The Tribune

THE defending champions Johnson’s Lady Truckers and the C&S Hitmen took the opening matches in their respective New Providence Softball Association championship series.

On Sunday night in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the Lady Truckers rolled past the Sunshine Auto Wildcats 15-13, while the Hitmen knocked off the BTC Elite Warriors 7-2.

Here’s a summary of their matches:

Lady Truckers 25, Lady Wildcats 13: Catcher Shavette Taylor produced a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring centre fielder Tyrice Curry as the pennant winners went up 15-9.

Sunshine Auto made one last gallant effort, coming up with four runs in the seventh, thanks to consecutive run producing doubles from pitcher Mary ‘Cruise’ Sweeting, first sacker Chrshann Percentie and right fielder Garidette Curry, but it wasn’t enough.

Taylor finished with a perfect 4-for-4 night at the plate with six RBI and a run scored to lead the Lady Wildcats’ offensive attack.

Right fielder Keisha Pratt was 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, Tyrice Curry ended up going 2-for-2 with two runs, designated player Theola Ferguson was 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored and left fielder Dwayna Pratt was 1-for-2 with three runs.

Diva Burrows went the distance, giving up 14 hits with three walks and a strike out for the win. Mary Sweeting got the loss after she surrendered 16 hits with seven walks.

Shortstop Larikah Russell paced Sunshine Auto’s attack with a 2-for-5 outing with two RBI. Garedette Curry was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, left fielder Maryann Ferguson was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs and catcher Dornette Edwards was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The Lady Truckers scored two runs in the first, three in the second, six in the third, two in the fourth and two more in the sixth.

The Lady Wildcats came up with one in the second, four in the fourth, four in the fifth and four in the seventh.

Hitmen 7, Warriors 2: Alcott Forbes fired a four-hitter, striking out 19 batters to propel C&S to a big opening victory. He gave up an unearned run in the third to shortstop Eric ‘Pappi’ Johnson and in the fifth to first baseman Sherman Ferguson.

Third baseman Rashad Seymour was 1-for-3 with a RBI, first baseman Hosea Hilton was 1-for-3 with two runs, shortstop Philip Johnson was 1-for-3 with two runs and catcher Angelo Dillett was 1-for-4 with a run.

Eric Johnson went 1-for-2 with his run scored and Sherman Ferguson was 1-for-1 with his run for the Elite Warriors.

Thomas Davis was tagged with the loss after he gave up seven hits and struck out 10. C&S got five runs in the second, one in the third and another in the fourth.