Independence wins women’s softball title

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The National Softball tournament brought 9 champions and sub-champions to the Roger’s Stadium over the weekend in an effort to produce the best from among many. Independence United, the southern champion, reached the playoffs in undefeated fashion and we find the defending champion C.T.C., a Belize City team, facing champion of champion Camalote Durley’s from out west to get into the finals.

We go into the action in the top of third with Camalote looking to extend a 2-zip lead over C.T.C. Hortense Thurton should get an out on Angela Andrews but this is terrible defense by C.T.C. After Andrews steals third, Pat Thimbrel bounces to third and is thrown out, but Angela reaches home safely. In the top of the third it’s a 3-zip Camalote lead, but the best from the west wants more. Frances Coye lays down perfect but third baseman Allen miscues with a throw which allows 2 runs to score while Coye reaches all the way at third. The next batter, Sutherland doesn’t get the ball pass the infield but it is enough to bring the run home. Camalote goes on to win 6-zip.

So we go now to money time as Camalote faces Independence United for the 1998 National Softball Title. Independence sends Desiree Gordon to the mound. And she records her third consecutive out of the first by getting Bridget Fuller to pop out. National team pitcher Kenisha Sutherland gets touched by Shalini Zabaneh for a hit but gets out of first unscratched. In the second, Desiree Gordon gives up a hit to Molly Coye who brings home the runner at third for a 1-zip Camalote lead.

Camalote can get more in the top of the third when Bridget Fuller bloops this single. However, Olivia Thimbrel gets trapped running the bases which kills the money. In the fourth a defensive error gives Janelle Smith a new lease on life. On the very next pitch she makes Kenisha Sutherland pay with a hit that scored the tying run. It’s the fifth inning and here’s the big play of the ball game. Doretta Leslie tags Sutherland hard down the line. The runner advances to third, Leslie tries to steal second, Pat Thimbrel tries to run her down,… she’s safe. The runner scored what turns out to be the winning run. In the top of the seventh an out gives Desiree Gordon the big “W” and Independence United is the 1998 National Softball champions and we say congratulations.

In the awards ceremony which followed immediately Bridget Fuller was awarded for batting in the most runs. Karen Andrews was voted best left fielder. Best batting average of .325 went to Angela Andrews. Kenisha Sutherland picked up the award for most wins and the best pitcher. And of course the most valuable player turned out to be Desiree Gordon of Independence United.

That’s it. Jah over all. I’m James Adderley.