The Local Lawyers softball team returned to Finlay Park, Port Macquarie, on Saturday, December 8.
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Their meeting with the Enduros resulted in the Lawyers being thrashed 31/0. Adding to the Lawyers’ woes was the late withdrawal of regular pitcher Chrissie Andrews.
The reality of just how good the Enduros are, was hammered home when their batters hit stand in pitcher Mel Hunt for 8 safe hits in the first innings. Mel tried her full repertoire of pitches but the Enduros batters just cracked the ball to the outfield. To the team’s credit they supported Mel by retiring the lead runner at third base. Mel intercepted a hard hit ball to close the first half of the innings with only 6 runs recorded.
The Lawyers’ batters also found it difficult as the experienced Enduros pitcher threw a brilliant combination of fastballs mixed with a well disguised drop curve. This combination saw 7 of the first 11 batters strike out. After 3 innings the Lawyers were trailing 14/0. Although being outclassed by the more experienced Enduros, the team was excellent in defence with shortstop Georgia Boland and third base Jordan Grieve combining well on the left side of the diamond, retiring the lead runners on three occasions.
The game changed with the start of the fourth innings when the Enduros changed pitchers. The slower paced pitcher suited the Lawyers’ batters and the runs started to flow. Safe hits by Fiona Ewan (3), Nat Middleton (2), Jordan Grieve (2), Georgia Boland, Rebecca Moss and Naomi Boyd saw the Lawyers fight back and score 8 runs.
The Lawyers also changed pitchers bringing Charlie Grieve to the mound for her debut. Charlie pitched two innings and only gave up two runs in an outstanding first outing. Two rare infield fly calls and some brilliant fielding kept the runs down and saw the Lawyers execute two double plays much to the delight of their coach.
This meant that the lawyers won the last 3 innings 8/2 and made the final score a respectable 16/8. The team finished the game feeling that they have made a lot of progress since the last time they played the Enduros and that they have unearthed a potential fastball, windmill pitcher.
