The Kingston Kobras are confident they will qualify for the Ontario Bantam Girls Softball championships next month in Stratford.
The provincial qualifying tournament will be held this weekend at the Cloverdale Softball complex in Kingston.
Sixteen teams will compete in the three-day event. The top eight clubs will qualify for the Ontario final.
“We’ve had a successful summer so far and I’m hopeful we can continue to roll,” said Kobras pitcher Olivia Gilbert.
“We’ve played in three tournaments so far. We won two of them and finished second in the other. The chemistry on our team is very good both on and off the field.”
The Kobras have what it takes to make some serious noise this weekend and a big reason for the team’s success is the dedicated coaching staff.
“They’re so supportive,” said first baseman Alexa Oriecuia.
“Rob Clark is our infield coach. Damien Gilbert works with our catchers and pitchers and Jon Swaine oversees the entire team. He’s a tremendous and knowledgeable coach who knows how to motivate us.”
The Kobras begin play on Friday night against South Ottawa. Game time is 6.30 p.m.
“We prepare all season long for this tournament,” said outfielder Kieran Raymo.
“We practise in the gyms all winter long to get ready for the provincials. We take everything we learn in the winter and bring it to the field during the summer season. I feel like this is the year it’s all coming together.”
If the Kobras are successful this weekend, and down the road in Stratford, they hope to represent Ontario at the Eastern Canadian championships Aug. 23-26 in Cole Harbour, N.S.
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