The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SPANISH Wells All Age School Bulldogs served notice early that they are back to carry both the Austin ‘King Snake’ Knowles National Softball Championship boys and girls titles back to Eleuthera.

The Bulldogs opened the three-day tournament, organised by the Bahamas Softball Federation, with both teams winning their double header on Thursday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. They were also joined by the North Andros Seminoles, whose girls team made their presence felt as the Family Islands took the spotlight.

The tournament, which is scheduled to continue 10am today, is expected to wrap up on Saturday night when Spanish Wells hopes to be hoisting the trophies once again.

“I think they are doing very well. I have high expectations for them,” said Michelle Pinder, one of the coaches of Spanish Wells’ girls team. “They practiced hard. It’s all mental right now. Today, in our first game, I thought they played very well, but in the second game, they didn’t hit that well. They still played well, so I’m pleased.”

Pinder, however, said their third sacker and top batter Courtney Newbold is out with an injury so they had to jiggle their line-up a bit.

Spanish Wells could get the challenge from North Andros, who also won their first two games. Manager John Ingraham said they are here to regain the title they last held about two years ago.

“We are just getting the bugs out because this is actually our first tournament for the year,” Ingraham said. “So we’re trying to get the chemistry together as we go into each game. We’re going to take the championship this year. We don’t want to have the same thing happen to us last year when we got knocked out by Spanish Wells to get into the final.”

As for Spanish Wells’ boys team, coach Brandon Newbold said they are playing as expected as well.

“They are sharp. They are coming right out of the box and even though it’s a small young team with no seniors, we’re playing very well. The future is looking bright,” Newbold said. “We are a little inexperienced, but if we stick together and play the way we are capable of playing, we will be right there.”

Here’s a summary of the games played on day one:

Bulldogs 5, Knights 4

Toya Joseph scored two runs, including the game winner in a two-run bottom of the fourth inning, to help preserve Spanish Wells undefeated record in their two girls games so far. Kerigan Roberts, Talan Pinder and Moseisa Bernadin all scored a run each.

Despite the nine runs, the game was a pitcher’s duel with Kerigan Roberts tossing a one-hitter with seven strike outs for the win. Kyashanti Beckford was more stingy, not giving up a hit with just four strike outs in accepting the loss for CR Walker.

Kevinique Simmons got the lone hit in the game in her 1-for-2 day with a RBI and a run scored.

Bulldogs 11, Pacers 4

Kailey Roberts had a perfect 3-for-3 day with two runs and both Allie Pinder and Kerigan Pinder were 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run in Spanish Wells opening victory.

Pinder was also the winning pitcher, while Jasmin Moxey got the loss for RM Bailey. Moxey helped her cause by going 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Seminoles 16, Stingrays 3

Theresa Woodside went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored, Auera Russell was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs, Lounique Johnson 1-for-3 with three RBI, Rushawn Russell 1-for-3 with a RBI and three runs and Natoria Knowles 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored to keep North Andros undefeated.

Knowles also picked up the win, while Tara Rolle suffered the loss for CV Bethel, who got a 1-for-2 outing with a run from Daria Cambridge.

Bulldogs 6, Knights 0

Kevin Symonette went 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored, while Storm Ricks was also 1-for-2 with a RBI and Slam Charles 1-for-1 with a RBI as Spanish Wells stayed unbeaten in their two games.

Kirby Albury fired a two-hitter with a strike out for the win and Rasheed Hanna suffered the loss for CR Walker.

Bulldogs 12, Saints 2

Trent Pinder and Sam Charles both tripled and scored two runs in Spanish Wells opening game.

Kade Roberts was the winning pitcher and Charlton Deal got the loss for Kingsway Academy. Calvin Tynes went 1-for-2 with a run in a losing effort.

Saints 7, Pacers 5

Whitney Cartwright had a perfect 2-for-2 day with three RBI, scoring a run and Dominic Rolle was 1-for-1 for Kingsway Academy.

Rolle was also the winning pitcher, while Samuel Mullings got tagged with the loss for RM Bailey.

Tavis Mullings was 2-for-2 with two runs and Jaray Fernader was 1-for-2 with a RBI and run scored in a losing effort.

Stingrays 7, Seminoles 6

Ashton Grey was a perfect 2-for-2, including the winning run in the top of the fourth for CV Bethel. Courtney Smith helped out by going 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs and Moses Kerr was also 2-for-2 with a run scored.

Chad Ferguson was the winning pitcher and Jonathan Scott got the loss. Scott also helped his own cause by going 1-for-2 with two RBI and Torrie Scott was 2-for-3.

Knights 9, Magicwomen 8

Diva Burrows had a RBI single to drive in Kyshanti Beckford with the winning run. Burrows finished 1-for-1 with a RBI and run, while Beckford was 1-for-2 with a RBI and two runs. Chrystal Johnson was 2-for-2 with a RBI and run scored.

Burrows picked up the win on the mound and Amariage Taylor was tagged with the loss for Government High.

Jordanae Thompson was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored and both Danielle Stubbs and Brittany Johnson were 1-for-2 with a RBI.

Knight 10, Pacers 0

Marco Lightbourne went 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs and both Greg Bethel and Brayon Harvey were both 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs in CR Walker’s win.

Quincy McKenzie got the win on the mound over Devon Hield of RM Bailey, who also got a perfect 2-for-2 day from Jaray Fernander.

Falcons 7, Magicmen 3

Litinique Kemp was 1-for-1 with two RBI and two runs scored, Stevano Beneby 1-for-2 with a RBI and run and Tavaris Dames 1-for-2 with a RBI for Prince Williams victory.

Rashad Rolle was the winning pitcher and Akeem Newton suffered the loss for Government High, who got a 1-for-2 day with a run from Arajanae Humes.

Seminoles 10, Fighting Tigers 5

Lounique Johnson went 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored, while Theresa Woodside was 2-for-3 with a RBI and two runs and Dalexia Barr went 2-for-2 with two runs in the win for North Andros.

Natoria Knowles was the winning pitcher and Tarrel Rolle was the loser for AF Adderley. Shontae Gibson wad 1-for-2 with a run scored and Denisha Woodside was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run in the loss.

Stingrays 8, Falcons 2

Peron Rolle had a two-run triple and scored two runs and Moses Kerr added a double and scored two runs to secure the win for CV Bethel.

Ellis Adderley was the winning pitcher, while Tavaris Dames got the loss for Jordan Prince Williams. Stevano Beneby had a single and scored a run in a losing effort.

Knights 12, Fighting Tigers 9

Tikara Collie was 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored and both Shavaya Adderley and Angel Miller went 1-for-3 with two runs scored in the win for CR Walker.

Tara Rolle was the winning pitcher and Lucianna Miller got the loss for AF Adderley. Shontae Gibson went 1-for-2 with a RBI and two runs in the loss.

Seminoles 7, Magicwomen 6

Devon Cash scored the winning run in the bottom of a seven-run first inning and he joined Fernander Colebrooke in going 1-for-1 with a run scored in North Andros opening victory.

Jonathan Scott was the winning pitcher and Akeem Newton got the loss for Government High. Newton also helped his cause by going 1-for-1 with three RBI and a run scored.