GBC Tigers - Bye
Due to a late team withdrawal from the competition the GBC Tigers team had a first week bye. As disappointed as the women were about not getting to play last week it has just upped the excitement levels for them to open the season at home (the GBC) vs the WBL Green Hurricanes this Friday the 27th of October at 6pm. This team has been put through its paces by Jackson for many weeks now and are ready and excited for the coming game.
GBC Glenelg (CUBS) vs WBL Green Hurricanes Round 1 (October 20th)
After a solid preseason opening day arrived and the GBC Womens team who have embraced their moniker from last season (CUBS) again this year were very excited and maybe just a bit nervous for their first official hit out.
As the designated home team down at West Beach against one of the remaining league teams (the WBL Green Hurricanes) we knew we would be in for a tough early start against a competitive young team. Nerves got the better of our CUBS early as our offseason recruit Bianca Smith pounded the strike zone throughout the inning but with nervous energy bubbling over a few bad habits of chasing base runners resulted in a couple additional runs for the opposition and a long inning for our starting pitcher. Down 5-0 before we had even swung a bat in anger we knew we would be in for tough encounter.
As our ladies took a moment to relax and calm the nerves we showed the opposition that we weren’t going to continue in this fashion for the rest of the day with four consecutive two out hits driving in 3 runs. Given a chance to catch her breath and with a more relaxed defensive unit behind her Bianca dominated the opposition with a quick 10 pitch inning for inning two (including a great pick off at second base) keeping all momentum our way and whilst failing to score in the second inning the ladies worked the opposing pitcher into some deep counts which set the stage for a big third inning next time through.
With Bianca getting stronger the deeper into the game she went the CUBS upped the difficulty level for a comeback by making a couple of overthrows that resulted in another two runs for the Hurricanes however Jojo Papadothomakos (who had been an absolute revelation at catcher all day made a great assist to cut down a stealing base runner and then to end the inning Natalie Ziersch put her body on the line for the team taking a bounced throw off the shin at first, trapping the ball and recovering for the out at first in front of the charging runner to again give the team great enthusiasm for the coming offensive half of the inning.
As the bottom of the third started the ladies began to stamp their authority on the game, all the great at bats earlier in the game had contributed to wearing down the opposing pitcher and taking advantage of walks when offered and hitting anything in the zone with a real authority, recording 3 extra base hits. With a chance to record our first 7 run mercy inning of the season, 6 runs had crossed the plate with none out and the bases still loaded when one of the most unusual plays I have ever witnessed in my entire baseball history unfolded in front of my eyes. Adele Munro-Chambers playing in her first ever baseball game smashed a line drive up the middle that was very well caught by the opposing pitcher who was quick enough to turn a triple play with a quick catch and throw to first who was also able to throw to second for the final out.
Whilst that robbed us of a bit of momentum the impact was minimal as under the WBL rules a maximum of 7 runs can be scored in any one inning so after scoring 6 we took the field with an approximate 15 minutes left to play, holding a 2 run (9 – 7) lead. Another of the WBL rules state a pitcher can throw a maximum of 80 pitches or 9 outs and with pitch count to spare but 9 outs made Bianca Smith had to give up the baseball after an absolutely fantastic debut for the GBC.
Jenny Dunn made her reluctant pitching debut proceeding to throw a clean inning – earning the save whilst giving up no runs. A dream start to the season resulting in a wonderful victory that was followed up with another great moment as the team sang the GBC victory song loud and proud with our excited supporters down the 3rd base line.
Next up is the Adelaide Angels at home on Friday October 27th 6pm – see you down the bay.
