Brooklyn Leibel and Criseyde Borthwick made a big impression at Westerns. (Submitted photo/ Duane Krip)

By Nigel Maxwell

Outstanding athletes

P.A. ball players help Team Sask. win bronze at Westerns

Aug 21, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The U14 Girls’ Western Canada Baseball Championship was held this past weekend in Richmond, B.C. and two athletes from Prince Albert helped Team Saskatchewan win the bronze.

Brooklyn Leibel and Criseyde Borthwick normally play for the Prince Albert AA U15 TLS Royals. Noting it was her first time playing at Westerns, Leibel told paNOW she had a lot of fun.

“I lost my voice from cheering so loud. I was so excited,” she said.

Following wins over Manitoba and the BC Red Aces, Team Sask. lost 13-12 to the BC Blue Aces. Leibel and Borthwick both contributed hits.

For Leibel though, she said the game that stood out the most for her was the bronze medal game, and a 12-9 win over Manitoba. While Leibeil was pitching in the final two winnings, one of her outfielders made a diving catch.

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“There were two outs and I was like smiling at my catcher because I was so excited. It made me pitch better,” she explained.

Looking ahead to next year, Leibel hopes to make the U16 team and return to Westerns. As for Borthwick, she played at Westerns plast year when Team Sask won silver.

“It was really fun and it seemed like there were harder teams this year and it was just a good experience for me,” she said.

After packing up in B.C, Borthwick will not get much time to rest as she will head to Prince Edward Island on Tuesday and join Team Sask’s U16 team at Nationals.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m not as nervous because last year I didn’t have my parents but this year I will and I think it will be a good experience again this year,” she said.

Nationals are scheduled to run from Aug. 24 to Aug. 27 at Summerside, PEI.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell