PREVIEW: Softball set to host 2025 OCAA Championship

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – Humber softball (12-8, 3^rd OCAA) is gearing up to host the 2025 OCAA Women's Softball Championship from Oct. 16 to 18 at Connorvale Park. The tournament will feature at least eight games over three days, with Humber opening play against the Conestoga Condors (7-12, 6^th OCAA) in the play-in round. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.

After earning three consecutive provincial bronze medals and upgrading to silver last season, the Hawks are setting their sights on the top of the podium and aiming for their fourth OCAA gold and first since 2019.

The Hawks began the regular season on fire with a perfect 10-0 start, before an unexpected offensive slump ended their momentum. A seven-game losing streak, the longest in Humber softball's modern era, dropped the Hawks to third in the standings and marked the team's most losses in a season since 2018.

During that skid, Humber's production dipped sharply, from 8.5 runs and 11.2 hits per game during the winning streak to just four runs and 7.1 hits over the next seven contests. Extra-base hits also fell from 3.9 per game (including 10 triples) to 1.6 per game with none.

Despite the midseason setback, Humber's unique talent shone through on the national stage. At the CCSA National Championship over Thanksgiving weekend, the Hawks fell short of a podium but saw ace pitcher Shade Hansen and slugger Rilee Rothwell named to the All-Tournament team.

Both players are expected to be key factors again this postseason.

Rothwell dominated the OCAA offensive charts this year, leading the province with four home runs and a .521 batting average, becoming Humber's first batting champion since 2012 and tying Kelsey Bardy for the fourth-highest single-season average in program history. She also ranked second in the OCAA with 10 stolen bases, seven of which came in the final six regular-season games.

Meanwhile, Hansen was dominant from the circle, finishing second in the OCAA with 69 strikeouts, narrowly missing her third straight strikeout title.

On the basepaths, the Hawks remain dangerous. Fourth-year outfielder Shea Hilpert set a new program record with 44 career stolen bases, giving Humber another weapon heading into the postseason.

2025 highlights

• Humber opened the season with 10 straight wins — a program first.
• Rilee Rothwell led the OCAA with four home runs and captured the batting title (.521), the first Hawk to do so since 2012.
• Rothwell tied Kelsey Bardy for fourth all-time in single-season batting average at Humber.
• Rothwell also ranked second in the OCAA with 10 stolen bases. Blair Naughton followed with eight.
• Shade Hansen finished second in the OCAA with 69 strikeouts, eight short of first.
• Reese Velocci ranked fourth in batting average at .464.
• Rookie pitcher Maddy Friesen placed fourth in the OCAA with a 2.30 ERA.
• Michaela Brown tied Bree Donaldson for the most career saves in Humber history (three).
• Humber ranked fourth in the OCAA in hits (185) and third in RBIs (122).
• The Hawks were second in extra-base hits (65) and second in stolen bases (43).
• Humber's pitching staff ranked second in fewest hits allowed (155) and second in runs allowed (88).

Scouting the Conestoga Condors

The Conestoga Condors are coming off a slow season after posting a 13-11 record the year prior. Offensively, the Condors struggled, ranking near the bottom of the league in hits (127) and RBIs (66), while having the sixth-fewest extra-base hits (35). 

That should provide an advantage to Humber's pitching staff, which has been among the OCAA's most efficient.

However, defensively, the Hawks must stay alert at all times. Conestoga led the league in stolen bases (52), with six players ranked inside the OCAA's top 10. Kelly Tikel topped the province with 15 steals, making her a constant threat on the bases.

If the Hawks' offence can found its early-season rhythm, they will be well positioned against a Condors pitching staff that managed just 66 strikeouts (second fewest in the OCAA) and allowed 133 runs (the third most in the league).

The matchup also carries recent history. Humber eliminated Conestoga from championship contention in both 2024 and 2021 and although the Condors split a doubleheader at Connorvale Park on Oct. 4, snapping a seven-game losing streak in Etobicoke, the Hawks still hold the historical edge at home.

At the helm 

Head coach Duaine Bowles enters his ninth season at the helm. Bowles has led Humber to a provincial medal every year since winning the OCAA gold medal in 2019 and guided the program to its first-ever CCSA medals (bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024). 

A decorated player himself, Bowles earned Freshman Athlete of the Year honours at Thompson Rivers University, won two CCBC conference champions ('05, '07) and later played for Humber in 2011, where he led the CIBA in doubles and hit .400 on the season. 

By the numbers

• The Hawks are chasing their fourth OCAA gold medal and first since 2019.
• Humber holds a 21-21 all-time OCAA postseason record.
• A medal this season would mark the sixth straight year of provincial hardware for the Hawks.
• Humber holds a 45-13 all-time record against Conestoga, including a 5-1 in postseason play.
• The Hawks are 20-6 all-time at Connorvale Park against the Condors.

Postseason schedule

• Play-in game: Humber vs. Conestoga Condors on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m.
• Play-in games: Friday, Oct. 17, TBD (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.).
• Bronze Medal game: Saturday, Oct. 18, at 12 p.m.
• Gold Medal game #1: Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2:30 p.m.
• Gold Medal game #2 (if necessary): Saturday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m.

Watch live

Humber Hawks games will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network. All 2025 OCAA Women's Softball Championship games can be streamed live on OCAA Live. Follow @HumberHawks on Instagram and Humber Varsity on Facebook for scores and updates.