In 2008, the Pontiacs three-peated Gold at the Eastern Canadians, held in St. Basile le Grand, Quebec, by defeating Portneuf, their long-time rivals, in a closely contested 13 inning ballgame in the finals. The Pontiacs repeated Gold at the Ontario Provincial Championships going undefeated. Dawn Vanderhorst took home the Top Pitcher award in both Championships. In leage play, the Pontiacs won the Tri-County Ladies League Championship.
Gold medals continued to follow the Pontiacs into 2007 with the team being successful at achieving the Gold Medal at the Ontario Provincial Championships held in Byron and winning all three individual awards - the Top Pitcher - Dawn Vanderhorst; Top Batter - Riekie Dutcher; MVP - Johanna Malisani. The Pontiacs then repeated Gold at the Eastern Canadian Championships held in Fredericton, New Brunswick by going through the tournament undefeated and Dawn Vanderhorst taking home the Top Pitcher award (and a marriage proposal from the Coach of the Pontiacs - Brandon Robinson). In league play, the Pontiacs repeated as Tri-County Ladies League Champions but were unable to play in the league tournament due to scheduling conflicts with the Eastern Canadians.
The 2006 year saw the Pontiacs return to being the Gold Medal Champions at the Eastern Canadian Championships held in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. The Pontiacs went through the round robin tournament and the championship round undefeated for the first time in their history. Riekie Dutcher was named MVP of the tournament. In Provincial playdowns, the Pontiacs won a very hard-fought Silver Medal after losing their first game in the double-knockout tournament and fighting their way back into the Championship game to earn the right to go to the Eastern Canadians. Dawn Vanderhorst was named top pitcher of the tournament with Riekie Dutcher named MVP. In league play, the Pontiacs won the Tri-County Ladies League Championship.
In 2005, the Pontiacs achieved a record fourth Gold Medal in a row at the Ontario Intermediate Grand Championships and went on to win a Silver Medal at the Eastern Canadian Championships held in PEI. Elizabeth Verbeem was the recipient of the MVP Award at the Ontario Championships with Johanna Malisani and Riekie Dutcher being named to the All-Star team at the Eastern Canadian Championships. In league play, the Pontiacs won the League and Championship award.
The year 2004 was the best in the history of the Pontiacs with the team winning the Gold in the Eastern Canadians, Gold in Ontario, and winning both the League and Championship title in the Tri-County League. The team was undefeated in the Provincial Women's Softball Association Championships held in Trento to three-peat as Ontario Champions. In Montreal, Quebec, the Pontiacs defeated the PEI Representatives 2 to 0 in a close battle for the Championship trophy. Johanna Malisani was named tournament MVP with a .435 batting average and many excellent defensive plays.
During 2003, the Hamilton Pontiacs won the Gold Medal in the Provincial Women's Softball Association Intermediate Grand Championships for the second year in a row. Riekie Dutcher was the winner of the top batter award for the Tournament. The team also won the Silver Medal at the Eastern Canadian Championships held in Miramichi, New Brunswick and captured the Tri-County League title going undefeated in the final Championship Tournament.
In 2002, the Hamilton Pontiacs Team won the Gold Medal in the Provincial Women's Softball Association Intermediate Grand Championships for the first time in its history by going undefeated in 5 games and giving up only 1 run. Kelly Copland won the Top Pitcher award by pitching 21 innings of shutout ball. Riekie Dutcher, the team's shortstop, took home the Top Batter award with a .571 batting average and also the MVP Award for the tournament. The Team achieved the right to represent Ontario in the Eastern Canadian Championships hosted by St. Croix, Nova Scotia in September. After going undefeated in the Round Robin portion of the tournament, the team finished in Third Place overall. All Eastern provinces were represented including Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and New Brunswick. The Pontiacs also captured the Tri-County League Championship going undefeated in the annual playoff tournament after finishing in Second Place in the league overall.
In 2000, the millenium year, the team finished with the Silver Medal in the PWSA Intermediate Championships and also the Silver Medal in the Eastern Canadians held in Innerkip, Ontario.
On a historical note, the team was originally established in 1970 as a Junior club and remained so until 1981. The team then became Intermediate and for two years was a Senior Team in Provincial Playoff action. The team has been active with the exception of two years in the early 90's when it took a brief hiatus.
Over the years, it has participated in provincial playoffs winning several titles and numerous invitational tournaments in locations throughout Ontario. The Pontiacs have also traveled to places outside of the province representing the City such as Florida, Prince Edward Island, Ohio and Las Vegas to play ball. |
