Demons end Bandits’ run

Demons v Millicent Bandits

On Diamond 1 Demons and Bandits battled the wind and dust in Round 3 to remain top spot on the ladder for Bandits or allow Demons to take top.

Demons started in the field for the first time this season and after Bandits’ two wins Demons were set on holding them on the bat.

A safe hit from Dianne Horbury as Bandits starting batter landed them on base.

Two fielders choice plays to second, and an out at third saw Demons hold Bandits to no runs.

Bandits were eager to start off strong in the field to match Demons defence.

Chrystal Lock lead by example at the mound and got the first out for her team when Sofie Morale hit one straight back to her to lead Demons off.

Jones, Feast and Chant managed safe hits for the innings and that combined with a three bagger from assistant coach Manning saw Demons off and away with the bat managing three runs on the board in the first.

Demons aimed to keep their runs and stay in front going into the second. Emma Williams slogged a safe hit to right field but a K2 from Demons pitcher Jones, a play to first and an early left base got Demons out of the field in four batters and one run home.

Fill in Chelsea Feast started the innings off solid with a safe hit to short stop, Morale stayed patient in the box and was rewarded with a walk, Manning belted one to centre before Kezia Feast was hit by pitch and with some fancy footwork landed Manning on third and herself on second.

They were taken home by an error to first base off Chants hit to shortstop, giving her another three bagger for the season.

A wild throw in the field got Simone Little to second and with a mix of good batting and errors in the field Demons picked up five more runs.

Bandits hit back in the third determined to get some runs off the board and shake up Demons field.

Five errors in the field from Demons and Bandits making some opportunities gave them a boost in confidence on the base to come back with four runs.

Safe hits from Millard, Bradshaw, Mitchell and a three bagger from MacDonald kept them raring to go.

Demons stayed consistent in the third and chipped away another three runs on the board.

After the fourth innings the score on the board was 13-6 Demons way which takes them to the top of the leader board and puts a halt to Bandits winning streak.

Concordes United v Concordes White

The first showdown of the season between the two Concordes team showcased incredible talent and teamwork.

The game kicked off with Concordes White making a strong statement, thanks to safe hits from Karly Pearson, Sam Brown and Kate Altschwager White were able to put three runs on the board but some great fielding from United ending the innings.

United came out strong in the first and wasn’t about to back down, Dana Jones electrified the crowd with a surprise bunt that caught everyone off guard.

Julie Beck, Jacinta Packer, Allana Feast, and Tylar Kennet followed suit, making their presence felt at the plate.

Amber Smith who filled in for United and made an impressive hit to center field adding to Whites pressure early.

The second inning rolled around, Pauline Long stepped up for White but it was United’s defense that truly shined.

They pulled off a spectacular double play snagging an out at first and executing a perfect throw and tag at home plate—talk about teamwork.

The third inning turned into a tense standoff with both teams battling it out but unable to score.

Concordes White’s Lauren Lensmann and pitcher Alli Kreplins showcased their defensive skills, making crucial plays that kept United’s batters in check.

In the fourth inning United’s newbie Jacinta Packer helped secure another double play with a catch at second base followed by a throw to first.

Concordes White’s Melanie Smailing put up a solid fight trying keeping the game close but United were able to keep White scoreless.

The fifth inning saw Feast dominate on the mound, recording three outs by fielding ground balls and making swift throws to first base.

Her stellar performance not only maintained United’s lead but also kept the pressure firmly on White.

As the game headed into its final stretch, Concordes White wasn’t going down without a fight.

Kreplins made a standout play for White by catching a ball hit straight back at her, showcasing her quick reflexes.

Brown and Keely Lunsmann both delivered hits, attempting to close the gap but Concordes United’s defense stood tall, with key contributions from McCallum and Feast.

Aleesha Tucker, stepping in for United, made a fantastic catch in left field and then a K2 to secure the victory.

Despite the challenging wind conditions, both teams displayed incredible sportsmanship and talent throughout the match.

Concordes United’s 8-4 victory showcased their teamwork and determination, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

Wanderers v Warriors

Wanderers legend Rej Smith started in the circle, taking it straight to Sarah Polderman for Warriors who hit to one of the most reliable gloves in the league – Leanne Little – at third making the play over to Charli Kaigg at first.

Justine Koop strode up and singled to Sonia Morris at left before Leyna Bruggemann drilled a double over Morris’ head scoring Koop.

Haley Lindner kept her RBI tally flowing with a single up the middle. Taylor Pearson and Kelly Doyle picked walks but Smith shut the Warriors inning down, catching a line drive off the bat of Maddy Bignell.

Wanderers repaid the favour scoring three in the bottom of the first, Smith lined one past Koop at second, Morris zinged a single to Polderman at centre, Little singling for a RBI then Kaigg hitting inside out singled to Jasmine Disselbach at right.

Pitcher Bruggemann made the next two plays to put her blue and white team back into bat.

Wanderers had them two up two down until Koop got a rally going, singling to Emily Little at centre, stealing on the next pitch but was kept at third by a good relay on a left side double to Bruggemann.

Warriors third base Teresa Hatch then scored two with her single to centre before Smith, again on defence, shut down the innings.

Emily Little legged out an infield single before some interesting batting by speedster Fiona Finch who tried to lure in Warriors with a bunt when she had two strikes but it wasn’t to be as she fouled for an automatic out.

Polderman made one of the plays of the day, catching out Smith and throwing from centre to Pearson at first for a double play and the score 4-3 Warriors.

Warriors added a run before keeping Wanderers scoreless despite a couple of infield hits to Leanne Little and Kaigg, Abbie Lovekin interfered with Bignell making one of the plays at shortstop, Pearson putting out Wanderers fave Jess Ghezzi who was having a red hot go at strikes.

Equal best play of the game was Warriors Doyle backhanding a catch at right that flew off of Morris’ back saving at least a triple.

Koop led off the forth with a clever bunt then had to call for oxygen due to having to run all the way home after Bruggemann belted one, half vollying into Emily Little’s toe at centre, carrying on her unfortunate run of hitting fielders in recent weeks.

Wanderers came out firing with consummate team player Skylea McLean playing for Wanderers having sacrificed her spot with Warriors due to excess numbers.

She dispatched a strike over the head of Linda Dodds at left for a glorious double, followed by a crisp Emily Little single.

Finchy smashed one past Bruggemann before Dodds couldn’t hold onto one Smith hit to her at left which scored three, Wanderers equalising at seven all going into the fifth.

Lead off Doyle forced a clanger before Wanderers bounced back making the next two outs but then they faced the top of Warriors line up.

Polderman strode up, and caught Bruggemann napping in the third base coaches box by nearly taking her head off. Bruggemann glad Angela Queale wasn’t there to see her put the line drive down.

Polderman regrouped and singled to left which scored Doyle, Koop had a great team at bat walking with the count full and scooting around to second as the last pitch went wild despite some excellent blocking all game by Lovekin behind the plate.

Wanderers coach pulled the trigger on the intentional walk to load up the bases with two down to face Dodsy.

She zinged one to Smith but there was an error and two runs scored.

Lindner forced another error which scored a run before Leanne Little steadied the ship and made the last out.

Wanderers new recruit Nat Moore came in to hit and scorched a line drive to Pearson who made a fabulous catch.

Bignell made a lovely play to have McLean out then Maddie Beck came in to hit, making great contact but Disselbach was all over it, throwing her out at first and the game over 12-7.

RESULTS

Warriors 12 (Leyna Bruggemann, Justine Koop 3; Sarah Polderman, Teresa Hatch, Haley Lindner) d Wanderers 7 (Leanne Little 3; Emily Little, Charli Kaigg 2; Sonia Morris, Abbie Lovekin, Skylea McLean)

Demons 13 (Billie Jones 3; Cody Manning, Chelsea Feast 2; Kezia Feast, Steph Chant) d Millicent Bandits 6 (Dianne Horbury, Mackenzie Millard 2 Chantel MacDonald, Caroline Bradshaw, Emily Mitchell, Emma Williams)

Concordes United 8 (Dana Jones, Leonie McCallum 3; Alana Feast, Tylar Kennett, Dianne Wilson 2; Julie Beck, Jacinta Packer, Amber Smith) d Concordes White 4 (Sam Brown 2; Karly Pearson, Melanie Smaling, Kate Altschwager, Keeley Lunsmann, Pauline Long)