Lady Truckers defeat the Lady Wildcats 11-3

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Defending champions Johnson’s Lady Truckers and the C&S Hitmen opened the New Providence Softball Association’s 2017 season in different directions.

The Lady Truckers knocked off the Sunshine Auto Wildcats 11-3 in the ladies’ opener on Saturday night. In the men’s feature contest, the Hitmen suffered a 13-2 decision to the BTC Warriors.

Both games were stopped via the mercy rule in the fourth inning in between the official opening ceremonies that featured remarks from ECAST president Burkett Dorsett, Bahamas Softball Federation’s president Ted Miller, NPSA president Henry Dean and Sunshine Auto sponsor Deanza ‘Sonny’ Cox.

Veteran pitcher Linda Ford and Glenroy ‘Flo’ Saunders threw out the ceremonial first pitches to get the ball rolling.

Lady Truckers 11, Lady Wildcats 3: Taking off from where they left last year, the Lady Truckers made this one look so easy as they bolted a 8-run second inning on six hits as they ran away from the Wildcats.

“We have a pretty good team,” said Johnson’s manager Sidney ‘Bobby Baylor’ Fernander. “Our biggest problem has been practice. We haven’t been able to get everybody out all at one time. Other than that, we have a very good team.”

Ruthann Simms, back in the line-up at third base after a year off, led the charge as she went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and scored as many runs.

Melinda Bastian, playing shortstop, was 1-for-3 with three RBI on an in-the-park home run, while Tyrice Curry was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored; Marvel Miller was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Shevette Taylor was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Miller went the distance for the win, tossing a four-hitter with two strike outs. Mechelle Moss suffered the loss, giving up 18 hits and striking out six.

Mechisha Davis was 2-for-3 with a run scored and Chandra Mackey was 1-for-2 with s run scored.

On the projected outcome of the season with just five teams registered in the women’s division, Fernander said his Lady Truckers are expecting to roll right along.

“I expect a very good fight, but we intent to win,” he stated.

Warriors 13, Hitmen 2: BTC made the early statement in the league, producing four runs on three hits in the second inning and eight more runs on five hits in the third to stop the defending champions C&S.

“It was good to get the edge because a lot of people have expanded their energy before the game so we just had to release it,” said Warriors’ manager Richard ‘the Lion-Heart’ Johnson, the international Hall of Fame pitcher.

Johnson was able to acquire the services of pitcher Thomas Davis, who made a difference on the mound firing a two-hitter with seven strike outs to out-dual Davis Nathan, who surrendered nine hits with a strike out before he was relieved by Maitland Demeritte in the fourth.

By then, the damage had already been done as second baseman Richard Bain powered the attack by going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a total of three RBI.

Designated hitter Carlos Smith was 2-for-4 with two RBI and as many runs scored; right fielder Jeffery Woodside was1-for-3 with two runs scored as his brother center fielder Sherman Ferguson got a double before he was intentionally walked twice and ended up with a fly out to end their offensive rally

“I think we have a really, really good team. This team can go very far,” Johnson projected. “ It’s up to us how far we want to go. It’s not up to the league. It’s really up to us because this year we have the horses.”

Second baseman D’Kyle Roll and designated player Tim Clarke had back-to-back singles in the second and scored the Hitmen’s only two runs on consecutive wild pitches.

Despite history repeating itself, manager Darren Stevens said there’s really no concern. It’s just the season opener. They were in this same situation last year before they bounced back to win the title.

“The championship isn’t won in the first game of the season,” he insisted. “We played to win, but unfortunately we came out on the short end of the stick.

“It’s a long season. If we can stay healthy because we had a few fellows out for various reasons, so once we get everyone in place, we will be much tougher than the stretch.”

The league will resume play on Tuesday night when the Lady Wildcats will be back to face the Platinum Lady Sharks in the 7 pm opener. The Commando Security Truckers will open their campaign against the Chances Mighty Mitts.

Note: The Bahamas Softball Federation is asking all male and female players who wish to make the national teams that will travel this year to various international tournaments to attend a meeting and practice today at 6 pm at the Banker’s field.