Concordes United 8 d Demons 7
In a thrilling encounter between third and fourth on the Mount Gambier Softball League ladder, Concordes United and Demons went head-to-head in a nail-biting clash that had United edge out the Demons in a dramatic final inning.
The game got off to a quiet start with Concordes United shutting out the Demons in the top of the first.
United’s batters came out swinging in the bottom half and it was Dana Jones who delivered with a powerful three-bag hit to left field, allowing Sarah Thomson to cross the plate for the first run of the game. United led 1-0 after the first inning.
Demons were unable to capitalise in the second inning, as United’s pitcher Billie Jones struck out two batters in quick succession to end the side.
However, Demons’ pitcher Cody Manning was a force on the mound as well, helping to retire Concordes without a score in the bottom of the second, ending the inning with a 1-0 scoreline still in United’s favour.
The third inning saw the Demons come alive, scoring a total of four runs.
Fill-in player Lily Clifford-Finch started the rally by crossing the plate first. Manning and Demons Coach Kezia Feast followed suit after a massive hit to centre field by Simone Little, who then made her own way home after a right field hit from fill-in Chrystal Lock.
Demons took a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the third.
Concordes United could not find a response in their half of the inning, and Demons retained their 4-1 advantage.
The excitement really kicked into high gear in the fourth inning. Demons added another two runs to their tally, with Manning and Steph Chant scoring from another big outfield hit by Simone Little.
At this point, Demons had a 6-1 lead and looked to be in control.
However, Concordes United was not about to back down. They fought back hard in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six runs to take a 7-6 lead.
Codie Jackway and Aimee Brooks both crossed the plate thanks to a well-executed centre field hit from Jacinta Packer.
A costly error and a wild throw to first allowed B Jones to score, and Julie Beck advanced to third. Beck’s moment came soon after as she crossed home on a thrilling home run hit by Bec White, sending the United dugout into a frenzy.
With the score now 7-6 in favour of United, Demons were not ready to concede.
Lock led off the top of the fifth with a double to left field and quickly came home after another solid left field hit by Em Hart.
The game was tied 7-7 as United prepared to bat for the final time.
United’s B Jones got on base with a hit to left field and advanced to third thanks to two passed pitches. Then came the turning point – Jackway sent a high fly ball to left, which was caught by Clifford-Finch. However, the throwback to the infield was too late, and B Jones crossed the plate for the winning run.
United clinched the victory 8-7 in a game that had everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last out.
A dramatic, back and forth contest, this game showcased both teams’ resilience and skill. Both teams will face off against each other this Friday night in the elimination final.
Wanderers 9 d
Concordes White 0
In the last game of the minor rounds, Wanderers’ fate was sealed in the match played prior allowing them the flexibility to change their fielding line up.
Concordes White batters were looking for a win to close their season out.
Pearson started strong with a double to centre field. Brown was out at first finding Smith on the mound but advancing Pearson to scoring position.
Kreplins also found Smith and Kaigg’s quick thinking and perfect throw to home had Pearson out with an innings-ending double play.
Smith singled to third and stole second. An overthrow to second and third saw her score, before F Finch was put on base through error at shortstop but was quickly exited by Cook whilst trying to steal second.
Clifford-Finch was struck out in the box before Morris tripled to right field. L Little singled to left field bringing Morris home.
E Little found Kreplins at the mound, ending Wanderers innings. Wanderers’ infield was tight with Cook finding Finch at short stop, Long’s fly found Ghezzi’s glove and Lunsman found Smith again.
Lovekin singled to centre field but was put out at second when Kaigg singled to Cook. Ghezzi doubled to centre field in the best hit of her season. Morris walked and L Little singled. E Little and Lovekin both found Kreplins on the mound.
With two runners on base and two down Kaigg sent a huge hit to left field scoring a home run and both her runners. Ghezzi was out with another play to Kreplins. Smith was K2’d by Smith, Pollard singled to Lovekin and advanced to third on an overthrow, placing her in scoring position.
Lunsman was struck out by Smith and Pearson was out by Lovekin at third.
In Wanderers’ last bat Smith, Morris and Clifford-Finch singled, Finch was out with a line drive to Pearson. L Little was put on and advanced to second through error, before Lovekin brought Morris and Clifford-Finch home with a powerful hit through short stop. Pearson struck out Little and Kaigg, ending the game 9-0 Wanderers’ way.
Warriors 11 d Bandits 3
Coincidentally the last game of the season was between top two teams Warriors and Bandits who will face off again next weekend in the major semi final.
Bandits put scoreboard pressure on early in the first with Di Horbury walking, Mackenzie Millard singling to Taylor Pearson at centre, and then Debra Hicks put Dodsy under pressure at left.
Cool as a cucumber and with two strikes on her, powerful Bandits recruit Emilee Mitchell absolutely smashed one over Pearson’s head for a double and two runs to her team before some old person, Leyna Bruggemann, pitching for Warriors pulled her finger out and made the last two outs, even catching a fly ball.
Warriors played the team game with Kelly Doyle getting hit for the millionth time this season, youngster Maddy Bignell patiently walked before Haley Linder put down a well-placed bunt and was safe.
Dodsy did the same, just putting it far enough out of Bandits’ catcher Millard’s way.
It was the “Smiling Assassin” doing the running this week as she creamed one to the fence at centre and a well earnt grand slam.
Wombwell got the hit and run signal and doubled with Bandits left fielder Melissa McCracken, not cracking under the base running pressure, making a great throw to Hicks at third to have Pearson out.
Bandits pitcher and all round good egg Chantel Macdonald then enticed two fly balls with her outfield making no mistake, including a tricky one off Justine Koop’s bat into the sun but Mitchell was all over it.
Bandits were three up-three down in the second despite Wanderers fill in Sonia Morris making solid contact to Chuck at first.
Warriors added two to their initial five with Doyle singling, Lindner walked and a fantastic double to right by Dodsy who was very swift on the bases. Chuck added another hit to her season tally then Taylor Pearson singled to right, going with an outside pitch.
The top of Bandits’ dangerous line up were up again but they were three up-three down; Bruggemann, Dodsy and Jarvo Queale making the plays. Dodsy saved bases by catching a well struck ball by Millard. Bandits coach Chrystal Lock was into pitch and had immediate effect, limiting Warriors to zero and with a strike out. Bignell legged out an infield single to second.
Bandits lead off in the fourth Mitchell absolutely crushed the pie pitched for a single to Koop now at centre. Dodsy took another good catch off Lock’s bat then McCracken zinged one up the middle for a single before the innings was done, but with Bandits unable to score.
In contrast Warriors added another four despite Morris taking a screamer off Chuck’s bat. Pearson singled then Wombwell drilled an in the park homerun, the Warriors catcher’s smile was ear to ear and much to the delight of her family supporters with her grandparents there in spirit (undoubtedly will be disappointed to have missed the fantastic hit).
Bruggemann and Koop singled and were scored by Doyle’s shot to McCracken before Lock got another K2 and Jarvo to fly out.
Bandits needed to dig deep to stay in the game and they found themselves quickly two out.
They took advantage of the tiring pensioner pitching as Millard walked, Hicks doubled, and then Mitchell walked, the latter having Warriors on their toes with her hot bat. Bruggemann had her mate Macdonald’s number, knowing her love of the high ones, got her out and the game was done 11-3.
