By Joel van der Veen

WATROUS — The Watrous Royals bantam girls softball team overcame multiple injuries to win silver at provincials last weekend.

The Royals hosted seven visiting teams in the 16U “C” event, which ran from July 10 to 12 at the sports grounds in Watrous. The team played four round-robin games on Friday and Saturday, defeating Muenster, Kindersley and Moosomin, and losing to Kerrobert.

In the semi-final on Sunday, the Royals defeated Muenster and went on to face Langenburg in the finals, in which they lost 7-2.

Coach Jason Shaw said the team did well over the weekend despite both of its main pitchers, Alexa Koupantsis and Breanna Shaw, coping with injuries.

Koupantsis was injured by a returned ball that bounced off her glove and struck her in the face during the semi-final against Muenster. Shaw had injured her wrist but filled in for the remainder of that game and the final.

“It took us a little bit to regroup and keep going,” said the coach, noting that the team had aimed to reach the playoffs. “We tried to get everybody in (for) a bit to get ready for Sunday.”

Shaw estimated that between 300 and 400 people attended the weekend tournament, which featured teams from Muenster, Kindersley, Moosomin, Kerrobert, Macklin and Langenburg.

He said many of the team parents assisted the town staff with tending the grounds, as well as scorekeeping, announcing, and running the 50/50 draw, the gate and the concession stand.

The provincial tournament marked the end of the season for the Royals. Shaw said the team got along well, and that the season was an educational experience for the players as well as the coaches.

Local players on the team included Jocelyn Millham, Sarah Allan, Caroline Seidlik and Breanna Shaw from Davidson, and Kylee Evans from Kenaston.