Fully loaded fundraiser

MOUNT GAMBIER Softball League is proud to be supporting the Royal Flying Doctors Service for this season’s charity game this Friday.

The game will showcase a number of the players from the January State championships Mount Gambier teams in which all local clubs are represented with pride.

BRC Trades (Bruce & Kylie Cook) have once again shown their support of Mount Gambier Softball League pursuits by making a generous donation to the cause.

Speaking of Kylie, the new Bandits’ charge is playing co-coach with Wanderers’ Sonia Morris of the Blue Team.

They will undoubtedly be primed for pizzaz from the likes of Sarah Polderman from Warriors zinging around the bases and perhaps even throwing down a few of her lasers.

Demons star Cody Manning will no doubt be the one to watch in the pre-game home run derby and will then show off the best arm in the league at shortstop if she isn’t called upon for pitching duties.

Bandit Chantel Macdonald will be another pitching option as well as a genuine home run threat, putting one up already this season consistent with her efforts earlier in the year at both West Beach and Berri tournaments.

Co-coach Morris is a line drive hitter and will keep the right side of the diamond on their toes, while conversely Bandits’ Deb Hicks dominates the left side with her hitting.

She is reliable at the corners or in the outfield so provides the Blue brainstrust with plenty of options.

Another of her Bandits team mates, Chrystal Lock, is the epitome of a utility, who can pitch and catch.

Concordes Linley Pollard is another one to keep the ball in front as a catcher while another ultimate team player is Warriors Caroline Bradshaw.

When locked in she is almost unbeatable in the batting box and will play almost every position on the diamond.

Newly minted Warrior Steph Chant has proven herself as a catching option and it will be difficult to surpass her voice of support on the diamond.

Playing coach Leyna Bruggemann is heading up the Yellow Team, which will include Meg Merrett (Demons) as she combines with Brugemann in the pitcing/catching combination.

Alternatively Yellow might throw Wanderers Leanne Little in for another K2 although she will probably be in the hot corner alongside Warriors utility Teresa Hatch.

Quiet achiever Hatch absolutely crushed the strikes she swung at in Round 4 action so Blue might want to beware.

Someone else who has been smashing the ball and running the bases like a mad woman when she’s not rolling around in the field is Concordes Sarah Thomson.

Yellow will benefit from Thomson’s base running energy but it is hard to match that of Wanderers Fiona Finch.

The leg speed, reach in the outfield, and zing on the throw often has her amongst one of the first selections.

Lily Clifford-Finch has been a late scratching for the game but she has been replaced by Warriors Melissa Chuck.

Chuck is known for her trademark overhead smashes at times in the batter’s box and safe glove at first.

She may have to don her alternate at second with Taylor Pearson also playing for Yellow.

The youngster has so far kept a clean sheet at first this season while also racking up safe hits all over the place.

Bandits Di Horbury is not one to be easily frazzled but will appreciate not having to face any trickery in change ups.

Saving the best until last for Yellow is the lefty Linda Dodds who has had a great start to the 2025/26 season.

Whichever way the end result goes, fully loaded softball for a life saving cause is a win for everyone and is a great testament to this year’s organiser league president Kezia Feast.

Food will be for sale with a BBQ as well as baked delicacies all proceeds of which will be donated to the RFDS.

Into the Mooring by Jess and Ben Morale will also be cooking up a storm and there will be drink options available via Vintage Sips for purchase on the night.