(‘C’ Grade Women) Strathalbyn v Hahndorf White

After a rained out game on Saturday, Strathalbyn took on Hahndorf White in the last chance Preliminary Final on Monday night. The weather Gods smiled on Mount Barker, sending calm and mild weather for the ‘C’ grade’s first game under lights.

Hahndorf White started the batting well with Jayne Passmore beating out a throw from Madison Lippasaar at third base to be safely on board. Kerry Lawson hit deep into left field but an amazing catch by Amy Roker saw her out and Passmore still at first baset. The second out for the innings came with the next batter as Alecia Spinks fielded a well hit ball at shortstop making the throw over to Kelly Roe at first base. Hahndorf then dug in and the middle of the batting lineup got around the diamond bringing in five runs before the final out came through another shortstop to first base pick off saw Passmore out.



Strath knew they needed to respond in their first at bat. Rebecca Sims was patient in the batter’s box and was on base on balls before stealing second base. Madison Lippasaar was the first out for the innings but kept catcher Kerry Lawson on her toes. Alecia Spinks beat out a throw to be safely on board before her aggressive base running saw her steal to second base, narrowly avoiding the tag. Feeling the running vibes, Spinks took off again, stealing third base and once again narrowly avoiding the tag as Hahndorf chased her around the diamond. Bobbie Taylor showed that she has the speed for it after an infield hit and beating the throw to first. Amy Roker showed patience getting on base on balls before a solid hit to left field from Kelly Roe saw her round the diamond and across the plate. Kelly was out in a tricky run down when she found herself trapped between first and second base. Heidi Samuel found herself on base on balls and moved around the diamond by Clare Foley and Jo Falkland. Strathalbyn brought in five runs before Hahndorf made their third out and ended the innings. The game was now tied at 5-5.

In their second at bat, Hanhdorf’s batters took a little time to adjust to the new pitcher. First batter Lawson made contact but was out at first after solid fielding from Alecia Spinks at shortstop. Jess Nitschke and Katie Oliver both made contact, sending balls to the left side of the diamond and getting safely on board. Anna Bell fell victim to Spinks’ arm, not able to beat out the throw to first for the second out. Jenny Longmire sent another long hit out to left field standing up comfortably at first. Nitschke and Oliver made their way around the diamond to bring in two runs for the innings before Sari Flynn was picked off in another strong throw from Spinks to Sims at first. Hahndorf had moved ahead by two runs.

Strath started their second dig with a solid single hit from Spinks to right field. She showed her base running bravery again stealing to second on the first pitch to Bobbie Taylor. Patient batting saw Taylor wait for her pitch and she hit a stand up double to left field that brought home Spinks. Amy Roker was the first out, falling victim to Anna Bell’s pitching with a K2. The next three batters saw a lot of pitches but were all able to get on base on balls and bring Bobbie Taylor home. Hahndorf managed to close out the innings before more runs could be scored with an out on a force home and good fielding from Passmore seeing Rebecca Sims out at first base. The game was now all tied up again at 7-7.

Hahndorf went into what would be their last at bat determined to push ahead. Lorna Duigan started that mission beating out a throw to first base to be safely on board. Michelle Gore moved her around the diamond with a single to left field. Runners advanced as Passmore hit a single to left field. Kerry Lawson hit an infield flyball that was caught out by first base Rebecca Sims at full stretch for the first out. Jess Nitschke got bat to ball but struggled to get into fair territory before being out K2. Katie Oliver hit a single to left field but Spinks ran it down allowing only one run to score before quick thinking by Bobbie Taylor saw Passmore out at third, tagged by Maddison Lippasaar. Hahndorf had taken the lead by two runs.

Time had run out for Strathalbyn and this would be the last innings for the game to ensure an even number of innings were played. Maddison Lippasaar was unlucky not to beat the throw to first after a solid hit to second was misfielded. Alecia Spinks got herself on base with a safe single to right field then stealing in what was becoming her trademark style to second on the next pitch. Bobbie Taylor resisted the urge to chase pitches and got on base on balls. As Amy Roker started her at bat Spinks was off again stealing to third base, narrowly avoiding the tag and allowing Taylor to advance to second base. Patient batting from Roker saw her on base on balls. Loaded bases meant that the winning run was now on the diamond. Kelly Roe stepped into the batting box. After watching the first pitch over for a ball, Kelly chased the second and narrowly survived as catcher Kerry Lawson almost made the catch on a high-flying ball. Kelly showed her experience settling and watching the next pitch over for a ball. The fourth pitch for the dig was ‘fat’ and Kelly got onto it, sending it deep into left field over Jenny Longmire and reaching the fence. Runners launched themselves around the diamond ahead of Roe who achieved a stand up Grand Slam to put Strathalbyn in front and win the game! 

Strathalbyn 11 (Best Players: Kelly Roe & Alecia Spinks) def Hahndorf White 9 ( Best Players: Katie Oliver & Jayne Passmore). Strathalbyn will now take on top-of-the table rival Echunga in Saturday’s Grand Final.