It will be a close call for this weekend’s Mount Gambier Softball League preliminary final with Concordes United perhaps having an upset win over the Demons softball side in a nail-biting knockout semi-final.
United’s Billie and Dana Jones will likely share the pitching duties as they did last week with more warm weather forecast and another seven innings game looming against Millicent Bandits.
Bandits will undoubtedly bounce back hard after a blow out in the fifth innings against Warriors but have been more than consistent to have secured the second chance.
Bandits coach Chrystal Lock took plenty of positives out of the game with Di Horbury making a billion plays at shortstop, Maddie Redman looking menacing in the batter’s box, and Melissa McCracken driving the ball well to add depth to her side’s batting line up.
The short game may be the key to the match up with the likes of D Jones, Codie Jackway and even Julie Beck more than capable of putting a bunt down to challenge Bandits’ defence that was put to work by Warriors.
Similarly, Mackenzie Millard can pressure United with her short game and sneaky base running.
She also has a sharp arm behind the plate which will have United’s own speedy runners thinking twice on the steal.
United’s outfield were given plenty of work against Demons, particularly care of Cody Manning’s tremendous long ball hitting display, but Jacinta Packer and Aimee Brooks were amongst it and worked the ball in as quickly as they could to shortstop Sarah Thomson.
Thomson looked disappointed with her hitting but is known to rise to the challenge and will relish the pressure in the do or die prelim.
I would not be putting anything central to the strike zone of either United’s Bec White or Bandits’ Emilee Mitchell – both hit the ball with genuine strength.
Tylar and Harmony Kennett will make Lock, Chantel Macdonald or perhaps even Deb Hicks in the Bandits’ pitching circle throw strikes or else they will happily give their side base runners by leaving balls outside of the zone.
United’s coaching brains trust of Bec Von Duve and Leonie McCallum will have to consider keeping the ball away from Bandits’ Nat Whitehead at second who was the number two ball magnet behind Horbury.
They will also have to factor in the utility factor Caroline Bradshaw has for Bandits, along with the strength of their sunglasses as the colour of Bradshaw’s batting gloves is mesmerising.
Emma Williams has had several safe hits this season and will look to jump off the bench and put the pitching of any Jones under the pump.
Both sides have pitching options and batting depth – both of which will be needed in a seven innings game.
Jackway homered last week, United had seven of their 10 with safe hits; Bandits soaked up genuine pressure in all but one innings; Redman and Lock continue to produce in the clutch – it really is too close to call.
