Geraldton Softball League round eight wrap: Suiside lose first game of season

Rams narrowly beat competition powerhouse Suiside in a nailbiting contest during round eight of the Geraldton softball season.

Suiside recorded their first loss of the season, 6-5, against Rams in men’s division one on Saturday.

Suiside’s Jy Thurstan, last weekend named senior sports star of the year at the Mid West Sports Awards, launched two solo home runs early, giving his team a 4-0 lead by the third inning.

However, Rams fought back with a three-run homer from Dean Pascoe and a solo shot by Paul Valenti, tying the game.

Exceptional defence from Suiside’s Blade Jefferies and Rams’ Fletcher Harrison kept the game tight. Despite Suiside briefly reclaiming the lead in the fifth inning, Jake Chapman’s decisive line drive in the seventh secured the win for Rams.

In another division one thriller on Saturday, Martians edged out Blaze 10-8. Martians led 5-1 before Blaze’s Eli Etherton hit a grand slam to even the score.

A late-game two-run homer from Jack Etherton brought Blaze level again, but Martians held off a final rally to seal their victory.

Next week’s games see Blaze taking on Rams while Suiside will hope to get back on track against Martians.

In women’s division one, Midwest Marlins endured mixed results in their Saturday doubleheader — narrowly beating Suiside 9-8 in their opening game, but falling 10-1 to Martians in the second game after conceding nine unearned runs.

Halo Colley and Tamara Kuipers shone for Martians with stand-out performances. Meanwhile, Rams triumphed over Pi’s 26-17 in a high-scoring clash on Friday night, with both sides excelling offensively, but Rams maintained control to secure the win.

Round nine sees Suiside take on Marlins and Rams going against Martians.

In men’s division two, Batavia Blaze dominated Martians Red 12-0, with Jack Etherton delivering a masterful performance, recording 14 strikeouts and assisting in a clean defensive effort. Rams White continued their winning streak with a 13-6 victory over Martians Black.

Midwest Marlins secured a commanding 21-8 win over Rams Blue, while Suiside remained undefeated with a decisive 20-5 win over Gunduwa.

In round nine, Suiside faces Martians Red, Gunduwa will challenge Rams White, and Pi’s will be striving for their first victory against a high-flying Blaze side.

Rams Blue outlasted Martians 24-18 in a game marked by numerous walks and fielding errors, in the women’s division two lineup.

Despite Martians’ struggles on defence, their batters kept the game competitive with 10 safe hits.

Rams Blue finished with 11 safe hits, with Kaycee Monaghan and Amber Bestry making key contributions. Marlins carried on with their winning streak, beating Rams White 25-8 and Blaze 16-4.

This weekend sees Panthers take on Suiside, Rams White in a doubleheader against Rams Blue and Marlins, while Martians take on Blaze and Gunduwa go up against Rams Blue.