It was a tight battle after the first inning of the Moose Jaw U19 Ice's game against the Assiniboia Aces in women's fastball at Caribou Heights Tuesday night.

Assiniboia won the game 12-10 but the game was close to the last pitch, as the Ice had runners moving and the potential tying run moving to first when one of the baserunners was called out for interference on a fielder. 

Ice head coach Damien Volk's team went down 7-0 in the first but eventually came back to make it a lot closer.

"The belief that they have in themselves, they know they can battle at any time," Volk said. "They can hit really well. They've struggled on defence this year so far a little bit. But they're coming on, they're building strong, and that's what brought them back in this game."

Volk said they have been getting solid offensive performances from leadoff hitter Vanessa Knox and outfielder Kasidy Johnson.

"(Knox) is on every time and steals bases," Volk said. "She puts a big lead out there for us. Kasidy is new to the Ice this year and she's hitting a tonne. She hit a nice, big long one out to left field there to score a couple of runs. It really helps when those players that are new and learning at the pace of this game can step up to help out the team." 

Volk said it was a bit of a struggle in the early going with very little practice time as a team before early games. 

"Every game they look better and better, and if this season progresses into provincials, the teams better watch out because these girls are ready for them."

Provincials, if they happen, will take place next weekend.