Big game against the strong competition leaders from Sturt. Boasting an experienced spine and some big bats we knew we have a real challenge on our hands.
Alice started very strongly getting through their order giving up just 1 in the first. We responded strongly with an early 3 spot, Bianca Smith promoted into the order showing her intent with her first of two doubles on the night. In the top of the second we got two quick outs but Sturt show’d their resilience finding a way to score 4 in the inning to take the lead back.
Baseball is a game of moments and after loading the bases with 2 out Jenny Dunn scorches a line drive that could have broken the game open but unlucky for us their third base snagged the ball and we were retired without runs.
Sturt managed to put up another nine runs over the next two innings as balls just kept falling in and getting by the infield. We continued to fill the bases having runners on regularly however only able to add on a further single run in the fourth. A weird game – so close and competitive for so much of the game that it never felt like the margin in the end. We certainly have the ability to challenge these guys again in the future in the end it just wasn’t our night. Big efforts from Prokepec, Smith and Handy on the mound, Smith the pick of the hitters with two doubles and a single on the night but plenty of baserunners throughout the night keeping all involved. Sarah Wright in her first outing for the 1s showed good glove work especially with the balls in the dirt.
We turn the page now to Port at Home this Friday night.
The Division 2 Tigers were fired up for this week's home game against the Port Adelaide Magpies, riding on an undefeated score sheet this season so far. With the sunset as a backdrop, the nine players stepped up to the plate.
The first inning from the Magpies posed no threat with the pitcher-catcher combo (Emily Pyke and April Grava) this week holding the fort strongly. Accurate pitches and steady catches meant that the opponents had little chance to threaten the Tigers. Besides, our short stop, Jacqui Dunn, was not going to let the ball past her, fielding at least three good ground balls this inning.
Batting steadily, the Tigers plodded through the bases in the first inning with ground balls and steals bringing home a couple of runners. Even when the bat didn't make contact with the ball, the batters were hungry for a hit, swinging the bats with determination and power.
The game wasn't going Port's way and our cheers overtook the diamond. Soon after, Port managed to sneak home a couple of runners while the Tigers were distracted. None of this made a difference as the Tigers stepped up to the plate in the next inning, maxing out the scores at 5 runs.
The opponents did give the infielders a game, though, mostly keeping the short stop and first base busy. Shona on second and Michelle Smith on third base even got involved with some nifty fieldwork.
The Magpies were no quitters, but a change of pitcher made no difference. The Tigers didn't take long to get acquainted with the new pitcher and maxed out another inning with 5 runs.
Thinking the game might be over after 4 innings, the umpire called for another. Alex Meldrum closed the game, out pitching the opponents, albeit for a couple of ground balls from the Port Adelaide team.
They were never a threat to the Tigers. Not in Tigerland, anyway.
