Martians look to continue perfect start as top sides battle with availability and injuries

Martians have their first double-header of the season as they look to continue their hot start to the Geraldton softball season.

The team takes on Rams followed by Suiside on Saturday afternoon and will hope to continue their winning ways after posting two straight victories.

Suiside are still looking for their first win of the season as the defending champs are still working on their balance and Cooper Jefferies and Liam Meharry on recreating their grand final-winning form.

Rams may struggle this round, however, with Coach Dean Pascoe losing several players to State championships.

“We will be extremely short in players this weekend as we have three players travelling to Queensland to play in the Pan Pacific Masters Games from Saturday, November 5 - Saturday, November 12,” he said.

“Tristan Reed, Paul Valenti and Shane Clark will all be representing for WA-based team West Coast Marlins.”

The Rams will be calling upon rookies and juniors to fill the gaps on the field if they want to upset the in-form Martians side.

Women’s first division sees all Suiside taking on Pi’s and Marlins playing Martians in the last match of the round.

Suiside will still be smarting from their 13-2 defeat to the in-form Rams. Pi’s are still searching for their winning form after going down 11-6 to Marlins in round 2.

Pi’s coach David Sutton said he was confident the team could bounce back, but acknowledged his team were down in numbers and struggled to find their form.

“Unfortunately, we have been inundated with injuries, causing us to move players around positions but props to Natalie Wisewould who has been sensational in her pitching role showing spirit and determination,” he said.

“Shannon Drew has come up from B-grade and proved to be an asset, while Janelle Phillips and Darrelle Dhu have been sensational in the outfield with our ever reliable shortstop Alanna Anderson being outstanding in the field and with the bat.

“Jodie Vandewal is another who is battling injury requiring surgery, but had a brilliant game last week and will play Saturday for the last time before coming back in the new year as we hope to get some momentum heading into the Christmas break.”

In division two games the men’s Martians Black face a double-header against Rams Blue and Rams White and Rams Blue will also take on Martians Red in the round’s other double-header.

Marlins play Suiside in the other match-up.

Women’s division two will see Martians Red desperate to turn things around against Pi’s after their 22-1 thumping from Marlins last week, with Marlins and Suiside also facing off.