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

In the first ‘A’ Grade Women’s semi-final, Hills Heat Masters were up to bat first and had safe hits to Jackie Pocock, Jane Wreghitt and Lisa Wilson which helped bring two runs home with Strath’s pitcher/catcher combo of Tessa Norris to Kim Cutting getting a K2, Norris fielding and throwing to Cutting to stop an extra run and third baser Britt Jackson playing her own base for the third out. Strath came in to bat and started with a three baser to Cutting and safe hits to Sasha Penglase and Kathryn Milne to also bring home two runs with Masters making two outs at first and a K2 to end the innings.

The second turn at bat for Masters gained them a further two runs with another safe hit to Pocock and one to Sharon Perkins with Strath’s first baser Penglase taking a catch, another K2 and another put out for Jackson. Strath had safe hits to Cutting, Milne, Jackson and a two baser to Crystal Karayiannis to bring in another three runs with Masters pitcher/catcher combo of Wilson to Deb Hopgood gaining a K2, a catch at third by Kerry Wilkinson and an out at first to send Strath from the diamond.

The third dig for Masters added one run to their tally with safe hits to Kirsty Hailstone and Wilson while Strathalbyn worked hard in the field with a tag out at third, a catch at short stop by Karayiannis and another out at first. Strathalbyn’s third turn at bat was scoreless with Emilie Noble now at second base taking two catches with one quickly followed by an out at second for a double play.

It was three up, three down for Masters in their fourth dig with two outs at first and a K2 for new pitcher Penglase. Strath were again held scoreless in their turn at bat with an out at third, a tag out at home and an out at second to end the innings.

Strathalbyn were working hard in the field, keeping Masters scoreless again with two outs at first and a K2. Strath added one run in the fifth with Masters shutting them down with a catch at centre by Wreghitt, an out at third and an out at first.

The top of the sixth innings saw Strath make another out at first, a catch taken at right field by Tiahna Mayes and a trap play tag out at home to hold Masters scoreless again. Strath hit their batting stride in the sixth with safe hits to Jackson, Cutting, Penglase and Milne, two basers to Emily Eglitis and Tiahna and a great bunt to Tash Mayes to bring home six runs which was enough for runs ahead and time to be called. Final scores for the game were Strathalbyn 12 to Hills Heat Masters 5. Strathalbyn will face off on Friday night (25/3) against Hahndorf in the preliminary final with the winner to play Torrens Valley Redsox in the decider.