Hills Softball Association ‘A’ Grade Women Round 5 (Strathalbyn v Hahndorf)

On the first balmy night for the season, Hahndorf were up to bat first and with safe hits to Zoe Young, Chloe Davis, Peyton Daniels and Georgia King, the Magpies brought home three runs before Strath centre fielder Tessa Norris took a catch, while two outs were made at first to end the innings. Strath came up to bat and wanted a good start but although they got runners on to base, they were unable to bring anyone home with an out at first, a K2 to Hahndorf’s pitcher/catcher combo of Peyton Daniels to Georgia King, and a tag out at second sending them from the diamond.

Strath held Hahndorf to one run in their second turn at bat with second base Eliza Lovelock taking a catch, an out at third base to stop the advancing runner and a tag out at home. Strath again were held scoreless with another K2 and two outs at first base by Nicola Zobel.

The third batting dig for Hahndorf brought in four runs with safe hits and great base running before Strath’s catcher Kim Cutting fielded a bunt and threw to first for the out, followed by a tag at third by Britt Jackson and an out at second to end the innings. After safe hits to Cutting, Jackson and Norris and some excellent base running, Strath brought in two runs to start their tally for the game.

Hahndorf had a three base hit to King and two base hits to Tahlia Larosa and Amanda Fairley to help bring in a further two runs before Strath could make two outs with the safe glove of Matilda Lovelock at first base and another tag out at home. Strath again were unable to score even with two base hits to Gab Martin and Buttsy Milne and a safe hit to Tiahna Mayes with an out at first, a tag out at home and a catch taken by Hahndorf’s first baser Rylee Zobel sending them from the diamond.

Three K2’s for the Panthers new pitcher Norris to Cutting held Hahndorf scoreless with three up and three down in the fifth. Safe hits to Cutting and a double to Norris moved runners around the diamond to bring in a further two for Strath with Hahndorf again fielding well with a catch taken at third by Daniels, a K2 to pitcher Larosa and an out at first ending the innings and the game. The final scores were Hahndorf 10 to Strathalbyn 2.  

Hills Softball Association ‘C’ Grade Women Round 5 (Strathalbyn v Echunga)

At the beginning of the game the sun was out and Echunga was first up to bat. Echunga managed to quickly get three runs in before Strath’s Sarah George took a catch at left field with an out at first and a K2 to pitcher/catcher combo Kelly Roe to daughter Amy Bailey ending the innings. Strath was up to bat and made two runs from Rebecca Sims hitting a two-base hit out to right and some fast base running which got Sims back home to score Strathalbyn's first run of the game. The next run scored was from Jess Rumble who took her time in the batting box to draw a walk and managed to move around the diamond. Shortly after Rumble crossed home plate, Echunga put the side away.

Strath came back on the field and managed to only let two runs in for Echunga. Strath was able to get an out at first by Rumble, a catch to Sims at shortstop and yet another K2 to the Roe/Bailey combo. Strath managed to get batters on base with George able to advance around the diamond with Roe hitting out to centre field and Sims hitting a two base hit also out the centre. Echunga quickly made three outs to finish the innings.

With a new pitcher/catcher combo being Bailey to Bobbie Taylor, Strath seemed to have a strong start with a fly ball catch to Sims and a K2. However, Echunga quickly turned the tables, getting two strong hits into the outfield. The final out was yet another fly ball to Sims at shortstop. Strath was unable to score any runs with their only successful batter Taihya Graham getting a walk and Echunga getting three K2’s.

Echunga’s last at bat scored them three more runs, however Strath managed to hold them with those three runs before they retired the side. A fly ball back to Bailey at pitcher, a K2 and a tag out at home ended Echunga’s innings. Strath came back to bat where they managed to make two more runs from Casey Taylor getting a base on balls and quickly running around the diamond from B. Taylor’s hit to shortstop and Echunga’s missed fielding opportunities which brought C. Taylor home. B. Taylor followed in her daughter’s footsteps quickly applying more pressure to Echunga forcing more errors which also allowed her to cross over the plate safely. However, Echunga regained their composure and got the three outs to not only end the innings but the game. The final scores were Echunga 10 to Strathalbyn 5.