Rico Hillman scores a run for Giants Blue. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
SOFTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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The frustrations of a disrupted Intercity Softball season were put behind them as Giants stormed to victory in the two Premier Three finals at South Park on Saturday.
Giants Blue defeated Hutt Valley Dodgers Black 10-2 to claim the Section A title, while Giants Red were crowned Section B champions with a 10-3 triumph over Totara Park.
An understrength Blues took to the diamond with five players ruled out because of covid-19.
After a scoreless first inning the home side took the lead in the second inning with Tohi Jellie capitalising on Dodgers’ errors to get home.
Devon Cocks was next to score getting home on wild pitches after he had hit out to centre field.
Mitchell Shields and Trey Feary were then walked to make the score to 4-0.
In the fourth inning Shields hit an in-the-park home run out to right field, and in the fifth inning Jellie hit out to right field and with outstanding base running came home to wrap up the scoring and seal the victory in five innings.
Player-coach Justin ‘Chunky’ Karaitiana was in outstanding form on the pitching mound facing 20 batter and taking 10 strikeouts.
Giants president Chris Feary, who helped coach the Blues on the day, said it was a brilliant effort by the young team.
“It was really tight, and the boys started dropping a few bunts and getting boys on base, and then a couple of good hits from the young fellas and their confidence grew, they believed in themselves, and once they got on base, they really exerted good pressure and of course with pressure comes mistakes,” said Feary.
“There were a few players who wouldn’t normally be in their starting nine, and they all stood up and played really well.”
Giants Red’s victory over Totara Park followed a similar pattern to their clubmates’ game. After a tight first two innings, the Reds took control and scored regular runs to wrap up the victory in five innings.
Feary was over the moon with the results after the frustrating season, with both teams impacted by defaults, washouts, and postponed games because of covid-19.
He said it was good to be on the winning side for a change after several runner-up finishes in recent seasons.
“Just having the finals at home was massive and winning both those finals was massive, because there have been a few years where we’ve been the bridesmaid and never the bride.”
The news wasn’t so good for the Giants Under-15 side, who were beaten 3-9 by Totara Park in their Hutt Valley championship semifinal.
