Geraldton softball: Batavia Blaze earn first finals berth, still in hunt to face Suiside in men’s grand final

Batavia Blaze earnt a place in the finals for the first time in club history after they secured an 8-3 victory over Martians in men’s division one softball.

The first round of Geraldton softball finals delivered thrilling matches as teams fought to stay in contention for the championship.

Blaze started strongly on Friday night, scoring four runs in the opening three digs while keeping Martians scoreless.

They extended their lead with another four runs in the fifth inning, nearly sealing the game via the seven-run mercy rule, but Martians fought back with two runs to push the game the full seven digs.

Blaze pitcher Jack Etherton dominated on the mound, striking out an impressive 20 of 28 batters faced, while Joshua Thompson contributed two safe hits and an assist.

Martians’ Ashley Walker delivered 12 strikeouts and Deon Drage stood out with a triple and a crucial catch.

In the other men’s division one match on Friday night, Suiside edged out Rams 3-2 in a tight contest, with both Cooper Jefferies for Suiside and Luke Valenti for Rams putting in strong pitching performances.

Rams will now face Blaze in next week’s elimination final, with the winner advancing to face Suiside in the grand final the following week.

In women’s division one, Suiside proved too strong for Marlins, winning 8-1. Suiside’s Natasha Hansen led the way, finishing three for three with three RBIs, while Charli Bidwell caused havoc on the bases with four stolen bases.

Suiside’s Taya Palmer delivered a composed pitching effort, conceding just one unearned run over five innings while striking out three.

Marlins pitcher Taryn Purcell stepped in for relief duty, allowing five hits and four runs (two earned) while striking out one.

Rams were back to their best form after beating Pi’s Panthers in the qualifying final, with Stacey Derschow superb on the pitcher’s mound for Rams.

Rams advance to another grand final, while Pi’s have their second chance when they take on Suiside in next week’s elimination final.

On Saturday afternoon in men’s division two, Martians Red overcame Rams Blue 13-7 in their elimination final.

Both teams came out firing, scoring three runs each in the first dig, but Martians Red took control in the second, holding Rams scoreless while producing an offensive onslaught that included two home runs, a triple, a double, and two singles, pushing their lead to 9-3.

Standout performances for Rams included Leon Chapman, who recorded two doubles, two singles, and five strikeouts, and Paul Somerville, who hit a home run, added a single, and recorded three assists.

The men’s division two qualifying final between Suiside and Blaze was a cracker, with Eli Etherton setting the tone by smashing an inside-the-park home run in the first at-bat, followed by Jack Etherton’s double.

Blaze jumped to an early 2-0 lead, but Suiside clawed back two runs to send the game into a tiebreaker, where they secured a 3-2 win.

Suiside advanced straight to the grand final, while Blaze now faces Martians Red in a do-or-die clash.

In women’s division two, Ava Gould powered Marlins to a 13-7 victory over Suiside, crushing two home runs, including an inside-the-park homer in both the fourth and fifth innings.

Marlins are now chasing their fifth consecutive grand final victory.

Pi’s Panthers took down Gunduwa in the division two elimination match, winning 12-6.

Marlins progress straight into the grand final, leaving Suiside to battle Pi’s for the last chance at finals glory next week.