Warriors gaining momentum

CONCORDES White v Warriors

Warriors kept their winning streak going, backing pitcher Sarah Polderman with outstanding defence, keeping the scorer’s red pen in its holster for the entire game.

Justine Koop led off for the blue and white team and she ended up with four safe hits for the day.

Angela Queale moved her around before Koop was scored on a Mel Chuck RBI fielder’s choice to White’s ball magnet, Kylie Cook.

Polderman was scored on a Daena Wombwell sacrifice fly to Sam Brown at centre with Taylor Pearson picking out Brown with a single up the middle before Amber Smith made the last out.

White were solid in offense in the bottom of the first; Karly Pearson started with a single to Jasmine Disselbach at second, Melanie Smailing had an incredibly composed at bat for a walk then Kate Altschwager pulled the trigger on a 3-0 pitch for a RBI single to Maddy Bignell roaming the outfield for Warriors.

Linley Pollard scored Smailing with her single to centre before Pauline Long strode up and remained patient and untempted by the heat Polderman was throwing down, gaining her team another base runner with a BB loading up the bases.

Warriors played the lead runner as Brown made first on a fielder’s choice then Polderman registered a K2, putting her team back in to hit.

Warriors veteran Leyna Bruggemann led off with a blooper single between three fielders, Koop bunted safely, Queale and Wombwell forced errors and Chuck walked for a total of four.

White had themselves two out from four pitches but Smailing was at it again, unfazed by Polderman’s zingers and registering another walk before the innings was done.

Warriors put another eight on the board in the third with Disselbach threading the needle between first and second, out to Gabby Banks at right.

Bruggemann surprised everyone with a safe bunt, Koop singled, Polderman bamboozled all with a single to Karly Pearson at first, then Taylor Pearson bounded out a single to Cook.

No surprise when Haley Lindner stepped in – she registered yet another RBI; Bruggemann singled for two RBIs with Brown battling hard pitching for her team, before Cook took a fly ball off Chuck’s bat for the last out.

White was contained to three up three down, Lindner, Queale and Wombwell making the plays with Polderman finding her pitching groove.

Wombwell had her hitting face on in the last dig, having a double and a homer, showing she still has it even though recently entering her third decade of existence.

Taylor Pearson, Queale and Polderman singling with Koop, Chuck and Bruggemann tripling before Taylor Pearson drilled on straight into the safe glove of Cook for the last out.

White rallied, Brown whimsically smashing the first pitch to Bignell, Smith was accidentally hit by a pitch then Gabby Banks absolutely spanked one to left.

The newcomer was unfortunately undone by Queale catching a fly ball and threw over to first for the double and game. Warriors racking up 18 safe hits with White being well held by Polderman to five.Demons v Wanderers

Demons met Wanderers on Diamond 2 for the first time this season.

Fiona Finch started the day strong for Wanderers with a safe hit to left field.

Sonia Morris had a disciplined at bat which landed her a walk and Abbie Lovekin slogged a safe hit to centre.

Simone Little and Ghezzi’s line drives were caught by the Demons defence in addition to a caught fly by pitcher Jones.

Wanderers put three on the board in the first.

Demons Abbey Meinck started the batting line up today with a safe hit to centre, followed by Billie Jones who earnt herself a double after some strong fouls.

Cody Manning was patient in the box and waited for ball four to take her to first.

Merrett landed herself on base with a walk and the bases were loaded.

Little walked up to the box ready to rectify her coach’s mistakes and with loaded bases she was eager for a safe hit and to add some RBIs to her stats.

With a strike and a ball on her count she hammered the ball to right field and got her girls moving around the bases.

With Jones, Manning and Merrett all making their way home Little looked at her coach who was sending her all the way home, landing herself her first grand slam and the first grand slam of the season.

Demons ended the first with five on the board.

Wanderers came back to the box wanting to chip away at some more runs Finch, Smith and Morris all leaving the box with safe hits.

Finch was speedy around the bases and added another run to the board.

While Morris’ hit sent Smith across home plate for their second run.

Two K2s from pitcher Jones and a tagged out from defence Merrett and Manning left Wanderers leaving the second innings with two runs.

Demons, hyped from Little’s heroic displays were eager to be fierce again with the bat.

Meinck, Manning, Little and Morale all scoring safe hits for the dig and the girls added another 5 to the board.

The third innings was quiet from both teams will Demons managing to hold Wanderers at three up three down, and Wanderers fighting back only allowing Demons to score two.

Demons held tight in the last innings and held Wanderers at no score.

Demons last bat was for percentage and coach Kezia Feast was revving up Morale to attempt her first live bunt.

Demons walked away with the win 13-5

Millicent Bandits v Concordes United

The final game of Round 4 saw Millicent Bandits take on Concordes United in a tightly contested match.

United started strong at bat, with Codie Jackway, Dana Jones, and Jacinta Packer leading a run of well-placed outfield hits, sending United’s first four batters across the plate.

Bandits responded with solid fielding, working hard to secure the three outs needed for their turn at bat.

Di Horbury led off for Bandits with an infield hit, sparking a sequence of strong hits from Chrystal Lock, Montanna Millard, Natalie Millard, Caroline Bradshaw, and newcomer Emilee Mitchell.

United’s Jones countered with a strikeout, and a well-timed catch by Packer in center field ended the first inning with Bandits narrowly ahead, 5-4.

In the second inning, Bandits changed up their pitcher-catcher combination, with Montanna Millard stepping in to pitch and Mackenzie Millard catching.

Jones and Aimee Brooks were the only two from United to reach base, thanks to Millard’s sharp pitching and a tight Bandits field.

United managed to add one more run to their tally.

United’s strong fielding effort limited Bandits to just five at-bats, holding them to two runs for the inning and ending it with Bandits leading 7-5.

In the third inning, Jones’ hit brought Leonie McCallum home, while Bandits pitcher Montanna Millard delivered two key strikeouts, restricting United to one run.

United then executed well defensively, holding Bandits scoreless.

A fly ball catch by Brooks at second, followed by a quick throw to first to see Bradshaw out who was unable to return to first quick enough, kept United within reach, with Bandits holding on to a slim 7-6 lead.

In the final inning, Bandits were determined to defend their lead, with Brooks and Packer both making it on base for United but ultimately unable to score due to Bandits’ strong fielding.

On Bandits’ final turn at bat, Mackenzie Millard hit a solid drive to left field, advancing to second. With strategic base running and a well-placed bunt from Lock, Bandits scored another run.

United held strong defensively, capturing the final two outs, but with time called, Bandits secured the victory at 8-6.

RESULTS

Warriors 23 (Leyna Bruggemann, Justine Koop 4; Taylor Pearson 3; Ange Queale, Sarah Polderman, Daena Wombwell (1HR) 2; Mel Chuck) d Concordes White 4 (Karly Pearson, Kate Altschwager, Linley Pollard, Sam Brown, Gabrielle Banks); Demons 13 (Abbey Meinck, Billie Jones, Simone Little (1HR) 2;

Cody Manning, Sofie Morale) d Wanderers 5 ( Fiona Finch, Rej Smith 2; Sonia Morris, Abbie Lovekin); Millicent Bandits 8 (Chrystal Lock 3; Montanna Millard, Caroline Bradshaw 2; Dianne Horbury, Mackenzie Millard, Natalie Whitehead, Emilee Mitchell) d Concordes United 6 (Dana Jones 3; Aimee Brooks, Jacinta Packer 2;

Codie Jackway)