(A Grade Women) Strathalbyn v Torrens Valley

Torrens Valley were up to bat first in the last game of the minor round with Amber Hood starting off the game with a home run followed by safe hits to the next two batters and a triple to Sophie Hoyle to bring them home and she got home herself through great running. Strath’s pitcher Tessa Norris started well in the field, making two outs at first followed by a K2 to end the innings. Strath were up to bat and started with a two base hit to Norris but were unable to bring in any runs with a double play made by Torrens Valley pitcher Courtney May taking a catch and quickly throwing to third base Georgia Ballard to take out the lead runner and a catch by Ballard to send Strathalbyn from the diamond. 

Strath were better in the field during Torrens Valley’s second dig holding them to one run with a catch taken by catcher Gab Martin, another K2 and second base Buttsy Milne fielding well and throwing to Eliza Lovelock at first for the third out. Strathalbyn’s second turn at bat could not produce any runs with a catch taken by Torrens Valley catcher Alex Mackay, an out at first and a K2 to end the innings. Three quick outs by Strath, an out at second base, one at first and an out at third kept Torrens Valley scoreless in the third dig. Torrens Valley’s pitcher was on fire in Strath’s third turn at bat with two K2’s and a catch taken at third by Hoyle again kept Strathalbyn off the scoreboard. Strathalbyn’s pitcher Norris returned the favour by taking a catch and pitching a K2 with outfielder Tilly Lovelock contributing with a catch in the outfield to keep them from scoring in the fourth. Strath needed runs but was unable to bring any in with two outs at first and a catch taken at third for a three up three down innings. 

Two runs were brought in by Torrens Valley in the fifth dig before a catch taken at second by Tash Mayes, a great tag out at home by shortstop Kim Cutting throwing to Martin to stop a run and an out at first ended the innings. Strath were determined to get some runs on the board but again were unable to with a K2, an out at second and an out at first to end the innings and the game. Final scores were Torrens Valley 7 defeated Strathalbyn 0. In the other ‘A’ grade game on Friday night, Hahndorf defeated USC Bears 12-6.

Premiership ladder

Torrens Valley 16, Hahndorf 12, USC Bears 7, Strathalbyn 5.

(C Grade Women) Strathalbyn v Macclesfield

Strathalbyn took on Macclesfield in the last game of the minor rounds and the first innings set the scene for a close fought affair. Strath’s lead-off batter was caught out by Macclesfield second base Tania Nethercott but second batter Maddison Lippasaar showed patience and a keen eye in the batter’s box to see herself on base through a walk. Her quick feet saw her steal her way to second base. Alicia Spinks had a solid crack to left field to see herself safely on board. Clean up batter Bobbie Taylor, fourth in the lineup, waited for the perfect pitch and sent the ball deep into left field, bringing in the two runners while scoring a stand up Home Run. The second out for the inning came from a pick-off throw from Maccy catcher Alisha Golding allowing Sandra Lions to tag Claire Foley out at second base. Tania Nethercott struck again picking up another fly catch at second to send Strath back to the dugout with three runs on the board.

Strathalbyn was kept busy in the bottom of the first. The top of the order all got hits to the left side of the diamond and were able to beat out the throws. Strath scored their first and second outs on force runs to three thanks to clean fielding from Kelly Roe and Maddison Lippasaar. Batters continued to get bat to ball bringing in two runs from Alisha Golding and Mary Karaitiana. The third out came from shortstop Kelly Roe who made a quick throw to beat out the runner and find the safe glove of Alecia Spinks at first base. The top of the second was a clean three up three down. Sandra Lions’ clean fielding at shortstop saw Strath’s first batter out at first. Amy Wouters took a clean pick up at the pitcher’s plate to secure the second batter out at first before the third batter also fell victim to the solid arm of Lions to also be out at first.

Not wanting to leave that unanswered, Strathalbyn brought in new pitcher Kelly Roe which caused the Macclesfield batting line up to adjust to the new speed. Mel Calome was out when Bobbie Taylors quick pick up as catcher on a dropped third strike saw her out at 1. Tanya Meese was also out at 1 securing the second out with the second batter. Kelly Roe made for a clean three up three out finish with a K2 on Alisha Golding.

In the top of the third innings, Strath knew they needed some runs to stay ahead of Maccy. Maddison Lippasaar got on base from a fielding error at shortstop allowing her to beat the throw to first base. Wouters pitched another K2 for the first out on Strathalbyn’s second batter. Bobbie Taylor needed her speed to beat out a throw from third base Mel Calome and she kept her running boots on, stealing her way to second and then third base. Claire Foley’s keen eye saw her on base on balls. Casey Taylor was unlucky to narrowly be beaten by the throw at first on a throw from pitcher Wouters. Both Maddison and Bobbie were able to cross the plate bringing in two more runs before Jo Falkland also fell victim K2 to pitcher Wouters.

Strath came out looking to defend their lead and first batter Mary Karaitiana was out K2. Ali Pope’s experience was on show as she settled in the box and got on base beating out the throw from third base Maddison Lippasaar. Sandra Lions was eager to get bat to ball but also went down swinging for the second K2. Tania Nethercott made a valiant attempt to get the ball in play. Her 4 fouls out the right side of the diamond kept Strath’s fielders on their toes before a change of pitcher saw Jodi Hauwai enter the game with a 2 and 1 count on the batter. One pitch closed out the innings with a K2.

The final innings was started off in style by Strath’s Heidi Samuel with a well placed hit to right field dropping in the gap and seeing her safely on board. Rebecca Sims settled in the batter's box and made her way on base on balls. Maddison Lippasaar was the first out for the dig but runners progressed around the diamond. Alecia Spinks was out at first after an infield hit was picked up by pitcher Amy Wouters but Heidi Samuels was able to cross the plate bringing in Strath’s sixth run. Bobbie Taylor’s patience saw her on base on balls before Claire Foley was the third out via a K2.

In the final dig of the game, Jodi Hauwai showed her pitching credentials with a K2 for the first out. Jess Taylor got bat to ball but Claire Foley’s calm fielding at second saw her out at first. In yet another three up three down inning, batter Mel Calome was out on a throw to first to end the game. The final score was Strathalbyn 6 defeated Macclesfield 2. In the other ‘C’ grade games, Echunga beat Red Sox 15-3 and Hahndorf White beat Hahndorf Black 20-4.

Premiership ladder

Echunga 18, Strathalbyn 18, Hahndorf White 17, Redsox 8, Macclesfield 7, Hahndorf Black 4.