Performances have to improve for the Redcoats to finish the season very strongly as expected
The Ghajnsielem Redcoats softball team are making an art out of outpitching and outhitting opponents and still lose. This has been the case for the string of losses over the past three seasons at the hands of the Mellieha Curves. Sundays` 12-14 defeat against the same Curves was not different. Another good performance from starting pitcher Estelle Scicluna along with encouraging offensive stats went to naught due to what can be called naive defending.
The Redcoats opted to start Corinne Grima as catcher instead of experienced catcher Joanne Mifsud who started at centre field. Corrine is one of the most dedicated players on the team and has been working very hard to contribute to the cause. On Sunday, her dedication did pay dividends. Despite a few errors behind home plate, she managed to hold her own for two innings in the most demanding defensive position. Despite being only 16 years old she managed to make contact for the biggest hit of the game when in the first inning she connected for a bases-loaded fly ball to centre field which made it all the way to the fence. With already two outs that was a clutch hit which brought three runners home giving her teammates a good boost to start the game. Corinne went 2-for-2 with a walk, scoring two runs as well.
Similarly, Estelle Scicluna put on good numbers as a pitcher especially during the first three innings. She registered 11 strike outs, and gave up only five hits, four of which came in the fourth inning. Out of the 14 runs given up only four in the final inning were earned. For a 16 year old participating in women’s competitions she has been doing really well. She threw 121 pitches on Sunday. That was the most she ever threw in a competitive game. Estelle’s contribution didn’t just stop with her pitching. She was swinging a hot bat at the clutch. She went 3-for-3 with a walk to lead off the game, driving in five runs and scoring three times.
There were also hits from Joanne Mifsud and Tahli Moore with an RBI each. The very promising Marilise Vella and the improving Daphne Cassar also registered hits. The team collected ten walks but stranded six runners, five of which were in scoring position.
| Team\Inning | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Runs |
| Ghajnsielem Redcoats | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 12 |
| Mellieha Curves | 3 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 14 |
This was the first game for the Redcoats in three months. One can say that the players were short of game fitness not having played for such a long time. The momentum that they managed to put together during the MABS Tournament in Autumn dissipated with the long lay-off. Through the bitter disappointment of the harsh loss one can find many positives. Performances have to improve for the Redcoats to finish the season very strongly as expected.
Coach Tara Henry, who arrived in Gozo a couple of days before the game, could only observed and take notes. The task of bringing the entire team up to the desired level started right after the game. She has a large squad of twenty players to work with. That is as much a blessing as it is a challenge. The attention of the coaching staff has to be split among many players. The next game is a home encounter against the same Curves in what certainly is a must-win for the Redcoats. That game is scheduled for April 15. So the Redcoats have just a month to get their act together and perform up to the desired standards.
