In an opening round thriller, Saints defeated the greens, 9-8, in a game that highlighted some good batting to kick off the Wagga Softball season at French Fields on Saturday.

The opening innings saw both teams shut out, but Saints scored in every subsequent innings.

The Warriors were down 5-2, after each team had batted five innings, but found themselves one run ahead after scoring four runs in the top of the sixth.

Their lead was short-lived, however as the Saints Desi Calder and Alicia Donohue both crossed the plate in the bottom of the sixth.

Again the Warriors went to the lead when Jayla Nix and Makaylee Little crossed the plate for a one run advantage entering the final innings.

Safe hits to Jess Wild and Laura Harley were converted to runs after errors allowed both to score, resulting in a one run win for the Saints.

Gemma McGlynn, Rochelle Harley (including a home run), Paula Potts, and Donohue were others to have sits for the Saints.

Warriors safe hitters were Kristy Tenison, Kimberly Dennis, Montana Kearnes, Layhnee Kearnes, Little (including a home run), Nix, Carmel Hutchinson, Jess Grant and Veronica Scott.

In the other A grade match on Saturday, Turvey Park Red proved too strong for Turvey Park Blue.

From the start the Reds'bats were in form, with safe hits to Belinda Dennis and Anneke Piercy allowing Dennis and her daughter, Karina, to score.

Senior players, Kate Looney and Jane Wadley, both had hits in the bottom of the dig, but were left stranded on base.

From then on until the fifth innings the Reds slowly accumulated three more runs, whilst keeping the Blues scoreless.

It was the top of the sixth that the Reds turned on a match-winning performance.

A couple of Blues' errors, combined with hits to Amanda Lenon, Dennis, Dennis, Anneka Piercy and Montana Deacon saw nine runs cross the plate.

A prompt shutout saw the mercy rule applied with the Blues winning 14-0.

Reds' recruit pitcher, Montana Deacon, showed she will be a handy player, whilst her catcher, Charlie McNaughton, and youngster, Anneke Piercy were prominent in the field.

For the Blues, pitcher, Kate Looney, did well until fatigue set in late in the game; left-field, Leila Wadley, took some fine catches and mum, Jane, was outstanding with the bat: three from three.

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