Wanderers sealed fourth spot with two rounds to go in the Mount Gambier Softball Association with a tight victory on Saturday against Concordes United. United got off to a great start with several safe hits including a huge three bagger to Maddy Sutherland.
Six runs in that innings to Concordes saw a pitching change for Wanderers, with the ever reliable Rej Smith stepping in and shutting the Concordes bats down. Consecutive safe hits to Smith, Sarah moretti, Leanne Little and Iesha Bonney saw Wanderers snatch back the lead, needing to hold Concordes to walk away with the win.
Leanne Little at third took a sharp catch off a hard hit line drive to secure the last out of the day and guarantee Wanderers a place in the finals. In the late game Concordes White struggled against the batting power of Demons without their star pitcher Billie Jones.
Demons batted solidly throughout, highlighted by Montana Millard who added another four safe hits to her impressive tally for the season. Jo Hopgood had two hits for her side and was scored from another huge hit from Sutherland, who had a sensational day with the bat.
But the game was never really in question after Demons put on five runs in the first and looked in total control throughout to win 12-3. It was a nail-biter between the two Warriors sides and the result could have easily gone either way. Despite being one short in the field, Whites executed two sharp double plays to end Blues batting innings.
Maddy Bignell had a great game for Whites with a safe hit and a catch at right-field and another sharp catch was taken by Lyndall Feast, who willed the line drive off Blues Simone MacDonald’s bat straight into her glove.
Bri Dunn for Whites hit a huge double over the head of Blues centerfield and speedster Emma MacDonald. That hit scored Whites pitcher Taylor Wilsmore who finished the day with two safe hits and continued to show poise at the plate having taken on the pitching duties.
Justine Koop for Whites was a thorn in Blues side dropping two safe bunts along with a crisp single to leftfield. It was like the end of a winning grand final when Koop was thrown out bunting by the Blue side for the last out of the game.
Kelly Doyle was great taking on the catching role for Blues, also getting herself a safe hit. Angela Queale broke through with two key hits inspired by her return to her preferred position at third base.
Kirsty Young had another safe hit and got the ball in quickly from the outfield limiting Whites extra base opportunities. Sarah Polderman came on to pitch the last innings for Whites showing off pace in both her pitching and leg speed dropping another bunt safely.
Blues Bec White led the side at first base with Nicole Vause back at short stop, White with another safe hit and Bruggemann got the benefit of the doubt from the scorer recording two.
