Blu-Js defeated South Wagga Warriors 7-4 on Saturday.
The Blues went into the match without regular short stop, Libby Schofield, while the Warriors had three regulars missing in Montana Kearnes, Louise Matheson and Ronni Scott.
Blu-Js were first to bat, but despite Michelle Blake and Kristy Mohr getting on base, the team was shut out.
The Warriors fared no better in their opening bat, with Mohr striking out two of the first three batters and Nicole Marlow thrown out at second.
Safe hits to Stacey Morgan and Blake saw the Blues take an early lead when Morgan and Kira Hallam both crossed the plate in the top of the second.
Three dismissals saw the Warriors shut out again.
Blu-Js increased their lead by one, when Julie-Ann Hallam hit a two-bagger to left field and was batted in by Erica Guy.
For a third time, the Warriors were shut out, with only Tamika Raufers picking a walk to reach base.
A scoreless fourth innings for Blu-Js saw them retain a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the fourth.
After Sam Gilmour was struck out for the second time in the match, the Warriors batted through almost their whole lineup and opened their account with two runs, courtesy of hits to Sam Vidler and Brooke McHugh.
Blu-Js’ fifth innings was their best. Hits to Jess Cook, Jasmine Williams, Blake and Morgan added another four runs to their tally.
The Warriors kept themselves in the game by doubling their score in the bottom of the fifth, courtesy of outfield hits to Marlow, McHugh and Vidler.
Both teams were shutout in their sixth and seventh innings, leaving Blu-Js a 7-4 winner.
With some players who missed Saturday’s game expected to return, the Warriors look to rebound when they meet Turvey Park, whilst the Blu-Js will enjoy the bye.
In the other fixture on Saturday, Turvey Park soared to top spot on the points table with an 8-1 win over Lake Albert.
It was the fourth time in as many starts that Lake Albert had the mercy rule applied to finish the game prematurely.
Turvey Park was excellent in defence, with fine pitching from Kate Looney and promoted catcher, Alison Post, who replaced unavailable catcher, Kathryn Armstrong.
Looney conceded only two hits in her five innings of pitching with six K-2s highlighting her performance.
The patience of the Turvey Park batters saw them pick eight walks, whilst Jane Wadley (2), Jamila Piercy, Sharon Hall, Belinda Dennis and Looney (home run) all had safe hits.
Sarah Rose and Georgie Noack (home run) had hits for Lake Albert.
Jess Grant struck out all three dismissals in Turvey Park’s fourth innings.
There were some fine fielding efforts for Turvey Park, with Sarah Stewart taking a ‘blinder’ of a catch, Piercy excellent at short stop in the place of the injured Amanda Gooden and Georgina Carter and Wadley, safe at leftfield and centrefield, respectively, where they took five catches between them.
Lake Albert will confront the Saints next week.
