars beat Fanshawe Falcons 3-0 to win the bronze medal.

The Championship All- stars were announced following Pool play. Congratulations to:

Fielder - Jenna Pierce - St Clair Saints

Fielder - Megan Lumley - St Clair Saints

Fielder - Rachel Dotzert - Fanshawe Falcons 

3rd Base - Kady Hawkins - Fanshawe Falcons

Short Stop - Dana Lahti - University of Saskatchewan

2nd Base - Jaimie Clarke - Durham Lords

1st Base - Robyn Wood - Western Ontario Mustangs

Catcher - Mikaila Etheridge - University of Regina Cougars

Pitcher - Rae Jacques - Western Ontario Mustangs

Utility - Courtney Reynolds - Western Ontario Mustangs 

Awards for the whole championship were presently after the Gold Medal Game

Championship Top Hitter - Courtney Reynolds Western Ontario Mustangs 

Championship Top Pitcher – Kailey Strouts – University of Saskatchewan

Championship MVP - Rae Jacques Western Ontario Mustangs

Sunday competition saw the completion of the round robin play, and saw Regina and Saskatchewan seeded into the page 1 vs 2 game. That game saw Saskatchewan defeat Regina 5 - 1, to advance into the Championship game. In the page 3 vs 4 game, the University of Calgary got behind early, but rallied in the 4th inning, taking the win 13 - 6. Calgary then advanced against Regina in the semi final, and Regina struck early, scoring 4 runs in the first inning. Calgary got 1 back in the first themselves, but that was all the scoring. With the 4 - 1 win, Regina returned to face Saskatchewan in the final. The scoring opened in the 4th inning, with Regina taking a 1 - 0 lead, but Saskatchewan replied with 2 in the 5th. Regina tied the game in the 6th inning, and survived a bases loaded situation by Saskatchewan in the bottom of the sixth. The score remained tied after Regina's at bats in the 7th. That set  up a bases loaded, sacrifice fly that resulted in a close play at the plate, but Saskatchewan scored and the 2016 WCSA title was theirs.

Final Standings

University of Saskatchewan - Gold

University of Regina - Silver

University of Calgary - Bronze

SAIT Polytechnic / MRU - 4th

Briercrest College - 5th

For the first time in six years, weather played a major factor in the playoff schedule. The rain started Friday night, and really didn't stop on Saturday. Teams were able to play two or three games only, and despite the grounds crews efforts, the diamonds could not handle the rainfall, and Saturdays games were suspended. Sunday morning saw the teams come to the diamonds, but the executive made the hard decision to cancel playoffs. As a result, the final standings for 2015 are the final standings from the regular season.

Congratulations to the 2015 League Champions, the University of Regina, whose previous league championship was in 2009. Second place was awarded to the University of Saskatchewan, third to the University of Calgary.

The league executive would like to express their thanks to Briercrest College and their efforts to host the playoffs. Everything was well done, the weather just did not cooperate.