Camalote girls take softball crown
James Adderley
Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’re logged on to a fresh dish of Sports Monday. The double elimination format had already landed on two of the eight teams when action resumed in the twelfth Women’s Softball Championship Saturday at Rogers Stadium. And yes folks, we’ve got it all.
We open things to the battle between the Belize City champs C.T.C. and the Belize rural champs Willows Bank, but first, feel the ugliness of the pitch in its water logged state.
Nevertheless, the beat does go on and its top of the fourth inning with the city team at bat with a 2-zip lead. Up steps Hortense Thurton against Nadine Flowers and she swings for what looks like a single, but becomes a water aided double as 2 more runs score. Team C.T.C. eliminates Willows Bank 12-3.
Next up on the schedule finds the Cayo champ Duurlys Crystal in action the red hot Independence team from down south, but this crustacean wants to control first base (crab crawls over first base) until he gets booted by the first base umpire.
Still, it’s Independence with a 1-run lead over the Camalote unit when Sherlene Baptist comes through with a single, which is mishandled by Camalote. 1 runs scores, but the tail runner is put out at the home plate to keep Independence with a 2-zip lead.
With one out in the bottom of the 6th, Duurlys Crystal mounts a wicked chance. Patricia Thimbrel smacks this hit off Leona Linares and the Cayo champ gets its first run.
It’s a tied ballgame when Molly Coye flies out deep enough to bring home Emogene Coyi standing at third base.
In the moneytime, who do you call? Camalote sends for Bridget Fuller and guess what, she swings home the winning run as Camalote wins 3-2 to hand Independence its first loss of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the showdown between Team C.T.C. and Roaring Creek’s Grace Kennedy was a hotly contested affair. In the top of the third Belvia Gillett smokes Janelle Smith to make it a 2-nil Roaring Creek lead.
By the way folks, this is the catch of the day. And thanks Tanya Davis for that burst of adrenaline. It’s the top of the 6th when this hit brings home another run to make it 3-zip. Team C.T.C. would score 1 run in their half of the 6th, but they must head to the exit because of the 3-1 final score.
We now come to the Roaring Creek-Independence match up as the Grace Kennedy pitcher Kenrene Hewlett looks to extend the 3-2 lead with this hit, but Karlee Armstrong in thrown out at the plate.
You make the call, Ethleen Rivas singles through the infield, Dorla Leslie scores and then Varla Cadle is first called out by the umpire, who then changes his mind, giving Independence the call. They go up 5-4.
Down 6-4 in the 6th Grace Kennedy gets busy, the pitcher Kenrene Hewlett helps her cause with a run scoring triple and yes folks, Roaring Creek sends Independence packing 8-6. Thanks to efforts like this mounted by centre field Tanya Davis.
So we come to the championship match and its Camalote Duurlys Crystal of Cayo with a 3-2 lead in the 7th against Roaring Creek, also of Cayo. Hewlett gets touched by Nafisa Leslie and 2 more runs come in.
Then the Grace Kennedy team crumbles right before our very eyes. This infield shot by Angela Andrews should have been an out–instead it’s an error that allows Andrews to score all the way from first. The catcher, Natalie Smith becomes frustrated, throws the ball away and another run comes in.
Duurlys Crystal of Camalote goes on to post the 8-2 victory to seal the 2002 Women’s Softball Championships. Sports Monday says maximum congratulations.
In the post tournament awards Roaring Creek shortstop Belvia Gillett gets the best infield award. Centerfielder Tanya Davis of Roaring Creek walks away with the best outfield honours. And also for hitting the only homerun of the tournament, Kenrene Hewlett emerged the winningest pitcher and MVP. and C.T.C.’s Hortense Thurton took home the best batting average of .571. Bernadine Carcamo batted in the most runs, a grand total of 7. And yes, we go to say good show to the softball community.
As we switch gears, the football fiasco continues, so we must give you this perspective from football enthusiast Nidal Jihad McLaren.
Nidal Jihad McLaren
“Constituting the fact that if the B.P.F.L. has pulled out football, then obviously we don’t have a football that is gonna be represented by FIFA for international games. So what we’re trying to do, the B.F.L. (Belize Football League), is to bring back what was there that was virtually was not being taken care of. And now we’re trying to get this going where we bring this to represent the B.P.F.L. that has moved away. I have offered the F.F.B. to bring back the B.F.L. to organise football in Belize the way it’s supposed to be organised within the limits of the rules and regulations of this sport.”
That’s our show for today, but before we go we must say we do mourn the loss of Karl Tillett, who passed away on Saturday at Corozal. At one time he used to hold over for us right here at the sports desk on Channel 5. Hey, sleep on Karl.
That’s it for now, we invite you back same time, same place next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
