Saturday was our last game before the Christmas/New Year break and I hope everyone will enjoy the holidays.
Well done to Matt for organising our teams last Saturday. Between injuries, Under 23 Nationals and Christmas functions, it was a difficult week organising the teams He did a great job.
The Under 23s finished 4th on the ladder and from watching the games, they had some great wins over Qld (eventual winners), NSW and SA.
Well done to our reps, Audrey & Caitlin.
Under 13s
Syndal (13) lost to Raiders (16)
Great to see the bats out again this week and some drier weather.
Our first three batters (Thomas, Eve and Jason) all hit safely from coach's pitches including a huge hit from Jason who had to stop at second base, unfortunately, due to the rules. We only got three runs home though as their pitcher managed to pitch a few strikes.
Leon was pitching to Christopher today and a good little battery it was. Raiders first batter was retired and then Leon struck out their second batter and it looked like we might get a quick inning in. Raiders then hit five singles and scored six runs. Jason had a great inning stopping balls at shortstop.
Our second inning started with Sofia hitting the first pitch to reach first base safely. A few wild pitches and we had three runners come home so we were even in the score line. Echo hit a great fly ball and ran directly to first without looking where it landed, unfortunately it had been caught, but she did exactly what she needed to by way of base running. Emily, Thomas (from Raider's pitcher) and Eve then all hit safely before Jason came up and hit another double, scoring Thomas and Eve. This time it was from a normal pitch so he could have run further than second, but the fielders got the ball in to stop him. Christopher also hit off the pitcher before Iyla hit a double from Tamar's coach pitch to be the ninth batter and finish the inning 13-6 ahead.
Raiders then had their second at bat and were also hitting just as well as us. Two batters were retired from coach's pitches, but five batters did hit Leon's pitches so he was doing a great job throwing strikes. This did mean that they scored 10 runs like us to then be ahead 16-13.
With ten minutes to go we went out for a third at bat, to give everyone more batting practice. If we'd only scored two runs we could have kept them, to leave a 16-15 score line, but we scored 4 so the score reverted back to 16-13 as Raiders didn't get a chance to bat. Leon hit a great hit off the pitcher to right field, followed up by Elin to left field from Tamar's pitch. Emily hit a fly similar to Echo's in the second inning that was also caught which also resulted in a double play to Raiders. The end of the game was then called.
What a first half of the season - the team have had some wins and losses, but there has been lots of hitting, some great catches and some double plays. Let's hope everyone keeps up some catching practice in the holidays and we get out fielding as hot as our batting for the second half of the season.
Zoë
Open 1
Syndal (7) defeated Brandon Heights (0)
Brandon Heights forfeited late Saturday morning.
Open 2
Syndal (10) defeated Monash Magic (2)
Twas the week before Christmas and softball was back just in time after a two-week weather break. Open 2 faced off against Monash for the third time so far this season.
We had Jenny on the plate again this week and Ash C. made a return to catching (a Christmas miracle, perhaps?). They worked brilliantly together with Jenny pitching a blinder and making sure they hit just about everything to short stop and Third base.
Jodi had a cracker at third, with a couple of double plays and some nice catches off line drives.
The big stand out of the game was the textbook perfect bunt out down by Jamie- what should have been a sac bunt, ended with the runner being advanced to 2nd and Jamie standing on 1st Base!
It was a fantastic team effort and a brilliant way to end the first half of the season! Merry Christmas! See you all in Feb!
Open 3
Syndal (4) defeated Ejays (1)
Singles to Paris, Claire, Ashlee and Jen. A single and a double to Kieryn. Best fielding today for the Season, 5 defensive errors all to the Ejays! Everyone fielded out of their cleats!
Outstanding team performance.
Thanks to Matt for coming to Coach us with Andy today and thank you to Jodi for picking up the purple pen.
Merry Christmas to all, and we hope to see lots of people between the 2nd and the 7th Jan. for the U16 Nationals.
Kind Regards, Tracey
Ladder Positions
These ladder positions are as at 09 December 2023:
Open 1- 2nd
Open 2 - 3rd
Open 3 - 9th
Under 13s - 4th
Upcoming Night Games
30/01/2024 - Open 1 @7:30pm Diamond 2
07/02/2024 - Open 3 @8:30pm Diamond 2
13/02/2024 - Open 1 @7:30pm Diamond 2
14/02/2024 - Open 2 @7:00pm Diamond 1
13/03/2024 - Open 2 @7:00pm Diamond 2
Games 03/02/2024
Open 1 - Syndal (H) vs Ejays (A)
Open 2 - Syndal (H) vs Brandon Heights (A)
Open 3 - Syndal (A) vs Monash Stars (A)
Open 4 - Syndal (H) vs Frankston (A)
Calendar:
Thursday 28th December - Working Bee at Jells to get ready for the U16 Nationals
Training:
Juniors - Every Thursday night - 5pm to 6pm - Diamond 9
Seniors - Every Thursday night - 6pm - Diamond 9.
Fundraising
We are again participating in the Pancake Parlour Club Rewards Program. Every dollar earns our club 1 point.
If we top our league ladder, we will win $1,000- for our club.
Please ask your friends and family that if they eat at the Pancake Parlour, remember to mention our club when paying and we’ll increase our points.
Unavailability
Just a reminder, that if you’re not available to play any week, please let your coach know or contact Matt at
syndalteams@gmail.com
Uniforms
We’re working on the hoodies now so hopefully will have the information to send out in the next week or so.
WSA NEWS
This weekend will be Christmas at Jells. Everyone is welcome to come dressed in Christmas colours, sing along to come carols and have your photo taken with Santa. Ausport will be at the Park for all your Christmas shopping needs as well.
Wth Under 16 National Championships starting on 2nd January, WSA will be holding 2 working bees to prepare the grounds. The dates are:
Sunday 17th December
Thursday 28th December
We have been allocated jobs which need to be completed by 28th December but there are many jobs that need to be completed and the more people we have to help, the quicker they’ll get done.
We’ll keep everyone updated on working bee times.WSA will also be asking for volunteers during the tournaments - to help with jobs such as:
. Scoreboard duty
. Lining diamonds
. Canteen duties
. Water container duties
The weather forecast is looking much better than the last 2 weeks and it will be good to catch up with everyone before our holiday break.
We may need sunscreen and water bottles rather than umbrellas and raincoats.
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and Happy & Safe New Year. We look forward to seeing everyone back in 2024.
