Concordes United v Demons
Unlike last week there was no rain to be seen out on the Mount Gambier Softball League’s diamonds for round two of the season.
However, players were met with strong winds making Demons pitcher Billie Jones and Concordes United pitcher Dana Jones work extra hard for their strikes.
The game between last season’s grand final teams did not disappoint.
Demons started off strong in the field during the first innings with three out of thre batters getting out from two caught fly balls and a K2.
United replied with a tight field only allowing one Demon to get home.
The second innings saw no runs from either team as Demons’ consistent strong field left United’s score at zero at the end of the fourth innings.
Demons managed to find their way in the batting box and put 8 runs on the board, including a home run for Billie Jones.
United put four runs on the board in their final bat with Julie Beck getting three safe at the plate with her home run.
Demons’ last bat saw their strong batting style come alive with Em Hart and Kezia Feast hitting three baggers and Billie Jones scoring her second home run for the game adding another five runs on their score.
The game was a true testament of why these teams made the grand final last season, however, Demons managed to get some redemption by taking away this win with a final score of 13-4.
Wanderers v Warriors
Warriors were coming off the back of a one run loss to newcomers Millicent Bandits last week in a game that was played with great spirit and looking to take it up to the promising Wanderers, which they did, scoring four in the bottom of the first.
Justine Koop showed great poise in the lead off position picking a walk, as did the “Smiling Assassin” Melissa Chuck before being scored by returning hooligan Leyna Bruggemann and cool as a cucumber Teresa Hatch with an RPB single.
Skylea McLean chimed in with a great shot to left scoring Hatch and the epitome of team players, Kelly Doyle.
Wanderers were left scratching their heads after two innings with only one base runner which came care of Lily Clifford-Finch showing patience picking a walk with Bruggemann still trying to remember how to throw a strike.
Koop scored again for Warriors in the second innings, again showing off her leg speed.
Wanderers’ recruits were showing everyone how it was done with Emily Little scorching a line drive and was unlucky to be thrown out, then the very next pitch Jess Ghezzi followed with a low skimming ground ball that resulted in the first of several clangers in the field by Warriors.
Wanderers capitalised and put three on the scoreboard in the top of the third making it a 3-5 game; Fiona Finch had Wanderers’ first hit of the game showing she had not missed a beat while also being solid as a rock in the field at shortstop.
With Wanderers pitcher Leanne Little battling hard and Charli Kaigg blocking balls in the dirt like Olympian Belinda White behind the plate, Warriors dug deep and added two after McLean led off with a walk, and new gun recruit Kateesha Yates zinged a single up the middle, then second ever gamer Haley Lindner also picked a walk having previously put solid bat on ball.
Clifford-Finch belted a double but was put out by the play of the day by Hatch, who had taken over pitching duties, snaring a genuine laser off the bat of reigning Mount Gambier Softball League best and fairest Reg Smith, turning to make a crisp double play into the safe glove of Sarah Polderman who beat Clifford-Finch back to second base.
Abbie Lovekin came into pitch and held the Warriors bats to one over the last two innings with the game then called with the score 8-4.
Concordes White v Bandits
The wind certainly put an interesting take on the game for more teams in the 1pm timeslot.
Concordes had mixed success in the first at bat with some early errors from bandits helping Concordes put runners on bases and a safe hit for Karly Pearson ensuring Concordes had five runs on the board.
Concordes were also a little shaky starting in the field, but quickly shook off the jitters and settled to hold bandits to one run at the bottom of the first.
Chantel MacDonald and Bec Fox worked hard as the pitcher catcher duo all game, and Toni Trabilsie unfortunately suffered a suspected snapped Achillies tendon running home.
The second innings saw Aleesha Tucker drive a ball hard down the right field line for a triple, while Kylie Cook and Maddie Bowd had singles and doubles to centrefield ensuring Concordes continued to add to their tally.
Maddie H had a lovely hit to left field and was able to cross home plate after a Concordes field error.
Concordes went on a batting spree in the top of the third with Kylie Cook on fire with a triple to left field and a single to right field, as well as singles to Chloe Slarks and Maddie Bowd leading Concordes to a 10 run innings.
Bandits fought hard all day, but solid pitching from Karly Pearson and some nice catches by Sam Brown and Aleesha Tucker to end the game ensured Concordes came away with their first win of the season with a final score of 23-2.
