Match Report: Softball Boys Finals HCI vs ACS(I)

June 2nd, 2009 by CCA PRO

Last Wednesday, the Hwachong Softball Team battled it out with ACS(I) at Temasek JC for the crown of the A Division. An intense match ensued which produced an disputed champion at the end.

This was the softball team lineup.

Batting order:

1 – Juncen, Third Base (69)

2 – Hamin, Shortstop (09)

3 – Mou Sheng, Center Field (19)

4 – Ben Oh, First Base (08)

5 – Glen, Left Field (11)

6 – Poon Ming Sheen, Catcher (10)

7 – Yong Cai, Pitcher (15)

8 – Sia Chin Kiat, Second base (55)

9 – Charles Tan, Right Field (05)

 

Toh Yi Zhang (86)

Joel (03)

Heng Yang (77)

Zhe Ren (21)

Bing Xiang (07)

Daniel Yip (44)

 

The game had a rather uneventful start, with the first three batters of each team unable to get safe on base for the first inning.

The second inning had a more exciting start, with Ben Oh stealing to second base after getting walked. The catcher then tried to throw out Glen following a well executed bunt and overthrowed, resulting in Ben Oh scoring the first run and Glen advancing to third base. Glen then scored the second run from a bad pitch pitched out of bounds.

Poon Ming Sheen then hit the only homerun of the game, bringing in the third run for HCI and driving the crowd into ecstasy.

ACSI did not yield so easily, and fought back hard in the bottom of the second inning, with their fifth batter bringing in their first run from a hit to center field. Their second run was scored after a clean hit past the third base, bringing in ACSI’s second run.

The third inning was jam-packed with action, with Juncen stealing to second base after a well executed bunt. Hamin then hit a line drive to left field, which the fielder fumbled, allowing Hamin to advance to third base and allowing Juncen to score the fourth run for Hwachong. Hamin then scored the fifth run from a bad pitch by the ACSI pitcher. Mou Sheng stole to second base after being walked by the pitcher, but unfortunately was called by the umpire for leaving the base early, resulting in hci’s first down of the inning. Ben Oh was struck out and Glen’s bunt was caught by the first base, concluding the top of the third inning.

The bottom of the third saw some spectacular pitching by Yong Cai. ACSI’s first batter was forced out at one following a grounder hit to Chin Kiat. The second batter hit a line drive straight into Yong Cai’s glove, but a slow response saw the batter reaching first base safely. The third batter hit a pop fly between the second base and right field and got on base safely. The Hwachong team then wisely and intentionally walked the next batter for a tactical advantage.

Under the pressure of fully loaded bases, Yong Cai pitched in a beautiful changeup that caused the fifth batter to hit a pop fly that was caught by Juncen, and struck out the sixth batter after that.

The Hwachong team was unable to further increase their lead in the top of the fourth, with Poon getting tagged out at first base, Yong Cai being played out at first base and Chin Kiat being struck out.

Hwachong stepped up their defence during the bottom of the fourth, with the first and fourth batters both played out at one and the fifth batter hit a pop fly that was well caught by Charles Tan, even despite the pressure from playing with fully loaded bases.

The Hwachong team further increased their lead in the fifth inning through a very aggressive offense. Charles was walked and was safe at one. Juncen then performed a bunt, getting himself safe on first base and allowing Charles to advance to third base. Hamin then hit a sacrifice hit, himself being played out at first base but allowing Charles to score the sixth run and Juncen to advance to third base.

Mou Sheng then did a sacrifice bunt, himself being played out at first base but allowing Juncen to score the seventh run. Ben Oh then hit a 2 base line drive. Joel, batting for Glen, came out to bat and was walked. The ACSI team then intentionally walked Poon, fearing a repeat of his spectacular homerun in the second inning. Ben Oh then scored the eighth run due to a bad pitch. The catcher then fumbled, allowing Joel to score hwachong’s ninth, and last, run. Heng Yang was then struck out, concluding the top of the fifth inning.

The Hwachong softball team then defended perfectly in the last inning to secure the title. The first batter was walked. The highlight of the game, a beautiful double play, was then executed, when the second batter hit a pop fly to between Hamin and Glen. Hamin jumped and half dived in order to catch the ball before it hit the ground, in what looked to be an almost impossible catch. The ACSI runner, not expecting the catch, had continued to run ahead to second base. Realizing his error in judgement, he attempted to run back to first base, but an accurate throw from Hamin reached Ben Oh at first base before the runner did, resulting in two downs for the ACSI side in one play, stunning the ACSI crowd and sending Hwachongians into a minute of jubilation, impressing other spectators as well.

The last batter then hit a pop fly to Hamin, which he easily caught, ending the game at 9-2 to Hwachong’s favour. HC emerged as clear winners, securing the championship.

Those efforts over the past months and year have finally paid off. Well done, softball boys!

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Tags: Softball
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