Suiside break losing streak on Jefferies’ shutout as Rams upset Martians

Suiside Fastpitch Club made a spectacular return to form over the weekend with a double victory in both their division 1 and division 2 men’s games. The defending champions have been under pressure following an 0-3 start to the season but turned it around off the back of a pitching master class from Cooper Jefferies in the 3-0 victory. With blustery conditions, it was not the day for big hitters as the wind was holding balls up in the air or pushing them into foul territory making it difficult to get runners into scoring positions. Tane Brott and Jefferies were both supreme in their control on the mound, with the game scoreless into the fifth innings when a defensive error in the infield allowed Liam Meharry to score and break the deadlock. They added a second with a single to take a 2-0 lead which proved telling on a day when the Martians power hitters could find little assistance. Another run in the sixth all but sealed the game as Jeffries pitching and at-bat performances was a clear stand-out, earning him best on ground. Coach Dylan Percy praised his team’s cool and collected approach to the game. “I was really impressed with how the team kept their composure throughout the close game after the shaky start that we’ve had so far,” he said. “I couldn’t fault the defence; it was a solid game and everyone played a crucial role in the win. I commend Cooper for his effort pitching all 7 innings and keeping Martins scoreless.” In the other division 1 men’s game, an inexperienced Rams defied expectations taking down ladder leaders Martians in the first game of their double-header. Fletcher Harrison pitched only his second game for the Rams, managing to hold Martians for two innings, while their batters racked some early runs. Martians took advantage of Fletcher’s lack of experience and scored three runs in the fourth before Dean Pascoe came on to finish the pitching for the Rams. Hits from Brad Harrison, Fletcher Harrison, Leon Chapman and a superb home run from Pascoe, sealed the game, 7-6 to the Rams. Coach Dean Pascoe said he was happy with the side’s performance against Martians. “I was extremely proud of the young group I had out there today,” he said. “Special mentions to Fletcher Harrison on his pitching and Jake Chapman stepping in as catcher and doing a great job and Cameron English as a junior who played his first game of division 1 softball. “We were up against a quality side and I am really happy to come away with the win and the roles that these young kids did today to help with the win.” In women’s division 1, Suiside took on a Pi’s side struggling to find their form, but the Pi’s played the game with renewed vigour beating Suiside under the mercy rule. The game was one-way traffic from the start as Pi’s piled on five runs in the opening innings on the back of superb base running and poor work from the Suiside defence. They missed their throws to base allowing plenty of stolen bases and turning easy outs into singles or twos. Pi’s jumped to an 8-0 lead after three innings and while Suiside improved in the second half Pi’s took the victory 13-3. Pi’s regular player Janelle Phillips was full of praise for her fellow players “The highlight of the night was the base running, the girls stole plenty of bases and scored multiple runs on single plates, they were switched on and ran hard,” she said. The other division 1 match between the Marlins and Martians was rescheduled to December 7. Results: Division 2 men Suiside v Marlins 29-1 Rams Blue v Martians Black 18-3 Rams White v Martians Black 16-7 Rams Blue v Martians Red 21-5 Division 2 women Suiside v Marlins 7-2 Pi’s v Martians Red 22-7 Martians Black v Rams 24-1