Softball sweeps Fanshawe at 2025 home opener

ETOBICOKE – Pride colours filled Connorvale Park on Thursday night as Humber softball (8-0, 2^nd OCAA) celebrated Pride Night in their home opener. The Hawks stayed red-hot at the dish and swept the Fanshawe Falcons (3-5, 4^th OCAA) to tighten the race for the league title. Star pitcher Shade Hansen was lights-out from the circle, recording eight strikeouts over six innings pitched, while Reese Velocci went four-for-four at the dish, recording two RBIs.

Game one (Humber 3, Fanshawe 0)

It was an unusually warm mid-September evening as Hawks fans welcomed Humber softball for their first home game of the season against the Fanshawe Falcons. Riding a perfect 6-0 start, the Hawks arrived in Etobicoke with momentum, looking to keep pace in the league title race with the unbeaten Durham Lords (8-0, 1^st OCAA) sitting atop the standings.

The fans watched both teams showcase red-hot defensive performances through the first three innings. Head coach Duaine Bowles tapped Humber ace Shade Hansen in the circle, who grabbed four strikeouts by the end of the third. On the visiting side, Fanshawe's Kyle Dalrymple had three Ks and kept the game scoreless.

The Hawks finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth frame. With River Johnston on third and Reese Velocci on second, Johnston scored on a wild pitch. Velocci was not left behind, driven home by designated hitter Claudia Hansen's RBI single to left field, giving Humber a two-run lead.

 While the offence found its rhythm, Hansen remained steady in the circle. The third-year pitcher delivered a lights-out sixth inning, rolling through the lineup with three strikeouts. The Hawks added another run in the bottom half after Velocci's double to deep left field. Pinch-runner Peyton Fitzgerald stole third, then scored on a Falcons error to extend the lead.

In the next inning, third-year righty Michaela Brown came in as relief for Hansen and shut down Fanshawe with two strikeouts, securing the 3-0 win in the first game of the doubleheader.

Game two (Humber 9, Fanshawe 5)

As the temperature dropped at Connorvale Park, the Hawks also started the second game on a cold note. A defensive miscue by Humber allowed Fanshawe to score early in the first inning. With Falcons runners on first and third and one out, the Hawks then managed an impressive defensive play. A grounder to first base followed by a throw across the diamond from River Johnston to Reese Velocci, closing out the top of the inning.

Despite their shaky defensive start, the Hawks quickly turned things around at bat. The crowd enjoyed an offensive display as Velocci, Claudia Hansen, Blair Naughton and Marlee Greer each cashed in RBIs, sending the Hawks into the second inning with a 4-1 lead.

Humber tacked on another in the bottom of the second as Rilee Rothwell scored on a wild pitch. Although the Hawks appeared to have control of the ball game, sloppy defensive mistakes in the top of the fourth allowed Fanshawe to trim the lead to one. This prompted coach Bowles to call rookie pitcher Maddy Friese from the bullpen in relief.

Friese managed to close out the inning, keeping Humber in the lead in the fourth, but the Falcons would even the score in the fifth by scoring on a wild pitch. In the home half, pinch-runner Jessica La Ronde stole second and third, leaving her in scoring position with two outs. Greer delivered the needed RBI, driving La Ronde home and putting Humber back ahead, 6-5.

The Hawks would increase the pressure on the Falcons as Velocci smashed a double to deep center field, driving in Rothwell, followed by Greer crushing a two-run double to extend the lead to 9-5 by the end of the sixth inning.

In the seventh inning, closer Brownie came in to wrap up the game. The Falcons managed to score a run, but it was not enough to spark momentum for a comeback. The Hawks completed the sweep with a 9-6 win.

Reese Velocci was named the Player of the Game, going four-for-four at the dish and recording two RBIs.

Humber Highlights

• Humber improves to 25-15 all-time against Fanshawe.
• The Hawks hold a 19-6 all-time record in home openers.
• Shade Hansen leads the OCAA with 34 strikeouts.
• Hansen's 34 strikeouts are more than the total number of strikeouts of six teams in the league.
• Reese Velocci leads the OCAA with a .765 batting average.
• Shea Hilpert moves into first all-time at Humber with 43 stolen bases.

What's Next?

The Hawks will remain on home diamond this weekend as they welcome the Mohawk Mountaineers (0-6, 8^th OCAA) on Sunday, Sept. 21. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.