Some big batting in opening round

Warriors v Demons (Friday)

In Mount Gambier Softball League’s season opener, last season’s premiers Warriors and Demons battled it out on a cold and wet Friday night.

Demons started their batting innings with returning player Abbey Meinck first at the plate. She started the game with a safe hit to right field.

Warriors pitcher Leyna Bruggeman was fighting against the weather and a wet ball but managed two strike outs for the innings.

Meg Merrett landed herself on first base with an error play. Demons finished their first batting innings with two runs on the board.

Warriors started their batting line up with the fierce Sarah Polderman, unfortunately her blinder to left field was met with the skillful glove of Demons Sharna Beck.

Powerhouse Angela Queale, Kelly Doyle and a double bagger from Mel Chuck landed three Warriors on base.

Bruggeman’s bunt was picked up from pitcher Billie Jones with a fielder’s choice play to second.

Demons Simone Little ended Warriors bat with a foul fly catch near third. Warriors ended their innings with two runs on the board, tying up the score.

Warriors found their feet in the second innings with a fly catch at right and two plays to first base leaving Demons first three batters unable to get on base.

Demons retaliated the navy blue pressure and held them at three up, three down with two strike outs and a play at first.

After the second innings the score remained 2-all.

The top of the third innings saw Demons execute their fierce and heads up base running taking every advantage to steal bases.

The slippery ball made it difficult for Warriors to apply pressure to the base runners, not wanting to risk over throws.

Demons ended the innings with five runs.

Warriors were held too tight in the third by Demons with a K2, a fly catch from short stop Kezia Feast and fly catch from Steph Chant at first.

In the fourth and final innings Demons took flight again and maintained their patience at the plate and eager base running to score 10 runs.

Warriors returning player Daena Womball played a solid bat to centre field but was caught out by Demons Meinck and after two K2s the game ended with a score of 17 – 2 Demons’ way.

Concordes United v Wanderers (Saturday)

Round 1 continued on Saturday with Wanderers hosting Concordes United in a largely one sided affair early.

Wanderers were able to hold United scoreless in the first and head in to the dug out fresh and ready to pile on the pressure thanks to a sharp double play from Charli Kaigg making a catch and doubling out the runner at second base.

With 15 hitters reaching base through multiple walks and three safe hits, Wanderers finished the first with 10 on the new score board and took a big early lead.

Concordes bats came alive early in the second with three safe singles from the first three batters up, five safe hits in total for the inning bringing them back in the game and replying with three runs.

A similar story for Wanderers with three safe singles for the inning adding another run to their total taking an 11-3 lead heading into the third.

With a second safe hit each for the game from Leonie McCullum and Bec White, United were able to add another two runs to their total and stay in the contest whilst keeping Wanderers on their toes with the score at 11-5.

Julie Beck was the chief destroyer for Concordes going three for three for the day and Sonia Morris doing the damage for the Wanderers going two fortwp.

Codie Jackway was then able to hold Wanderers scoreless through three innings giving up only four safe hits whilst picking up 4 strike outs to hold their score at 11.

It was Rej Smith who threw the complete game for Wanderers picking up the solitary strike out how ever showing her usual consistency by only allowing United two walks for the entire game.

With only four errors from both teams throughout, it was Wanderers patience in the batters box early in the match that proved to be the difference running away 11-5 winners.

Concordes White v Millicent Bandits (Saturday)

The last game of the first round saw Concordes White take on Millicent Bandits, with Bandits batting first.

Dianne Horbury, returning to the diamond after a lengthy hiatus, got things rolling by drawing a walk, putting the game in motion.

Bandits seized the opportunity in the first innings, taking advantage of Concordes’ errors and smart base running to cycle through their entire batting order, ending the inning with four runs on the board.

Concordes responded with strong defensive pressure, highlighted by Karly Pearson’s first strikeout against Chantel Macdonald.

Kylie Cook also came close to making a standout play at shortstop, narrowly missing a chance to catch Bandits’ coach Chrystal Lock.

On the defensive end, Bandits kept Concordes scoreless, thanks to a solid pitching effort from returning player Debra Hicks, who tallied two strikeouts in the opening innings.

In the second inning, Bandits continued their momentum, adding two more runs with Chrystal Lock delivering a key hit to left field, bringing home Rej Smith and Hicks.

Both teams went scoreless in the third inning, with Sam Brown from Concordes making crucial catches to prevent the Bandits from advancing further.

Heading into the fourth and final inning, Bandits held a solid lead and extended it by adding three more runs, bringing their total to nine.

With Chantel Macdonald stepping onto the mound for the last inning, Concordes launched a comeback attempt, fueled by impressive hits from Kylie Cook to centerfield and Alana Steike to left field. Concordes managed to score six runs, closing in on Bandits and creating tension.

However, Bandits held their nerve and allowed just one more run, securing a 9-7 victory in an exciting finish.

RESULTS

Demons 17 (Abbey Meinck, Steph Chant, Sarah Dohnt and Billie Jones) d Warriors 2 (Mel Chuck, Kelly Doyle); Wanderers 11 (Sonia Morris 2, Fiona Finch, Lily-Clifford Finch, Leanne Little, Emily Little) d Concordens united 5 (Julie Beck 3, Leonie McCullum, Bec White 2, Jacinta Parker, Harmony Kennett, Codie Jackway); Millicent Bandits 9 (Debra Hicks 3; Chrystal Lock and Mackenzie Millard 2; Rej Smith, Caroline Bradshaw, Emma Williams) d Concordes White 7 (Kylie Cook, Alana Steicke, Melanie Smaling and Gabrielle Banks)