Top two teams South Wagga Warriors and Saints had comfortable wins over Turvey Park Red and Turvey Park Blue respectively in Saturday's Wagga Softball competition.
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For the second week in two the Warriors restricted their opponent to just one run and had the "runs-ahead" rule end their game against the Reds while leading 8-1.
The Warriors shut out Turvey in their opening innings and took an early lead when they responded with two runs in the bottom of the first. A muffed fly allowed Kristy Tenison on base and then Jess Swaysland picked a walk. Both were batted in by a Montana Kearnes left field hit.
Both teams were shut out in the second, but in the third, the Reds opened their scoring when Kate Looney hit safely and went home on an error.
Consecutive hits to Makaylee Little, Jayla Nix and Carmel Hutchinson loaded up the bases and Tenison batted in Little and Nix.
The fourth innings saw both teams shut out.
Looney had another safe hit in the top of five, but regulation outs saw Turvey dismissed yet again without score.
By contrast the Warriors doubled their total when Tenison, Swaysland, Nix and Hutchinson all crossed the plate giving the Warriors sufficient margin for the application of the mercy rule.
Whilst the Warriors were near full strength, Turvey had to find substitutes for regulars, Belinda Dennis, Jade Olsen, Sarah Carter and Anneka Piercy. The four replacements, talented youngsters Alex Maiden, Taya Richards, Makaide Gale and Josie Thorneley would have gained from the experience.
Meanwhile Saints won a seven-innings match defeating Turvey Park Blue 7-5.
The game was close throughout and Turvey were in with a chance right to the end.
Saints lead batter, Gemma McGlynn, hit safely to centrefield and was advanced to second by a Desi Calder bunt .
Turvey second-bagger, Phoebe Wadley, took a hot line drive and threw to Charli Hall catching McGlynn off her base for a fine double play. However, next batter, Tessa McGlynn, hit a two base hit to score Calder before the third out was made.
After a regulation shut out of the Saints in the top of the second, Turvey tied the game up with Sophie Gooden hitting a three-bagger then running home on a wild pitch.
The Saints soared to the lead again when Gemma McGlynn, Bella Hofert and Kadison Hofert all scored in the top of the third. Turvey's innings was quick and without runs.
Turvey pitcher, Paris Hall, K-2'd all three outs of the Saints fourth innings, but Turvey could make no difference to the score in their fourth, despite hits to Kiri Taupo and Hall.
Kadison Hofert, Seona Dwyer and Alicia Donohue all hit safely enabling Hofert and Calder to score, taking the score to 6-1 leading in to the bottom of the fifth. It was then that Turvey hit a purple patch with their batting. Ruby Thornely got the ball rolling and with Charli Hall, Nerida Bates, Amanda Gooden, and Taupo all following suit scored four runs to take them to a deficit of just one run. Both teams were shut out in the sixth, before Saints added a single in the top of the seventh to lead by two
Despite their three power bats being the next three to bat for Turvey, the Saints were equal to the challenge of shutting them out.
The Saints play Turvey Park Red, whilst the Warriors play Turvey Park Blue in the next round.
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