SIZZLING FASTPITCH INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT – GAME 4
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 18:15 Venue: Kercem Stadium, Gozo, Malta
Umpires: Charles Micallef & Giancarlo Pulvirenti
The Għajnsielem Redcoats wanted to end their roller-coaster season on a high, and despite the fact that a loss by four runs or less against the Herons would still have been enough for them to secure 2nd place in the inaugural edition of SIZZLING FASTPITCH, they were keen to win the final game and confirm themselves as a competitive team against U18 European softball teams.
On the other hand, the Herons were also determined to finish the tournament on a positive note, and started the game very well. They scored three runs on three hits in the top of the 1st inning. The Redcoats came back in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on three walks and two base hits. A three-up-three-down inning followed as Estelle, who was pitching the final game, struck out two, and got the other Heron to ground out to 2nd base.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Estelle Scicluna came up big with a line drive to centre field, hit beyond the reach of the centre fielder of the Herons. The ball went all the way to the wall giving Estelle the opportunity to run all the way around the bases for a very important inside-the-park home run, which gave her team a 4-3 advantage.
The Herons managed to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the 4th inning. However, the Redcoats were not in the mood to let this one slip away. In the bottom of the 4th Estelle walked to lead off the inning. She promptly stole 2nd and then scored on a clutch base hit RBI courtesy of Kimberley Scerri. Kimberley also stole 2nd base and advanced to 3rd base on a past ball while Ilena Buttigieg was at bat. Ilena struck out, but the Heron’s catcher dropped the ball on the 3rd strike. Ilena ran to 1st base and Kimberley scored when the catcher threw to 1st to get the out. That gave the Redcoats a very important two-run advantage going into the 5th and final inning.
| Team/Inning | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
| Herons | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Redcoats | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | 7 | 1 |
The first Heron to bat in the final inning grounded out to 2nd base. The 2nd Heron reached base on a single. She stole 2nd base, advanced to 3rd base and scored on two consecutive past balls. The 3rd hitter grounded out to the pitcher. The next Heron reached base on a hit-by-pitch so that with two outs they had the tying run at 1st base. Tension was building as the Redcoats did not want to give up the slender lead they had. However, Redcoats pitcher, Estelle, proved to be resilient, as she has been so many times for her team over the past few seasons. She managed to get the next hitter to ground out in her direction. With a fine play she fielded the ball and threw it to the very reliable Laragh Tabone for the final out of the game.
The Redcoats WIN!
They pulled it off. Two wins from four games, losing only to the formidable Sparks Haarlem.
There was total joy among the players and their coaches. The objectives set for the SIZZLING FASTPITCH tournament for the team were achieved and more. The Redcoats performed exceptionally well given their limitations. They managed to put behind them the disappointment of the Venice tournament, and finish their season on a high. Playing two games against the highly rated Sparks, who are capable of beating any European U18 national team outside the top four, and doing as well as they did, was a great experience, and of great satisfaction. Beating the Herons twice in two games, provided the added motivation for the players to continue to work hard next season to go up yet another level.
CONGRATULATION REDCOATS!!
This initiative has been supported by the Ministry for Gozo Sport Organisations Assistance Scheme, a funding programme for Sport Organisations on the Island of Gozo.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Ministry for Gozo cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
