Led by veteran pitcher Molly Yetman the 2005 Guelph Gators Midget Girls Fastball team was determined to win it all. Coming off a disappointing end to their previous season veterans Jenna Campagnolo, Robin Haig, Sarah Berry, Marcie Bruder and Meghan Chenoweth were determined to end their careers with a national title. Guelph won three tournaments that season including a 28-team event in New York that featured some of the best teams in North America. They roared through their regular season to find themselves in the always tough Provincial Championships in Brampton. After winning that event it was off to the Nationals in Montreal. “This was an experienced group that came back from the huge disappointment in ’04, very focussed on winning the nationals” said Manager Dave Vallance. “The game I remember most that year was a crucial game against highly regarded Markham in the Provincials who had a national team pitcher throwing for them. We were outstanding and actually “mercied” them to move on.” In the playoff round at Nationals the Gators handed the ball to Yetman who won four consecutive games, three by shutout including a no-hitter while striking out 67. It is no surprise to learn she was named playoff MVP. This may have been the best Midget team ever assembled in Guelph. Their record that year was 65 – 8 and eleven of the fifteen girls on that team received NCAA scholarships. Third baseman Kaleigh Rafter went on to play for Canada’s 2008 Olympic team. Yetman had an amazing career at Wayne State University compiling a 52-10-2 record with a sparkling ERA of just .72. Rookies Nicole Abel and Stephanie LeClair would both eventually make Canada’s Junior National team.
Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame – Team category – on May 20, 2009
