CONCORDES United and Wanderers played out a tough game of softball at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday, with United claiming the honours 11-9.
Bouncing back from a mercy rule loss last week, United jumped out of the blocks in the Round 3 clash, with five runs on the board in the first innings, thanks to consecutive doubles from Sarah Thomson and Leonie McCallum.
However, Wanderers responded immediately with four runs, with Rej Smith and Charlie Kaigg hitting doubles of their own.
Bec Von Duve joined the doubles party in the second innings, scoring both Codie Jackway and Hannah Taylor, to take the game to 7-4.
Again Wanderers were up to the task, with a safe hit to Leanne Little scoring both Smith and Abbey Lovekin, whose disciplined batting saw them draw walks.
Another RBI to Von Duve after safe hits again to Thomson, McCallum and Jackway sealed the deal for United, who held on for an 11-9 victory despite two late runs to Wanderers.
Codie Jackway was put in to pitch for United and despite being down to seven players, they executed a triple-play to ice the game.
In the remaining game, Demons claimed a strong 12-6 victory over Concordes White.
The challenge and focus this week for the up-and-coming Demons side was to back up the solid performance from last week, hoping to take it to last year’s finalists Concordes White.
It took a couple of innings to get comfortable and confident, with White piling on the pressure and holding early control, taking a 5-1 lead into the third innings, thanks to hits from Chloe Reid, Karly Pearson, Kylie Cook and Sam Rees.
Cindy Burford got her team going with a well executed bunt, followed by singles from Steph Chant, Sarah Nieuwenhuisen and Billie Jones.
A triple to Em Hart saw Demons score six runs in the third innings to take a 7-5 lead.
The combination of pitcher Karly Pearson and catcher Linley Pollard for Concordes White made sure the job for the Demons was challenging.
The ever-experienced Sam Brown hit a double in the fourth innings to score Kylie Doll, keeping Concordes White’s chances alive, but in the end Demon’s were simply too good, running out 12-6 victors as they took advantage of some errors in the Concordes field.
Billie Jones was the winning pitcher for Demons against her old team, showing why she is an early contender for MVP with another solid outing.
Brydie Pukett, a first-game player for Demon’s, had a day to remember with three RBIs and a walk.
Round 3 Results: Demons 12 d Concordes White 6. Safe hits – Demons: S. Chant, B. Jones, E. Hart 2, E. Smith, S. Morale, S. Niewenhuisen, C. Buford 1; Concordes White: K. Pearson 3, K. Cook, S. Brown 2, S. Rees, C. Reid.
Concordes United 11 d Wanderers 11-9. Safe hits – Concordes United: C. Jackway 3, B. Von Duve, S. Thomson, L. McCallum 2, D. Jones, J. Beck, A. Lindquist 1; Wanderers: R. Smith 2, L. Little, B. Bonney, C. Kaigg, E. Jones, L. Clifford-Finch 1.
