Maple Ridge pitcher named top player at U15 national fastpitch championship

Maple Ridge pitcher Vivianne Clarke has been named the overall top player at the U15 Women’s Canadian Fastpitch National Championships after helping Cloverdale Fury 2011A win gold in Fredericton, N.B.

The 15-year-old recorded 64 strikeouts over 34 innings and posted a 0.00 earned-run average during the playoff round. Clarke said the championship reflected contributions throughout the lineup, including strong defence and hitting.

Head coach Shannon Maion said Clarke stays composed in high-pressure situations and becomes more aggressive as games tighten. She also batted fourth for the Fury.

The tournament ran from July 28 to Aug. 2 and featured 20 teams. Ranked fifth entering nationals, the Fury won all seven of its games, beating BC2 Fraser Valley Fusion 2011A in the final after competing closely with the team throughout the season.

Fury teammates Natalie Maion and Hailey Correia also received round-robin all-star awards, as an outfielder and catcher respectively.