Homeruns are not a problem for the EDSS boys’ slo-pitch team.  In fact, the team has had great success knocking the ball out of the park this season. The problem is the rules for slo-pitch indicate one team cannot have more than two homeruns over their opponents.

This is where the Lancers have been getting into trouble.

“Our hitters have been good all season long, we just have had troubles with our pitching and defense,” said coach Troy Shantz. “The boys really connect with the ball but have troubles keeping it within the fence and we lose a lot of runs that way.”

The Lancers faced off against the visiting Waterloo-Oxford Challengers at Lions Park last Tuesday afternoon, coming out on the losing end of a 21-16 decision. The loss drops the team into 13th place in the standings. The squad needs be in the top 12 to compete in the season-ending tournament that is used to determine the league champions.

“We did have a rough start to the season and we were better than most of the teams we played we just didn’t have the pitching we needed,” said Shantz.

The team is mostly new players who are playing for the first time together. Most of the players from last year graduated, forcing the coach into rebuilding mode.

“The guys are a great bunch and most of them do play in their own leagues. We just have had a hard time with a few key areas, but we are working on them and hope to compete in the final tournament,” said Shantz.
The team needs to win at least one more game to be eligible to compete in the all-day tournament next month.

Shantz said he is confident that the team, playing in its third season, will be able to find their groove and finish it the top five.

“The pressure is on them but I am sure they will win at least one more game to make the tournament. We just have to work harder and not make any mistakes.”

Their final game is slated for Tuesday at Lions Park in Elmira.

Off to a better start this season is the EDSS girls’ slo-pitch team, which has a 3-3-1 record, good for sixth place in the standings.

Coach Brian Carter and new assistant coach Adam Hiller have been working hard to keep the girls motivated and on point during games.

“We have had a pretty good season so far, we really can’t complain,” said Carter. “We started off strong but halfway through the year we hit a bit of a rough patch but that is expected as we are a young team and are still finding our place.”
The majority of players on the girls’ squad are new to the sport and Carter said they have been playing very well for the most part.

Like the boys, the top 12 teams will compete in a year-end tournament and the lady Lancers have already secured their spot at the event.

“If the girls stick it out for the next few years we are hoping to have a really good team. This is the type of team that will be better next year and the year after as long as they keep doing the right things,” said Carter.

The girls have only one regular season game left to be played on May 30 against Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School before the league champion tournament in June.