Hedland smash way to title

Port Hedland proved they were the best in the North West as they barged their way through the competition at the North West Softball Championships on the weekend.

The annual competition, held at the Marie Marland Reserve, pitted teams from the Pilbara and Broome against each other in a round-robin tournament with the top two meeting in the grand final.

Port Hedland dominated all weekend, winning five and drawing one of their six group games to go through to the final.

Meanwhile, Tom Price booked their place in the grand final, winning all but one game, with their only loss being to Port Hedland.

It was a slow start to the final, with Hedland holding a one run lead after the first innings.

Hedland seized control of the game in the bottom of the second, with Emma Simpson blasting a two-run home run to take a three nil lead.

The game opened up in the third innings, with Hedland blasting three runs while shutting out Tom Price, to take a six-run lead into the fourth. A dominant fourth and fifth innings saw Hedland storm to victory, shutting out Tom Price with the final score of 10-0.

Port Hedland coach Mitzi Cassidy was proud of the girls.

“We had a big squad and everyone contributed to the win,” she said.

“We knew there was going to be six games all weekend, so that’s why we went for the 15 players, so that you can rest your players.”

Tom Price’s Shantel Lawson-Barlow took out fairest and best for the weekend, and Toni McMahon was runner-up. Hedland’s Emma Simpson was awarded for most RBIs and most home runs and Timara Simpson tied with Sarah Ziegelaar for highest batting average. Other winners included Port Hedland’s Kirsty Kabula for most stolen bases, Wickham’s Kassidy Body for most catches and the Broome softball team received an encouragement award.

North West softball legends Grant Morgan and Bob Neville were inducted into the North West hall of fame.