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48 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 2, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Tigers ride hot pitching to shutout victory over Lords By Adam Johnston SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER BURLINGTON -- Fans and players alike were forced to employ sweaters and blankets to shield themselves from the cold, gusting winds at Nelson High School Wednesday. The pitching arms of T.A. Blakelock's girls' softball team were anything but frigid, however, leading the Tigers to a 5-0 victory over the Nelson Lords. "I'm sure (the weather) played a factor for both teams; nobody likes to get out there and play with their hands freezing," said Nelson coach Steve Clark. "In terms of whether it affected the outcome of the game, I don't think so." Tigers coach Ron LaRose also acknowledged his team was affected by the less-than ideal playing conditions. "The girls were coming back complaining that the vibrations of the bat was hurting their cold hands," he said. Rematch of last year's Halton final The result of the contest was a bit less extreme than in last year's Halton championship, when the Tigers pounded the Lords 17-0. LaRose concedes that his lineup isn't as offensively potent as last year's squad -- which outscored its opposition 115-4, en route to a 9-0 regular-season record -- but he believes Blakelock's stellar pitching will be enough to continue his team's success. The Tigers are 2-0, having also won their season opener Tuesday by a 123 score over Georgetown. "I don't anticipate we will score as many runs as last year. It's going to be a different kind of game for us. We're going to have to grind it out, rely on our pitching, and get some timely hits," he said. The key to the Tigers' pitching will undoubted- ly be the success of ace pitcher, Jessica Stanley. The Grade 11 student, who was credited with the win in last year's championship, threw four shutout innings in Wednesday's victory. Stanley pitched the first and second inning, moved over to third base for innings three through five and then returned to pitch the final two frames. Stanley's sparkling performance book-ended a remarkable relief outing by Tina Andreana, who pitched the third, fourth, and fifth innings, allowing one walk and striking out nine Nelson hitters. "I've been coaching softball for a while and I've never seen two pitchers of that caliber," said LaRose. "Both of them are phenomenal; our poor catcher kept coming out with a sore hand." The bulk of Blakelock's five runs came in the top of the third inning when Kelly Hanivan came to the plate with runners on first and second base. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance, before Hanivan smacked a single up the middle to cash in the pair. She proceeded to steal second and third base, and then scored on a single from Nicole Archer. The Tigers also added single runs in the fifth inning, on a bases-loaded walk by Nelson pitcher Candace Allan, and sixth inning, on an RBI double from catcher Alex Saunders. Nelson lost a large portion of its team that appeared in last year's finals and had to install seven first-time players into its lineup. But, despite the season-opening loss to the Tigers, Clark believes his team gained some valuable experience by facing such a powerhouse opponent. "(Our) pitching and fielding, I think, were pretty solid, and the team was still positive even after the loss. They know that Blakelock is still likely the top team, with outstanding pitching," he said. "It was probably good to have a game like that, against a strong team to start the season." ADAM JOHNSTON / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER READY, AIM, FIRE: Jessica Stanley prepares to unleash a pitch during the T.A. Blakelock Tigers' 5-0 win over Nelson Wednesday in Burlington. Stanley combined with reliever Tina Andreana to earn the shutout. Good News Bears Blades' Greenham unlikely to play at Royal Bank Cup The Oakville Blades will almost certainly be without year-long starting goalie Scott Greenham when they open the RBC Royal Bank Cup national junior A hockey championships Sunday in Cornwall. Greenham, who turned 21 last week, stopped playing for the team in the middle of the Dudley Hewitt Cup tournament in order to maintain his full NCAA eligibility for when he attends the University of AlaskaFairbanks in the fall. Under NCAA rules, any time spent playing for an organized sports team after turning 21 counts as a year of NCAA competition. Greenham wrote an essay to the NCAA, appealing the rule in hopes of playing in the Royal Bank Cup, but that appeal was rejected. "We thought he might have an opportunity," said Blades head coach Carlo Coccimiglio. "Now it's his decision, if he wants. He has to realize what he'd be giving up." Coccimiglio said he does not expect Greenham to change his mind for the national championships. Oliver Wren will take Greenham's place, as he did in winning the final two games at the Dudley Hewitt Cup. The Blades do, however, hope to have forward Kellan Lain back in the lineup for the tournament. Lain, who played for the T.A. Blakelock Tigers last season, missed a few Dudley Hewitt games because of tonsilitis. The team has spent the past few days practicing in preparation for the tournament, and was scheduled to depart for Cornwall today. The Blades will face the host Colts Sunday at 7 p.m. Coccimiglio said the Camrose Kodiaks are likely the tournament favourite, noting the Humboldt Broncos should also provide stiff competition. An eight-page special section will appear in tomorrow's edition of The Oakville Beaver, previewing the tournament and providing more information on the Blades. Beaver sports editor Jon Kuiperij will also be following the team to Cornwall. His coverage will be available throughout next week in the Beaver's sports pages as well as at our website, www.oakvillebeaver.com. FACILITY CHAMPS: The Bears were crowned champions in the Adult Safe Hockey League Facility Final last weekend at Canlan Ice Sports. This weekend, the team will travel to Scarborough to compete in the regional finals in hopes of representing Eastern Canada at the upcoming North American championships in San Jose, California. The Bears were summer champions at Twin Rinks last year before moving to Ice Sports, where they finished first in league play, won the league title and then claimed the facility championship. Members of the team are Shaun Dakin, Mike Sutton, Ian Park, Brennen McMahon, Andrew Moore, Kevin Jeffers, Mike Male, Blake Sicard, Chris Doussept, Steve Robbins, Dave Brownridge and Paul O'Hara.