DURHAM 11, FANSHAWE 3

OSHAWA, Ont. - For the first time since 2012, the Durham College women's softball team will play in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) gold medal game.

Saturday's big game is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Durham College Field as the Lords will take on the winner of the Humber/Fanshawe game (check @durhamlords123 on twitter for schedule/weather updates).

Durham advanced to the finals with wins over the CCSA national champion St. Clair Saints (8-5) and Fanshawe Falcons (11-3), who finished one-two respectively in the regular season standings.

After falling behind 1-0 to St. Clair in the opening game, the Lords stormed back with six runs over the next two innings. St. Clair fought back to cut the lead to just one run, but Durham responded with two runs in the top of the seventh to take an 8-5 lead. Starting pitcher Caitlyn Omelanchuk would only allow one hit in the bottom of the seventh as the Lords pulled off the upset.

Omelanchuk and Marina Christie each had three hits in the win, combining for two runs and four RBIs.

In Game 2 against Fanshawe, the Lords fell behind once again as they trailed 2-0 after four innings. After scoring a single run in the fifth, Durham's offence caught fire scoring six runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh to pick up the 11-3 win.

Megan McDonald and Omelanchuk split time on the mound, only allowing five Falcon hits and three runs.

Rebecca Ropp had the game of her life going 5-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Omelanchuk was also perfect at the plate going 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBIs.

Humber advanced to the medal games with an 11-1 shutout over St. Clair.

SCHEDULE/RESULTS

Saturday, Oct. 24
OCAA Bronze Medal Game
Humber Hawks vs. Fanshawe Falcons - 10 a.m.
*Loser awarded Bronze, winner advances to Gold Medal Game

OCAA Gold Medal Game(s)
Durham Lords vs. Winner of Bronze Medal Game - 1 p.m.
*A second Gold Medal Game will be played at 3 p.m. if necessary

Friday, Oct. 23
Game 1 - Durham Lords defeated St. Clair Saints 8-5
Player of the Game: Caitlyn Omelanchuk (Durham) and Skyler Patteson (St. Clair)
Game 2 - Fanshawe Falcons defeated Humber Hawks  6-0
Player of the Game: Alanna Gilmour (Fanshawe) and Lauren Hollidge (Humber)
Game 3 - Humber Hawks defeated St. Clair Saints 11-1 (6 Innings)
Player of the Game: Bree Donaldson (Humber) and Jessica Jamieson (St. Clair)
Game 4 - Durham Lords defeated Fanshawe Falcons 11-3
Player of the Game: Rebecca Ropp (Durham) and Reannah Hogarth-McLean (Fanshawe)

Source: Durham College

Photo Credit: Al Fournier