The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Queen’s College Comets, behind the stellar performances of pitcher Dawayna Pratt, avenged their first two losses to the St Anne’s Bluewaves during the regular season of the BAISS to win the girls’ title in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s Austin Knowles National High School Softball Championships.

On Sunday in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the Comets knocked off the Bluewaves 7-3 as Pratt tossed a one-hitter, striking out five batters and she also helped her own cause by going 1-for-2 with two runs scored as she was named the most valuable player.

“It feels great because St Anne’s beat us twice, so it’s good to beat them the third time around,” Pratt said. “Our team effort was nice. It was kind of hot, but we did what we had to do to pull though.”

Queen’s College coach Larry Sweeting said it was a special feeling for the Comets, who also made up for their early exit in the tournament last year when they failed to advance to the playoffs.

“Pitching was better, it was more seasoned and we had a couple of junior players who moved up and helped to solidify the team,” Sweeting said. “So we played very well. We really wanted this one.”

The Comets, who currently sit in the fourth spot behind the third place Bluewaves in the BAISS standings, also got a RBI from Quenalisa Albury, Kimona Wilon, Lourdes Strachan and Chrystin Sawyer.

Queen’s College opened the game by scoring five runs in the top of the first inning, one in the second and another in the third to seal the win. St Anne’s had two in the first and one more in the third.

Eddiesha Laing led the Bluewaves’ attack with a 1-for-2 day with a RBI.

Shayne Sweeting, St Anne’s coach, said her Bluewaves played very well in the tournament.

“In the championship game, the bats just didn’t come around today in the game,” she said. “We just have to go back to the batting practice to get ready for the BAISS playoffs.”

In the playoffs, the Comets routed the NGM Major Wildcats 12-4, while the Bluewaves knocked off the North Andros Seminoles 9-2 to advance to the championship.

The Wildcats and the Seminoles ended up playing for the bronze medal with North Andros winning 7-5.

Seminoles 7, Wildcats 5: Dalexia Barr went 1-for-2 with a RBI, scoring a run to lead North Andros. Kaylen Miller was the winning pitcher and Crysentha Fox was the loser.

Bluewaves 9, Seminoles 2: Breanna Carey and Sophia Cartwright were both 1-for-1 with a RBI and two runs scored to lead St Anne’s to victory. Lolithia Thompson was the winning pitcher and Kaylen Miller suffered the loss.

Comets 12, Wildcats 4: Altenese Farquharson went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored to lead NGM Major. Dawayna Pratt was the winning pitcher and Chrysanthea Fox suffered the loss.

At the end of the tournament, the following girls were awarded individual awards:

Batting champion: Melody Albury (Spanish Wells) .667

Most hits: 6 players tied with two each

Most runs scored: Raquel Coleby (North Andros) 4

Most RBI: T’Shura Evans (North Andros) 3

Most K’s: Lolita Thompson (St. Anne’s) 7

Best ERA: Chrysathea Fox (NGM) 4.67

Round robin MVP: Melody Albury (Spanish Wells)

All-Tournament Team

Pitcher – Chrysanthea Fox (NGM)

Catcher – Talor Pinder (Spanish Wells)

First base – Sophie Cartwright (St. Anne’s)

Second base – Tonique Ingraham (CV Bethel)

Third base – Juliette Evans (North Andros)

Shortstop – Denisha Woodside (CR Walker)

Leftfield – Kimona Wilson (Queen’s College)

Centrefierld – Melody Albury (Spanish Wells)

Right field – T’Shure Evans (North Andros)

Championship MVP – Dawayna Pratt