The Mount Gambier Softball League will host its grand final this weekend, with Warriors taking on Concordes United.
Concordes United have kept their post-Christmas form well and truly alive with a comprehensive victory over the Millicent Bandits 10-4 in last weekend’s prelim to secure their place in the grand final.
They will face this season’s league leaders in Warriors.
United will be boasting fresh legs having dodged any finals series duties as well as having the likes of freshly minted league most valuable player and runner up batting average award winner Dana Jones.
The pocket rocket proved the difference with two in the park home runs, including one with the bases loaded, on the weekend. She’s always keen to show up her sisters after Codie (Jackway) slammed a homer in the semi.
Jackway was in top form behind the plate, snagging some great foul fly catches and a sensational pick off at third that snuffed out Bandits’ momentum.
Sarah Thomson’s bat sparked up and she took a fabulous line drive catch. She could be a key playmaker for her team depending on how Warriors get the ball into play.
Aimee Brooks lined a homer of her own and continued to fly under opposition team’s radars.
Jacinta Packer made several key outs despite missing an at bat in the prelim with the independent scorer unable to fairly alert either team of the rare clanger.
Billie Jones will likely share United’s pitching duties with Dana as they face another seven innings game.
Tylar Kennett tag teamed with her sister Harmony at second base, taking a catch or two that limited Bandits as did Bec White at third. White will look to limit any of her former teammates’ shifty tricks with her trademark smile and powerful up the middle hitting.
The coaching staff of Bec Von Duve and Leonie McCallum may call on Julie Beck to move their team’s base runners around with some stealthy use of the short game.
Those Warriors players melting in the heat of the prelim as spectators made a few mental notes and will look to keep their winning form going against United.
Daena Wombwell surprised herself with the runner up MGSL most valuable player kudos as a catcher, the superpower skill position that is often preposterously unrecognised.
Wombwell will be in charge of keeping the likes of “The Gun”, AKA “Denis Denuto”, AKA Sarah Polderman, the unflappable Teresa Hatch and a hardcore vegemite fan masquerading as Warriors coach Leyna Bruggemann under control in the pitching circle.
Hatch, Wombwell and Polderman have hurt teams on the scoreboard throughout the season but none more so than the team’s spiritual leader in Melissa “The Smiling Assassin” Chuck.
Chuck’s supreme RBI situation hitting had her way out in front of the MGSL to secure the RBI gong.
Chuck provides a steadying influence to the likes of nervous nellies Linda Dodds and “Saintly” Jasmine Disselbach, both players always keen to do what is best for the team.
The ultimate and unparallelled team player and reigning “Gary the Snag Players Player” for Warriors is Kelly Doyle. Doyle also keeps Dodsy on her toes and down to earth.
Taylor Pearson has been a quiet achiever for her side, a person who cheers for everyone, has mastered the bunt and provides a nimble target on the relays that may make the difference in the big game.
Maddy Bignell and her cheeky cousin Justine Koop will hopefully not be up to their usual unpunctuality for the game and be there early, raring to go.
Koop has had another stellar season with the bat and jumps out of the dugout to encourage her kin who swings the bat hard and takes outrageously good action photo shots.
Haley Lindner has proven herself as a RBI hitter and one with a genuine game face, undoubtedly well practised spending the time she does with Jarvo Queale.
Jarvo was recently recognised on the league stage as the sponge of Sharapova Bruggemann’s wrath and imperative to her side’s success by quelling Sharapova’s unrelenting standards, zinging shots to her favoured left side, and protecting the same defensively – she may even be tempted to charge in for a bunt just because it’s the grand final, who knows?
Get out there at 1pm on Saturday to witness such a history making play by one of Warriors’ veterans in what should be a competitive contest.
