Strathalbyn v Hahndorf (‘A’ Grade)

In their last game of the minor rounds Strathalbyn were up to bat first but they were unable to get anyone on base with Hahndorf’s third baser Eliza Lovelock making two outs at first and short stop Abbie Bastian also making an out at first for three up three down. Hahndorf started off with a hit to centre by Bastian and with great base stealing she was brought home by a hit to Mia Oats-Willis for the only run of the innings with Strath’s pitcher/catcher combo of Peyton Daniels to Gab Martin working well for two K2’s and second baser Georgia Tomkinson making the third out at first base.

The second dig for Strath produced some walks and a hit to Bianca Pash but again they were unable to bring anyone home with Hahndorf’s Lucy Weatherstone pitching a K2, fielding and throwing home to pick off the lead runner with catcher Georgia King then throwing to first to catch the runner short for a double play. Walks were gained by Hahndorf in their second turn at bat with a safe hit to Bastian and a two baser to Brea Luxon which brought three runners home before Strath could make two K2’s and short stop Kim Cutting took a catch.

Strath needed to get runs on the board but again they were unable to with Hahndorf’s second baser Reggie Fairley making two outs at first and Lovelock fielding and throwing across the diamond for the third out. Hahndorf had some safe hits to the outfield in their third turn at bat and brought two runs across the plate with Strath’s second baser Tomkinson and pitcher Daniels both making outs into the safe glove of Buttsy Milne at first and another K2 to Daniels to end the innings.

Strath had a safe hit to Lara Tamke in the fourth but she was left stranded with Hahndorf making an out at first base and then Fairley making an out at second and quickly throwing to first base for another double play holding them scoreless again. Strath brought new pitcher Kathy Pash on and they had success straight away with Daniels now at third taking a catch and then another line drive catch with Pash pitching well for a K2 and three up three down.

Strath needed to get runs on the board and in the fifth they decided they needed to bat and they did. Safe hits to Cutting, Pash, Tomkinson, Martin and a two baser to Bianca Pash brought home six runs which now put them in front with Hahndorf making all three outs at first base. Strath needed to hold Hahndorf scoreless and they started well with Tomkinson and K. Pash getting the first two batters out at first base but then Fairley hit a big three baser and was brought home by a safe hit to Georgia Fairley to bring in the winning run. Time and game were called with Hahndorf winning the game 7 runs to Strathalbyn 6. Strathalbyn will head into their finals campaign after finishing second on the ladder after the minor rounds. 

Strathalbyn v Pirates (‘C’ Grade)

In a must win game for both teams Strathalbyn started the batting with safe hits to Elise Duffield and Rebecca Sims and with some walks gained they were able to bring home three runs with Pirates pitcher/catcher combo of Charlene Klenke to Michelle Stewart working well together for three K2’s. In Pirates turn at bat Strath’s first baser Duffield was a safe glove to throw to as pitcher Sims, third baser Brydie Spriggs and short stop Annabel McGregor all fielded and threw to first for three up three down holding Pirates scoreless.

The second dig for Strath had a two base hit to Duffield and a three baser to Monica Spriggs which helped two runners cross the plate with Pirates second baser Debbie Taylor making an out at first and another two K2’s to Klenke and Stewart holding them to those runs. Pirates needed to get some runs on the board and they did with safe hits to Leonie Beattie, Klenke and Danielle Hupfield with Tracy Pearce hitting a two baser and Brenae Weiringa a three baser which brought in three runs before Strath’s pitcher Sims took a catch and McGregor fielded and tagged the runner and quickly threw to second baser Sophie VonBlanckensee to get another runner out for a double play.

The third dig for Strath had safe hits to Amber Crawford and VonBlanckensee and two basers to M. Spriggs and Sims which pushed runners around the diamond and four over the plate with Pirates short stop Steph Zuzolo taking a catch, another K2 this time to new pitcher Sue Stewart and a tag out by Zuzolo ended the innings. Pirates needed to add runs in the third and they started well with a two baser to M. Stewart and hits to Pearce and Beattie which brought home three runs with Strath’s centre M. Spriggs taking a catch and VonBlanckensee making an out at third before time and game was called with Strathalbyn coming out on top 9 runs to Pirates 6 and now claiming fourth position to head into the finals.