Teagan Calkins, the most-stylish catcher in whatever country she may be in. (Shawn Calkins photo)
“They definitely represented their country with pride and respect!”
Diamond guru Matt Suto left the Great White North justifiably proud of what his squad accomplished.
Playing eight games in four days at the Canada Cup in Surrey, the Whidbey Island Thunder 18U softball squad not only survived the biggest tourney of the summer but thrived.
By the time things came to a wrap Monday, Suto’s sluggers finished 5-3 against tough competition, won their final four games, and swept to a runaway victory in the consolation bracket championship game.
Along the way, the Thunder players joined more than 1,600 other athletes from multiple countries, in a vast field which included a U19 Ukranian squad and seven Olympic-level teams.
Whidbey’s part of the competition included four American teams and 12 Canadian diamond squads.
The Thunder opened the tourney by going 2-3 in pool play.
A 4-3 win over the Surrey Storm in game two and a 13-9 triumph over Central Sannich Extreme in the finale were the highlights, with Whidbey hanging tough in its three defeats.
Reese Wasinger, who joined the Thunder for their Canadian trip, got the win in the pitcher’s circle against Surrey, while Lilly Norman ran wild on the basepaths.
The Oak Harbor speed demon stole second, third, and home — all on the same pitch — to give the Thunder the lead, and Whidbey’s defense was on point from there.
Back-to-back losses after that stung a bit, but there were bright spots among an uncharacteristic rash of errors.
Sedro-Woolley standout Grace Swenson put together a 19-pitch at-bat against the Abbotsford Outlaws, ending things with a resounding triple off of a frazzled rival hurler.
Whidbey wouldn’t lose again in the tourney after that, coming back from a 6-1 deficit to win the final game in pool play.
The Thunder roared fully to life in bracket play, with back-to-back shutout wins to advance to the title game.
The Thunder brings the lightning in Canada. (Kimberly Brotemarkle photo)
Swenson carved up the Richmond Islanders, tossing a no-hitter under the lights in an 8-0 win, before Whidbey garnered big-time payback in its next game.
Squaring off with Abbotsford, which won 10-1 in their pool play matchup, the Thunder mercy-ruled the Outlaws 9-0 the second time around.
Layla Suto led the way, smacking three hits and collecting three RBI, while Wasinger was dealing from the pitcher’s circle.
Toss in a much-better defense, and things were all Whidbey, all the time.
“Revenge at its finest,” Matt Suto said. “The Outlaw coach said, ‘this can’t be the same team we played Saturday.’
“I said it sure is bud, we just don’t normally make 11 errors in the first inning of a game.
“He said yeah, no kidding … but you guys are also absolutely pounding the ball all over the place.”
The hot hitting continued right through the title game, with the Thunder putting up their most runs of the tourney in a 14-7 shellacking of the Cloverdale Fury.
“The bats never stopped,” Matt Suto said. “We came out swinging and never let up. The girls jumped all over the pitcher and never took their foot off the gas.”
While Whidbey’s coaches were thrilled to end things on a run of four straight victories, the trip was about more than just wins and losses.
“What an amazing experience these girls had up here in Canada,” Matt Suto said. “This is something I know they will never forget.
“They made friends with teams from Canada, Ukraine, Australia, Greece, and Israel, watched Japan and Canada’s Olympic teams play each other, and got autographs.”
That was echoed by Thunder assistant coach Kevin McGranahan.
“The girls had a blast making friends and trading team pins,” said the CHS head man.
“What an experience for these girls from Northwest Washington and little old Whidbey Island.
“They will remember this and tell these stories to their kids and grandkids. This is why I love this game!!”
Thunder young gun Haylee Armstrong enjoys the local flavors, while her bodyguard keeps an eye peeled for Britney Spears. (Michelle Armstrong photo)
Now, the Thunder have some time off before wrapping the summer with a tourney July 22-23 in Lynnwood.
After that, some of the players head back to Coupeville, others to Oak Harbor, while Swenson and Jaymie Kallio return to Sedro.
While they may not all play together next spring, vying for different high schools, the lessons learned will carry over.
“I couldn’t be prouder as a coach,” Matt Suto said.
“To hear the small chatter from other coaches and parents saying that Whidbey Thunder team pounds the ball and their defense is spectacular as well, eh!!
“They have amazing pitching, and their attitudes and personalities were outstanding as well. Eh!!
“They were the talk of Surrey, one coach told me. We put Whidbey Thunder on the map, and it was such an amazing time!”
Tourney stats:
Taylor Brotemarkle — Three singles, one double, one walk
Teagan Calkins — Seven singles, three walks
Jaymie Kallio — Two singles, one double, three walks
Madison McMillan — Three singles, one double, three walks
Lilly Norman — Four singles, one walk
Ramona Ryder — Six singles, two walks
Mekayla Smith-Day — One walk
Teagan Stanford — Three singles
Layla Suto — Eight singles, three doubles, one triple, one walk
Grace Swenson — Five singles, two doubles, one triple
Loto Tupu — Five singles, two doubles, one home run
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