The Leinster Royals beat the 63rd Reds in the Softball Division – Gozo Baseball & Softball League to claim home field advantage throughout the post season tournament.

The Leinster Royals beat the 63rd Reds last Sunday afternoon at the Sannat Ground in the Softball Division – Gozo Baseball & Softball League to claim home field advantage throughout the post season tournament. In the second game of the final day of the regular season, the Rangers defeated the Athletics and finished the regular season with an identical record to the Royals of 4 wins and 2 losses. However, in their head-to-head record the Royals held the advantage having swept the season series and thus secured top spot.

The encounter between the Royals and the Reds was tied at 3-3 after 5 innings. In the top of the 6th and final inning the Royals scored 4 runs on an inside-the-park grand slam hit by Denise Xuereb. The come back of the Reds fell just short, as in the bottom of the 6th inning when trailing 3-7 they were only able to score 3 runs. This was a much improved performance from the Reds as they put up a brave fight but were undone by several fielding errors and some base running mistakes in the final two innings. These two teams will now face each other in the first round of the post season scheduled for Sunday, November 30.

In Athletics, the only team who had full control over their destiny led for most of their game against the Rangers. It all came apart for them in the bottom of the 5th inning when they were still tied at 4-4. They committed 5 errors and allowed runs to score and the Rangers took an 8-4 lead into the top of the 6th. The demoralised Athletics were not able to mount a comeback and the game finished 8-4. The Rangers will now host the Athletics in the first round of the double elimination tournament on Sunday, November 30.

On Saturday, November 22, the players will have an intensive practice session in preparation for the post season.