MABS SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 2013/14 Game 7
Sunday, May 4, 2014 Venue: Mellieha Ground Umpire: Chuck Micallef
SCORING |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
Redcoats (1-5) |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 1 |
Curves (5-1) |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | – | 5 | 4 | 1 |
BOX SCORE |
AB | R | H | RBI | BB | RE | SO | PO | A | E | DP |
| SCICLUNA, Estelle SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| LATEO, Giulia 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| GRIMA, Michelle 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GRIMA, Kacey P | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| BONNICI, Kirsty C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BONNICI, Jasmine CF | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SAID, Annabel LF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| VELLA, Yana RF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SAID, Alicia 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTALS | 31 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
PITCHING |
IP | BF | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR |
| GRIMA, Kacey P | 6 | 26 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
RECAP
Earlier today the Ghajnsielem Redcoats women’s team completed their commitments in the MABS Women’s Softball Championship Series with a double header in Mellieha. Although the Redcoats lost both games to finish the season with a 1-7 record they returned to Gozo with their heads held high as they performed remarkably well especially during the first game which they lost 3-5.
For this double header the Redcoats were missing all of their senior players with the exception of Michelle Grima. As a result three more players were called up from their youth teams. This brought the average age of the team below 17 years, with Estelle Scicluna at 12 years being the youngest member of the team. To make matters worse for the Redcoats, they were also missing their pitcher, Marlene Saliba, who was still injured. The remarkable Kacey Grima was asked to take up that role despite not having ever practiced to play in that position.
In the first game the Redcoats started very well. Giulia Lateo hit a double and Michelle Grima followed with a single. The clean-up hitter, Kacey Grima, was slotted in that position as she was the most consistent batter on the team with a batting average over 0.600. Kacey smashed the first pitch she saw to deep left field, right over the foul line. The ball had enough distance for a home run, however, the question was whether it will hook foul. To the astonishment of everyone at the crowded Mellieha ground the ball stayed fair for a three-run home run. This was the only home run hit by anyone in the MABS Women’s Championship Series this season. Quite a remarkable achievement for a 15 year old girl.
Pitching for the first time ever Kacey Grima walked three of the first four batters that she faced in the bottom of the first inning allowing the Mellieha Curves to tie the game at 3-3. Despite the uncertain start Kacey settled in very well and pitched four scoreless innings, retiring ten Curves in succession. She allowed just one hit and one walk in those four scoreless innings, striking out a batter in the process. She was also aided by some excellent defence with all four infielders behind her making fine defensive plays.
The Redcoats were very unfortunate offensively. They loaded the bases in the top of the 2nd inning and couldn’t bring a run home. In all they stranded on the bases seven runners. Despite out hitting their opponents 11-4 they still lost the game as in the bottom of the 6th the Curves managed to get a base hit, which was followed by a double. The Redcoats outfielder made a throwing error to third allowing two runs to score. The two run advantage was enough for the Curves as in the top of the 7th and final inning the Redcoats couldn’t manage to score despite a Kacey Grima base hit.
