The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE C&S Hitmen, behind the fantastic pitching from ace Alcott Forbes, are now just one game away from winning another New Providence Softball Association men’s championship title.

The 2014 champions hold a commanding 2-0 lead over the defending champions Commando Security Truckers after winning the first two games - 8-0 on Saturday and 5-0 on Sunday.

If the lights are not restored to the park in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex this week, the third game will be played 1pm Saturday and if necessary, the remaining games will follow.

But after taking control of the shortened series as a result of the damage left behind by Hurricane Matthew, Hitmen’s manager Darren Stevens said once Forbes remains as sharp as a razor, there’s no stopping the Hitmen.

“I know the quality of players that we have and the intensity and focus that they possess, it’s going to be hard for anyone to beat us,” Stevens said. “I didn’t expect us to be shutting them out like we have done so far. I expected them to score at least one run, but I will take it.”

In the two games so far in the series, Forbes was solid on the mound. He has given up a total of four hits and struck out 27 batters. His battery mate Angelo Dillet said it was vintage Forbes.

“He’s up there. He’s doing what he needs to do. He’s in shape and he’s right on point,” Dillet said.

“I would say he’s unbeatable right now the way he’s pitching. With the way we are working together, it’s going to be an awesome challenge for the Truckers. Ain’t nothing they can bring can beat us. We have to beat ourselves.”

Stevens agrees.

“They’re going to see Alcott and more Alcott,” he predicted. “We’re not going to change anything, so they better get ready to see more Alcott Forbes. We’re not taking any chances. We have them down and we have to keep them under our feet.”

Commando Security’s centre fielder Lamar Watkins said the Truckers are not just going to roll over and play dead.

“We had about 5-6 weeks lay off where we haven’t had a chance to see that competitive pitching,” he said. “Forbes is in pretty good shape, so it’s rough for us. But it’s never over. We’re going to take it one game at a time. We’re in a dog fight with our backs against the wall, but you will see the Truckers next week.”

• Here’s a summary of

the first two games:

Hitmen 8, Truckers 0: Alcott Forbes came out of the gate smoking on Saturday, firing a two hitter with 13 strike outs and a walk.

He also helped out offensively going 1-for-2 with a run batted in (RBI) and scored another. Philip Johnson was 1-for-3 with two runs scored, Angelo Dillet was 1-for-2 and Dino Sweeting was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Thomas Davis came in relief of starter Eugene Pratt in the fifth and suffered the loss.

Commando Security had a chance to score in the seventh when Marvin Wood led off with a single and Terran Wood followed with a double. But they were both left stranded as Forbes retired the side.

Hitmen 5, Truckers 0: Alcott Forbes picked up where he left of on Saturday, tossing another two-hitter with 13 strike outs for another win on Sunday in game two. Forbes led a big rally in the first with two out when walked and Dillet was hit by a pitch. The two then scored on an error.

In the second, Rashad Seymour singled and scored on Keiron Munroe’s RBI sacrifice fly. And in the seventh, Dino Sweeting singled and Seymour got on with an error. Munroe then hit a fly ball to left that Winston Seymour Jr caught in foul territory. But by the time he tried to get the ball on the infield, the two runners had already crossed the plate.

Garfield Bethel and Cardinal Gilbert got the two hits for the Truckers, but they couldn’t score.