Batting box dominates round two

WARRIORS Blue v Bandits

The conditions were cherry ripe for Bandits’ first game of the season and the early tip as league leaders did not disappoint with their full contingent in the action.

Lead off Di Horbury was bamboozled by a change up but Mackenzie Millard was not having any of that by hitting the first pitch she faced to Blue’s very own marathon runner Caroline Bradshaw, at shortstop for an infield single.

Macca flew around the bases at any sniff of a wayward pitch before Bandits’ new recruit Kylie Cook grounded out to Taylor Pearson at first and after Deb Hicks walked, she was put out at second on a heads up fielder’s choice by Bradshaw.

Blue weren’t irked and responded with a run of their own in a two down rally facing the pitching of their favourite Millicent player Chantel Macdonald.

Leyna Bruggemann hit a dodgy fly ball out to centre right and Macca couldn’t quite get her there as the veteran’s little legs were in full stealth mode, sneaking into second.

Angela Queale cracked the first pitch she faced to Montana MIllard at left for the RBI, taking the extra base on the throw to the plate.

Bandits catcher Chrystal Lock singled to Demons fill in Meg Merrett at centre in a eight pitch lead off at bat, but Blue wasn’t frazzled and had three up three down with a ground ball to Queale at third, a fly back to the pitcher off the dangerous Bandits’ bat of Emilee Mitchell, and Bradshaw was just trying to be iffy by taking a casual one handed catch to have Nat Whitehead out.

Blue on offence then locked in with Bradshaw at it again, burning up the grass on her way to first on a tricky infield shot.

Rookie Kloe Phillips was stoic in the box, getting on board with a walk, Merrett was then hit by a pitch for the first of two times for the day, before Pearson continued her hot streak – singling to Macca up the middle and scoring Bradshaw.

Blue’s young catcher Maddy Bignell showed her maturity and patience in the hitter’s box by picking a walk on a full count.

That forced a pitching change and Montana Millard was in, facing the potentially dangerous bat of Bruggemann with none out and loaded bases.

The battle was on but the pensioner took the full count walk for an RBI, Queale added to her skyrocketing RBI count and batting average with another zinger to left before Bandits got a double play care of Haley Lindner’s liner to Montana who threw over to third before the dig was done.

Bandits were resolute as Horbury singled to Bradshaw, Macca put down a clever unplayable bunt, Cook got herself put out by Pearson again before Hicks forced an error.

Montana lined a sac fly out to Phillips at left that scored Horbury, Lock showed her supreme team hitting by grounding out on the right side to score Macca, and Hicks scored on another stinker Bruggemann pitch that made its way to the fence.

Macdonald seemed to be quite fond of Queale, hitting it to her again but this time for a catch.

Blue’s were well contained by Montana’s pitching as she struck out two and Horbury played the lead runner for the other out.

The play of the day was in the top of the fourth innings with Blue’s second base and new coolest of cucumbers Lindner, tagged Mitchell out on her way past and then throwing to Pearson to have Mel McCracken out for a double and a well earnt fist pump celebration.

Bandits were not perturbed despite Horbury having some difficulty picking the change up, she went with an outside pitch and lofted one to the vacant right field to then be scored by Macca hitting an outrageously good shot over Phillips’ head for a triple, with the rookie’s foot speed matching that of Macca’s to get the ball in, she prevented an in the parker.

Scores were level, the time was ticking down and lead off Bruggemann did her team zero favours and was lucky to hit the ball, a floater to Cook.

Queale then laughed herself off with a K2 and Blue’s were on the ropes with two out.

The unflappable Lindner was not fazed by Montana’s pace, collecting herself a BB before Bradshaw stepped up and answered the coach’s call.

Bradshaw had one of the at bats of the game, singling up the middle.

Phillips got good bat on ball back to Montana and was out by only a couple of steps before plate umpire Jenny Burston noted the time and called game.Warriors White v Wanderers

Warriors White had their first official game of the season against Wanderers.

Wanderers batters were taken by surprise with pitcher Sarah Polderman’s speed although she struggled to find the glove walking Reg Smith Fiona Finch and Lily Clifford-Finch.

Smith scored from a wild pitch before Sonia Morris singled to second bringing home the speedy Finch and Clifford-Finch.

Polderman found her stride sending Abby Lovekin, Charlie Kaigg and Kat Chaplin back to the dugout but not before leaving her mark on Emily Little.

Lead off batter Polderman launched a huge hit to leftfield and was uncharacteristically dropped by Finch.

Teresa Hatch singled to shortstop and Steph Chant got lucky with an error by Little but still brought Polderman home.

Harlow Castleman got bat on ball in her first game for the blue and white but Mel Chuck was not so lucky being caught by Finch.

Karen Te Anu was struck out by Reg Smith ending the innings 3-2.

Jess Ghezzi walked, Smith singled Finch and Clifford-Finch both walked bringing Ghezzi home.

Morris was out with a great catch by Castleman at second.

Lovekin walked and Kaigg brought Lovekin home with a hard hit through the centrefield.

Little singled to third and Kat Chaplin had bat on ball but was out at first ending Wanderers inning with an extra six to their total of nine.

Jasmine Disselbach was out by Morris at one and Em Hart struck out by smith.

Polderman singled to shortstop and Hatch made it to third on an error and scored Polderman before coming home on a single by Chant.

Castleman was struck out and Warriors added two more runs before heading into the last innings.

Smith was up first but she was out when she popped a flyball to Chuck before Finch and Clifford-Finch both walked.

Morris singled again to shortstop and advanced on Lovekin fly to centrefield.

Morris was brought home when Kaigg tripled and she later went home on a wild pitch.

Little struck out ending the innings with another four runs for Wanderers.

Warriors last bat was a quick one with Chuck caught out by Clifford-Finch somewhere in centrefield even though she was playing at shortstop.

Karen Te Anu was out with a clean field by Kaigg at third.

Disselbach got unlucky when her line drive to second was caught by Ghezzi , catching in the run and ending the game.

The score didn’t reflect the hard battle contest between the two teams with a 13-4 victory Wanderers way.

Concordes United v Concordes White

It was a sunshine-filled day of softball, laughter, and learning as United came away with a 7–5 win in a fantastic matchup against the Whites

Both sides showed great teamwork and energy from start to finish.

For United, Rosie led the way with two safe hits, while Bec, Sarah, Aimee, and Tylar each added a safehit of their own.

Rosie and Bec set the tone early with two drivers done and playing injured throughout the game, lets just say it was a twin thing.

White kept things tight and competitive, with Alesha, Dana, and Chrissy each picking up a safe hit, showing determination and growth throughout the innings.

Tylar delivered some great pitching for United, with Aimee bravely stepping in for a go, while the catching crew of Kani, Alesha, Aimee, and Kate pulled off some fantastic grabs that had everyone cheering from the sidelines.

Linley, Daz and Sam all caught with great energy and great to watch.

There were also a few great learning moments—Jerrilee discovered why two players can’t share one base and Margie had a valuable experience at third base, now she knows and will definitely remember to hit the brakes next time.

It was also the first game for the White, and what a great debut it was, full of fun, smiles, and teamwork all round.

RESULTS

Warriors Blue 5 (Ange Queale, Caroline Bradshaw 2 Taylor Pearson, Leyna Bruggemann) drew with Bandits 5 (Mackenzie Millard 3; Di Horbury 2; Chrystal Lock, Emilee Mitchell); Wanderers 13 (Sonia Morris, Charli Kaigg 2; Rej Smith, Emily Little) d Warriors White 4 (Sarah Polderman, Teresa Hatch, Steph Chant) ; Concordes United 7 (Rosie Clark 2; Bec White, Sarah Thomson, Aimee Brooks, Tylar Kennett) d Concordes White 5 (Aleesha Tucker, Dana Jones, Chrissie Coombe)