With McAuley’s Darbi Poole playing various roles, Team Manitoba placed fifth at Baseball Canada’s 21U Women’s Invitational Championships.
Manitoba head coach Jeremy Culleton explained that the daughter of Dana and Robin Poole can play all positions and is a great example of a utility player. Primarily the team utilized her as an outfielder and pitcher while she also saw some time at shortstop.
“Her speed and aggressive nature serves her well in any position,” Culleton said. “She had a great couple games of nationals as she hit well and played and pitched very well helping the team to four wins.”
At the championships in St. John’s, Nfld., Team Manitoba posted a 4-1 record. It romped past Nova Scotia 12-2 in the fifth-place game. Team Manitoba’s success came with a roster of just 10 players, making the versatility of players like Poole crucial.
“This 21-U team was small in numbers but large in heart,” Culleton said. “Bringing 10 players to a nationals and being this successful is very rare, I could not have asked for a better group this week.”
Culleton said he was very pleased with the team’s compete level.
“At times it felt like we were out of games but there was no stop or quit with this group. We competed pitch by pitch and at bat by at bat,” he said. “We had a pretty potent offence.”
At the championships, Poole led Team Manitoba with two pitching victories and seven strikeouts and was tied for the squad lead in innings pitched at 7.2. She batted .471, was tied for the team lead with 12 runs scored and drove in five over five games.
“She has a lot of tools, she is fast, has a great bat and is selective at the plate,” Culleton said.
Poole said the championships were competitive and featured a good calibre of ball.
“At nationals this year I enjoyed playing with a great group of girls. Everyone was supportive and we had lots of fun together. At 21U nationals, we got the chance to interact and hang out with other teams.”
The squad also had an opportunity to do some sightseeing.
“We got a chance to see lots of St. John’s, dip our toes in the ocean, saw Signal Hill, Cape Spear the most easterly part of Canada, and learned about some of their history.” Poole said.
She has played baseball for about 12 years. She has never played competitive softball.
“Growing up I always had coaches that supported and encouraged me to continue playing,” she said.
This past season Poole suited up for the Miniota U18 and AAA U18 Midwest baseball teams. Of baseball, she said, “I enjoy the big play moments and most of all the experiences from it.”
Poole noted, “My parents are huge when it comes to support. They took us everywhere to have an opportunity and growing up they would catch, hit grounders or pitch in the backyard.”
A multi-sport athlete, Poole is headed this fall to Aquinas College to study and play hockey. Her Grand Rapids, Mich. school squad competes at the American Collegiate Hockey Association women’s Division I level.
