Dinos win silver at 2025 CCSA National Championships

In the first game of the round robin Dinos defeat defending champions Durham Lords in Pitcher's Duel
Both teams were strong in the circle on Friday, but University of Calgary defeated Durham 2-0. Madison Belden started the game for University of Calgary and recorded 21 outs. An early lead helped propel the Dinos to victory, scoring two runs on a single in the first inning. 
Belden pitched a complete game, allowing only two hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking one. Brooklyn Bianchini went 2-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in and the team turned one double play in the game.
 
In the second game of the tournament the Dinos Defeated Laurier Golden Hawks On Multiple Hit Performance By Angelina Hargreaves
 Angelina Hargreaves collected three hits in three at bats, as the Dinos defeated Laurier Golden Hawks 9-4 on Friday. Hargreaves hit a solo home run to center field in the first inning, singled in the third and fourth innings.
Dinos into the lead in the bottom of the third inning after Hargreaves singled to left field, Brooklyn Bianchini singled up the middle, Mia Pielak singled to center field, and Olivia Goertz grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run.
Pielak started in the circle, right-handed pitcher allowed 10 hits and four runs over five innings, striking out one. Hayley Shackell started the game for Laurier Golden Hawks. Alexis Luttmerding pitched one inning of no-run ball in relief. The lefty surrendered one hit, striking out none and walking one.
Dinos tallied 11 hits in the game. Pielak and Hargreaves each collected three hits Pielak and Hargreaves each drove in two runs for the team.
 
 Neither Team Pulls Away As University of Calgary And University of Saskatchewan Tie 3-3
The Dinos opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. Dinos first got on the board when Brooklyn Bianchini singled, scoring one run. A single by Mackenna Meyer gave University of Calgary the lead, 3-2, in the top of the third.
Kate Gross stepped in the circle first, the starter surrendered two hits and two runs (one earned) over four innings, striking out one and walking one.
Bianchini, Mia Pielak, and Meyer each drove in one run for the Dinos.
With the tie the Dinos finished first in their pool and gained a direct path to the semi-finals where they would face the winner of the elimination game.
 
Big Third Inning Leads University of Calgary Past University of Saskatchewan in the semi-final game on Saturday
University of Saskatchewan won their elimination game Saturday morning to earn the semi-final matchup with the Dinos. Unlike Friday evening the Dinos distanced themselves from Saskatchewan as they defeated  University of Saskatchewan 9-3 thanks in part to six runs in the third inning.  Manyika Reyes was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, an error scored two runs, Hallie Miller tripled, scoring two runs, and Katie Berg singled, scoring one run. Brooklyn Bianchini hit a sacrifice fly, which helped the Dinos tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.
Madison Belden pitched the complete game, the pitcher gave up six hits and three runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out five and walking two as she earned her second win of the weekend and her second complete game.
The Dinos piled up 12 hits in the game. Miller led the team with two runs batted in from the number nine spot in the lineup. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-4 on the day. Mia Pielak, Emily Friedt, and Chloe Kinghorn each collected two hits for the Dinos. Berg stole three bases.
 
Fifth-Inning Burst Enough To Lead UBCO  Past University of Calgary in gold medal game
In the CCSA gold medal game the Dinos faced a familiar WCSA foe in the UBCO Heat. In a rematch of the WCSA league championship final the Dinos were looking to reverse the outcome and capture the gold at nationals. Unfortunately the Dinos had a tough late inning as UBCO  scored five runs in the fifth inning, which helped them defeat University of Calgary 8-1 on Saturday in the gold medal game. With the loss the Dinos captured the silver medal, bringing an end to a successful 2025 season. UBCO was able to take advantage of the changing Calgary fall weather as the winds came up and the runs increased.
University of Calgary opened the scoring in the first after Mia Pielak singled, scoring one run.  Pielak began the game in the circle for the Dinos as the starting pitcher surrendered three hits and three runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out three.
Brooklyn Bianchini and Emily Friedt each collected two hits for the Dinos Pielak went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in. Dinos were sure-handed and didn't commit a single error.
 
"The loss stings a bit but given where we were last year in Ottawa at this time with not making the medal round this is a huge step forward for the club." Commented coach Harlos. "This is the 5^th medal in Dinos history and the 2^nd silver at nationals so I couldn't be prouder of the way we played. It's  a huge accomplishment and doing it at home was something special, the committee put on a first class event and we are happy that we were able to make it to the final in front of our home crowd."

Dinos fastball will look to build on the strength of the 2025 season as they prepare for the 2026 fall season.
Go Dinos!