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Raiders A-grade pitch perfect

Sarah ZiegelaarNorth West Telegraph
A grade winners, Raiders with their trophy.
Camera IconA grade winners, Raiders with their trophy. Credit: Supplied

The Port Hedland softball season has come to a close, with the grand finals played on Saturday.

Reserves kicked off at noon, with the season league leaders Hawks taking the top title against Raiders 2 in the seventh inning, 12-11.

A-grade Raiders made it two victories in a row as they claimed the win over Jets 7-1.

Scores came in dribs and drabs for the first couple of digs in the reserves match, Raiders leading until Hawks found their batting rhythm in the third to bring in seven runners across the plate.

After a reinvigorating speech from the coach, Raiders returned fire from the batter’s box to bring in six runs, changing the lead once again, but it was short-lived as Hawks brought in two in the fifth.

By the end of the sixth, it was an even game. Finding holes in the Raiders’ field, Hawks brought in a sole run to claim the match.

Hawks top batter for the match was Gwen Franklin, going three from four with two doubles and a single while bringing in three runs batted in. Franklin also won the finals best on ground award for her efforts.

Teammate Lee-Anne Day added a single RBI from two singles and Marika Councillor contributed two runs from a single hit.

Top batting spot for Raiders went to Sharnelle Hicks, bringing in two runs from a single and a triple.

Also adding two runs to the tally was Rebecca Healey from two singles, while Leonie Tewara added a solo RBI from a single hit.

Pitching was a combined effort for Hawks, with three taking to the mound. Councillor began the match and was followed by Chantarna Narrier. Franklin also had a turn, closing the match with a single strikeout.

Raiders’ Cayla Ashburton was the lone pitcher for her team, going the full seven innings and sending 10 Hawks back to the bench. The later A-grade game’s pace proceeded quickly, with scores 1-0 in Raiders favour by the end of the third inning, with innings two and three being shutouts on either side.

The fourth saw some scores added, with Raiders bringing three runners across the plate to Jets’ one. Raiders then secured their victory by shutting out Jets for the next two innings while bringing in another three runs.

Raiders’ Timara Simpson was top batter for the match and the game’s best on ground winner.

Simpson brought in two runs from two singles and a double.

Fellow Raider Sarah Ziegelaar came in a close second, also with two RBIs from two doubles, while Kelly Johnson brought in a runner from two singles and a double.

Jets’ sole RBI went to Vanessa Wainwright from a single hit.

Teammates Casey Boswell and Kristy Morgan both got a piece of the ball with one single heat each.

Pitching for Raiders was Simpson, going the full seven with six strikeouts.

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