Demons is the raging favourites for this year’s Mount Gambier softball grand final after convincingly defeating Warriors Blue in the major semi-final.
Warriors’ experience is key led by Nicole Vause and Angela Queale, while Demons gun Montana Millard will be looking to seal a fantastic season by dominating batters with her pace in the pitching circle.
She has been well backed by her sister and catcher Mackenzie Millard, Cody Manning at short stop and Hayley Burner, who also has one of the best swings in the competition.
All members of the Morale family have batting prowess over Warriors Blue pitcher Leyna Bruggemann as does Sharna Beck and Rhiannon Mathers.
Bruggemann will look to hold the Demons bats to a modest number of safe hits, while hoping Blue’s field stands up under inevitable pressure.
Mel Chuck and Bec White have been stand out performers for Blues against Demons this season, both will be key to the Blues chances of victory.
Wanderers were riding high after an extra innings marathon win last week, but could not repeat the success in Saturday’s preliminary final against the undermanned Blues side.
Blue would have had its worst game for the season last week which sparked a much improved performance.
The side scored in most of their innings kick started in the first by one of Angela Queale’s three safe hits for the day.
Nicole Vause roamed the outfield and had two safe hits plus an early RBI.
Warriors’ fielding smothered the usually active Wanderers bats early as pitcher Leyna Bruggeman gave up only one safe hit in the first three innings and struck out six for the game.
Rej Smith was ever-reliable for Wanderers with the bat and ball, while Ieshia Bonney’s crucial hit for in the fifth innings scored two of the five Wanderers runs.
Sarah Moretti recovered from a solid knock, taking a hospital ball at first, to go on and have two safe hits, Smith struck two, while Em and Jo Hart had one hit apiece.
For Warriors Skylea McLean was outstanding going the distance with her six at bats and utilising her leg speed.
Bec White ended with another three safe hits, Bruggemann, Chuck and Quale also claimed three, while
Vause had two.
The decider between Warriors Blue and Demons hits off at 1.30pm this Saturday at Blue Lake Sports Park.
The Mount Gambier Softball League presentations also took place at the weekend.
Billie Jones easily won the best and fairest award with 20 votes, six ahead of runner-up Bruggemann.
Montana Millard had the top batting average of 0.775, while Jones led the most runs batted in with 25.
Player of the State Championships was Justine Koop and the Marg Cooke services to softball award went to Bruggemann.
