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

The first game back for the ‘A’ grade women was a Grand Final rematch from last season with Strathalbyn facing Hahndorf. Strath’s first batting dig gained them one run with a two-base hit to Peyton Daniels bringing Bianca Pash home with Hahndorf making two outs at second and an out at first. Hahndorf also had a two-base hit to Abbie Bastian who also made it home for the only run of the innings with Strath’s pitcher/catcher combo of Daniels to Pash working together for two K2’s and Kim Cutting at short stop taking a catch.

It was three-up three-down for Strath in the second with a catch taken at right field, a K2 and an out at first. Hahndorf added two runs to their tally before Strath could make an out at first, another catch to Cutting and a tag out at third base to end the innings.

A safe hit to the outfield by Rebekah Mayes was the highlight of the third dig for Strath but she was left stranded on base with Hahndorf’s right fielder taking another catch, a K2 and an out at second sending them from the diamond without scoring. Hahndorf added six runs in the third with two base hits to Alia Jackson and Bastian with Strath making another two K2’s and an out at first.

Strath again was unable to score in the fourth with an out at first, a catch taken by catcher Georgia King and another K2. A three base hit to King in Hahndorf’s fourth turn at bat got her into a scoring position and she was brought home adding one more run to their total before Strath could make an out at first and two more K2’s to end the innings.

The fifth batting dig for Strath was better with three runs brought in with Hahndorf making an out at first, a catch taken at first by Mia Oats-Willis and an out at home to end the innings and the game. Final scores for the game were Hahndorf 10 to Strathalbyn 4.

Hills Softball Association ‘C’ Grade Women (Strathalbyn v Redsox)

In the first game back for the season Strathalbyn took on Redsox who started the game with a three-run batting dig with Strath’s third baser Amber Crawford making a tag out, a K2 to pitcher Rebecca Sims with first gamer Vanessa Kitto taking on the catching duties and Sims then making the third out getting the ball cleanly to Kelly Roe at first. Strath came in to bat and had safe hits to Sims, Laura Sneath, Monica Spriggs and Kitto which helped bring in two runs with Redsox making an out at first and two outs at third.

Strath had Redsox out with no runs added in the second dig thanks to a double play by Sims who took a catch and quickly threw to Roe to get the runner out followed by Crawford fielding at third and getting a clean throw to Roe for a three-up three-down inning. Strath also were unable to add any runs in their turn at bat with an out at first, a K2 and a catch to pitcher Glenys Megson.

The third dig for Redsox added four runs with Strath’s new pitcher Amy Bailey making an out at first, second baser Sneath also making an out at first and a K2 to Bailey and new catcher Alecia Spinks. Strath batted well in the third gaining four runs which included safe hits to Spriggs, Spinks, Roe and another first gamer Shannon Patton with another catch to Redsox pitcher Megson, and another two outs at first.

The fourth turn at bat for Redsox had one run gained thanks to a home run to Elisa Heath before Strath could shut them down with two outs at first and another K2. Strath needed to add some runs but were unable to, despite safe hits to Sims and Sneath with Redsox making an out at first and a double play with a catch taken and then tagging the runner out. Final scores for the game were Redsox 8 to Strathalbyn 6.

Congratulations to all of our new players which include some returning after years of raising families and also brand new players to the sport, you all did a great job with safe hits had, runs brought in and a special mention to Vanessa Kitto for stepping up to catch in her very first game. Looking forward to a great season of getting to know everyone and improved skills.