After a resounding win this morning against Belgium, the GB Coed Slowpitch Team looked confident as they lined up to face Ireland who came into the game with a 2-1 record after also beating Germany and the Netherlands, but having suffered a tough loss to the Czechs.
Slower Start
As the home team, GB looked settled in defence yet again as they secured quick outs across the field with a catch and groundball fielded by Russell at second base, and despite the third batter doubling to centerfield, the final out was picked up by groundball hit to Hazard. The bats didn’t fire up quite as hot as they had been straight away in this game, but the scoreline ticked over in GB’s favour. Crista Reed-Thomas reached base from a hard-hit ball to the shortstop and was quickly brought home by another homer parked over the fence by MacDowell, but these were to be the only runs scored in the first inning. Still, it was another game with GB in the lead.
Strong Under Pressure
In the top of two, the defence initially held strong with both the first two Irish batters failing to reach base both grounding out in the infield, the first out from Grooms and the second coming from Hazard at shortstop. However, after the next two batters reached base, Newman hit a homer to take Ireland into the lead – the first time GB had been behind so far in the tournament. The Irish momentum was to go no further though as Grooms took another groundball, securing the final out to bring GB back to bat in the bottom of two. Undeterred, the GB batters showed composure with strong hits from Russell, Grooms and Le Roux to load the bases, and Studholme stepped up to hit a drive to rightfield which cleared the bases scoring four RBIs. Crista’s bat continued to stay hot as she hit another triple for the tournament and was again brought home safely by Mike MacDowell who hit his second homerun of the game. It was Steve Hazard who brought in the final run of the inning, with a triple to leftfield and he made it home safely on a throwing error. With seven runs scored in the inning, GB were back in front with a 9-3 lead.
Holding Composure
With GB back in the lead they took to the field again, this time business resumed as normal with catches taken from Russell and Robison, and again whilst the third batter made it safely on base, the third out was another groundball to Grooms which held the score. The GB bats picked up a notch and after Russell hit a single up the middle, Grooms quickly followed suit to score the first run of the inning. Zoe Le Roux stepped up to get her second hit of the game, and Studholme stepped up to bat parking his second homer of the day and bringing in three RBIs to clear the bases. The RBIs kept coming as after Reed-Thomas reached base with a walk, Mike MacDowell stepped up to park his third homer of the game. As Kim Miller was brought into the game, she showed strong form with a single up the middle, and Hazard followed her lead too. Tom Russell then brought in the next RBI with another hit to centre field and was followed by Robison bringing in the final two runs of the inning as she hit a double to centre left. The innings ended with one left on base, but GB had built a commanding lead of 18-3.
Securing Another Win
It was a shakier affair with the gloves in the fourth inning, and whilst the first out came from a flyball to MacDowell, a few errors crept into the game bringing in an Irish run. Normal service resumed as out number two came from a pop up to Hazard at shortstop, however Newman stepped up to hit a homerun bringing in two RBIs but that was to be their last of the inning. Ireland had now secured six runs overall – the most GB had conceded so far, but the GB bats weren’t done just yet. With Le Roux and Studholme reaching base, Reed-Thomas picked up another RBI with a single to leftfield, and MacDowell took a walk to bring in the second RBI of the inning. Kim Miller had a solid hit to the outfield and though she was caught in centre-right, Reed-Thomas scored to bring in another run for GB. Steve Hazard scored the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly, and whilst Humphris came in and hit a solid single she was unfortunately left on base. However, GB had built a solid lead of 22-6 – but would it be enough for their fourth mercy rule win of the tournament? Of course it was! The GB gloves stayed strong, with outs coming from MacDowell and Le Roux in outfield, and Hazard fielding the final groundball of the game.
Looking Strong
With four wins from four, the GB Coed Slowpitch team again showed strength down the lineup and this time also their resilience as they kept composed in the batting box to secure yet another mercy rule win.
After the game Dan Spinks said.
Never take Ireland lightly, that was the message at the start of the game. They are always up for the challenge! We knew this would be the case. The first time we’ve had to come back from a deficit within an inning and it didn’t last long before we retook the lead! From that different test, our bats continued to fire within a determined, energetic and consistent team. The team are settling into their pre-game routines and it’s becoming repetitive each and every time we take on an opponent so we are ready! The message is clear don’t let the level drop! Conceding 8 runs in 4 matches at international level is something you have to admire. The team are in a fantastic moment, enjoying the competition and learning how the team needs to operate for the rest of the competition, team spirits are high.