The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AVERY Rolle spun a four-hitter with six strike outs to help the AG Construction Buccaneers jump out to a quick start in the men’s division of the New Providence Softball Association 2013 season.

Rolle and the Buccaneers prevailed with a 10-3 decision over last year’s runners-up Arnette’s Sporting Lounge Hitmen. The rematch of last year’s men’s final didn’t take place on the opening day of the season because of the departure of the perennial champions Bommer G Truckers.

The Truckers opted not to enter the league this year, partly due to the illness of manager Perry Seymour, who recently had to undergo brain surgery.

Also on day one of the new season, last year’s runners-up Lady Hitters turned the tables on the new look defending champions Bommer G Operators with an abbreviated 18-8 five-inning affair just after the official opening ceremonies and the awards presentation from last year that took place in between the two games.

In his first, Rolle worked the first six innings, giving up a run in the first, third and sixth to the Hitmen before Thomas Davis came in and closed the door in the seventh.

“It was a well fought game. The guys came out, the energy was live and I tried to keep the ball in the zone,” Rolle said. “But our bats really came alive in the seventh inning and we were able to pull out the win.”

As for his performance, Rolle said he worked hard during the off-season and he “threw a lot of different pitches at them because I know they are a good team and I wanted to make sure that they were unbalanced.”

With the season wide open in the absence of the Truckers, Rolle said they are going to make a strong case for a chance to claim the title this year.

They did in the seventh after holding onto a slim 4-3 lead for the earlier part of the game.

In that inning, Jordan Gibson cracked the season’s first home run - a two-run shot that drove in pinch runner Glen Rolle (who came in at first for Maitland Demeritte after he led off with a single).

The Buccaneers got a back-to-back two-run double from Eric Johnson and a RBI single from Adrian Pinder before Romero Mortimer completed the rally with a RBI sacrifice fly.

Pinder finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Lamar Watkins had a pair of RBI singles with a walk and hit by pitch, driving in two runs and scoring as many times, while newly acquired Ken Wood Jr had a triple and run scored.

The Buccaneers were able to wrack up the performance against Hitmen’s ace Alcott Forbes, who surrendered 15 hits with six strike outs in the loss.

“I was happy with the team. The pitching looks good and the guys looked good defense. Our bats are only going to get better as the season progresses, so I feel pretty confident that we will do very well this year,” said manager Mike Dillet.

“We did some travelling in January to an international tournament and that has helped us tremendously. Hard work is paying off for us. We feel we have a chance to win it all this year.”

To his credit, Forbes led off offensively for the Hitmen, scoring their first two runs in the first on a single and an error and the second in the third on a triple and a RBI sacrifice fly from Martin Burrows Jr.

The Hitmen, now managed by Darren Stevens, didn’t score again until the sixth after Sherman Ferguson got on a base on a fielder’s choice, stole second and came home on a rare error by the Buccaneers in the game.

“We are down four starters and we just about everybody was out of position except for the pitcher, first baseman and third baseman,” said Hosea Hilton, who played the latter position. “Everybody else, not making any excuses, but we thought our bench could do it.

“Not taking anything away from the Hitmen, they are a rebuilt team and they put together an all-star team. They showed us everything tonight. They were at their best and we were at our absolute worse, so they are in a lot of trouble.”

Lady Hitters 18, Lady operators 8

Thela Johnson got her second year team off to an impressive start, going 3-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored, just missing the cycle with a put out, a walk, a double, a triple and a home run in her plate appearances.

If that wasn’t enough, Johnson got the win on the mound with a three-hit, nine-strike out, seven walk production.

“We started off a little flat, but we got into it after the second inning,” Johnson said. “The girls just went out there and did what the coach told them to do. I’m very proud of them. The performance was excellent tonight.

Melinda Bastian went 1-for-4 with three RBIs, Tikara Collie and Randell Cooper with both 1-for-3 and two runs - Cooper with a RBI and Shera Woodside was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs.

The Lady Hitters came up with a run in the first, seven in the second, eight in the fourth and two more in the fifth to seal the abbreviation. The Lady Operators responded with four in the third and four more in the fourth.

“I’m happy. We made a few mental errors, but we got it together,” said Lady Hitters’ manager Carl ‘Bang Bang’ Johnson. “Last year we got to the championship and we didn’t win it. I can guarantee you that we will win it this year. I have the best team out there and the best pitcher in the league.”

Michelle Thompson led the Lady Operators by going 1-for-3 with three RBI and a run and Tyrice Curry was 1-for-1 with a RBI and run scored.

Diva Burrows gave up seven hits with as many walks and six strike outs in 3 2/3 innings for the loss before she was relieved by Curry in the fourth.

“Even though we are the defending champions, we are rebuilding. This is a new team,” said Greg Mortimer, the new manager for the Lady Operators. “The average age of our team is 19-20 and we intend to work with them. We are trying to instill on them good habits and I figure in the next couple of years, we will be in top shape.

“I just took over the management this year and I was just told to work with what I have. Once we stay together, I expect us to be right there in contention.”

Tuesday’s schedule

7pm - Sigma Wildcats vs Lady Hitters (L)

8:30pm - Miller Rams vs Mighty Mitts (M)