Softball at Churchill Park continues as the weather appears to be turning into the summer we’ve all been waiting for! With only one washed out round this season so far even though rain has threatened for most weekends since the season started back in early October! Saints men have dominated the Men’s roster which has been alternating between Saturday morning and Thursday evening games each fortnight. Sean Roddick pitched the game for the Saints and James Foster starting pitcher for Eagles struggled to find his groove and eventually handed to ball over to Troy O’Konnah to close out the game. Brayden Cobern, Craig Jones all hit home runs in the Saints 15-10 victory over the late charge from the Eagles, not quite enough to get them over the line. James North, Hayden Trethowen, Sean Roddick and Tyler Brooks all doing the job for the Saints with the bats. Jordan Irwin with his infield home run being his first at running all bases, James Foster and Nick Heames also solid hitters for the Eagles. This week’s game returns to Thursday evening.

In the women’s roster Saints Red v Saints Black with Saints Red for a convincing win 11-2. Kayleen Woodcock out of the circle for Saints Black with Ryleigh Emms catching. Belinda McFerran for Saints Red with Renea Gesler behind the dish. Jodie Bannister has played at third base this season for Saints Black and has done a great job for her side in making several tag plays and taken some great catches. Bridget Freeman for Saints red batting solidly and also doing a fine job at short stop. An enjoyable game between the inter club rivals based on all reports!

In the other open Women’s game eagles Blue v Eagles Gold in what ended up being a 10-4 result going Eagle Blue’s way but not before a scare from a hard charging Gold. Gold got the jump on Blue early and took a handy lead going into the third innings. Eliesha Gardner holding Blue at bay for the early innings and doing her bit for the squad and coach Ann Gardner. Sophie Tatnell toed the rubber for Eagles Blue and fielded several balls for outs at first base. The game was very tight going into the fourth with a 6-3 score line and time running out for Gold to make up the difference. In the last inning Gold succumbed to the pressure of Blue and made some fundamental errors costing them 4 runs making it very difficult to claw the way back into the lead. In a last ditched effort Gold managed to send another runner across the plate but that was to be the last for the game. Caitlyn Pinel, Blake Payne and both Sophie and Ruby Tatnell scoring well for their team and playing pivotal roles defensively. Nicola Gardner, Jaymee Goss, Tunisha Kikoak and Finlay Antypas all playing well for Eagles Gold.

In the junior games over the weekend Eagles Gold played Saints White in a nail biter! Eagles Gold with a come back win. Bella Antypas played a great game for her Eagles Gold both at bat and on first base. Max Stepchuck again standing tall and taking a great outfield catch and turning the game for the Eagles. Finlay Antypas and Kaeden Marshall shared the pitching and catching duties and batting well for Gold while Aston Reeves doing a stand out job out of the circle for Saints White. Tarkyn Roden, Ryleigh Emms, Ashton Reeves and Harry Mowat batting well and scoring for Saints and Ella Swan standing out and doing a great job feilding at second base! Saints White held the game right until the dying minutes of the game and played a great game!

Eagles Blue junior v Saints Red ended up with a 15-0 result going Eagles Blue’s way. Lellani Kikoak and Blake Payne with home runs for Eagles. Dean Pinel pitching for Eagles and Chase McFerran-Shepherd for Saints Red. Taylah Osbourne at short stop for saints doing a great job in the defence and Aiden Quillerat catching to Chase. The game finishing early via the run rule. Junior games this Saturday are at 9am due to the men’s games being played on Thursday evenjng. No women’s games this weekend and the Association has organised a social event for members and families to take part in after the junior games which gives those that come as watch and support their children the chance to go onto the diamond and take part in a social game, slightly modified of course! Also under 12’s Carnival to be held in Hobart on Sunday which is also a great opportunity for the young ballers to have a taste of tournament softball. NTSA men were the winners of the recently held Men’s state championships in Hobart winning against Ulverstone and Hobart.