The Pee Wee Eckville Eagle baseball team faced their toughest challenge yet, when they squared off against Ponoka on May 18.
“Last night’s game against Ponoka was a tough one,” Coach Judi Cowan said. “After an exciting battle back and forth for six innings, our team lost their first game of the season 14-9.”
Despite the loss, Cowan has seen great things from her players when they went up against the other undefeated team in the league.
“I could not be prouder of how hard my team fought to stay on top - it just wasn’t our night to win,” she said. “Losing is a very important part of the game. It helps these young players develop and take away some knowledge for the games to come. There is no losing in my eyes; you either win or you learn. Our team is developing and improving with each outing.”
Cowan believes that her Eagles will only grow from their experience against Ponoka.
“I think it was a fabulous performance and I have no doubt the game could have went either way,” she said. “Both our team and Ponoka had been undefeated until last night. Moving forward, I just want my team to continue supporting each other and their individual growth and development. Focus on being the best players they can be and not dwell on mistakes that were made in the past. I am confident we will regroup and come back even stronger next week, in our games against the Sylvan Lake Mariners & SYDS Hawks.”
The Eagles continually showed good sportsmanship, cheering on their teammates throughout the game.
“Honestly, I think one of the most important jobs as a coach is to teach these young kids what it truly means to be part of a team,” Cowan explained. “There’s nothing quite like it. It’s so valuable for them to learn that no matter their athletic ability or social status at school, that when we come together as a team we are family - everyone has something to contribute and everyone is equally important.”
Cowan sees her team growing into a cohesive unit that will continue to succeed in the future.
“Anyone who has coached or has had children in organized sports will agree it takes some time for a team to mesh and start performing as a team,” she said. “I see this amazing group of kids supporting each other through every challenge, and celebrate every victory - no matter how small - and I couldn’t be prouder to see that bond so early.”
todd.vaughan@sylvanlakenews.com