The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

IN A showdown between the top two Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools senior boys softball teams, Jordan Prince Williams (JPW) made a convincing statement against Charles W Saunders (CWS), the Falcons dismantling the Cougars 17-8 to record a seventh successive win this season.

There was a lot of talk between the two unbeaten teams prior to yesterday’s game on social media, with some Cougars not only predicting a win but a dominant performance.

The Falcons however had different plans and, following the lead of shortstop Courtney Smith and pitcher Micah Bethel, they brought their bats. The JPW offence took Cougars pitcher Chron Wallace deep three times, two of which were grand slams.

Bethel illustrated what it means to be an all-round player, getting on base every at bat, scoring three runs, pitching a complete game with seven strikeouts - and all on a injured ankle.

The duo of Bethel and Smith was lethal, forcing the Cougars to walk the hitters in successive innings. That plan backfired however and as the Falcon’s fans indicated in a chant that they had a team of great hitters, Gee Bethel stepped in to hit one of the grand slams.

Of the walks Smith said: “They did what they thought was best. They were trying to win a game today, but their plans didn’t work out.” The shortstop added: “Today, I was focused on hitting. I wanted to do what my team expected me to do, hit the ball. Maybe that is why they wanted to avoid me. I was focused the entire game.”

Micah Bethel called the game “a good matchup”, adding “the strikes made a difference today, every one counted”.

As he pitched the final inning his coach screamed out to him, “make them remember you after today, make them fear you.”

With his outstanding performance one thing seems certain: any team with championship aspirations this season will have to counter the Falcon’s star pitcher and his many talents.

Twelfth grader Melissa Thompson, a self-proclaimed JPW superfan, said: “This team is the team to watch going forward”. The Falcons, now 7-0 for the season, boast the league’s highest scoring offence and the most displined defence.

Next for JPW are the Saint Anne’s Bluewaves tomorrow, while the Cougars will try to bounce back against Nassau Christian Academy Crusaders. They were routed yesterday by St Augustine’s College 17-3 in four innings.