WANDERERS sealed fourth spot on the Mount Gambier softball ladder with two rounds remaining after a tight 9-8 victory over Concordes United on Saturday.
United was off to a strong start, with several safe hits, which included a big three-bagger to Maddy Sutherland.
The innings produced six runs for Concordes and saw a pitching change for Wanderers, with the ever reliable Rej Smith stepping in to shut the Concordes bats down.
Consecutive safe hits to Smith, Sarah Moretti, Leanne Little and Iesha Bonney saw Wanderers snatch back the lead, then needing to hold Concordes to walk away with the win.
Leanne Little took a sharp catch at third base off a hard-hit line drive to secure the last out of the day and guarantee Wanderers a place in the finals.
Meanwhile, Concordes White struggled against the batting power of Demons without their star pitcher Billie Jones.
Demons batted solidly throughout, highlighted by Montana Millard who added another four safe hits to her impressive tally for the season.
Jo Hopgood had two hits for her side and was scored from another big hit from Maddy Sutherland, who had a sensational day with the bat.
But the game was never really in question after Demons put on five runs in the first innings and looked in control throughout to claim a 12-3 victory.
Warriors Blue defeated Warriors White in a tight 5-4 contest.
It was a nail-biter between the two Warriors sides and the result could have gone either way.
Despite being one short in the field, White executed two sharp double plays to end Blues batting innings.
Maddy Bignell had a great game for White with a safe hit and a catch at right-field.
Another sharp catch was taken by Lyndall Feast who willed the line drive off Blues Simone MacDonald’s bat straight into her glove.
White’s Bri Dunn hit a big double over the head of Blues centre-field and speedster Emma MacDonald, which scored pitcher Taylor Wilsmore, who finished the day with two safe hits and continued to show poise at the plate having taken on the pitching duties.
White’s Justine Koop was a thorn in Blue’s side, dropping two safe bunts along with a crisp single to left-field.
It was like the end of a winning grand final when Koop was thrown out bunting for the last out of the game.
Kelly Doyle was impressive, taking on the catching role for Blues and with a safe hit.
Angela Queale broke through with two key hits inspired by her return to her preferred position at third base.
Kirsty Young had another safe hit and got the ball in quickly from the outfield, limiting White’s extra base opportunities.
Sarah Polderman came on to pitch the last innings for White, showing pace in both her pitching and leg speed, dropping another bunt safely.
Results: Wednesday (17/2 – COVID catch up game): Concordes White 14 d Concordes United 6. Safe Hits –
Concordes White: J. Hopgood 4, B. Jones 3, E. Collins, D. Waters, M. Sutherland 1; Concordes United: R. Clark 2, H. Taylor, S. Thomson, L. McCallum, D. Jones 1.
Saturday – Wanderers 9 d Concordes United 8. Safe hits – Wanderers: F. Finch, L. Little, J. Hart 2, R. Smith, S. Moretti, I. Bonney 1; Concordes United: L. McCallum, A. Kreplins, M. Sutherland 2, E. Collins, R. Clark, E. Sutherland 1.
Warriors Blue 5 d Warriors White 4. Safe hits – Warriors Blue: A. Queale, L. Bruggemann 2, B. White, K. Young, K. Doyle 1; Warriors White: J. Koop 3, T. Wilsmore, B. Dunn 2, M. Bignell, S. Polderman 1.
Demons 12 d Concordes United 3. Safe Hits – Demons: Mon Millard 4, Mac Millard, I. Morale, H. Watson 2, H. Burner, J. Morale, J. Clarke 1; Concordes White: J. Hopgood 2, M. Sutherland, A. Kreplins, S. Brown, L. McCallum 1.
