varsity news

Durham Lords Media Release
Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Durham College Women’s Fastball taking aim at a national championship

OSHAWA, Ont. – The 14 time OCAA champion Durham College women’s fastball team will be looking to add another title to their collection this season, as they have accepted an invitation to participate in the 2009 Canadian Intercollegiate Women's Fastpitch Championship that will be taking place from October 10-12 at the Peter Hallman Ball Yard in Kitchener.

“I am excited for our team to have the chance to compete for a National Championship,” said Durham College head coach Jim Nemish. “It will be a great opportunity for our team to go up against the top University and College programs in the country. I know our team will step up to the challenge as we represent Durham College on the national stage.”

The eight team championship will feature eight of the top fastball programs in the country competing for the national title. The teams include McMaster University, St. Clair College, University of Calgary, University of Ottawa, University of Saskatchewan, University of Western Ontario, Wilfrid Laurier University and Durham College. The format will consist of a two-division round robin, followed by a double-elimination playoff round.

The Lords have been the top team in Ontario collegiate fastball, having won five provincial titles in the last seven years. Overall, the Lords have won 14 Ontario titles and 25 provincial medals since 1981.

The 2009 version of the Lords is as strong as the team has ever been with plenty of returning players mixed in with some stellar new recruits. 2008 OCAA Player of the Year and League Batting Champion Erin Dewey (Port Hope, Ont.), along with her sister Erica Dewey will look to lead the Lords charge. Last season, the duo combined for 41 hits with a batting average of .465 during the regular season. Also returning to the lineup is 2008 OCAA championship top pitcher Danielle Smith (Port Perry, Ont.) and OCAA All-Star Carolyn Moore (Oshawa, Ont.).

Head coach Jim Nemish has brought in top recruits Kayla MacLean (Whitby, Ont.), Janna Hagan (Sherwood Park, Albt.) and Tiana Cosentino (Toronto, Ont.), all of which are contending for a starting spot in the lineup.

The Lords will continue training camp this week and begin their season with four games on the road against the three-time National Junior College Champion Monroe Community College of Rochester, NY. The four game series will take place from September 12-13.

The 2009 Canadian Intercollegiate Women's Fastpitch Championship website is online at http://oiwfa.org/. The OCAA provincial championship will take place from October 16-17 hosted by Mohawk College, following nationals.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)