The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The men’s and women’s championship series in the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) are all set, featuring a rematch in the men’s division, and a newcomer taking on a perennial contender in the women’s division.

In the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex on Tuesday night, the Truckers closed out the Blue Chips Buccaneers 7-6, while the Dorin United Hitmen completed the sweep of the YII Shipping Bulldogs, 16-0, in four innings.

In the women’s match-up, the Bommer G Lady Operators will face the first year Lady Hitmen, who have already swept aside the defending champions Proper Care Pool Lady Sharks en route to the championship round.

Both series are slated to begin Saturday night with the women’s game opening play at 7pm.

In the closeout game for the Hitmen, Kieron Munroe gave up just a single hit and dominated from the mound with six strikeouts.

“We came out tonight wanting to just execute,” he said. “Play a hard game, no injuries, so we can move on to the next round.”

Offensively, Sherman Ferguson went 3-3 with a double and two runs scored, Alcott Forbes went 2-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI, Jemico Sands went 1-3 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBI.

After taking game one in a 13-0 shutout, Dorin United took game two 26-5.

The Truckers needed an extra inning to eliminate the Buccaneers led by Adney Bethel who came in relief in the sixth inning and struck out four in the win.

Eugene Pratt started the game and finished with three strikeouts.

Ramon Storr went 3-4, scored two runs and added an RBI, Marvin Wood went 1-3 with a home run and an RBI, while Bethel went 2-3 and scored a run.

Cardinal Gilbert struck out six in the loss.

For the Bucs, Eric Johnson homered and finished 3-4 with an RBI, Greg Gardiner went 1-3 with a run and an RBI while Lamar Watkins went 1-4 and scored.

“I feel good because the team is scoring the runs now and giving me a comfortable lead so I can just go out there and pitch,” Bethel said. “With a big team like the Truckers, I know they are going to step it up. This is our time of the year - October and November - so we’re going to be ready. Once the team is ready, I’m going to be ready.”

In game one, the Truckers won a close 5-2 decision and took game two 13-4.

The two winners in the championships will advance to represent the NPSA in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s National Round Robin Championship series that will be played at Baillou Hills at the end of October.