All-star performance sees Guild claim women’s Grand Final

LED by the heroics of Kira Kuwamoto with the bat and ball, Guild All Stars will etch its name onto the perpetual Leanne Gibbons Shield for the first time in its history after defeating rivals East Belmont Saints, 4-8.

The Geelong Baseball Association’s (GBA) two newest women’s sides took to the field at Geelong Baseball Centre on Sunday afternoon in the association’s Women’s Grand Final.

Guild utility Kuwamoto collected three hits from three at-bats on her way to cutting down the East Belmont batting order, striking out 13, giving up just two runs across five and two-thirds innings.

The Saints took the early lead in the opening frame, before three All Stars plated in the bottom half of the first inning.

East Belmont made things interesting late in the contest, tying the game in the fourth inning.

But Guild’s batting from Saya Turnley, Claire Costa, Michelle Searle and Kuwamoto proved pivotal in the later innings, all either collecting multiple hits or stolen bases to secure a four-run win and a premiership in the six-inning contest.

Guild All Stars coach David Foster said he and his side felt a sense of relief to walk away champions in season two.

“It turned out to be a really hard battle, East Belmont gave us a really good fight, but our girls really played as a team,” Foster said.

“There were a couple of fly-balls dropped in the outfield early and that was about it in terms of blunders in what was a really team-oriented display on the day.

“Once the team secured the win, they were ecstatic, they had never been in that position before.

“Everyone contributed well, and it was such a pleasure to see the enjoyment they got out of it.”

Guild All Stars will join Bellarine Bears as the two clubs to win the GBA’s Women’s Competition through two seasons, as the league continues to gather momentum across the region.