The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

One champion has been decided and another hangs in the balance as softball teams in the capital slug it out for league titles and the opportunity to represent the island at next month’s national round robin.

The Colin “Troppy” Knowles championship series crowned its male champions in the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) as the Commando Security Truckers reclaimed the top spot in the league.

On Saturday night, the Truckers closed out the series with a 12-2 win over the BTC Elite Warriors in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Courtney Smith powered the Truckers’ offence with a pair of home runs on the night. Smith drove in seven RBI, including a grand slam home run in the third inning and a three-run homer in the fifth.

“I was just trying to get a pitch that I could drive really good to put my team on top and get an advantage,” Smith said. “They came out strong, we came out strong, we were just able to come up with more runs in clutch positions This is my second year playing, it’s very big for me and it’s tough to explain.”

Thomas Davis got the win on the mound.

The Truckers reclaimed the title they last held in 2013. The pennant-winning Elite Warriors survived a controversial ending to defeat the Chances Mighty Mitts while the Truckers unseated the two-time defending Ira Dez Hitmen. They will go on to represent New Providence in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s Round Robin which begins on Thursday.

In the ladies’ series, the Johnson’s Lady Truckers defeated the Lady Stingers 14-11 to force a fifth and deciding game.

Valencia Gibson was the game’s winning pitcher while Mechelle Moss led the way offensively, scored three runs and drove in a pair of RBI. Shavette Taylor and Rebecca Moss each scored two runs apiece.

The Lady Stingers advanced to the championship after they defeated the pennant-winning defending champions Sunshine Auto Lady Wildcats and the Lady Truckers defeated the Bommer G Operators.

Both series were transitioned to best-of-five formats rather than the traditional best-of-seven, in the interest of crowning a champion before the BSF’s Round Robin.