THE Mount Gambier softball elimination final between Concordes White and Wanderers provided an entertaining, high scoring-game with plenty of hitting from both sides in the first final of the day.
In a high-stakes game had both teams at their best, with mothballs for the loser.
Wanderers scored early in the first inning while keeping Concordes scoreless to take a 1-0 lead.
A big five-run second inning from Wanderers was quickly pegged back with four more from Condordes to keep the contest tight.
Wanderers scored another four runs in the fourth dig and from there managed to keep Concordes at arm’s reach for the rest of the game.
Rej Smith was the winning pitcher for Wanderers and threw the complete game, while also picking up two safe hits.
For Concordes, Alli Wilson pitched the entire game and also had three solid, clearly Concordes best player in a losing team.
Meanwhile, in the late game the prize on offer was a direct route to the grand final for either minor premiers Concordes United or this year’s biggest improvers Demons.
The clear focus for Demons was to play a defensive game and back up their star pitcher Billie Jones, who always gives her side a fighting chance with her accuracy and consistency.
Demons got out to and early 3-1 lead and were able to defend that thanks to strong defensive plays, such as Sarah Nieuwenhuizen’s throw from centre field to third base to nab an out and Cody Manning’s relentless abilities in the short stop position.
Concordes put up a fight with the pitching from Dana Jones and batting ability of Leonie McCallum, Codie Jones and Bec Von Duve always threatening, but getting a score on the board was proving difficult.
An RBI from Billie Jones helped Demons skip out to a 6-1 lead by the bottom of the fourth inning, extending it to 7-1 at the end of the fifth, falling just one short of a five-innings mercy rule.
They were not to be denied for much longer however, with 2 runs in the 6th securing the victory and a grand final berth.
It was a great show of the progression of Demons this season and they will watch with interest next week when Concordes United look to rebound against Wanderers to have a chance to turn the tables.
Results
Elimination final: Wanderers 15 d Concordes White 10. Safe hits – Wanderers: Fiona Finch 3, Rej Smith, Lily Clifford-Finch 2, Leanne Little, Charli Kaigg 1; Concordes White: Alli Wilson (HR 1), Rachel Bagshaw, Kylie Cook 3, Maddie Bowd, Sam Brown 2, Maddi Sutherland, Karly Pearson 1.
Qualifying final: Demons 9 d Concordes White 1. Safe hits – Demons: Billie Jones, Steph Chant, Cody Manning, Jo Hart 2, Em Hart, Cindy Burford, Sophie Morale 1; Concordes United: Codie Jackway 3, Hannah Taylor, Leonie McCallum 2, Dana Jones, Bek Von Duve, Julie Beck 1.
