Berwick Geronimo has produced one of the all-time great comebacks to defeat Narre Warren Penguins 23-22 in an epic Social Women’s grand final in the Casey Softball Association on Saturday.
The grand final was always going to be a cracker, between the number one and two teams in the competition all season…but absolutely delivered beyond all expectation.
The teams had played twice this season, winning one game each, with both games coming down to the wire.
Penguins batted first and appeared to have the game at their mercy after scoring 13 runs and then completely shutting out the dangerous Geronimo line up.
Penguins then continued their onslaught, scoring nine runs in the second to open up a seemingly unassailable 22-0 lead.
But Geronimo’s experience kicked in, they didn’t panic, and started chipping away at the lead in their second innings.
A few nice hits and patience in the box was paying off and when the Penguins finally got the third out the score was locked at 22-all…sending the game into a tie-breaker.
Geronimo now had the momentum and shut out the Penguins, opening the door for an unlikely grand final victory.
Geronimo’s Ali Smith then came out to bat, and sent Shelley Ryder home from second base to give Geronimo a thrilling 23-22 triumph.
In an extraordinary game, best player for Berwick Geronimo was Tania Hoare who produced some great batting to go with her two double plays and a number of outs. Congratulations to Penguins’ catcher Jess George for taking out the Player of the Grand Final.
This was definitely a grand final for the record books!
Earlier in the day, the Under-16 Fully Loaded grand final took place between Cobras and Doveton.
Highlights of the game included some great pitching from Cobras’ Rachel Steendam, nine strike outs, and Ella Dvornik with six.
There was also a triple hit through the cones to Doveton’s Hunter Lewis.
The final score was 14-7, with Player of the Grand Final going to Cobras’ Rachel Steendam.
Game-three of the men’s final saw the Meteors defeat the Cobras 9-6.
Two great catches at first base, along with a number of additional assists and outs, saw Tony Bezett win best player for the final.
The finals series ended with a 1-1 result after a draw in the first game and Cobras taking out the second.
Great camaraderie was shown between all the players and the Casey Softball Association will be looking to expand the men’s social competition next season.
Finally, under lights, the Open Women Fully Loaded grand final was played between Doveton Renegades and Berwick Comanche.
Comanche went into the game slight underdogs, but can out firing.
There was some great batting by both sides, but some great fielding from Comanche’s Brenda Nicholson and Rachel Steendam saw them record a 17-10 victory.
-Joanne Haines-
