AS the Mount Gambier softball finals fast approach, sister sides Concrodes United and Concordes White fought out a classic battle at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday.
United leap-frogged White and moved into top spot of the ladder after a cracking contest which had the look and feel of a finals match-up.
Unlike some other lopsided results, this match remained tight over five innings, showing both sides can play sustained, high-level softball in what was a great fielding display by both sides.
Alli Kreplins started on the mound for White and completed the first innings without any damage thanks to a great catch at right field to Linda Doods, who took three impressive grabs for the day, along with an out from right field to first base.
White led off with a run after Kreplins reached on an error and was then scored on an error.
But from then on United was almost flawless in the field.
In the third innings United finally gained some reward for the pressure they applied on the White field and a smoked line drive down the third base line to Dana Jones for a double.
Combined with safe hits to Codie Jackway and Hannah Taylor, United scored two runs to take the lead.
White made good contact with the bat but batted without much luck, finding the fielders, especially Jackway who was a star on second base, knocking down everything that came her way.
United tacked on an insurance run in the fifth inning and White needed two runs to steal the game at the death.
But some great out-fielding by Mackenzie Millard to catch both hits that came her way at centre closed out the game in what was a well-deserved victory for United.
Both sides will meet again in a fortnight’s time for a qualifying finals match-up to see which team advances straight through to a grand final berth.
Meanwhile, Wanderers jumped out of the gates to score 10 runs in first inning to take the early advantage over Warriors White.
It was set up off a double to Fiona Finch, then singles to Leanne Little, Maddelyn Stevens, Belinda Bonney, Jo Hart and Em Hart, with Finch recording another hit in the run-fest.
Wanderers certainly kept the Warriors field busy, but were held scoreless in the second innings, much to the relief of Warriors pitcher Erin Chaplin who snagged one of her team’s five hits for the day to right field in the first.
Wanderers just applied too much pressure to the young Warriors side, adding a further five runs in the third, with Finch recording her third hit of the day to then be scored after a couple of key clangers by the more-experienced Warriors campaigners.
Wanderers Jo Hart singled to Elly Hogben at centre, scoring Rej Smith who was solid as a rock with her pitching, also getting on base three times.
Warriors could not get their bats going in unison, scattering their hits via Justine Koop, Clare Chaplin, Bec White and one of the most improved players in the competition, Kelly Anderson.
Wanderers kept their finals race alive, holding onto fourth place and will prepare to face the fifth-placed Demons next week in the last minor-round game.
If Demons were to dominate the scoring and register the win, it could upset Wanderers finals aspirations after their fast start to the season.
In the final game Demons had no reply to the strength of Warriors Blue, despite a positive start.
Demons lead-off hitter Abbey Meinck got on base care of a single to short stop, then stole second before being scored by a textbook team play in the top of the first inning – right side ground ball by Vic Radley, then a ripping double to Jordy Gower.
Cody Manning was then pitched to carefully but ended up scoring on some Warriors Blue shambles in the field.
Time was called for Blues to recover from their frazzled start to then strike out Sarah Niewenhuizen and get a ground out from the dangerous hitter Steph Chant, to eventually record a nine-run first innings.
Jarvo Queale added another two safe hits to her tally, including a sizzling double which almost took the hand off Demons third base Kez Feast.
Melissa Chuck showed why she is batting as the clean-up hitter for Blues, lining a shot to Radley at centre for two RBIs.
Demons second base Sofie Morale showed great composure in the field, getting an out to stem the bleeding in the second dig.
Blues Bec White has worked hard on the timing of her swing, stroking three safe shots to right and bolting around the bases in preparation for finals pressure.
Daena Wombwell appeared to relax batting down the line up, showing poise with two hits and a disciplined walk nearly undone, becoming flustered by a dropped infield fly.
Kelly Doyle, Clare Chaplin and Jasmine Disselbach made solid contact in the batter’s box and were behind Bruggemann with every pitch.
Justine Koop was the crowd favourite, with a safe hit and piling the pressure on the Demons field, scoring three times and three RBIs.
The win puts Blue safely into the finals and they will hope to improve on their previous two defeats at the hands of Concordes White when they meet this week for their final minor round game.
Results
Concordes United 3 d Concordes white 1. Safe hits – Concordes United: H. Taylor 2, S. Thomson, D. Jones, C. Jackway 1; Concordes White: B. Jones 1.
Wanderers 15 d Warriors White 0. Safe Hits – Wanderers: F. Finch 3, J. Hart 2, L. Little, M. Stevens, B. Bonney, E. Hart 1; Warriors White: E. Chaplin, J. Koop, C. Chaplin, K. Anderson, R. White 1.
Warriors Blue 18 d Demons 3. Safe hits – Warriors Blue: L. Bruggemann, B. White 3, A. Queale, D. Wombwell2, M. Chuck, C. Chaplin, J. Koop 1; Demons: A. Meinck, V. Radley, J. Gower 1.
