RED Devils prevailed in Mount Isa men’s A-grade softball grand final, outlasting Wanderers 6-4 on Saturday.
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Red Devils jumped out to an early lead, thanks to home run bombs from star James Larkin. But the Wanderers’ never-say-die attitude kept the Devils nervous.
Wanderers’ Nathan Drew came in for one at bat to try to break Phil Horne’s run of outs, doing so with a nice hit that got the Wanderers’ bats going.
Tight pitching from both sides saw the match go down to the bottom of the seventh innings before the Red Devils could be awarded the trophy.
In the end, the power hitting of the Red Devils was the difference, with good bats getting runners on bases, before match MVP James Larkin smashed them all home.
Larkin was supported by teammates Josh Wagner, Horne, Ian Downes, Jarred Morgan and Stewart Beetham.
Wanderers’ Jarrod Nilsson, Ryan Smith, Karl Lloyd and Frank Long had good games for the losing side.
Horne’s exceptional pitching throughout the season earned him Mount Isa Softball Association Best and Fairest title for A grade.
In the A reserve grade, Pirates possessed too much fire power, and defeated Rebels 16-9 to claim the trophy.
Power hits from Pirates trio James Byrne, Arnold Bowman and Kieran Punch set up the victory.
Pitcher Jaymon King chipped in from the mound, ensuring the Rebels’ bats remained quiet all game, while teammates Tristan Saltmere and Steven Strangeways had handy matches.
Rebels were led by Jason Laffin, Kim Timonen, Matt Timonen, Azza Blackwood and Nathan Denyer.
Sam Irachi was named player of the final while MISA best and fairest was awarded to Mitchel Nilsson.