Written By: Isaiah Tan Edited By: Valerie Chua & Jolene Wong Photographs by: Eusoffworks
Our second day of the 18/19 IHG Season kicked off as our Softballers were set to face Raffles Hall (RH) on the SRC fields on yet another blazing morning. A crowd of Eusoffians could be seen making their way down to the field to support their fellow hall mates. After applying some sunblock lotion, our players began their warm-up routine. At the stroke of 1030, our Softballers had their game faces on and were ready to meet their first test of the day.
EH 4-0 RH
First batter Taka started the game with a lovely home run and whispers of his teammates calling him ‘BIG BOI’ could be heard from the sidelines (must be some inside joke). Unluckily for our next batter Gin, she was thrown out before she was able to reach first base. Captain Malcolm stepped up next as he struck fear into the opponent’s pitcher who allowed him to take a walk to second. Up next, Lorraine struck a double which bought Malcolm enough time to race home. Fifth batter, southpaw senior Josh, then stuck a lovely double while Lorraine made her way to third. Jia Ling then took a leisurely walk to first. Up next, “Army Socks” Trevor stepped up to bat. His fly ball was caught but it allowed Jia Ling to race to second while allowing both Lorraine and Josh to run home. Shu Yi then stepped up to bat, but her ball was caught as well. Score update: EH 4-0 RH.
Eusoff proceeded to set up their well-organized defence once again as they prepared for the first wave of RH’s attack. Captain Malcolm and star freshie Taka linked up for a sick double play to take out RH’s first two batters with a single play, pretty amazing. Trevor then made a lovely fly ball catch as he sprinted right underneath the ball and went down on his knees to make the catch. Eusoff’s tight defence was having none of it today!
EH 7-1 RH
Jowell started the attack off well, by making his way to first. Following that, Hasya struck out, hard luck mate. ‘BIG BOI’ Taka then hit a double, while allowing Jowell to sprint to third. Up next, fourth batter Avelyn ran to first, Taka to second and Jowell was tagged out as he attempted some mad jukes between third base and home. Captain Malcolm then sprinkled some magic as he struck a 3-run home run, allowing Avelyn, Taka and himself to run home. Subsequently, our next batter Charmaine was thrown out, bringing an end to this round. Score update: EH 7-0 RH.
Back on defence, Mr Army Socks, Trevor, made another catch again on his knees which got the first batter out. Malcolm and Avelyn then worked together to throw out another batter. However, one of the batters managed to make it home after a small miscommunication between Captain M and Charmaine. All is well again as Malcolm and Avelyn linked up again at second to get the last batter out. Eusoff was now up 7-1.
EH 8-2 RH
Veteran Billy started the attack but got tagged out just before reaching second. Jia Ling was then thrown out at first. Trevor then reduced the pressure as he made his way to first. Fourth batter, Shu Yi hit an amazing triple while Trevor ran home. Saying the bench was ecstatic would’ve been an understatement. Tough luck as Shawn’s fly ball was caught to end our team’s attack. Score update: EH 8-1 RH.
Eusoff’s defence proved its strength yet again as star freshie Taka caught a fly ball to get the first batter out. After a few hits by RH, one of their batters made it home. However, Taka and Jia Ling then teamed up to take out two batters to end their attack. The current score update stood at 8-2 to EH, and it was now time for us to attack again.
EH 9-4 RH
Soo took a leisure walk to first to start our attack off well. Taka’s fly ball was then caught while Avelyn was thrown out. Fourth batter JJ managed to race to first while Soo to second. Charmaine then took JJ’s place at first, while JJ and Soo both progressed by one base. Veteran Billy then made his way to first, while each of the batters shifted to the next base, allowing Soo to run home. 7th batter Jia Ling was unfortunately struck out. Score update: Eusoff up 9-2.
Two of Raffles’ batters made through our tight defence while Shawn and Billy teamed up to take the last two batters out.
EH 16-11 RH
First batter Ken Jun hit a double, but Deana was then thrown out at first. Shawn then struck a double while Ken Jun made it home. Soo then took another stroll to first, seems like the pitchers were scared of her as well. Taka then ran to first, Soo to second while Shawn sprinted home. JJ then took a walk to second, giving Charmaine a free pass to first, Taka to third and for Soo to walk home. Something was brewing as for the second time, Billy had the opportunity to hit a grand slam (4-point play) and BIG BOI LONG HAIRED LYLC BILLY duly delivered, smashing the ball out of the park as he took all his teammates home! With that play, Eusoff ended their attack with the score at 16-4.
Captain Malcolm then decided to switch up the fielders with Amos pitching and JJ as shot stop, as he tried different line-up combinations with the playoffs in mind. With much ease, Amos struck out the first batter. It was no easy task as RH put up a very strong challenge to our defence. However, we managed to pull through and come out on top, ending the game with a score of 16-11 to Eusoff!
The next and final game of the day was about to be our team’s toughest challenge yet with our softballers set to meet Temasek Hall (TH) next in the last game of the round robin matches. Our team could be seen taking their warm up seriously after learning the importance of warming up from Ardy, who went down with cramps the previous day. Due to classic Singapore weather, the game was slightly delayed due to a passing shower. However, the team was not fazed by this natural obstacle and embraced the merciless sun once again as they walked onto the field. Our Eusoff supporters also flooded the field despite the pretty crazy weather.
EH 2-7 TH
After a series of pretty good batting, our team found themselves faced with a 7-0 deficit right from the get go. Captain Malcolm then pulled the team aside to give them a speech that they would remember for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, this reporter didn’t manage to hear what Captain M said, maybe next time!
Moving on, star freshie Josh stuck a lovely double and after a TH fumble, found his way to third. Lorraine’s fly ball then was caught, better luck next time. Malcolm then strolled to second as he made use of his ‘good eyes’. Up next, Shermaine’s ball gets caught but it allowed Josh to run home and Malcolm to third. Due to make his appearance sooner rather than later, BIG BOI MONSTER CANNON ARMS HUGE CHEST SUPER HANDSOME Marcus stepped up to bat. TH’s fielders could be seen running towards the AYE to prepare for what was to come. “Cannon Arms” Marcus struck a double allowing Captain Malcolm to run home. Nice. Next batter, Jia Ling, stepped up to the plate but had her ball caught unfortunately to end the inning. Score update: EH 2-7 TH.
EH 3-8 TH
Eusoff’s defence was really going to be tested as the next wave of attack began. The Man Marcus made an excellent catch for TH’s first out. Shermaine then followed suit and gets another batter out while one ran home. Lorraine and Josh then worked together to throw out the last batter. Tight defence yet again.
On attack, Taka took a walk to second. Charmaine was thrown out but bought enough time for Taka to sprint to third. Jowell then struck a nice double as Taka ran home. Fourth batter Hasyanoinsta’s fly ball was caught and southpaw senior Josh was subsequently struck out.
EH 7-8 TH
Now came the time for pitcher Jowell to take over the stage for a lil’ while. With two beautiful pitches, he struck out the first batter in the blink of an eye. Malcolm and Josh then threw out the next two batters. Eusoff’s defence was air tight this round. No shenanigans were getting through.
First batter Lorraine was struck out, tough luck. ‘Nice eye’ Malcolm once again strolls to second while Shermaine’s ball was caught mid-air despite some solid contact. BIG BOI Marcus hit his second double of the day while Malcolm ran home. A nice hit by Jia Ling allowed her to reach first and “Cannon Arms” Marcus to run home. Taka joined the party by hitting another double and Jia Ling to third. Jowell then plays smart as he ran to first, while the rest of his teammates progressed on base, with Taka running home. Hasya unfortunately was thrown out at first base as the inning ended with EH trailing by one, 7-8. The comeback was on. Captain Malcolm gathered his team for yet another inspiring, tear-inducing speech, but the winds were too strong such that this reporter again didn’t manage to hear a single word he said, pity.
EH 12-9 TH
Jowell wasn’t done with his magic pitching show as he struck out the first two batters with the utmost accuracy. Lorraine and Josh threw out the last batter while one batter made it home.
It was time for Eusoff to attack and put an end to this game. Southpaw senior, Josh, started the attack with a double. Lorraine then gets thrown out but bought just enough time for Josh to slide home in dramatic fashion. ‘Nice eye’ Malcolm took a walk to second yet again while Regina walked to first. BIG BOI MONSTER CANNON ARMS HUGE CHEST SUPER HANDSOME AMAZINGLY STRONG Marcus then hit a cheeky teaser, but unfortunately for us, it was a foul ball. THE BIG BOI then struck a double, allowing Regina to run to third as Malcolm ran home. Taka then hit a sweet triple as Marcus and Regina made their way home. Charmaine then made her way to first then second as Amos batted and ran to first, allowing Taka to run home. Huge scenes as the game was over and Eusoff staged our second comeback in two days to win 12-9!
Our Softballers proved once again that defence is the best defence and that the many hours spent on training is all worth it for wins like these. With a tough fighting spirit and a never say die attitude, our Softballers are surely looking likely to win the Championship again this year. What a performance!
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