The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Manager Godfrey ‘Gully’ Bunside said he was impressed with the performance of the men’s national team as they tune up for their trip to the Central American and Caribbean Games Qualifying Tournament at the end of April.

On Saturday in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the national team blasted the New Providence All-Star team 19-5. The win came following the team’s 6-5 encounter with the Bahamas Softball Federation’s national champions Abaco Bulldogs on Friday night.

In an effort to help raise funds to assist the team when they travel to Cali, Colombia, the BSF hosted the festive weekend that also included two ladies’ matches.

On Saturday, the NPSA All-Stars knocked off the Freedom Farm All-Stars 13-8. On Friday night, the All-Stars doubled up the defending national women’s champions Sigma Brackettes 22-11.

The players and spectators were treated to a musical appearance from Ira Storr and the Spank Band at the end of the games.

“I was very pleased because what we wanted to do was to build some camaraderie and chemistry and I think we were able to achieve that,” Burnside said. “We hope that we can get in a few more scrimmages so we can improve on our infield defence.

Based on the team’s performance, Burnside said he expects some great things from this team at the tournament.

“The shortstop did very well, showing us that he is capable of playing a good shortstop,” Burnside said. “Offensively, he looks very well, so I’m very pleased with the team. We still have to work on our execution when we should be bunting and sacrificing in a few instances, but we will get it together.”

Quinton Rolle, the youngest member of the team at age 16, was the most impressive member of the team. He was in town with two other players from Grand Bahama, along with the Abaco players, who participated on Friday night.

“We played very good. It’s a very young team, but I feel we will do very good when we travel,” said Quinton Rolle. “Today, we played better than we did Friday night. We had a lot of hits. I’m very proud to be on this team. This is my first time, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Noted Marcus Holbert: “I thought we played pretty well. Our team is coming together, even though we are coming from different islands. We are playing together as a team and as a unit and the coaches are doing a very good job.

“This is my first year making the team, but I’m a very aggressive player and I think I will bring a lot to the table to help us to win. I’m very proud of being a part of this team.”

And Keel Pinder added that they displayed the skill level and talent that he expected.

“We hit the ball very well today,” he said. “It’s a good young, strong team with a lot of chemistry. I feel with a little more togetherness, we will be right where we need to be in less than a month to travel.”

Sherman Ferguson, one of the key players from New Providence, said the team is definitely coming into its own.

“The guys played a good game. So far, we are together, but we still have a few things to work on,” he said. “We will try our best to get it together, so we we can bring ready for the tournament. The games were very exciting and everybody played hard. We just have to sharpen up on one or two skills and we will be ready.”

Bahamas Men 19,

NPSA All-Stars 5

Quinton Rolle had a perfect 4-for-4 day with a home run, driving in two runs and scoring three times to help power the national team to their second straight win on Saturday.

Marcus Holbert and Sherman Ferguson were also both perfect at 3-for-3 with a double, driving in a run and scoring twice. Eric ‘Papi’ Johnson was 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in the second.

Zhivargo Archer went 2-for-3 with a pair of homers, including a solo shot in the first and a two-shot blast in the third.

“I felt good about the performance. I think our team went out there and played to the best of our ability,” Archer said. “Although I didn’t make the team, I’m not at all disappointed. I still get to show my talent against them.

“They have a very good team. I wished I had an opportunity to travel with them, but they look good. I’m glad that we got a chance to scrimmage against them. Hopefully they will do very well.”

Thomas Davis got the win and Jeffery Woodside was tagged with the loss.

Bahamas Men 6, Bulldogs 5

Quinton Rolle cracked a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh as the national team broke a 5-5 tie to seal the opener of the mini-tournament on Friday night. Rolle also had a RBI single in a three-run third.

Eric Johnson opened the game with a solo homer in the first and Addie Finley added a single and scored a run in the fifth.

Alcott Forbes got the win on a six-hitter with 12 strike outs. Lyle Sawyer started for Abaco before Tyler Russell came in relief in the fifth to suffer the loss.

Sawyer hit a solo homer to lead off the fourth for the Bulldogs and he and Grant Albury had two hits in a losing effort.

All-Stars 13,

Freedom Farm All-Stars 8

Winning pitcher Charity Rolle helped her own cause by going 3-for-4 with four runs scored to lead the more experienced All-Stars over the youthful All-Stars on Saturday.

Keithra Moss went 3-for-4 with a run scored, Chara Bain was 3-for-5, Diva Burrows was 2-for-3 with a RBI and Deandra Hart was 2-for-4 with three RBI.

While Shawntel Curtis was tagged with the loss, Gia Morris paced Freedom Farm’s offensive attack by going 2-for-4 with two RBI, including a triple and a home run. Tikara Collie was 2-for-4 with a run scored.