B.T.L. wins softball nationals

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and we’re rolling out yet another fresh issue of Sports Monday. Over the weekend Rogers Stadium hosted the best of the best in Belizean softball as the top eight ball clubs of the national gathered in a tournament package to choose the best from amongst many.

We pick up the action in the semi-finals as Independence United takes on the Belize City sub-champ C.T.C. in a bid to return to the finals.

We pick up the action in the bottom of the seventh with Independence up 3-2 against C.T.C. and the bases loaded against Leona Linares, who needs just one out to make it to the finals.

Here’s the pitch to Sharette Suazo. She hits it to Yolanda Garbutt at third base and we can comprehend her reaction on the out as Independence posts the 3-2 win and they’re pumped up going into the finals against the city champion B.T.L. waiting in the wings.

It’s Linares back on the mound for the south in the bottom of the first, with a runner on first facing Lydia Cacho, who gets the walk.

Noreshia Rowland then steps up and smack this pitch over the head of the outfielder for an in the park home run to bring home the first two runs of the ballgame.

In the top of the second Mary Flowers makes this mistake to her counterpart Linares, but watch Martha Rhys rush to the rescue with a magnificent catch.

In the bottom of the third, the bases are loaded when Linares gets Delcie Lizama to hit to third to come up with the third out of the inning.

Independence then tries to get on to the scoreboard by attempting to manufacture a run off this seemingly lack of focus defensively by the B.T.L. team, but Lydia Cacho guns down Shalini Zabaneh at the home plate.

In the top of the fifth Karen Andrews smashes this pitch, but again Martha Rhys comes up with spectacular defensive play and then doubles up the runner trying to steal second to kill the inning, much to Manager Zabaneh’s dismay.

The bottom of the fifth finds the bases loaded for Mary Flowers, who helps her cause with this single that brings Noreisha Rowland home.

In the sixth B.T.L. strikes again, when Martha Rhys brings home Nolita all the way from first base with a triple.

And then catcher Shirlene Baptist of Independence tries to gun down the attempted steal from first, but there’s nobody home to handle the throw–two unearned runs come in to give B.T.L. a 5-zip lead.

They would not relinquish this lead, so in the seventh all Mary Flowers needs is three outs to get the W?the first comes from this throw from Rowland to first base. Out number two sees the second baseman gun down the batter at first, although the runner at second does advance to third.

And it’s a wrap when Martha Rhys handles this play in the outfield. B.T.L. blanks Independence 5-zip to become the national female softball champion and will get to host the Sir Andie Trophy and will travel to Guatemalan for the third Central American softball championship. And of course, Sports Monday says good show.

Now let’s head to the City Centre for Friday’s night’s game two between the Raiders and O.W.’s Shell One Stop. The Raiders go in with a one game lead in this best of three series as Kirk “Shabba” Smith jumps against Kirk Burgess–and it’s Lester Cadle with the first bucket of the ballgame, which goes Orange Walk’s way.

The Raider’s response is immediate as Kevin Seroki deals to Clinton Fuller, who goes glass for two.

At the other end, Kirk Smith goes to the left hand and he gives Orange Walk a one-point lead. However, the Raiders begin to roll when Kevin Seroki gives them lead with this big time three-pointer.

Darwin Carter then goes behind his back to Kirk Burgess, who slams it home with authority. From the right hand corner Clinton Fuller wants three; he gets three. At the half the Raiders have rode to seven-point lead.

In second half things get worse for the visitors from Sugar City. Damon Ollie in heavy traffic gets the bucket to fall. Darwin Carter, who wasn’t having his best offensive game, hits the jumper right here.

For sure, these series of passes by the Raiders who the complete domination of the ball game at this point, as Kirk Burgess finishes this play successfully.

Hey Orange Walk, if you don’t want to play, don’t show up as we see then allowing Kirk Burgess to jam the pill down their throat.

For certain, the score tells the tale as the Raiders eliminate O.W. in a 91-62 blow out. We must say here at the sport desk we just couldn’t get the official stats from the league going to press time.

In the other semi-pro match-up, Saturday night saw the Corozal Dolphins even their semi-final series by hurting B.T.L. 98-95–which is a shocker in the city. But it nevertheless forces the decisive game three at the City Centre Wednesday night. The winner moves on to face the Raiders in the five-game championship series that gets off Friday night.

Turning to the football scene, Regent Insurance Cup play over the weekend saw Jacintoville United hold the Builder’s Hardware Bandits of Belmopan to a 2-2 stalemate. Real Verdes and Sagitun rallied to a nil-nil draw, which leave the defending champ as the only undefeated team in the league. San Pedro Seahawks posted their second season win by edging Juventus 2-1, to give Juventus their first loss of this season, while Kulture Yabra blanked Griga United 1-zip.

That’s it for now, we invite you back same time, same place, next week. Jah over all! I’m James Adderley.