Rob Laidlaw
FOR the second time in Gawler and District Softball Association history, the Junior State Softball Championship was held at Karbeethan Reserve in late February, and was a rousing success.
Led by Sally Green and her team of volunteers from the association, the organisation of the tournament ran almost as smoothly as the weather, with bright sunshine and pleasant, warm days.
All-up, 25 teams in five grades competed for the coveted ‘best in the state’ title, from both the metropolitan area and country regions.
The under-18 women proved a rather one-sided final, as Sturt defeated the previously unbeaten Seacombe 9-0.
Millie Fidge, who pitches for Sturt’s A-grade women, was in complete control from the circle, and also collected two hits.
For Seacombe, Barossa local and A-grader in her own right, Becky Havis was one of its best in the losing effort.
Hills proved the most successful club from the weekend, taking three titles, and winning both the under-16 boys and girls, as well as the under-14 boys.
The under-16 girls was a tight tussle with Port Adelaide, with Hills eventually winning 4-2, while in the under-16 boys in another close encounter, Hills beat the Riverland 10-7.
Hills romped home in the under-14 boys, taking a 14-0 win over Central Districts, which featured a couple of long home runs to Archie King and Harry Hopkins.
West Torrens was the only team to beat Hills in a championship final, when it won the under-14 girls 11-4 against the club who established itself as a powerhouse over the course of the three days.
Two Gawler sides made preliminary finals, but ultimately lost, with the under-14 girls going down 3-12 to Hills, while the under-14 boys lost 1-10 to Central Districts.
With the successful staging of the junior softball championships in Gawler, in 2003 and now in 2020, the region now has its hat in the ring as a premier hosting destination moving forward.
Breakout
Winners
Under-18 women: Sturt d Seacombe 9-0
Under-16 girls: Hills d Port Adelaide 4-2
Under-16 boys: Hills d Riverland 10-7
Under-14 girls: West Torrens d Hills 11-4
Under-14 boys: Hills d Central Districts Red 14-0