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Daily Wrap - Over 35 National Championship, Day 3
Published Tue 28 Jun 2022
Bring yourself up to date with everything from the National Championships in our Daily Wrap.
Summary: Over 35 Women
Queensland will take a winning record over New South Wales into the playoffs, after coming out on top in their early game on Day 3. The home team set the tone early with seven runs through the first two innings, before the Blues fought back to level the scores in the 5th. However, thanks to a Fiona Timu double and Maria Rawhiti RBI, Queensland added two further runs in the 9-7 win.
The ACT needed an extra inning to get over the line in their game against Victoria. The ACT looked in control, leading 5-1 through the top of the 6th inning, but the Big V rounded four runners in the bottom of the frame to level the scores. A Jacqueline Drewe triple then helped ACT score three runs in the extra inning, which proved too much for Victoria; 8-6 the final result.
Queensland effectively secured the number 1 seed for the playoffs with an 8-0 win over the ACT in the afternoon. The Maroons registered no less than 14 hits in the win, while pitcher Sarah Holden gave up just one hit on defence. NSW were equally comprehensive in their 11-0 win over Victoria, with Sue Fairhurst doing the business for the Blues with both ball and bat. The dual bronze Olympic medallist was one walk away from pitching a perfect game, and backed it up with a homerun in the 3rd inning.
Queensland were coasting in their final round game against Victoria, ahead 6-0 through four innings. The Big V rallied and narrowed the gap to two with an innings to play, but the Maroons lifted when it counted, restoring a four-run lead in their final at-bat to set up an 8-4 win. New South Wales were also made to earn the win in their final round game. The ACT led 4-3 early on, but five runs to the Blues in the 3rd innings proved to be the difference in the 8-5 win, with the ACT unable to convert their opportunities in the latter stages of the game.
Day 3 Results:
For the complete schedule, please click here.
For complete standings, please click here.
For completed game reports, please click here.
Games start at 10:30am AEDT with a 15-minute break between each game
Day 4 What to Watch For: Over 35 Women
While Queensland hold a 2-1 advantage over New South Wales going into the final day, the head-to-head result may not be a true reflection of who will be favourite on the final day. The Blues have rested key players throughout the event, especially once it became clear who the top two teams were going to be.
Nevertheless, Queensland will be very tough to beat on their home turf and in front of local fans. The two teams have shown they have too much talent to be seriously challenged by either the ACT or Victoria, and it would take nothing short of a big upset to see one of those teams progress to the grand final. Regardless, a huge opportunity awaits one team tomorrow, with the first-ever Over 35 Australian National Softball Champion to claim their place in history.
Summary: Over 35s Men
New South Wales gained a potential tactical and psychological advantage going into Day 4 by defeating Queensland in their final preliminary round game this morning. The match was in the balance until the 4th inning, where a three-run homer by Jamie Sheehan helped the Blues score five runs in the frame, who then held off Queensland for a 7-5 win.
NSW Invitational will also take an important mental edge into the playoffs after recording their second win over ACT in the tournament. The composite team looked to be in trouble going into the bottom of the 6th, trailing 13-10, but five separate RBIs and a wild pitch led to NSW Invitational stealing a 16-13 win.
The middle games of the day went according to form, with Queensland and NSW both recording 10-run wins over the ACT and NSW Invitational respectively, and the Blues finished Day 3 undefeated after a 15-0 win over the ACT. Jamie Sheehan and Adrian Baker led the way with the bat for NSW, combining for six runs, five hits, and five RBIs. Queensland also tuned up for Day 4 in the final game of the preliminary rounds, with a 13-1 win over NSW Invitational.
Day 3 Results:
NSW Invitational 16 def ACT 13
For the complete schedule, please click here.
For complete standings, please click here.
For completed game reports, please click here.
Games start at 10:30am AEDT with a 15-minute break between each game
Day 4 What to Watch For: Over 35 Men
ACT and NSW Invitational have nothing to lose on Day 4, and one of them will have a shot of making it through to the grand final. However, the difference between those two teams and Queensland and New South Wales makes it difficult to predict anything other than a Maroon-Blues grand final. With only 19 runs conceded in nine games, NSW's defence could be the difference, but only a fool would count out Queensland, who have the firepower to take it to the Blues. Either way, the inaugural winner of the Over 35 National Championship will be made to earn it against a quality opponent.
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