by Jeremy Thomas
Antwerp, Belgium: August 13 – The Great Britain Softball Cadette National Team played their last game of the 2011 European Championships versus Slovakia, a day after their thrilling comeback victory over the Serbians.
Another game in the rain
As was par for the course in Antwerp, the warm-up was carried out in dry conditions but as soon as the game started so did the rain, and it hardly let up until the final out was called.
The first inning started well for the British team, and despite a two out bunt single from Serbia's Lenka Gunisova and a subsequent walk, the fifth batter struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the inning, Gabry Sassoli got the British supporters on their feet with a hit to centre-right field. It looked liked the ball had enough distance to allow for an inside-the-park home run, but Gabry was picked off on her way to home plate. Two batters later the inning ended with the game tied at 0.
The Slovaks take the lead, but GB fight back
The Slovaks started the third inning with an aggressive small-ball approach, alternating bunting and hitting to get the first four batters on base and score one run. Their fifth at bat of the inning popped up over second base and, before the ball could be caught, "Infield Fly" was called by the umpire. This didn’t appear to be heard by the defence, though, and the Slovaks managed to score a runner. A sacrifice bunt by Miriam Gombikova brought in another run and the Slovakians threatened to score more, but with two runners on base Ellie Pamenter struck the next batter out to end the bleeding at four runs allowed.
Down 0-4, Britain needed to respond quickly, and Lucy Hall led the way with a leadoff ground ball to right field. With the next batter out, Sassoli singled with a hard hit past second base. The Slovaks initially expected a hit from Amy Trask, but the perfect squeeze bunt she produced scored Hall from third base and, in the following confusion on where they should throw to, Amy made it safely to second. Another hit and two walks later, Team GB was in prime position to draw even in the game. Gracie Dickinson bunted and Fran Meakin clubbed a fielder's choice, bringing Hall back to the plate as the Cadettes had batted around. Hall repeated her first at bat, driving another single into the outfield, but this time scoring a runner. It was then Chloe Wigginton’s turn and her hit allowed Dickinson to run home. On the next play, Hall was picked off to end the inning, however the damage had been done and GB led by a score of 6–4.
Pressure pitching
Both teams' defences took over again in the fourth inning without allowing a run. In the fifth inning, Lenka Gunisova led off with a slap bunt that took a tough hop, allowing her time to reach first base safely. Two quick steals later and she was in scoring position on third, when the Slovaks ripped a line drive to centre field that brought her home. Ellie Pamenter worked some magic from the mound, though, working a pop out and two strike outs to stop the Slovaks in their tracks.
In the bottom of the fifth inning with a batter on base, Team GB fell victim to a skilled double play by Slovakian second baseman Laura Ferancova, who caught a well hit ball and then quickly threw to first to double-up the British runner. After three outs, the scoreline stood at 6–5 to Great Britain.
Closing the game
When the first Slovak batter struck out to begin the sixth inning, GB knew another victory was within their grasp and the confidence in the dugout was palpable to the fans in the bleachers. But Dominika Rampackova came to bat, and a big hit to centre right field found a gap and it looked as if she might score and tie the ballgame. However, good fielding by Sian Wigington stopped Rampackova at third. The next at bat popped up to second base, where Holly Strachan took the catch calmly. With the runner still at third and two outs, a bunt in the direction of the pitcher was snapped up and thrown to first, and the game ended by a score of 6-5 for Great Britain.
Final placing
This final victory meant that that GB finished with a record of 4 wins and 4 losses, equal with the Germans. Tied positions are determined on the head to head score, and as Britain beat the Germans, the Cadettes finished the European Championships in 7th place.
The close knit GB squad certainly made the most of the 2011 European Cadette Championships, becoming much better softball players in the process. By the end of the tournament, they had begun to believe in their own abilities, and learned how to win important ballgames from behind. The select British supporters in the stands were proud to watch their girls find such success on the diamond and in the dugout.