CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Kaelyn White has played top-level softball tournaments in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and the Maritimes but never in Prince Edward Island against her own age division.
That changes Friday when the 18-year-old Charlottetown native and her P.E.I. Eagles teammates host the under-19 Eastern Canadian girls’ softball championship at the Central Field complex in Charlottetown.
“It’s really surreal for me because we’ve been playing for five years at a high level and we haven’t had the opportunity to play that high-level ball at home in front of our home crowd before,” she said. “Our friends and family get to hear about it and read about it in the newspaper, of course, but (many of them don't) actually (get to) come and watch it in person.”
Robyn Power, an 18-year-old middle infielder from Charlottetown, said hosting is a great opportunity for her and her teammates.
“We’ve been bonding since we were about six or seven years old. To all come together and finally play in front of our families is nice.”
She’s played the sport since she was six with many a home game taking place at Central Field. The team knows the field better than any club that is taking part in the eight-team tournament.
“It’s just feels like home,” Power said. “It’s nice to be home and playing on our own field.”
But, does that home-field advantage come with pressure?
“Probably some,” admitted head coach Chirs Halliwell, “but I don't know if these girls understand pressure. They just like to play and always play hard.”
He has coached the majority of the squad for six years. They have played against some of the country’s top teams during their careers.
There were times when they expected to do better but were unable to get a win when needed.
“There were teams there last year that we know we could have beaten, but I think we went in thinking that we were just going to win automatically and took them too lightly,” said Sydney Halliwell, an 18-year-old pitcher/first baseman from Charlottetown. “I think we’re more prepared for this year, and we’re definitely not going to (be overconfident).”
The team enters the tournament on a high after winning the Eastern Canadian senior women’s championship Sunday in Moncton.
RELATED: Eagles win senior women's tournament.
“That’s definitely a big confidence booster because we played some of the best teams in (Eastern) Canada,” White said.
And it shows the potential is there to do it again this week, but past success doesn’t always lead to future success.
“There’s never a guarantee,” White acknowledged. “You always have to work as hard as you can . . ., which we did this past weekend.”
Power said the team has had some downtime this week to rest and get ready for the climb up the mountain in the under-19 competition.
“We’re definitely pretty excited (about) this weekend,” she said, noting the importance of not getting too high. “We have to keep it level.”
Roster
A look at the P.E.I. Eagles:
Number Player Positions
4 Lila Willdey Second base/Right field
5 Margaret Reynolds Pitcher/Third base
6 Sydney Halliwell Pitcher/First base
7 Brooke Bernard Right field/Catcher
9 Eryn Hustler Outfield
11 Kenzie Arsenault Outfield
14 Robyn Power Second base/Shortstop
16 Emily Reynolds Pitcher/Outfield
19 Kassie Birt Third base
22 Sarah Murphy First base/Shortstop
25 Kaelyn White Shortstop/Centre field
29 Lila Mitchell Centre field/Second base
33 Jessica Turbide First base/Catcher
71 Haley Savidant Catcher/Second base
77 Hannah Sentner Catcher/Third base
Coaching staff
Head coach Chris Halliwell
Assistant coach Bobby Power
Assistant coach David Rupert
Assistant coach Shawn Mitchell
Manager Kevin Sentner
Schedule
A look at the schedule for the Eastern Canadians under-19 girls’ softball championship at Central Field complex in Charlottetown.
Pool Green
P.E.I.
Nova Scotia
Ontario One
New Brunswick Three
Pool Blue
New Brunswick One
Quebec
New Brunswick Two
Ontario Two
Friday
11 a.m.
1. Central One – Ontario Two vs. Quebec.
2. Central Two – New Brunswick One vs. New Brunswick Two.
1 p.m.
3. Central One – P.E.I. vs. Ontario One.
4. Central Two – New Brunswick Three vs. Nova Scotia.
3 p.m.
Central One – Opening ceremonies.
5 p.m.
5. Central One – P.E.I. vs. New Brunswick Three.
6. Central Two – Ontario One vs. Nova Scotia
7 p.m.
7. Central One – New Brunswick One vs. Quebec.
8. Central Two – New Brunswick Two vs. Ontario Two.
Saturday
10 a.m.
9. Central One – Ontario Two vs. New Brunswick One.
10. Central Two – New Brunswick Two vs. Quebec.
Noon
11. Central One – P.E.I. vs. Nova Scotia.
12. Central Two – New Brunswick Three vs. Ontario One.
Playoffs
4 p.m.
13. Central One – First in Blue vs. First in Green.
14. Central Two – Fourth in Blue vs. Fourth in Green.
6 p.m.
15. Central One – Second in Blue vs. Third in Green.
16. Central Two – Third in Blue vs. Second in Green.
Sunday
All games at Central One
9:30 a.m.
17. Winner of game 14 vs. Loser of game 13.
11:30 a.m.
18. Winner of game 15 vs. Winner of game 16.
1:30 p.m.
19. Winner of game 17 vs. Winner of game 18.
4 p.m.
20. Winner of game 13 vs. Winner of game 19.
Keys to success
We asked what it will take the P.E.I. Eagles to have success this weekend at the under-19 Eastern Canadian girls’ softball championship.
Positive energy, communication and teamwork. “We’re always at our best when we’re upbeat and cheering each other on.”
Kaelyn White, shortstop/outfielder.
“For us to be successful, we need lots of energy. We have to . . . cheer each other on. I think we proved that last weekend that we can do that.”
Sydney Halliwell, pitcher/first baseman.
“Everyone just (has to) play the best they can and trust each other.”
Robyn Power, middle infielder.
“Play error-free ball. We can play defence with the best teams, we can hit with the best teams and I guarantee we’ll be one of the fastest teams.”
Chris Halliwell, head coach.
