Finals a repeat of last week’s dress rehearsal

ELIMINATION FinalFriday, March 7 – 6pm

In the cut throat semi final spectators will be expecting another nailbiter between Demons and Concordes United after a one run walk off win to the latter in the final minor round game.

United made a push towards finals after the Christmas break and Demons’ competition record five draws from 15 games ended with both teams on even points but the Port MacDonnell side had the superior percentage.

Demons leader of all things softball Kezia Feast will be right behind her girls, most likely from shortstop, as her team’s gun shortstop Cody Manning has shouldered the pitching duties for most of the season.

Both hit a long ball and Manning was particularly unlucky that games have more recently been played on the larger diamond due to Corella damage, as she hit a huge shot to be caught on the fence by United’s speedster Jacinta Packer – it would have undoubtedly gone over the fence on the usual diamond.

Meg Merrett or Em Hart could be behind the plate for Demons, Merrett’s arm is a weapon wherever she is put on the diamond.

Simone Little and Steph Chant have been mainstays for their team in terms of RBIs and defensive stability, both also offering great voice in support of their teammates.

Abbey Meinck and Sarah Dohnt bring steading experience and Chelsea Feast – smiles and hitting pressure.

Belinda O’Dine has been a fantastic late season inclusion as she can throw strikes if needed, play infield or outfield, as well as providing a looming presence in the batter’s box.

United have their own firepower in the batter’s box with the strength of Bec White and Aimee Brooks, both hit the ball hard and Brooks has been excellent in her return to the diamond after several seasons away from the game.

Harmony Kennett has improved exponentially this season in all facets of her game, often playing behind her sister Tylar at right field.

Tylar has been solid at second base but has ongoing struggles with shin splints that limits her base running damage.

Base running is certainly the forte of Dana Jones.

She zings around the bases regularly hitting the ball safely, rivalled by few with her willingness to take extra bases.

Jacinta Packer’s speed is always in the back of the mind of opposition teams as she covers enormous ground in the outfield and is easily heard supporting her team at BLSP by those visiting the main corner of Mount Gambier.

Last season’s MGSL MVP Billie Jones may pitch or catch providing her coach Bec Von Duve options aplenty.

Her older sister Codie Jackway could also catch, play infield, outfield or even pitch if she was asked, and is one to hit foul after foul after foul, wearing down pitchers, left fielders and spectators collecting said foul balls.

Julie Beck has also been a revelation this season as a catcher but is more likely to play at first base trying to keep the likes of Sarah Thomson calm.

Thomson is known to put her body on the line, regularly showing her fancy footwork in the field.

All in all, it’s likely to be a close result in a Friday night twilight softball spectacle.Semi FinalSaturday, March 8 – 10am

Warriors are looking the goods of late with much better defensive play much to the blood pressure relief of their coaching staff.

They will be the hunted as they finished top by four and a half games but will not be taking the Millicent Bandits lightly.

Chantel Macdonald and Chrystal Lock have shared the pitching duties with Montana Millard rumoured to be unavailable, and she will be missed not only for her pace of pitching but also because she swings the bat hard.

Emilee Mitchell is one of the competition’s new favourite playesr, swinging the bat with genuine velocity to scare even the bravest pitchers.

Lock has been as consistent as ever, Macdonald hits a long ball, and Di Horbury and Debra Hicks put pressure on with their experience and hitting. Bandits little star shines behind the plate – Mackenzie Millard – she was not a former Kath Sims best player in a championship award winner by accident – picking up balls in the dirt, keeping base runners honest with her sharp pick offs, and despite standing quite close to the plate when she hits, Macca drives the inside pitch well.

Melissa McCraken, Nat Whitehead, Emma Williams and maybe even an appearance by Maddie Redman will round out a team that has scored a lot of runs this season.

Warriors may be spoilt for choice with the likes of Sarah Polderman, Teresa Hatch and Justine Koop (pictured below at full stretch in the field) easily able to play multiple key positions.

Angela Queale and Leyna Bruggemann (pictured above pitching) keep the average age of the team up and the average running speed down, and Daena Wombwell has stepped up since coming back from the championships in Adelaide.

Quiet achievers are definitely Kelly Doyle, Taylor Pearson, Jasmine Disselbach and Haley Lindner – they all go about their game with the team first in their minds.

Youngster Maddy Bignell seems to have got the taste for driving a long ball, no doubt inspired by the team’s leader Melissa Chuck.

Chuck has played all over the diamond this year and remained unfazed by that when she stepped into the batting box.

Bandits will definitely look to limit her influence on the game.

Last but not least is Linda Dodds, who often has hearts in mouths as she dashes around the bases and in the outfield with her basket glove outstretched.

She has also had a recent purple patch with the bat, getting a grand slam in recent weeks.

The winner of this match goes straight into the grand final on March 22.