A Grade Women Semi-Final Strathalbyn v Hills Heat Masters

In the first semi final for the A grade Women, Strathalbyn took on the Hills Heat Masters who batted first and had three up three down with Strath’s shortstop Chloe Zakelj taking two catches and centre fielder Emily Eglitis also taking a catch to end the innings. Strath came in for their first turn at bat and had safe hits to Kim Cutting, Kathryn Milne, Tessa Norris, Britt Jackson, Eglitis and Rebekah Mayes which brought in four runs with Masters catcher taking a high ball catch, an infield fly and an out at second for the three outs.

The second dig for Masters had some safe hits and brought in one run with Strath making an out at first, a catch taken by Rebecca Sims at left field and Mayes taking a catch at right field. Strath’s second batting dig again had safe hits and included a three baser to Zakelj which brought in a further three runs while Masters made two outs at first and another out at second.

Masters were up for their third turn at bat and had safe hits to Copperstone and Kel O’Brien with a three baser to Meg Chaplin which added a further two runs with Strath making two outs at first and Milne taking a catch at first to end the innings. Strath were held scoreless in the third with a catch taken by Emilie Noble and two at short stop by Sharon Perkins.

The fourth dig for Masters had a couple of safe hits and produced two runs with Strath’s second baser Jarrah Taylor taking a catch and making an out at first and Zakelj taking another catch at short. Strath added another two runs to the tally and included a three base hit to Jackson with Masters left fielder taking a catch and two outs at first to send them from the diamond.

Masters had a two base hit to Chaplin who eventually got home with Strath’s fielders making an out at first, Jackson taking a catch at third and Sims taking another catch at left. Strath had a safe hit to Taylor and a two baser to Cutting to bring home two runs with Masters making a tag out at second, a catch at right field by Gab Martin and a K2 to end the innings.

The sixth turn at bat for Masters put them back within reach with three runs added and included a two base hit to Copperstone with Strath’s Jackson taking another catch at third, Zakelj making an out at first and then taking another catch. Strath needed to add runs to keep a safe margin and added one to Sims after getting on to base with a safe hit and being brought home by a two baser to Cutting before Masters' Chaplin, now at centre, took a catch, a tag out at home and another out at first ended the innings.

Strath needed to protect their three run lead in the seventh and did, only allowing Masters to add one run before an out first, an out at third and Zakelj making a play at home to end the innings and the game. Final scores for the game were Strathalbyn 12 defeated Hills Heat Masters 10 to move on to the Preliminary Final against on Friday 24th March.