Strathalbyn v Hahndorf (‘C’ Grade Women)

In the preliminary final, Strathalbyn were sent in to bat by Hahndorf and started with safe hits to Elise Duffield, Annabel McGregor and Sophie VonBlanckensee and with some great base running they brought home five runs with Hahndorf’s short stop Kerry Lawson picking off the lead runner, a tag at third made by Celeste Paul and a great throw in from the outfield by Janaya Liebelt which got the runner at two. Strath’s second baser VonBlanckensee took a catch and a runner was called out for leaving their base early for the first two outs which was followed by Danielle Guilfoyle and Jemma Langford both hitting to the outfield but they were left stranded on base with pitcher Rebecca Sims making the out at first to hold them scoreless.

The second innings for Strath had a great bunt by Brydie Spriggs, a single to Sims and a double to Monica Spriggs and with great base stealing they brought another five runs home with Hahndorf’s Lawson again picking off the lead runner then taking a great line drive catch with centre Langford also taking a great catch to send them from the diamond. Hahndorf’s second turn at bat produced safe hits to Liebelt, Anna Bell and Lawson with the highlight going to Elsie Bloffwitch with a home run but they were only able to bring home two runs with Strath’s catcher Amber Crawford taking a foul catch and then quickly throwing to first to catch the runner short of their ground for a double play and B. Spriggs at third making the out across the diamond to Duffield at first to end the innings.

Hahndorf held Strath scoreless in the third even though they got batters on with Liebelt now at third, Paul now at short and pitcher Bell all making outs to the safe glove of Lawson now at first base. Hahndorf needed to make runs to stay in the game and Strath needed to hold them and even with safe hits to Langford and Bloffwitch they could only bring Langford home for one run with Strath’s Sims now at short stop making two outs at first and then playing second base for the third and final out of the innings and the game with Strathalbyn winning 10 runs to Hahndorf 3 and moving on to the Grand Final next week.