SARAH Polderman led from the front and showed her 2019 Mount Gambier softball league best and fairest form for Warriors White at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday.
Polderman covered a huge amount of ground at left field, plus took six important catches off of the red-hot top-of-the-ladder Concordes White’s bats.
Warriors’ pitcher Erin Chaplin did the job for her side, giving up only eight safe hits and one walk as Maddy Bignell continued to improve behind the plate.
Concordes catcher Maddie Sutherland was also handy in that role while stretching her legs in between pitches, having run out two singles.
Other contributors with the bat for her side were Maddie Bowd Elysha Collins who scorched a double over Polderman’s head at left.
The ever-consistent Billie Jones was back on the mound for Concordes, striking out four while lining an RBI single in the first inning.
Brandi Miller had a great hit up the middle in the sixth innings, backed up by Rachel Bagshaw who ended up with two safe hits once she found her rhythm.
However it was Warriors White who held up under the pressure, coming up with a 9-7 victory, their their first win of the season.
Game highlights for Warriors were Kel Anderson’s double in the last batting inning which scored two runs, Polderman with three RBIs and two hits, including a triple to Concordes quiet achiever Kate Altschwager at centre.
Chaplin was again tempted to show her leg speed with a single to Miller at right and Taylor Wilsmore encouraged her team from first base and chipped in with a safe hit of her own.
Lyndall Feast and Caitlyn Bignell were also solid in the field for Warriors.
Concordes United recorded a comfortable 12-5 victory over rivals Demons, with power hitting the key to their great start to the season.
Leonie McCallum continued her impressive form with the bat (two safe hits) and at third base.
Her combination with Bec von Duve, who has been flawless at first base so far, was key to many outs for Concordes.
Jordi Gower pitched well for Demons, showing great accuracy and control and was well backed by Jorja Morale whose catch at third was a highlight.
But ultimately the sheer weight of safe hits, including three from Dana Jones, plus two each to McCallum and Codie Jackway, was too much for the Demons field to contain.
Concordes youngster Amber Lindquist showed she is one to watch after her first game, recording a safe hit and looking promising in the field.
Jones pitched well again, recording three strike outs and inducing a lot of pop up flys.
Best for Demons was Gower, who not only pitched well but also recorded two safe hits.
Steph Chant, Abbey Meinck and Sofie Morale also chipped in with singles, but overall it was a convincing victory to United.
Wanderers confidence continues to grow each week and was on show in their 15-12 victory against Warriors Blue.
Lily Clifford-Finch impressed with her fearless approach behind the plate for Wanderers, while pressuring teams with her base running speed.
She had one of her team’s three safe hits for the day, with pitcher Em Hart chiming in with the other two.
Hart also kept the Warriors bats quiet, giving up just three safe hits, all in the first innings – a double to lead-off batter Daena Wombwell and a single each to Melissa Chuck and, easily the most improved player for Blues, Skylea McLean.
Both Hart and Jarvo Queale battled hard out in the pitching circle with each team making a few clanges in the field.
Wanderers newcomers Bec Smith and Maddelyn Stevens got several balls into play and Leanne Little kept Kelly Doyle at third very busy with each of her four at bats heading that way.
Warriors Vicky Taylor has changed to the left and found herself gaining solid contact to Wanderers shortstop Fiona Finch on two occasions.
Taylor, the saintly Jasmine Disselbach and Elly Hogben have all enjoyed their first season at Warriors so far.onvincing victory to United.Wanderers confidence continues to grow each week and was on show in their 15-12 victory against Warriors Blue.
Mount Gambier softball results
Warriors White 9 d Concordes White 7. Safe hits – Warriors White: L. Bruggeman 3, S. Polderman 2, E. Chaplin, T. Wilsmore, K. Anderson 1; Concordes White: M. Sutherland, R. Bagshaw 2, M. Bowd, E. Collins, B. Jones, B. Miller 1.
Concordes United 12 d Demons 5. Safe hits – Concordes United: D. Jones 3, L. McCallum, C. Jackway, J. Beck 2, H. Taylor, M. Millard, B. Von Duve, A. Lndquist 1; Demons: J. Gower 2, S. Chant, S. Morale, A. Meinck 1.
Wanderers 15 d Warriors Blue 12. Safe hits – Wanderers: E. Hart 2, L. Clifford- Finch 1; Warriors Blue: D. Wombwell, M. Chuck, S. McLean 1.
