Right mix brings Steelers Canadian title three-peat

Combination of vets and youngsters power champs

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Steelers start celebrating a Canadian title win on August 3.

The veteran pros, young stars and the cast in between have turned the Carnduff Southeast Steelers into a dynasty.

On Sunday, August 3, at Bob Van Impe Stadium, the Steelers blanked Equipe Quebec 6-0 in the title game of Softball Canada’s Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship. The Steelers completed the event with a perfect 8-0 record as they captured gold at the Canadian women’s nationals for a third straight year.

The Carnduff side became the first Saskatchewan-based team to win three consecutive Canadian women’s titles. The only other squad from Saskatchewan to win the Canadian women’s title in back-to-back years was the Saskatoon Imperials back in 1969 and 1970.

The Steelers roster contains a collection of players from across Saskatchewan along with Abbotsford, B.C., product and pitcher Katie Korstrom, who has been part of Softball Canada’s national team system. The mix on the Steelers side is arguably shown in a pair of players in shortstop Lyndsay Koscielski and pitcher Jorde Chartrand, who also plays first base.

Koscielski is the ageless 37-year-old veteran who has six Softball Canada gold medals in her collection. Along with playing on all three Steelers championship teams, she was a key member helping her hometown Saskatoon Outlaws build a Canadian Junior Women’s Championship dynasty winning three titles in four years in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Lyndsay Koscielski makes a defensive play in the infield.

Back in 2010, Koscielski celebrated a Canadian junior championship win with the Outlaws at Bob Van Impe Stadium. When she helped the Steelers win the Canadian women’s title on August 3, she did it with her partner Logan McKay, young daughter Charli McKay and young son Jax McKay in attendance among a sizable gathering of family and friends.

“It is very special to win at home when you have all your family and friends can come,” said Koscielski, who has played for the Steelers for the majority of the past 10 seasons. “It is always nice.”

“It is nice to have both of my kids here just to see me. She (Charli) has been asking for a trophy all week, so I had to get her one.”

Chartrand is the young 22-year-old who just finished her NCAA playing career with the University of North Carolina Greensboro Spartans and has seen frequent time in Softball Canada’s national team program. The Weyburn product has played for the Steelers for four seasons and was available to play for the Carnduff side at the past two Canadian women’s nationals.

At last year’s nationals played in Blackfalds, Alta., Chartrand was named an all-star at pitcher and the top player in the championship round as the Steelers won a second straight Canadian title. At the recently completed women’s nationals played at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, Chartrand captured awards as the top pitcher and top player in the championship round. She threw a complete game shutout win against Quebec in the championship final striking out 13 batters.

Jorde Chatrand delivers a pitch for the Steelers.

Before starting her NCAA playing career, Chartrand was a regular who came to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex to train. She had a contingent of family and friends in the stands to see her pitch a gem in the Steelers championship win over Quebec and has had a blast playing for the Carnduff squad.

“I’m just having fun with my team,” said Chartrand. “It is just a lot of fun playing with these girls.”

Chartrand said the comradery amongst her Steelers teammates has helped her play well.

“Honestly, I think something that is overlooked a lot is just having fun and throwing relaxed,” said Chartrand. “These girls make it really easy to be relaxed on the mound knowing I have eight good teammates around me.”

For Koscielski, there are times it doesn’t feel like the years have marched on as fast as they have. She noted that only one other player from her Outlaws teams is still active in the current day in Steelers centre-fielder Karmen (Coffey) Twordik. Twordik caught the final out in the August 3 title contest win over Quebec.

Koscielski said it was special that the chips in life fell into place where she was a member of both Outlaws and Steelers dynasty teams.

Lyndsay Koscielski (#22) is pictured with daughter Charli McKay.

“It is pretty cool,” said Koscielski. “I’ve been lucky in my life to play with some pretty good teams, so it is nice.”

While Chartrand has piled up a lengthy list of accomplishments in softball at her young age, she has enjoyed playing on a Steelers team that has players close to her age like Korstrom, and veterans like Koscielski and Twordik. During nationals, it was common to find Chartrand entertaining her elder teammates’ children.

“It is awesome,” said Chartrand. “It is really fun to hear everyone’s life stories.

“Everyone is in such a different part of life. A lot of the older girls have been where I am, so they kind of just take you under their wing and are here to have fun and teach you some things, have some laughs and win a championship.”

One of Koscielski’s biggest highlights came in the first versus second place page playoff game against Quebec on August 2 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. She hit a three-run home run to power the Steelers to a 6-1 victory that allowed them to advance to the tournament’s championship game. When Koscielski jumped on home plate, she did so with the excitement of a player in their junior aged years in the sport.

Jorde Chatrand (#24) is pictured with MacKenzie Roach.

“It felt good,” said Koscielski. “The beginning of the tournament it was not as good hitting-wise, so it felt good to finally put the bat on something and get some runs in.

“It was like I’ve never done it before, but I was pretty excited.”

Going into next season, the Steelers will be attempting to be the first team to win four consecutive Canadian women’s titles. A number of teams have won three consecutive national championships, but no team has captured four straight titles.

When asked about returning next season, Koscielski preferred to dodge that query for now electing to celebrate the accomplishment of three straight championship wins.

“It is hard to say,” said Koscielski. “I was retired before the year, but once the year goes on, there might be another one in me.

“We’ll see.”

With that said, Koscielski said this year’s title win will always be special to her.

“You know every time you win or just play in these championships, it is always fun,” said Koscielski. “I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”

As for Chartrand, her future goal is to crack the roster of Softball Canada’s Women’s Team that will be part of the Summer Olympics to be played July 14 to 30, 2028 in Los Angeles, California. She is still expecting to rejoin the Steelers during the summer months.

The Steelers pose for a team photo after their Canadian title win.

“I go to Florida Gulf Coast (University) this fall,” said Chartrand. “I’m going to take a master’s and help coach down there and keep training, and 2028 is the goal.

“I will just keep my arm going in a circle until then and try and get better every day. These girls make it easy. I have a place to play when I come home, so I know that I’ll always be playing ball somewhere.”

Frisky to realize dream

Pitcher will play for Canada’s under-18 women’s softball team

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Emma Frisky will play for Canada’s under-18 women's national team.

Emma Frisky is going to live her dream a little faster than she anticipated.

The skill right-handed pitcher, who will turn 16-years-old on March 10, was named to Softball Canada’s Under-18 Women’s National Team that will play in the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation Americans Pan Am Championship slated to run March 30 to April 6 in Monteria, Colombia. While the official announcement of the Canadian roster came out on February 26, Frisky is still pretty awestruck by the news.

“It is kind of surreal still,” said Frisky. “It is a great honour to wear the leaf and represent my country.

“It has been a great since I was a little girl. It feels great that it is coming true.”

Playing on one of Softball Canada’s national teams has been a lifelong aspiration for Frisky. She began playing the sport at age four when her family was located in her original hometown in Tisdale.

Frisky played lots of minor softball for the Spirit program in Melfort. At the 2022 Under-15 Girls Canadian Fastpitch Championship held on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds in August of that year, Frisky was named the all-star pitcher playing for the Spirit.

From about age seven or eight, she also began training with the 222’s Fastpitch program in the late summer, fall and winter months at a young age and has been a member of their travel teams for about four years.

About two years ago, her family relocated to Martensville, which allowed Frisky to play her first season with the Twin City Angels program last year. Frisky, who stands 5-foot-8, helped the Angels win a provincial title and appear in the Under-15 Girls Canadian Fastpitch Championship help last August in Brandon, Man.

Even to this point in her young life, Frisky has gained numerous positive experiences from the sport of softball.

“All my best friends have come from this sport,” said Frisky, who also plays third base and shortstop when she is not pitching. “I’ve learned so many life lessons.

Emma Frisky chats with a 222’s Fastpitch teammate.

“I really like the feeling of being on a team where you know that all the girls have your back and that competitiveness you get on championship Sunday to go out and that edge to go win. It is a good feeling.”

In her current Grade 10 school year, Frisky spent the first semester attending Tommy Douglas Collegiate, where she did further softball training at the Tigers Softball Academy overseen by Trevor Ethier and Don Bates. She is taking her second semester of studies at Martensville High School.

She said the biggest influences she has had helping her along in the sport have come from the 222’s and the Tigers programs.

“I’d say the Twos (222’s Fastpitch) program has been my biggest influence,” said Frisky. “I liked all my coaches when I was younger growing up that have pushed me in this direction.

“A big shout out to Dean Holoien and Keith Mackintosh and “Rayzor” (Ryan) Ray, and then at the softball academy Trevor Ethier and Don Bates.”

Mackintosh, who is one of the 222’s veteran instructors and head coach of Canada’s under-18 women’s team, said Frisky had a great compete level and strives to get better. The veteran field boss, who is a member of International Softball Congress Hall of Fame, said Frisky excels at the sport for a number of reasons.

“I just think her work ethic has got her to the point where she throws with velocity,” said Mackintosh. “Her spins are great.

“She is very mature for her age in that regard. I really think the number on thing that probably makes Emma who she is as a player is her compete level. She just wants to play softball.

“She wants to win for her teammates. She is an unbelievable teammate that way.”

Frisky’s fastball has gotten up to 64 miles per hour, which is impressive for someone about to turn 16-years-old. She also had great control of her rise ball, drop curve and change up.

Mackintosh said Frisky deserves to be on the under-18 national team, and the coaches decided to take her and a couple of other players that are the same age as her having an eye to the future. If Canada finishes in the top five of the WBSC Americans Pan Am Championship, the squad advances to the WBSC Under-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage.

The World Cup Group Stages have been awarded to Sao Paolo, Brazil (Group A – July 23-27), Pingtan, China (Group B – August 14-18) and Dallas, Texas, in the United States (Group C – August 29 to September 2). If Canada is successful in the group stage earning a spot to the under-18 worlds in 2015, the 2006 born players who are on Canada’s roster at the moment will fall off.

Emma Frisky’s fastball can hit 64 miles per hour.

Knowing what could happen if Canada earns a spot at worlds next year, Mackintosh said the coaching staff was looking to carry some younger aged players on the under-18 team this year.

“We just thought we’re going to take some young players and give them a taste of international competition to see how they do, and then we know exactly where we are at a year and a half down the road,” said Mackintosh.“That was part of it.

“She (Frisky) earned her way on. She had a great camp. She had a great summer season.

“I’m really proud of the development she has had over the last couple of years. She just deserved to be there.”

Mackintosh believes Frisky has the potential to play softball at the highest levels long into the future.

“I think the sky is the limit for her,” said Mackintosh. “You look at the age of our senior national team going into an Olympic year in 2028 it is going to be a fairly older team.

“I think that the next generation of players that are coming up of that age group Emma is definitely one of those players that she could be wearing the maple leaf for a very long time. The hope is she goes to a good school in the States.I just think the upside to her and her career is unlimited.”

Frisky said she wants to follow in the path of her favourite player in Jorde Chartrand. Chartrand is an ace right-handed pitcher and power hitter with the NCAA Division I University of North Carolina Greensboro Spartans Women’s Softball Team in Greensboro, N.C.

A Weyburn, Sask., product, Chartrand spent a number of years playing in Saskatoon and training at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. She suited up for Softball Canada’s Senior National Women’s Team in 2022.

“Jordy (Jorde) Chartrand is my biggest idol,” said Frisky. “I look up to her.

“When she made the national team, that was kind of inspiration. To see her live her dreams kind of helped push me to get there myself.”

Emma Frisky takes part in a bunt defence drill.

Looking towards the future, Frisky wants to earn more chances to represent Canada at the international level and earn a scholarship to play softball for an NCAA Division I school. At the moment, her focus is on the immediate future in playing for Canada at the WBSC Americans Pan American Championship tournament.

“It is coming up pretty quick,” said Frisky. “It is really exciting.

“I’m super excited to go down there and meet all the girls. It is going to be an awesome experience.”

A cool mix of sweet happenings in photos

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jorde Chartrand sets to unload a pitch for Canada.

A lot of cool moments happen on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

As spring transitioned to summer, we got to see a few cool moments take place at our facilities. One of those moments saw 19-year-old right-handed pitcher Jorde Chartrand throw for Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team at Bob Van Impe Stadium during the second game of a doubleheader sweep of Czechia on July 1.

Chartrand pitched two scoreless innings in Canada’s second contest that day. From Weyburn, Sask., Chartrand trained for a number of years on our grounds and played for teams in Saskatoon before joining the University of Central Arkansas Bears women’s softball NCAA Division I program last fall. She will join the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Spartans women’s softball NCAA Division I program this fall.

Our lead photo shows Chartrand pitching in familiar surroundings at Bob Van Impe Stadium for Canada.

We also got to see the Saskatoon Valkyries win their seventh WWCFL title on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field with a 36-6 victory over the Winnipeg-based Manitoba Fearless. While the Valkyries started using SMF Field as their home park before the start of the 2015 season, their WWCFL title win this year marked the first time they won a league championship at SMF Field.

Those two moments were the highlights of the activity that has occurred on our baseball and softball diamonds, SMF Field, Track and Field Track and the Indoor Training Centre over the past 30 days.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

These photos capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, most of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke. The Saskatoon Cubs Under-18 AAA Baseball Team checked in with a couple of sentimental photos too.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 12 shots we hope you enjoy.

Rider on the Storm

Storm Zablocki, from Prince Albert Athletics, hits top gear in the 200-metre final of Saskatchewan’s Canada Summer Games Trails on June 12 at the Track and Field Track. Zablocki won the race in a time of 21.78 seconds.

Escape to daylight

A receiver from the Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders breaks down the sideline after a catch during action in the Rush Female Flag Football League play on June 14 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Saskatoon Minor Football runs Rush female flag programs from Grade 1 through to Grade 12.

Romping to MVP honours

Running back Sarah Wright rumbles to the house on a six-yard touchdown run for the Saskatoon Valkyries in the WWCFL title game held on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Valkyries won the contest, and Wright was named game MVP. She carried the ball 20 times for 157 yards to go with her major score on the ground, and she caught one pass for 14 yards in the victory.

Fun farewell

The Saskatoon Valkyries had some fun with star defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding following their win in the WWCFL Championship game held on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Following the win, the Valkyries players piled on top of Lammerding, who is giving a thumb up, during a series of on field team pictures. The WWCFL title game win was the last for Lammerding as a player, who has suited up for the Valkyries since their inaugural season in 2011. She is retired from the game as a player.

Sweet swing

Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team got good use out of the Indoor Training Centre during a practice on June 28. One of the players displays a sweet swing in the batting cages in this photo.

Beauty turnout at BVI

The main stands at Bob Van Impe Stadium were packed to see Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team sweep a doubleheader against Czechia on July 1. Fans came out in droves to see Canada sweep the two-game set.

For the kids

Right-handed pitcher Jorde Chartrand, who was playing for Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team, makes a young fan’s day signing autographs and posing for a picture on July 1 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The players from Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team met their fans and signed autographs following their doubleheader sweep of Czechia.

Let it fly

Saskatoon Cubs pitcher Brady Wouters makes a special delivery pitch during a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League under-18 AAA game on July 2 at Cairns Field. The Cubs lead the SPBL regular season standings with a 19-4 record.

Cubs honour veteran umpire Dodds

The Saskatoon Cubs under-18 AAA baseball team checked with these two photos. Before hosting the Parkland Expos in a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League doubleheader on July 2 at Cairns Field, the Cubs honoured long time veteran umpire Gary Dodds. In the first photos, Cubs catcher Casey Prychak presented Dodds with the team signed baseball. Following the first game of the doubleheader, the Cubs posed for a team picture with Dodds. Dodds was working his final two games of the season that day before going in for knee surgery. He has developed a reputation for being one of the most well liked and respected umpires in the province, while having one of the heaviest workloads year in and year out in Saskatoon. Dodds has umpired games in Saskatoon for over 15 years, and the Cubs wanted to thank him for his service to the game and wish him the best in his recovery. Dodds expects to return to action umpiring games next season.

Hot shot up the middle

A Saskatoon Selects hitter drives a hot hit though the middle of the infield during a league game on July 5 at Glenn Reeve Field #3. The Complex has hosted league softball games in all sorts of age levels once again this season.

A safe slide just in time

A Southeast Sun Devils base runner beats a Tisdale Riverdogs team member’s throw to second base at Joe Gallagher Field on July 8 during action in Softball Saskatchewan’s Girls’ under-15 BW Provincial Championship tournament. Provincial Championship tournament action in under-15 BW and under-15 B girls’ play and under-19 A and under-23 A women’s play continues on our diamonds July 9 and wraps up July 10.

Chartrand – a softball star on the rise

Jorde Chartrand perfects her throws at the Indoor Training Centre.

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jorde Chartrand defines love for the game of softball, meanwhile believing the game has loved her back.

Being a right-handed pitching ace, she is a recognized alumna within the regional 222’s Fastpitch program and the Saskatoon Phantoms Softball Zone. Joining the University of Central Arkansas Bears NCAA Division I program this fall, she has cemented her place as a role model for younger women who wish to pursue their dreams in the sport.

Within the many organizations Chartrand has been a part of, she has defined the terms; Dedication, Leadership, and Modesty. Appreciation is an “Understatement” of the opportunity she has of continuing her career with the UCA Bears.

Dreams have become a reality for this young lady, and she is definitely excited to set more goals within the sport.

She wants to win some championships with the Bears and would ultimately like to make the Canadian Women’s National Team one day and play at the Olympics.

She would love to play the sport professionally and to coach at the college level one day.

Chartrand knows she has already been able to pile up accomplishments in the sport, because her love of the game is grounded in basic things.

“I love the pressure and the rewarding feeling you get when you overcome an obstacle or win a big game,” said Chartrand, who will turn 18-years-old on April 22. “The people, the teammates and the coaches that have all become family over the years, all the connections that you make through the sport is just indescribable and amazing.”

Jorde Chartrand throws with the Phantoms in 2019.

Anyone who has seen Chartrand train with the 222’s travel team at the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds will see her dedication to the game. She has mastered throwing four pitches in the curveball, change-up, drop ball and her signature pitch - the rise ball.

Chartrand has been clocked at throwing 67 miles per hour and is also pretty strong at the plate as a batter too.

She was born and raised on an acreage outside of Weyburn, Sask., where she still resides.

Chartrand started out playing baseball first at age of three before shifting over to softball within a year’s time. She played minor softball in Weyburn until age 10, when she cracked the 222’s under-14 team.

From that point, Chartrand played for the 222’s in the fall and winter months and bounced around with various spring and summer clubs located around Saskatchewan looking to play at the highest level she could.

In 2019, Chartrand joined the Phantoms under-16 program and attended Saskatoon’s Tommy Douglas Collegiate, where she started working with Trevor Ethier.

“I was very thankful to have the opportunity to work with Trevor through the Tommy Douglas softball program,” said Chartrand. “He helped me so much not only with the skills of the game, but the mental aspect of it as well.”

She helped the Phantoms win a provincial title and qualify for the under-16 Canadian Championships, which were held that year in Calgary.

At nationals, Chartrand won the top pitcher award posting a 0.00 earned-run average and 37 strikeouts, while giving up only three hits in 19 innings of total work as the Phantoms finished eighth overall.

While pursuing her softball dreams, Chartrand is thankful for the sacrifices her father, Russ, and mother, Caroline, have made.

“Both of my parents have been my biggest supporters,” said Chartrand, who stands 5-foot-9. “They are always encouraging me to keep getting better at the sport that I love.

“They are always there when you make a mistake and you need that comforting comment or that little push of encouragement. They always supported me, affording me the opportunity to travel to many places playing the sport that I love.”

Jorde Chartrand signs with the University of Central Arkansas Bears.

Chartrand credits all the coaches she had with the 222’s program for helping her maintain her love for the game. Between the 222’s under-14, under-16 and under-18 teams, Chartrand spent seven seasons with that program.

She credits 222’s coach and former Canadian national men’s team pitcher Dean Holoien for helping her develop into the pitcher she has become. His mentoring throughout her ball career has been invaluable.

Chartrand was nine-years-old when she first met Holoien and continued to work with him since then. Keith Mackintosh, coach and co-owner of the 222’s, also played a crucial role in the development of Chartrand’s softball career as well as former Olympian Dione (Meier) Blackwell, Ryan Ray and the rest of the coaching staff.

“I would not be the player or person I am without that program,” said Chartrand. “I am going to miss it tremendously but knowing that I am not only close with the coaches, but friends with the coaches makes it a lot easier to move to the next chapter in my career.

“They aren’t just a building block in my softball career but my life.”

Chartrand has always enjoyed playing at the various softball diamonds on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds and is thankful she got to use the pitching tunnels, batting cages and turf field at the Indoor Training Centre.

This past fall and winter, Chartrand appreciated and cherished every chance she got to use the Indoor Training Centre as the COVID-19 pandemic put the clamps on Canada’s sports scene including national team tryout camps for the gifted thrower.

“It has really helped me keep up my game,” said Chartrand. “It was always a place that I could go to work on my sport.

“It is really helpful with the 222’s program that we have the facility, because it allows all of us to train together the best we can while following the guidelines. It has been really helpful even with COVID just to keep playing the sport that I love that a lot of kids don’t get the opportunity to do.”

Chartrand is now back in Weyburn electing to finish off her Grade 12 studies at Weyburn Comprehensive High School. In June, she is going to go to Florida to play for the Tampa Mustangs-TJ under-18 to prepare for her upcoming University season.

Jorde Chartrand can hammer the ball at the plate.

The young hurler is looking forward to her future journeys in the sport.

“It is motivating,” said Chartrand. “It makes me want to be the best player that I can be and keep in shape to play the sport for as long as I can.

“It makes me excited for all the opportunities and people that will come into my life later throughout the sport.”

The photos of Chartrand pitching for the Phantoms and signing with the Bears are courtesy of Jorde Chartrand’s personal collection.