Written by: Isaiah Tan Edited by: Leung Lok Heng and Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
Our very first game of the 19/20 IHG Season kicked off as our softballers met KE7 on the field on a blithe Tuesday morning. A stream of yellow supporters could be spotted making their way to the field to support their friends despite the relatively early kick-off time. After completing their warm up, our Softballers were ready to face their first competitors of the day.
EH 7-0 KE7
Our team started on defence first as veteran Jowell stepped up to pitch. A simple catch by freshie Tien followed by nice work by Jowell and D-nice took 2 of the batters out in quick succession. Han Jing also decided to join the party and with a sublime catch, took out the 3rd batter.
On the attack, Jowell nonchalantly thumped the ball to the opposite field for a breezy home run to start things off. Feeling a lil FOMO, Shuyi stepped up to bat but was unable to make it to first base in time. Tien then showed his composure by taking a casual stroll to second without breaking a sweat. Good eye by D-nice looked to be super effective but she was unfortunately struck out after a foul ball. A series of cases of ‘Good Eye’ allowed freshie Si Heng to stroll and find himself at second while Han Jing made her way to the first base. A sweet strike from JJ bought time for Si Heng to make his way home. Ning then also showed her calmness and cruised her way to first, with all the bases loaded, Yusoff stepped up next to bat. Lad did not disappoint as his delightful contact bought enough time for JJ and Han Jing to sprint home. Hasya and Jowell continued the trend of splendid hits which allowed Ning and Yusoff to run home.
EH 13-0 KE7 The team looked comfortable and after a few words from their Capt, they were raring to go back to the field. Excellent team work by Ning and Yusoff saw KE’s first 2 batters taken down in similar fashion. Jowell then showed up again to take the 3rd and final batter down.
A combination of the ‘Good Eye’ syndrome saw Tien and Shuyi make their way to first and second base respectively. BIG BOI hit by Si Heng saw him bring the gang home for an excellent start to the second inning. Han Jing nearly found her way to first but missed it out by a whisker and was out. JJ then struck a home run but honestly looked quite tyco, so we shan’t give it excessive recognition. A peach of a strike saw Ning hit a double and eventually made her way home after Yusoff hit another classy strike. Jowell then brought Yusoff home and subsequently, Shuyi’s sky high ball was caught.
Shuyi finds time to pose while being a clutch player for the team.
EH 19-0 KE7 After making a couple of subs, our team was ready for the 3rd inning. Good play from Jowell and Ken Jun saw the first 2 batters out in quick succession. Afraid of being outshined, Sports D Amos decided to take matters into his own hands. However, he couldn’t keep the ball in his hands and provided us with the entertainment we never knew we needed. Han Jing then stepped in to cut out the nonsensical behaviour to take another one out. It was too early a start for our beloved Sports D.
A monster of a hit by IVP Sprinter Cheng Tat saw him make his way home while bringing Amos and D-nice along with him. A nice hit by Josh Low was skillfully met by KE’s catcher as he saw himself out. ‘Good Eye’ syndrome continued to prevail as Steph walked to first. A sizzling hit by Hasya saw Han Jing, Steph and Ken Jun make their way home, solid stuff. Big hit by Jowell saw himself run to first while Hasya took a stroll home. Shuyi’s sky ball was then caught, again.
EH 19-0 KE7 Sick catches from Josh Low and Mr Sprinter Cheng Tat saw the first 2 batters go down in a blink of an eye and Jowell struck out the third batter with his accurate pitches.
The game finished 19-0 after baking under the hot sun. A great start to their day was a foreshadowing of things to come.
EH 6-0 SH
After a quick prep talk and water break, our team was ready to face their second challenger of the day. Solid start to the game as Josh Lee hit a double. Good running by veteran Naomi but is out by a hair at first. Next up, fan favourite Capt Taka stepped up to bat. Not sure what kind of wasabi he eats but I need to get some of that as he stuck a homerun effortlessly as Josh and himself make it home. Good eye by Shermaine and LYLC Bala as they found themselves at third and second base. Ning then made her way to first to load up all bases for Jowell. Clever plays by Jowell as he walked to second, allowing Shermaine and Bala to walk home. Yes, Bala walked the entire field without even increasing his pace and still found his way home. LYLC, is liddat. Natasha’s ball is unfortunately caught and Sports D Amos allowed Ning and Jowell to run home. Charmaine’s sky ball is then caught.
LYLC Bala shows his opponents how it’s done for the 4th year in a row.
Jowell decided to make it his stage as he caught the ball immediately after it was struck, man was stylin. Ning and Shermaine team up at first to take another down. Good cover by Jowell at third as he managed to receive a rocket launcher throw from Capt Taka. The Capt then took the 3rd batter out with the help of Shermaine. EH 8-0 SH
Good running by Josh Lee to first but he wasn’t able to make it in time, tough luck mate. Veteran Naomi then cruised to first after a sweet strike. Capt Taka then joined the Good Eye squad and walked to second, Naomi to third. Shermaine then bought enough time for Naomi to make it home and Taka to third but sadly found herself out at first. Bala then stuck a peachy ball as he brought Taka home. He then showed off his long slender legs and stretched to second as Ning advanced to first. Jowell’s sky ball was then caught.
A laser guided throw from Bala to Shermaine saw the first batter get taken out. Ning and Shermaine teamed up to take another down as Capt Taka caught the third ball with some swagger. That was quick.
EH 11-2 SH
Good Eye continues to strike as Natasha walked to first but was then out at second as Ken Jun made his way to first. Patience shown from Charmaine as she took the scenic route to first. Freshie Wee Teck then shows the big brain moves as he walked to second, allowing Ken Jun to walk home. Hasya then struck a brilliant hit, allowing Charmaine to get home safely. Capt Taka then brough Wee Teck home while Hasya sprinted to third. Shermaine was up next as she brought Hasya home but the Capt was out at second. Bala’s sky ball was then caught.
Capt Taka took the responsibility of pitching upon himself and made a couple of subs. A series of nice plays from SH saw one make it home but Bala, Taka and Shermaine were quick to shut the gates and took 2 down. Bala and Ken Jun then took another down.
EH 15-2 SH
Good Eye by Tien saw himself walk to second, pushing Avina to third. Natasha then hit a sublime one which brought Tien and Avina home. Ken Jun was unfortunately stuck out. D-nice pulls out some of that Good Eye stuff and walked to first. Subsequent plays saw all bases fully loaded with Natasha, WT and Hasya on the bases, who better to step up next than Capt Taka himself. A well calculated hit saw Natasha and WT home. Shermaine was then out at second after a decent hit by Bala.
Game 2 over with the score 15-2. Another no nonsense performance from our Softballers, showing their tenacity and fighting spirit till the very end, not even a whiff of complacency was detected in the first 2 games.
EH 6-3 TH
Our final opponents of the day would prove to be our toughest, rival hall TH. Let’s see how our Softballers matched up against them.
A series of intricate plays saw TH get off to a good start, with one making home but a splendid catch by outfield Josh Lee took one down. Another 2 batters made it home while Charmaine took one out at third. Capt Taka and Tien then took the final one out at first.
First up, Josh Lee. Man hit a pulchritudinous ball and immediately took a breeze jog home. Veteran Naomi then stuck a double with a flavourful hit. Capt Taka then made his way to first as Naomi advanced to third. Charmaine continued the run of good hits as she made it to first with all bases loaded. Juicy hit by Tien saw Naomi and Taka run home while Charmaine made her way to third. Ning also wanted to join in on some of that action as she hit a double as Charmaine sprinted home. Jowell’s ball was then sadly caught but it buys enough time for Tien to return home safely. Shuyi then took a scenic stroll to first. Sports D then pulled up his socks and hit a sky ball, which was caught but allowed Ning to run home. Hasya subsequently struck out, hard luck.
EH 6-3 TH
Enough horsing around by Sports D Amos as he plucks the first batter’s ball out from the sky. Ning then pulled out a big catch followed by Josh Lee’s tantalising catch. 3 up 3 down in quick succession.
However, TH replied in similar fashion as Josh Lee, Naomi and Tien all found their balls caught as well. A quick inning proved that TH would not be going down without a fight.
EH 6-4 TH
Ever consistent Ning takes the first batter down with a lovely catch at first. Amos then followed up with a catch of his own but one batter managed to slip through and barely made his way home. Capt Taka and Ning then worked together to take the third one down.
Captain Taka hustling to get the points for his team.
Good Eye by Ning as she walked to first. Jowell’s sweet hit was then met by a better catch and nice plays from TH saw them take Ning and Shuyi in the next play.
EH 8-4 TH
Another splendid play by Ning sees the first batter down at first. Capt Taka then whips out his super-glue glove to take the second batter out immediately after. Jowell also turned up the heat with some spicy pitches which saw the third batter strike out. 3 up, 3 down.
Our Sports D started next inning with a high deep ball into the centre field but it was met by an equally good catch. Patience by Hasya was rewarded with a walk and Josh Lee subsequently advanced her with a solid 1 base hit. A flavourful double saw Capt Taka bring Hasya and Josh home. Tasty stuff! Charmaine delivers a solid hit to the center field but it falls into the waiting arms of a TH fielder.
EH 8-4 TH
Consistent and delicate throws by Jowell forced TH batter to foul out. 2 down. TH then sent a solid hit to centerfield but it was too easy for SEA Games veteran Naomi. Air tight defence from Eusoff once again proving that defence is the best defence.
TH then replied with a commendable performance of their own, holding back our players to 0 runs as we proceeded to the last inning.
EH 8-6 TH
TH opened the inning with a super high ball which barely escapes Tien’s diving catch for a 3-base hit. Veteran superstar Naomi then mercilessly plucks a mega deep hit by TH out of the sky like it was a grape hanging on a vine, man I would like to try that wine. One batter slips home as quick thinking by Capt Taka forces a hot box situation with the runner stranded in no man’s land between 1st and 2nd base.
Freshie Superstar Tien Chun at work!
The final game of the day saw our Softballers claim a well earned victory over TH and a flawless result at the end of Day 1 of IHG. Stay tuned for more action from our Softballers over the next 2 days. Head over to EusoffWork’s Facebook page to see more of the wonderful shots taken by their photographers!
Comments