Tue, Dec 14, 2021 2:48 PM
Peter Jones
“One bad inning” sunk the Marlborough Saints softballers in the final of the Nelson summer league competition in Nelson on Saturday.
Saints went down 8-1 to competition favourites Stoke Eagles after being very competitive in the early stages of the match. With young Willem Hayton on the mound and his fielders backing him up with some tidy glove work Saints had the powerful Eagles’ batting line-up under control.
The score was locked at 0-0 during the first three innings, before the home side put the first run on the board. However, Saints responded quickly, a home run to Braden Healy tying the game up.
Even when Eagles moved out to 3-1, Saints were still well in the match. They threatened to get back on terms, Campbell Gill’s powerful drive being expertly caught as the Eagles showed their fielding prowess.
Then came the fifth inning and it all went wrong for the visitors, Eagles crossing home plate five times to put the match out of reach.
“They just out-batted us,” said Saints coach Darren Aldridge.
“We needed hits at crucial times … and we just didn’t get them. Today’s scoreline was a little disappointing but overall the first part of our season has been a success.
“The boys are excited to get out there … we have got people playing again, numbers are coming back … it’s a really good starting point.”
The five-team Nelson competition resumes in late January but there is plenty of other softball action in early 2002.
Willem and Callum Hayton, plus Tyler Aldridge and Jaymie Blake will represent a top of the south side at the NZ under-19 tournament in January. Anaru Anderson will turn out for Nelson at the national fastpitch tournament in February.