UWA 9 def Morley Eagles 3
35 degrees, high humidity and a newly added second pair of odd socks set the perfect scene for an exciting first game back for the A2 UWA softball team. With an obvious lack of testosterone on the side lines, pressure was on star pitcher, turned coach, Jess P to kick start the second half of the season and to get the A2 side back in finals contention after some disappointing results and loss of coach ‘Canadia’ at the end of last year.
After some tough training over the summer break the girls were looking fit and switched on, with “gun shows” displayed on request as a result of the introduction of a push-up/bridge incentive by coach Jess. With UWA taking the field first, Morley were up to bat and looked tired from the get go in long pants (for once the UWA uniform provided an advantage other than good visibility of the upper arm and knee areas)
Newly returned Lauren “bob” Richards was back in the side and her glowing winter Europe skin proved to be a great distraction in left right out, taking a great catch early on in the game. Spirits were high in the outfield with Super throw Ash also taking a great catch (her first of the season)
The batting started a little slower for U-dub with our girls struggling to adjust to the slow crawling pitch and with the added confusion over the base coach feet positioning, “shit brick house”/“brick shit house”, coach jess was left looking like she was rain dancing rather than giving batting instructions. Eventually the signals were sorted out and the slow pitch started to look more like a beach ball. This lead to the girls constructing a good couple of batting digs with some solid sacrifice bunts and quick steals. The solid batting continued with some true spanking of the ball, as well as ash’s ‘sacrifice fly’, and Sarah’s hit and run for your life tactic.
Morley got some lucking hits, however some great stops by Meg and Sarah left the Eagles flightless. These two fielders even felt so confident they would win the game they decided to give their first base some extra practice in receiving wild throws. Coach jess later reported that she had in fact been including the reception of wild throws into training and encouraged the infielders to keep first baseman Ellice constantly on her toes. The great fielding continued with Trace (who came under the spot light last season for her controversial involvement with then A2 coach, Coach Stillo) taking an amazing on the move catch from a bunt, and Amy performing some great stops and truly having her infielders backs out in left field. Amy also showed her new dance moves after getting a great two base hit in the third innings.
The pitcher/catcher team of Jess and Tenielle proved again to be a winning combination with Jess pulling out the big pitches to send batters back to the tents with a bruised confidence and winding up Morley’s batting opportunities quickly. Tenielle also showed her faith in her skills rather than her equipment by playing in shoes with ripped soles. However an in club informative tells that it wasn’t faith, rather Tenielle was hopping to get spotted by big sponsors ‘fielders choice’ and receive free shoes. She was later spotted in a fielders choice outlet purchasing discounted shoes after flirting with the shop assistant. She then proceeded to buy one of everything else in the shop.
Saturday’s game showed that the A2 UWA team is confident and ready to make the run towards finals. Coach Jess has a win on the board and with her fit team behind her they will definitely be keeping the top teams on their toes. Spectator numbers are at an all time low so bring the family for some fun and excitement this saturday diamond 6 at 4 pm :)
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