Softballers go hard at championships

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Softballers go hard at championships

The Mount Gambier Softball League fielded two teams in the Softball SA Country Championships in Adelaide, experiencing mixed success.


The A Grade side came away with two wins, two draws and two losses prior to losing as the second placed team to a fired up third placed Gawler side in the finals, while the B Grade team just fell short in the grand final.


A Grade team


The Mount Gambier A Grade side was pumped on arrival at Barrett Resverve for the 2025 Country Championships, particularly as the draw had them playing at very civilised hours but unfortunately often at the same time as the Mount Gambier B Grade.


The results were extremely close with Sunraysia top at the end of day one, bottom by the end of day two then champions at the end of day three – comprehensively beating Gawler 8-2.


The Mount team boasted the newly minted home run derby winner Cody Manning who had put one over scoring two on the first day of the tournament against Gawler.


This was the third time Manning had been crowned and topped it off with team of the tournament accolades as the short stop then blitzed the opposition in winning MVP.


Her hitting was sublime throughout the tournament and she continued to score runs for her side.


Other standouts with the bat were young speedster Lily Clifford-Finch who matched Manning for average, often stealing bases and putting bunts down to pressure defensive efforts of each team faced.


Teresa Hatch and Justine Koop have been regular and consistent performers with the bat and in the outfield, Hatch cooly answering the coaches call to pitch, entering games early with minimal warm up and throwing strikes.


Chrystal Lock was also tossed the ball to hold the dangerous Central Districts bats after team leader Sarah Polderman pulled her driver legging out a triple in her first, and in the end only, at bat of the tournament.


Assistant coach Kezia Feast was also hampered by injury, restricting her game time.


Lock was also integral to minimising free bases with her blocking efforts behind the plate.


Mel Chuck also kept her hitting tally rolling, channelling some Australian Open tennis type form to her shots.


Veterans Leanne Little and Leyna Bruggemann chipped in with several hits between them offering some protection to Manning.


Despite the pre-tournament tortoise rating for speed, Bruggemann caught Gawler celebrating a terrific diving catch in foul territory, tagging up and easily gliding into home.


She also pitched in four of the seven games, keeping hitters guessing with her slow, slower and slowest pitching, leaving them to generate the pace off the bat.


Steph Chant took at least a million catches in a great 6-2 victory over Sunraysia which was another team highlight.


She had cheered so hard that she had no voice to use on the last day.


Taylor Pearson had hearts in throats with a bare handed juggled catch earlier in the tournament but she was far more composed in putting down the bunt with less excitement.


Daena Wombwell was deservedly pleased with herself taking two excellent foul fly catches without getting her retinas scorched by the searing sun.


Mount’s fielding was collectively disappointing for the tournament, especially considering how sharp they had been at training.


It kept at least two wins out of the tally but despite errors continuing into the final game, Gawler’s hitting was too strong and local bats went to sleep with one run never going to be enough to win.


Meg Merrett came into the game at third and was sharp on the backhand making a solid play as the Gawler hitters worked the ball all around the diamond.


Hatch at right made a great throw to the outstretched Chuck at first for the 9-3, getting the out by the slimmest of toenails.


The game was watched over by locally born West Torrens star Amber Hood, former Mount Gambier pick up Seacombe life member and Glenelg Rebels pitcher Jade Peterson, and retired Olympian Belinda White – which left some feeling starstruck.


The playing team, keenly supported by Simone Little, Jasmine Disselbach and Di Humphries, were disappointed with the finish but enjoyed their time on the diamond in the big smoke.


Special shout out to Caroline Bradshaw who shouldered umpiring commitments in between playing as she worked towards accreditation with feedback from the umpiring expertise of Steve Wallace-Yarrow and Kevin Tannebring.


B Grade Team


The Masters team showcased talent and determination at the country champs in Adelaide last weekend.


Although being the only Masters team in the B Grade comp they delivered an impressive performance against the competition teams in extreme heat.


The team began with a strong start on day one, winning their first game against Port Pirie and then only narrowly missing out on the win against Hills in the second game of the day.


They backed it up on Sunday with a double header, winning both games against Gawler and Riverland, before going down to CDSA in an impressive game in the third game of the day.


This had the side in third place ready to face finals the next day.


In the elimination round the Masters had an early start, but with all players ready to go and eager for the win, they played an absolute ripper beating Gawler to play off for a chance to be in the big dance.


The side had to back it up 20 minutes later with some quick decision making from the coaches, as the team headed out on the diamond against Hills to redeem themselves from day one.


In a fun filled hard fought game, Masters earned their place in the grand final later that day with an impressive win.


The grand final was a battle from start to finish, with the Masters having something to prove.


Although they fell short in this game it was an exciting contest that displayed a lot of talent, grit, determination and great sportsmanship from Mount Gambier, proving they are a team worthy of being there.


The whole team played brilliantly, with minimal errors, great batting, a few tumbles and a lot of laughs and it was fantastic to see the blue and yellow support both on and off the


diamond.

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