C Grade Women Grand Final (Echunga v Strathalbyn)

Perfect Grand Final conditions greeted Echunga and Strathalbyn as the top of the table teams faced off again, this time for premiership glory. Strathalbyn was first up to bat but solid pitching from Jordarna Wilks combined with great catches from Eliza and Mathilda Lovelock saw the first three batters retired for no runs scored.

Strathalbyn knew they needed to be tight defensively to avoid Echunga getting runs on the board. Mathilda Lovelock got on base on balls before Strath pitcher Kelly Roe found her groove and struck out the second batter. Eliza Lovelock got bat to ball but calm fielding from shortstop Alecia Spinks saw an easy out at first base. In dramatic fashion the play turned to three as Mathilda was stealing her way around the diamond. In a trap play down the third base line, catcher Bobbie Taylor teamed up with third base Maddison Lippasaar and shortstop Alecia Spinks to tag her out in a desperate dive for third base. Strathalbyn had managed to save the run and the innings ended with no score for either team.

In their second at bat, Strath’s Bobbie Taylor hit a solid stand up double to left field. Madison Lippasaar put the pressure back on Echunga’s pitcher getting on base on balls. Clare Foley’s patience in the batter’s box allowed Bobbie and Madison to progress around the diamond. Clare hit a beautiful line drive but Jordarna Wilks’ reflexes were too good, taking the catch from the pitcher’s plate. Kelly Roe beat out the throw to first after an infield hit to third base which saw Bobbie Taylor home and Strathalbyn was on the board. Another infield hit, this time from Jo Falkland, saw her out at first base but brought in a run with Madison Lippasaar crossing the plate for Strath’s second run. Heidi Samuel found herself on base on balls and Strathalbyn’s excitement was audible. With two out and two runners on board, Echunga rallied and Rebecca Sims was out on an infield ground ball play from Jordarna Wilks to Jodie Karayiannis at firstt. Strath’s innings was over, but they had two runs on the board.

Jodie Karayiannis stepped up to the plate for Echunga in the bottom of the second innings but an infield hit back to the pitcher saw her out at first. Jordarna got a nice piece but it was well fielded by Maddison Lippasaar at third base and she was out at first. Third batter Lyndee Leach hit a ground ball to second base which was well fielded by Clare Foley and another out at first base ended the innings. Strathalbyn had defended their runs and held their 2-0 lead.

Alecia Spinks led off Strath’s offensive innings at the top of the third. A beautiful hit to third base was well fielded and in a close run off Alecia was out at first. Amy Roker found herself safely at first after a hard hit to shortstop was misfielded by Mathilda Lovelock. Bobbie Taylor showed her skills again with another stand up double to centre field. Amy Roker was now at third and Strath looked threatening with two runners in scoring position. Madison Lippasaar looked dangerous but was tagged out on a dropped third strike. Clare Foley was the next batter to step into the box. A full count saw the tension rise but Jordarna Wilks kept her calm and Clare was out K2 to end Strath’s offensive innings.

Keen to defend their runs, Strath knew their fielding needed to be tight. First batter Taminka Wilks connected on the first pitch but a high fly ball down the first base line was narrowly caught by Rebecca Sims for the first out. Emma Leach showed her experience with a safe hit to left field. Emma then took on the arm of catcher Bobbie Taylor when she took off on the next pitch stealing to second. Shortstop Alecia Spinks was there to take the throw and got the tag out at second. Kelly Roe, unphased by Grand Final pressure, ended the innings with a K2 on batter Michelle Lock. Strath had maintained their 2-0 lead.

The top of the fourth was another quick affair. The first three batters for Strath were all retired. A safe field from Mathilda Lovelock saw Kelly Roe out at first base, Jodie Karayiannis took a catch at first and Jordarna finished it with a K2 on Heidi Samuel. Strathalbyn had been unable to extend their lead.

Not to be outdone, Strath secured their own three up three out innings. The bottom of the fourth saw Mathilda Lovelock out K2, Ella Playford out on a ground hit to pitcher Kelly Roe that was fielded to first and Eliza Lovelock out on a ground hit to shortstop which beat her to first base.

Heading into the top of the fifth innings, Strath made sure to maintain their energy levels. Lead off batter Rebecca Sims finally got her timing right to send a hit to centre field and get safely on board. Alecia Spinks followed suit with her own safe hit to centre field. Strath now had a runner in scoring position. Amy Roker stepped up to the plate. On a misfield by catcher Taminka Wilks, Rebecca Sims was off and stood up at third. Strath now had two runners in scoring position as Alecia Spinks moved to second. Amy got bat to ball but pitcher Jordarna held her nerve and got the out at first but allowed Rebecca to cross the plate for Strath’s third run. Bobbie Taylor kept the fielders on their toes with two foul balls down the third base line before being out K2. Madison Lippasaar was the third out despite making good contact with the ball and sending it to Ella Playford at second base who was able to make the play to first for the out. Strath was now 3-0 up heading into the bottom of the fifth.

The bottom of the fifth innings saw Echunga turn the heat up and really take it to Strathalbyn. Jodie Karayiannis started the dig with a solid single to centre field. She was followed by Jordarna Wilks and Lyndee Leach who both got safely on board. Taminka Wilks was the first out with an infield fly ball. Emma Leach brought in Jodie Karayiannis and was safe at first as the play went to the forced runner at third. Jordana Wilks was out at third base. The final out for the dig was Michelle Lock on a play at first. Strath had held their nerve on loaded bases to only allow one run.

The top of the sixth and final innings would see Strathalbyn stretch their lead. Lead off batter Claire Foley fell K2 to pitcher Jordarna Wilks but Kelly Roe got on base from a single to left field. Kelly was off to second on a misfield leaving first open for new batter Casey Taylor. Casey’s speed saw her beat out a throw from third base after an infield ground ball put pressure on Echunga’s fielders. With runners on the corners, Casey was safely over to second and as Echunga chased Kelly Roe, an overthrow saw Kelly home and Casey safely at third. Heidi Samuel got bat to ball bringing in Casey Taylor but sacrificing herself out at first. With two runs added to their tally, Strath was pumped. Jordarna Wilks stepped up and secured the third out K2 to end Strathalbyn’s final offensive innings. Heading into the final dig Strathalbyn led 5-1.

In the most intense and Grand Final worthy final dig, Echunga threw everything they had at Strathalbyn. Top of the batting line up Mathilda Lovelock was safe at first after a misfield. Ella Playford moved batters around the diamond with a solid single to centre field and then stole to second base on the next pitch as Mathilda Lovelock stole to third. Eliza Lovelock followed suit with a solid hit to centre field sending home a runner. Kelly Roe stepped up and secured the first out with a K2 on batter Jodie Karayiannis before Jordana Wilks brought in a runner after a safe single to right field. Lyndee Leach hit a long high hit to left field which was caught by the safe glove of Amy Roker. Taminka Wilks beat out the throw after a ground hit to third base which allowed another run to score. Echunga were now down by just one run with two outs. The winning runs were on the diamond. As Taminka Wilks took off to second hoping to steal, Bobbie Taylor again teamed up with Alecia Spinks in a dramatic tag out at second to get the final out and end the game.

The Grand Final was a true struggle between the top two ‘C’ Grade teams which kept the players, coaches and crowd on edge from first pitch to last. Strathalbyn 5 (Best players: Bobbie Taylor and Alecia Spinks) defeated Echunga 4 (Best players: Jordarna Wilks and Matilda Lovelock)