B Div Softball: Raffles retain title with 9–7 victory over Catholic High

Story and photos by Matthew Lau/Red Sports

The 2014 B Division softball champions – Raffles Institution. (Photo 1 © Matthew Lau/Red Sports)

Kallang Diamond, Wednesday, March 5, 2014 – Raffles Institution defeated Catholic High School 9–7 in an intense match to retain their title in the National B Division Softball Championship.

Raffles had beaten Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) 7–3 in the 2013 final to clinch the title. Catholic High placed third last year after beating Montfort Secondary.

Raffles came out strong with three runs in the first inning. Despite Catholic High’s efforts in tying up the game at 5–5 in the second inning, Raffles came back to score three more runs in the fourth inning to lead 8–5. Another two more Raffles runs meant Catholic High had two overhaul a four-run deficit but they managed only two and had to concede the game.

Raffles took the lead in the first inning with Jonathan Chua (RI #24), Ziglar Oh (#28) and Daryl Kow (RI #72) scoring a run each for 3–0 lead.

Catholic High replied through a run each by Chan Wei Zheng (CHS #2) and Schuyler Tay (#52) to trail by one.

In the second inning, runs scored by Ong Juan Xun (RI #47) and Jonathan Chua (RI #24) extended the Raffles lead to 5–2.

Catholic High again responded, with Benjamin Loke (CHS #10) hitting a triple to score Chow Rui Yan (CHS #99) and Javier Ng (CHS #22) before he came home himself to tie the ball game at 5–5.

Catholic High then put more pressure on the defending champions when they retired three Raffles batters in a row at the top of the third inning.

Catholic High could not get a go-ahead run in the bottom of the third inning, however, and Raffles went to bat at the top of the fourth with the score still tied at 5–5.

Andre Chia (RI #51) changed the momentum of the game when he hit a three-run homer to lift Raffles to an 8–5 lead. It was a lead they would not lose again.

With Catholic High unable to score any runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Walter Cheung (#68) scored the final run for Raffles in the top of the fifth to make it 9–5. Catholic High was able to shut out the next two batters with two consecutive strike outs but they were now four runs down and had one final inning to win the game.

Schuyler Tay (CHS #52) and Gabriel Tan (CHS #28) managed to score one run and Catholic High were able to load the bases.

With the bases loaded, Chan Wei Zheng (#2) was up to bat. A grand slam would have won the game for Catholic High but it was not to be. Despite an error by Ziglar Oh (RI #28), Cher Wee Zheng (#23) managed to get on third base for the final out.

When asked about the game, Raffles captain Daryl Kow (RI #72) and pitcher Walter Cheung (RI #68) said that it was a good game and that both teams did well. They also commended Catholic High for persevering till the end and that they were an even match.

Raffles’ coach Nelson said, “It was a good game. Catholic High School is a worthy opponent.” He also said that all the credit belongs to the players and that he could only do so much.

Andre Chia (RI #51), who had the the three-run homer, said that it felt great and he is very proud of it. He also said that the home run gave momentum for his team.

Catholic High captain Alexander Wee (CHS #35) said, “It was a good game but they played better.”

He also added that they could have done better in the batting department and that they could have had more composure on the field.

Scorers
Raffles Institution
Jonathan Chua – 3
Ziglar Oh – 2
Andre Chia – 1 (Home Run)
Daryl Kow – 1
Walter Cheung – 1
Ong Juan Xuan – 1

Catholic High School
Benjamin Loke – 1
Chan Wei Zheng – 1
Schuyler Tay – 2
Gabriel Tan – 1
Chow Rui Yan – 1
Javier Ng – 1

Score By Inning
Raffles Institution vs Catholic High School
1st Inning: 3–2
2nd Inning: 5–5
3rd Inning: 5–5
4th Inning: 8–5
5th Inning: 9–7

Raffles Institution Roster
Jonathan Chua (#24), Ziglar Oh (#28), Andre Chia (#51), Daryl Kow (#72), Walter Cheung (#68), Lee Min Hao (#40), Russell Boon(#37), Ong Juan Xun (#47), Cher Wee Zheng (#23), Mukund Bala (#38), Colman Wong (#35), Siew Jia Yang (#59), Nig5el Wong(#19), Jeffrey Zhou (#77), Robert Yang(#75), John Chew (#41), Elijah Chong(#18)

Catholic High Roster
Benjamin Loke (#10), Chan Wei Zheng (#2), Elliot Tan (#21), Schuyler Tay (#52), Anthony Neo (#20), Alexander Wee (#35), Chow Rui Yan (#99), Elias Lee (#07), Javier Ng (#22), Daryl Chan (#12), Gabriel Tan (#28), Marcus Aw (#03), Low Siang Ern (#16), Ethan Kai (#1), Zhang Cheng Chuan (#8), Sean Soo (#23), Darren Heng (#5)

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