The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) championship series are all set after the sudden death playoffs concluded at the Freedom Farm baseball complex in Yamacraw last night.

In the senior boys’ matchup, the CW Saunders Cougars advanced in thrilling fashion with an 18-17 win over the Queen’s College Comets.

Natt Ferguson came in to pinch hit with the score tied in the bottom of the seventh inning and his sacrifice fly drove in the game-winning run.

Jason Wood was a force at the plate for the Cougars and went 3-3 on the night, including a grand slam and eight RBI.

The Cougars built a 14-6 lead before the Comets’ late surge.

With eight unanswered runs, QC would eventually tie the game at 14 in the bottom of the sixth inning, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

The Comets plated three runs in the top of the seventh inning for their first lead of the game and took a 17-14 advantage into the bottom half.

In their turn at bat, the Cougars drew several walks and, with the bases loaded, Vanhusen Woods blasted a three RBI triple to tie the score and set the stage for Ferguson’s heroics.

They will advance to face the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine in the championship series.

“This one really means a lot to me. I’ve been at CWS for five years and every year we would make the playoffs and get put out early,” said Cougars pitcher Kawan Dames. “We just need to work on our hitting and our defence ahead of next game.”

In the junior boys’ division, the NCA Crusaders advanced yesterday with a 6-3 win over the Comets. They will advance to face SAC in the final after they defeated the CW Saunders on Tuesday afternoon.

“This one was really special for us because it’s the first time in the school’s history that the junior boys have made it to the championship,” said Crusaders coach Richard Wilson.

“We went 5-1 on the season, and we had an okay game against SAC, so we’re optimistic. We just have to come in focused and lock in for the final game.”

The Comets finally got a much- needed win in the junior girls’ division when they advanced to the championship series with an 11-10 win over the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine in come from behind fashion.

Trailing 10-9 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Comets scored two runs, capped by Carnitra Mackey’s RBI single. They will face the CW Saunders Cougars in the final.

“It’s a great feeling being able to move on to the next round,” said Comets coach Sandrea Holmes. “Our goal was to make it to the championship round, and now we have to take it one game at a time.”

The win ensured the Big Red Machine would be unable to repeat their feat of sweeping championship titles in all four divisions for the fourth consecutive year.

In the senior girls’ matchup, the St Anne’s Blue Waves advanced with a 7-5 win. They will advance to face the Big Red Machine in the final.

“This win really feels good. We haven’t been to a title game since year before last and now we have to play strong in the final game,” said St Anne’s head coach Chercovie Wells.

“Ahead of Monday’s game, we want to tighten up our defence on the infield and focus on a few other minor details.”

Game one in all four divisions is scheduled to be played on Monday, November 14, followed by game twos on Wednesday, November 16 and third and deciding games if necessary on Thursday, November 17 – all at Freedom Farm.