The Hay River Heat emerged victorious at the U17 softball territorial championship following a pair of games against the Yellowknife Wolverines at the newly renovated Tommy Forrest Ball Park on Sunday.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was great. The kids were, they were just ecstatic,SA国际影视传媒� said Heat coach Keith Pettipas. SA国际影视传媒淚 was ecstatic over the way that they hit the ball.SA国际影视传媒�

Despite the Heat dropping the opener 13-11, the Wolverines needed to win both games to dethrone the defending champs, something they were unable to do, coming up short 12-4.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was amazing considering that we only had like three practices before going up there,SA国际影视传媒� said Pettipas. SA国际影视传媒淪o we hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 been on the field very much with the kids. So it was tough.SA国际影视传媒�

The lack of practices can be attributed to the flooding that affected the community in mid-May. However, this would only add extra meaning to SundaySA国际影视传媒檚 achievement.

SA国际影视传媒淭he fields got flooded, (so) they werenSA国际影视传媒檛 ready for us to practice on early in the season,SA国际影视传媒� the coach explained. SA国际影视传媒淏ecause of that, being late getting on the field, yeah, it was definitely a very good feeling.SA国际影视传媒�

Solid performances by members of the Hay River Heat, like that of pitcher Owen Pettipas, would help to ensure things ended up going their way.

SA国际影视传媒淗e hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 pitched very much,SA国际影视传媒� said Keith. SA国际影视传媒淏ut he pulled out quite a performance there in the finals. He was throwing as hard as he could. He did all weekend, so he was quite impressive.SA国际影视传媒�

Wendy Malkin, who coached the Yellowknife squad, also had words of praise for the HeatSA国际影视传媒檚 hurler.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur team played really well, they were solid on the bat,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淗ay River has a really good pitcher.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淔or the first game, he wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 pitching to what he could, so we were able to get a lot of hits out of them,SA国际影视传媒� she continued. SA国际影视传媒淭he second game, he really pulled through and he pitched amazingly. We just struggled at getting the hits.SA国际影视传媒�

For Malkin and the Wolverines, the crew will be getting a lot of practices in during the offseason to help prepare for the road ahead.

As for the Heat, following their win at the territorial championship, Keith Pettipas said that plans are in motion to head to the 2022 Western Canadian Championships in hopes of making some noise in Alberta.

The U17 championships will take place from Aug. 4 to 7 in St. Albert.