Softball breaks for Christmas

Millicent Bandits v Demons

Millicent Bandits faced Demons for the second time this season, determined to bounce back after a loss the previous week.

Both teams were ready for a tough match, and the game did not disappoint.

Demons were first to bat, but Bandits’ pitcher Montanna Millard set the tone early with two consecutive strikeouts, keeping Demons scoreless in the opening inning.

When Bandits came to bat, Demons’ Cody Manning showcased her pitching prowess, earning a strikeout of her own.

However, Chantel Macdonald’s powerful hit to centerfield brought Di Horbury home, putting Bandits on the board with a 1-0 lead after the first inning. The second inning began with Manning leading off for Demons, delivering a huge hit to centerfield that narrowly missed going over the fence.

Meg Merrett followed with a solid hit to the same area, bringing Manning home to tie the game.

Bandits’ Di Horbury stood strong in the field, securing multiple outs at first base with sharp throws to Chrystal Lock.

Demons finished their turn with one run, levelling the score. Bandits responded with disciplined batting, capitalizing on opportunities to walk and putting runners on base.

Despite Demons’ strong defensive efforts, Bandits managed to score two runs, ending the second inning ahead 3-1.

In the third inning, Bandits tightened their defense, with Millard delivering another stellar performance on the mound. Demons were retired three up, three down, unable to chip away at the lead.

Bandits’ strategy of patient batting paid off in their third at-bat.

With Demons switching pitchers and bringing in Meg Merrett, Bandits took full advantage, combining walks and smart base running to score six runs despite not recording any safe hits in the inning. The scoreboard now read 9-1 in Bandits’ favour.

In the fourth and final inning, Bandits made adjustments in the field, moving Macdonald to first base and Lock to centerfield after Macdonald took an accidental hit to the shoulder while coaching at first.

Demons came out swinging, with safe hits from Sarah Dohnt, Manning, Simone Little, and Steph Chant.

Taking advantage of Bandits’ rare fielding errors, Demons rallied to score seven runs.

Millard stayed composed, closing out the game with two more strikeouts to bring her game total to an impressive six.

With time running out, the umpire called the game, leaving Bandits ahead 9-7 and securing their victory without needing another at-bat.

This thrilling match showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, with Bandits emerging victorious in a well-contested game.

Warriors v Wanderers

Wanderers solid form, for good reason, had a few in the Warriors camp worried going into the last game before the Christmas break.

Leanne Little led her side by example in the top of the first, cracking a single to Linda Dodds at left that scored two with mother-daughter duo, Fiona Finch and Lily Clifford-Finch, having singled and put the Warriors defence under pressure with their swift base running.

Wanderers then kept Warriors to zero with Rej Smith, as consistent as ever, out in the middle and Emily Little making a heads up double play at third.

Warriors defence clicked into gear despite Emily Little making good contact off the first pitch.

Leyna Bruggemann, having been burnt by the fabulous hitting of Skylea McLean during their last encounter, pitched smarter to her usual teammate this time round for a K2.

Wanderers fave Jess Ghezzi smoked a line drive back to Bruggemann who made the catch for three up, three down.

Warriors took their momentum into the batter’s box putting a five on the scoreboard.

Emily Little made a lovely play for the first out off of Haley Lindner’s bat, Dodds picked a walk, then Jasmine Disselbach singled. J

Angela Queale meandered her way up to hit, drilling a single to Finch at left.

Justine Koop stepped up and singled to McLean at right then Daena Wombwell did the job the coach asked for, executing a hit and run which scored Queale and got Koop to third on the play to Emily Little.

Bruggemann whacked the first pitch she faced over Finch’s head for a triple, Mel Chuck forced an error and then Kelly Doyle was hit by a pitch before the innings was done.

Smith paid Bruggemann back with a triple to Lindner at right who was then scored by a Clifford-Finch blooper over Queale’s head at first.

Wanderers kept Warriors to zero with Clifford-Finch running miles at centre to take the catch off of Koop’s bat for the third out and the score 5-3, Warriors up.

Wanderers lead off Abbie Lovekin was sucked in by a Bruggemann knuckle ball for the first out.

Riana Knight made contact but was put out then keen rookie Natasha Moore zinged one through the field, her smile from ear to ear, possibly outdone by Ghezzi who ripped one up the middle and was deservedly proud as punch.

Warriors added one to their tally in the fourth when Bruggemann doubled and Chuck had Smith diving like the legend she is, but the run was scored.

Wanderers rallied in the fifth adding another via a Sonia Morris single, Leanne Little hit one up the middle, Lovekin was walked by Bruggemann and Moore was at it again, crunching a strike to Koop at centre for the RBI.

Warriors added four in the bottom of the last although had to carry Dodds off with a knee injury.

Maddie Beck came on at second for Wanderers but Warriors Disselbach singled, Queale walked, Koop singled to Finch which was replicated by Wombwell for an RBI.

Bruggemann walked for an RBI then Chuck hit a routine sacrifice fly with runners going from second and third.

Doyle zinged one to the outstretched glove of Morris and then Smith made the last out cool as a cucumber.

Concordes White v Concordes United

In a gripping softball encounter between sisters sides Concordes United and Concordes White, United took the field first and quickly made their mark.

The opening innings saw Sarah Thomson hit a standout triple to right field, showing early signs of power, however no runs were scored for united in the first.

Despite a few challenges, with drop third strikes resulting in outs for Ali Kreplins and Amber Smith, the team stayed focused.

Sam Brown capitalised on an overthrow, advancing to second, before Kylie Cook delivered a safe hit to right, bringing Brown home.

Kate Altschwager followed with a safe hit to left, but United’s offensive momentum was stifled as the innings came to a close.

Bec White led off the second innings for United, getting a walk and Harmony Kennett bringing her home on a safe hit to centerfield.

The score tied at one-all when White came up for their second bat and a safe hit to left field for Kreplins, scoring Lauren, who had previously reached base.

The third innings saw United up to bat, the team continued to pile on the runs as Julie Beck connected with a safe hit to right, ending up on second.

Then, Codie Jackway’s timely hit to leftfield allowed Beck to cross the plate, while White added another run with a safe hit to centerfield.

Dana Jones capped off the scoring with a well-placed hit, sending Dianne Wilson home.

Despite United’s strong rally, Cook’s sharp fielding at shortstop prevented further damage, as she gathered a throw and made the out at first to close the inning.

Despite safe hits from Cook, Altschwager, and Pauline Long, the White were not able to score.

United were unable to get on with White’s fielding tightening with Altschwager making a great catch in centerfield, taking out Beck and Kreplins following up with a stunning catch on a line drive hit straight back from Jackway.

Whites’s defence was on point, getting three outs and preventing United from scoring.

However by the fifth inning, United were in full control. After a series of safe hits the bases quickly loaded for United, setting the stage for Jones.

She didn’t disappoint, smashing a powerful hit to left field that scored three runs and gave her team a commanding lead.

Thomson added to the scoring with a safe hit of her own, bringing Jones home.

White’s defence continued to shine, with Kreplins and Brown making a great team at pitcher and first base, getting two of the three outs.

With White up for their last bat of the game, a strike out, a fumbled but just in time out at second and a pitcher to first base out, wrapped things up with textbook fielding plays, and United securing the the game.

Their strong performance across all areas—hitting, fielding, and pitching—ensured they came out on top in this exciting match, the final score being 9-2.RESULTS:Millicent Bandits 9 (Chantel Macdonald, Di Horbury) d Demons 7 (Cody Manning 2; Meg Merrett, Simone Little, Steph Chant, Chelsea Feast, Sarah Dohnt; Warriors 10 (Justine Koop, Leyna Bruggemann, Jasmine Disselbach 2; Daena Wombwell, Mel Chuck, Ange Queale) d Wanderers 4

(Lily Clifford-Finch, Leanne Little 2’

Rej Smith, Fiona Finch, Sonia Morris, Jess Ghezzi, Natasha Moore); Concordes United 9 (Dana Jones 3; Harmony Kennett 2; Sarah Thomson, Bec White, Aimee Brooks) d Concordes White 2 (Kylie Cook 2; Ali Kreplins, Sam Brown, Kate Altschwager, Linley Pollard)