Story and photos by Marvin Lowe.

TKGS batter Cristal eyes the incoming ball. (Photo 1 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Fajar Secondary School, Monday, 29th July, 2008 – Nanyang Girls’ High School and Tanjong Katong Girls’ School have always been traditional rivals in the Inter-school softball tournament. Earlier this year, The TKGS B Division girls emerged victorious over Nanyang Girls’ in the final to be crowned champions. This time round, both schools were fighting for a berth in the C Division final and it was Nanyang Girls’ who took sweet revenge when they beat TKGS 14-11.

Both teams started out evenly, scoring one run in their respective first innings. However, the Nanyang Girls’ team went on a rampage in the second inning, scoring 7 runs. The TKGS team could hardly muster a response to that massive effort, scoring only one more run in the second inning. Excellent pitching and fielding from the Nanyang Girls’ team limited their opportunities.

In Nanyang’s third inning at bat, Kazuki, TKGS’s ever reliable pitcher threw a shut-out scoreless inning. This gave TKGS a chance to fight back and cut the lead. They scored four precious runs, making it an even closer game with the scoreline at 8-5 in Nanyang’s favour.

The fourth inning proved to be an even closer affair. Nanyang managed to squeak three runs past the TKGS outfield to lead 12-5. However, TKGS responded with four more runs, cutting Nanyang’s lead to 11-9. With such a tight scoreline entering the final inning, the game was set for a dramatic finish.

Nanyang went into final inning hoping to stretch their lead by a wider margin. Despite a few fielding errors, TKGS were able to limit the damage to three runs to trail 9-14. Now, they needed only six runs to win and it was possible that they could put pull off an upset.

However, Nanyang’s pitcher, Loh Xueyi, showed her steely resolve by striking out the first TKGS batter and allowing only two runs before retiring the TKGS team to seal the 14-11 win and ensure her team’s place in the final.

Nanyang’s fiery Pitcher, Loh Xueyi, in action. (Photo 2 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

A Nanyang player stumbles safely into base on a fielding error by TKGS. (Photo 3 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

A Nanyang player gets hit by the ball. (Photo 4 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

TKGS’s Lydia gets Nanyang’s Abby out at first base and prepares to throw for a double play. (Photo 5 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

TKGS’s ever-reliable pitcher, Kazuki. (Photo 6 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

A Nanyang player bunts the ball. (Photo 7 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Nanyang batter, Minghui, swings hard at the ball. (Photo 8 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

TKGS batter Preya swings hard and makes contact with ball. (Photo 9 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

“Uh oh..” A Nanyang player swinging at a ball which is way above the strike zone. (Photo 10 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

A Nanyang player avoids a wild pitch. (Photo 11 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Nanyang fielders in a mix-up which allowed TKGS’s Lydia to slide safely onto base. (Photo 12 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Safe or out? The TKGS player’s fate is unknown as she runs into base just as the ball reaches the glove of the Nanyang fielder. (Photo 13 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

A TKGS batter gets hit on the helmet by the ball. (Photo 14 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

TKGS batter Melissa Decotta swings hard at the ball. (Photo 15 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

The Nanyang player steps onto home plate just as the TK catcher Anisa tags her. (Photo 16 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!