SOFTBALL
The Reds are currently in a three-way tie for second in the standings and are guaranteed a semifinal place; however, team member Chris Feary reckoned there is plenty on the line in the penultimate round of the regular season.
“We’re playing for a home semifinal, and if we’re number one and we win our semi, hopefully, we’ll get the opportunity to hold the finals at home again,” said Feary, who is wary of the threat posed by today’s opponents.
Dodgers White are fifth in the championship and outside semifinal contention with only two wins. One of those wins came against the Reds, a 13-12 tiebreaker victory at South Park in November.
“They did beat us last time in an upset, and it will take all of our guys playing well to get on top of them.”
The Reds will front with close to a full-strength team, with in-form batter Daniel Ranger the biggest loss, out with a hamstring injury.
“He’s been batting really well lately, so we’re going to miss his stick for sure, but we’ve still got plenty of depth, and we’ll be relying a lot on our young fellas, too, like Julian [Ellmers], Jessie [Neumann], and Riley [Hansen] to come into the game and keep the momentum going.”
Feary also anticipates a cracker of a game between the top two teams when the Giants women host unbeaten leaders Totara Park in a Hutt Valley Premier Three game.
Giants are second with only two losses, and a win would ensure a place in the top two, with only one further round to play before the playoffs.
The first pitch will be thrown at 3.30 pm at South Park.
Intercity premier two championship leaders Giants Blue have the bye.
