Damai and ACS(Ind) qualify for semis; Catholic High crash out

SOFTBALL

National ‘C’ Division Championship 2007 (Boys)
Maris Stella High School vs Catholic High School
Wednesday, 25 July 2007, at Kallang Softball Pitch

Story and pictures by Red Sports reader, Bernard Han, a teacher of Catholic High. Thanks!

Catholic High suffered a 6-12 defeat at the hands of Maris Stella High which cost them a spot in the semifinals of the National ‘C’ Division Softball Championship. Having lost to Damai Secondary in an earlier match, this defeat spelt the end of the season for the Catholic High boys. Damai Secondary School and ACS(I) progress from the group to the semifinals.

Catholic High held Maris Stella scoreless in the first inning and took the lead with a run from Tijoe (#4). However, the boys from Maris Stella, having nothing to play for since losing all their previous games, pulled off a surprise as they chalked up five runs in the next inning. Catholic High never stopped fighting and closed the gap to 3-5 at the bottom of the second inning.

The third inning was scoreless for both teams and Catholic High managed to hold Maris Stella High in the fourth inning.

The fifth inning began with the Catholic High side determined to hold, but good hitting from the Maris Stella side ensured that the runs kept coming in. It did not help that the Catholic High fielders fumbled during several critical plays. By the time the changeover took place, Catholic High were looking at a nine-run deficit at 3-12. They now had to bridge a huge gap in their final turn at bat.

Wee Kian (#37), Ka Yue (#29) and Zheng Peng (#3) brought in the runs for Catholic High, but as the bottom deck batters came up, Maris Stella ensured that they fielded well enough to tag out Jerald (#73) and James (#23). Jonathan Phua (#20) was next to bat and he did well enough to connect with the strike, but it was all over as the fielder picked up the ball and threw him out at first base.

Maris Stella High were ecstatic with their win over Catholic High and they deserved to be, being the better team on the day.