Concordes United end Demons season

IN A game that had fans on the edge of their seats, Concordes United clinched a hard-fought 9-8 victory over Demons in a nailbiting elimination final – United advancing to the preliminary final against Bandits.

The game began with Concordes United drawing first blood when Julie Beck crossed the plate after a solid hit from Dana Jones, giving United a 1-0 lead.

Demons pitcher Codey Manning showed her skill with two strikeouts, limiting the damage.

When it was Demons’ turn to bat, they responded with two runs of their own.

Abbey Meinck scored after a powerful three-bagger from Manning, who then crossed home on a centerfield hit from Meg Merrett.

United surged ahead in the second inning, adding two more runs to their tally.

Jacinta Packer’s rightfield hit put her on base, and a fielding error allowed her to score.

Bec White then smashed a massive three-bagger to centerfield, crossing home shortly after.

Demons fought hard, but United’s pitcher Billie Jones shut down their offence, striking out three batters in quick succession.

The third inning brought a moment of brilliance for United, as star catcher Codie Jackway launched a home run to leftfield, sending the ball to the fence.

Demons were unable to respond, with Meinck hitting a fast line drive right to first baseman Beck, and two quick strikeouts sealing their fate.

With a 4-2, United’s offence went to work again, with White and Jones both scoring on timely hits.

Jackway’s leftfield hit brought home the final run of the inning.

Demons responded with a lone run, as Chelsea Feast crossed the plate from a hit by Belinda O’Dine.

The fifth inning was the turning point as United’s defence came out strong, getting three quick outs.

Meanwhile, Demons capitalised on some mistakes and managed to score three runs.

Manning, who had been steady on the mound, got on base with a double and was driven home along with Meinck and Em Hart, bringing the score to a tense 7-6 in favor of United.

With the sun setting and darkness creeping in, the seventh inning became the ultimate test of nerves.

United came out with fire in their eyes, and Aimee Brookes and Sarah Thomson both got on base with clutch hits.

Both crossed the plate on a crucial centrefield hit by Beck, pushing the score to 9-6 in United’s favor.

Manning led off with a double, and with Merrett walking, both players were brought home by a hit from Simone Little, making the score 9-8.

With two outs and O’Dine at bat, United’s pitcher Billie Jones unleashed her signature pitch—a “Billie Special.” The ball came bounding back to her, and with a quick throw to first, she secured the final out of the game.

Bandits and Warriors faced off in the major semi final with both teams setting their alarm clocks for the early Saturday time slot.

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The crowd grew as Bandits hit first, Warriors starting strongly with a three up. three down.

Sarah Polderman had lead off Mackenzie Millard out on a 6-3, Di Horbury was fooled by a Leyna Bruggemann change up and Debra Hicks was caught by Linda Dodds at left.

Warriors lead off Justine Koop hit one to Bandits pitcher Chrystal Lock who calmly made the play to Maddie Redman at first, Polderman flew out to Hicks at third and then Angela Queale whacked the first pitch she faced for a single to Chantel Macdonald at centre.

Melissa Chuck was hitting in the four spot and put one out to Melissa McCracken who ended up with her glove off but regained her composure to hit her cut with Queale being waved round from third, Redman made a great throw to have her out sliding into the plate.

Bandits were again held scoreless in the second and Warriors had their tails up with Bruggemann leading off with a walk, Taylor Pearson put down a great sacrifice bunt, Doyle walked and Haley Lindner had herself an infield single RBI.

Linda Dodds continued her hitting streak with a lovely single to Bradshaw at left that scored Doyle.

Justine Koop put down the bunt and reached first safely, Polderman safe on an infield RBI single to Horbury and it was Horbury as the day’s ball magnet, in the action the next few plays, making a put out at second off of Queale’s bat then taking a fly ball for the third out to put her side back in with the score 0-4.

Bandits made Warriors pay for the lead off error when McCracken creamed one over Doyle’s head and with the relay becoming a bit of a shambles, Lock scored and McCracken ended up at third and was then scored by a crisp Millard single to Dodds at left.

Horbury advanced to first after being hit by a pitch, Hicks decided not to waste time getting after the first pitch finding Dodds glove and then Mitchell had Bruggemann psyched out, walking after seven pitches.

Redman flew out to Polderman then Macdonald hit one to Bruggemann for the last out and the score 4-2 Warriors way.

After holding Warriors scoreless, Bandits also failed to score as getting runners on base proved a challenge for both teams.

It was the bottom of the fifth dig where the flood gates opened for the blue and white team – Chuck and Bruggemann singled, Pearson on base, care of a bunt fielder’s choice with all runners getting an extra base on a wild Hicks throw.

Doyle hit it firmly to Hicks who had Bruggemann in a trap play but the old timer sensed Mackenzie Millardwas up the line so ran at her glove to draw the obstruction and the ball spilled out in the collision.

Lindner had another infield hit to Nat Whitehead that scored Pearson, before Maddy Bignell came in for Dodds and went down swinging hard.

Koop doubled to centre and then decided that she saw “the steal signal” unbeknownst to the coach and was very lucky not to be put out by a pin point Mackenzie Millard throw.

She scored on an infield single by Polderman who showed she was back to 100 per cent, scooting round to second on the overthrow then stealing third on a ball in the dirt.

Chuck hit an RBI single, Bruggemann skied one just out of Bradshaw’s reach, Pearson walked for an RBI then Horbury played the lead runner at the plate for the second out.

Lindner hit it to Whitehead for the third time in the game and she made a heads up play to have Doyle out and the game called with the mercy rule invoked 12-2.

Bandits will nowface off against Concordes United in the preliminary final at 1pm this Saturday no doubt hungry to have another crack at Warriors, who moved straight through to the grand final.

RESULTS

Concordes United 9 (Aimee Brooks, Bec White, Codie Jackway 2 (1HR); Sarah Thomson, Julie Beck, Dana Jones, Jacinta Packer) d Demons 8 (Cody Manning 4; Abbey Menick, Meg Merrett, Simone Little 2; Belinda O’Dine, Kezia Feast); Warriors 12 (Justine Koop, Sarah Polderman, Mel Chuck, Leyna Bruggemann, Haley Lindner, Linda Dodds 2; Ange Queale, Kelly Doyle) d Bandits 2 (Mackenzie Millard, Emilee Mitchell, Maddie Redman, Chrystal Lock, Melissa McCracken)