Despite the introduction of several young players, the Redcoats are doing really well this season
The Ghajnsielem Redcoats took a 2-0 lead in the National Fastpitch Series organised by the Malta Baseball & Softball Association, as they overcame the Mellieha Curves 18-8 in Mellieha on Sunday. The Redcoats took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and continued to pad that lead over the next four innings.
Laragh Tabone was the hero as she hit a GRAND SLAM home run in the top of the 5th inning to put the game out of reach of the battling Curves. This was the second grand slam home run in the history of the Redcoats softball team, with the first one being hit by Monique Attard in Game 6 of the National Fastpitch Series in May 2019.
On Sunday, Clarissa Camilleri became the youngest player ever to start a senior fastpitch softball game at 11 years and 206 days old. She was impeccable playing at short stop along with fellow youth player Lara Buttigieg, who is also only 12 years old. Another 12 year old, Shaniya Spiteri, started at left field and did really well with three walks and scored a run.
| Team/Inning | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
| Redcoats | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 6 | 1 |
| Curves | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
Also impressive was Dosithee Attard who made her debut when she came in to replace Lara Buttigieg at 2nd base. Dosithee made a put-out on an infield pop-up and had two assists with three fine defensive plays. She even had a base hit and scored a run. Thea Sultana, who recently turned 12, also came in to play at left field, and contributed with an RBI (run batted in) ground out.
Redcoats pitcher Estelle Scicluna started the game despite a nagging injury. She performing well below her usual standards but still managed to limit the Curves to just one infield hit and struck out 11 in five innings. Offensively, she contributed with two base hits and three RBIs.
Marlise Vella was solid playing catcher. She also had a base hit and scored a run. Kimberley Scerri also had a base hit, while Marija Vella walked four times and scored four runs. Simona Refalo who played at 3rd base, walked and scored a run. Yana Vella made her comeback with three walks and also scored three runs.
This was the first game of coach Zuleyma Cirimele Heredia who came over from Venezuela to replace coach Anya Adams who had to return back to the US. Pajky Menčíková, former pitcher of the Czech National team, who is also assisting the Redcoats in developing their young pitching staff, was also at the game.
Despite the introduction of several young players, the Redcoats are doing really well this season, and can only improve with each game as their players gain experience.
Game 3 is scheduled for next Sunday in Mellieha.
WELL DONE REDCOATS!
