The Manitoba Premier Softball League regular season began on Sunday May 5. All three Central Energy clubs were in action on opening day.

The 13U group couldn't keep up with Manitoba Angels and fell 7-1 in game one of their doubleheader on Sunday at Optimist Park in Winnipeg. Bianca Lanthier led things off in the circle for Energy. She allowed three hits and two runs (zero earned) over three innings, striking out eight and walking none. Beaudry English was ready at the plate going 1 for 2. Lindsay French also pitched three innings, allowing 2 hits, and whiffing 6.

Central Energy captured the win in the second game of the day against the Angels by a score of 11-7. Central got on the board in the top of the first inning after French singled, scoring two runs, and a passed ball scored one run. They added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after a double and two singles, each scoring one run. Collins Vrooman stepped in the circle first for Central. She gave up four hits and five runs over three innings, striking out six and walking six. Cassandra Lanthier appeared in relief, allowing 1 hit, and getting 9 strikeouts in 3 innings. Central Energy amassed 11 hits in the game, led by Vrooman who went 2 for 2. English and French were tough to manage back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for the 13U club. Central Energy also had a strong eye at the plate, totaling nine walks for the game.

Central Energy 15U scored in multiple innings to take down the Winnipeg Lightning 8-1 in their season opener in Brandon on Sunday. Kennedy Funk earned the win for Central. The righty allowed four hits and one run over six innings, striking out six and walking six. Central piled up 10 hits in the game. Rory Perrin went 3 for 3 at the plate to lead the Energy in hits. Mya Richard, Perrin, and Shyanne Goertzen each drove in one run for Central. Bree Pearce collected two hits in three at bats.

Game two of the day saw Central at rivals Westman Magic. Even though the Energy club collected five hits to Westman Magic’s two, they still fell 5-4. Goertzen led the Energy with two hits and two RBIs. Central Energy opened the scoring in the first after Goertzen singled, scoring one run. The RBIs. Central Energy opened the scoring in the first after Goertzen singled, scoring one run. The club added two runs in the second when Funk singled after a 6-pitch at-bat, making the score 3-0. They scored another run in the top of the third on a home run by Goertzen on the seventh pitch of the at-bat. Taylor Wall went the distance in the circle for Central Energy. She surrendered two hits and five runs (one earned) over six innings, striking out nine and walking four. Some fielding errors helped the Magic claw back into the game and eventually get the win.

After playing in an early season tournament in the US, the 17U Central Energy club got their regular season started on May 5. They bested Winnipeg Lightning 5-4 on Sunday in Winkler after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at four in the top of the fifth when a passed ball scored one run. Winnipeg Lightning jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Chloe Dahl drew a walk, scoring one run, and Mackenzie Gardner singled, scoring two runs. Brooklyn Friesen hit an inside the park home run, which helped Central tie the game at three in the top of the fourth. A walk by Camry Wilkes gave the Lightning the lead, 4-3, in the bottom of the fourth. The Energy jumped back into the lead in the top of the fifth inning after Heidi Reimer doubled, and the Energy scored on a passed ball, each scoring one run. Maddy Friesen pitched four innings in relief for Central Energy. She allowed one hit and one run while striking out five and walking three. Gabrielle Hildebrand led things off in the circle for the Energy. The starting pitcher allowed five hits and three runs over three innings, striking out one and walking one. Sally Leask stepped in the circle first for Winnipeg Lightning. The righty gave up four hits and three runs over four innings, striking out three and walking none. Friesen drove the middle of the lineup, leading Central with three runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-3 on the day. The 17U group had a strong showing in the field all game, even turning one double play.

Central Energy's bats were strong against Winnipeg Lightning in game two on Sunday, but it was not enough as they fell 14-9. Winnipeg Lightning collected 11 hits, while Central Energy had 10. Central Energy made the score 9-8 in the bottom of the sixth after Maddy Friesen hit a home run, scoring three runs, and Heidi Reimer singled, scoring one run. Winnipeg Lightning flipped the game on its head in the top of the seventh, scoring six runs on five hits to take a 14-9 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a triple by Linnae Johnson that drove in two. Molly Cowan began the game in the circle for Central Energy. She surrendered five hits and seven runs (one earned) over four innings, striking out two and walking one. Reimer also pitched 3 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 2. Molly Conrad set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading the team with three hits in five at bats.


Upcoming Central Energy Action

13U – May 10 vs Westman Magic @ 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Republic of Manitobah Park Diamond 9 in Portage

15U – May 12 at Smitty’s Terminators @ 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Moffat Diamond 2 in Winnipeg

17U – May 18 vs Smitty’s Terminators @ 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. in Morden, Diamond 2