The last two home games of the season were special for Humber softball team (16-3) as it swept the Sheridan Bruins (9-10) on Seniors’ Night.
Seniors Rilee Rothwell and sisters Makayla and Jessica Benz were honoured and received their flowers before what were their final games as Humber Hawks at Connorvale Park on Thursday, Oct. 15.
The seniors showed up with Rothwell and Jessica Benz going 6-for12 with an RBI and a double over the two games, and right-hander pitcher Makayla Benz pitching five innings with no earned runs given up. The Hawks played for the first time since their heartbreaking loss to the St. Clair Saints in the CCSA finals on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 at Durham College.
Last time the Hawks played the Bruins was on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Budd Park, in Kitchener. The Hawks offensive dominance led them to an 11-1 win in a mercy rule of five innings.
The Hawks started their first game of the doubleheader with a three-run opening from an RBI single from shortstop Jessica Benz, followed by a sacrifice fly from designated-hitter Chantal Carriere, and an RBI single from Reese Velocci.
Makayla Benz pitched three shutout innings and the Hawks continued to get runs in to increase the lead to 6-0 by the end of the third inning.
Humber and Sheridan traded runs in the fourth and fifth innings to make the game 8-2 going into the final two innings.
In the top of the sixth inning, Makayla Benz threw one final pitch before head coach Duaine Bowles decided to pull her out of the circle, for one last time as a Hawk.
Right-handed pitcher Styles Hansen would replace Benz to pitch for the rest of the game but would give up a two-run home run to second baseman Emily Liscumb to cut the lead 8-4.
Hansen did not look back from her mistakes and kept it clean for the rest of the game as Humber took game one of the doubleheader.
The second game would be a low-scoring affair, as it turned into a pitcher’s duel. Right-hander pitcher Shade Hansen, older sister of Styles, got the start for the second game, and Sheridan’s Payton Barkley was the starting pitcher for the Bruins.
The Hawks scored again in the opening inning when fielder Maddy Friesen advanced on a passed ball.
Hansen and Barkley exchanged strikeouts through the second to fourth innings, keeping it a 1-0 Hawks lead.
In the fifth inning, Jessica Benz singled, but would advance to second base on an error.
Chantal Carriere would go on and extend the Hawks lead to 3-0 with a first career home run.
Shade Hansen ended with three consecutive three-up, three-down innings and finished the game with 12 strikeouts.
In the seventh inning, Rothwell and Jessica Benz were subbed out of their final action for Humber softball at home.
While the game ended 3-0, the Hawks would take game two and defeat Sheridan in a sweep. Humber would finish the season at home with an 8-1 record.
Jessica Benz said despite the cold weather, the team was playing well throughout the
night.
“Absolutely freezing, but team energy kept me warm, so I’m okay.”
Rilee Rothwell said being out in the field kept her energy levels high.
“The excitement of just being here and being on that field is just keeping the adrenaline flowing.”
Both seniors reflected on their time with Humber.
Rothwell, who spent her collegiate career here at Humber, said she was thankful to be part of the team.
“Being able to finish off my Humber career with them has been special,” said Rothwell. “I’m just thankful that I was able to do it with them.”
Benz, who previously played for the Durham Lords, said the environment here at Humber is great.
“Even though this was my first year here, it felt like family, and it felt like I have been here for as long as Riley,” said Benz.
“The environment here is just so great, and I never would have thought that I would’ve been accepted into the family as much as I was.”
The Hawks finished their regular season on the road, with a doubleheader against Fanshawe on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Fanshawe Alumni Field in London, Ont.
