The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THEY didn’t get a hit, but the C&S Hitmen didn’t need one as they managed to outclass the BTC Elite Warriors in a exciting 4-1 victory in the men’s feature contest of the New Providence Softball Association’s double header on Saturday night.

The ladies’ opener in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex was a different story as the Hennessy Panthers couldn’t stop the hit parade from the BTC Lady Warriors in an abbreviated 18-9 blowout.

Hitmen 4, Elite Warriors 1

In what was expected to be a pitcher’s duel, Alcott Forbes suffered three hits and struck out 12 in his role for the defending champions C&S, who remain on top of the standings at 8-1.

But surprisingly, Forbes and his teammates were held hitless by Jeffery Woodside, who had five strikeouts as BTC suffered another stunning loss to drop to 3-7 for third place.

The difference came in the unearned runs category with the Hitmen scoring three in the bottom of the first inning to put the game out of reach. They added one more in the second and another in the sixth.

Catcher Angelo Dillett scored two of their runs and pinch runner Zachary Rahming came up with one. Second baseman Richard Bain went 1-for-3 and Jordan Gibson was 1-for-5 with a two-out RBI single in the top of the first to plate centre fielder Giovanni Willie, who led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

“We just wanted to work on certain things, mainly our defence,” said Hitmen’s manager Darren Stevens. “It’s still early in the season, so we’re just taking it one game at a time.”

Stevens was referring to their epic 1-0 loss to the Commando Security Truckers, who handed them their one and only loss so far. He said they have put that behind them and are focused on the bigger picture ahead of them.

“We are looking to dominate. We are looking to win the pennant and the championship and go to the round robin,” he said. “That is our goal and that is what we are working towards right now.”

Elite Warriors 18, Panthers 9

First sacker Lathera Brown went 4-for-5 with a double, triple, two RBI and four runs scored and shortstop Sheryl Evans was 3-for-5 with a RBI and two runs scored to pace BTC’s explosive attack.

Starting pitcher Jeanette Hilton was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored, centre fielder Keisha Pratt was 1-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored and left fielder Nadia Thompson was 1-for-5 with a RBI and run scored.

“We played a pretty good game,” Hilton said. “The first set of games we were a bit shaky, but the team is starting to build its chemistry and we’re coming together.

“We have a team with a lot of potential. It’s just that we just need to get everybody out and to get them into that comfort zone so that we can build that team chemistry and get everybody playing in their rightful positions, we will be better.”

The win enabled BTC to move into fourth place in the standings at 3-5, dropping Hennessy to fifth at 2-6. It was also Hilton’s first game of the season on the mound and she credited her performance to the assistance she got in practice from BTC legendary men’s manager Richard ‘the Lion Heart’ Johnson.

“I just go to practice and work out with Richard. He’s been showing me one or two things,” said the talented infielder. “It’s going to gradually come together. I guess I’m going to continue working on it because I want to pitch more in the second half to help my team.

“We need a little more pitching, so I need to step it up and continue to work with Richard so that I can help my team out a little more.”

Hilton pitched the first four innings for the win before ace Ashanti Darville came in to close the door in the final two innings as the game eventually got stopped in the sixth inning because of the 10-run rule.

Salona Brown started and was tagged with the loss.

Third sacker Yvana McDonald was 1-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored, centre fielder Latonia Bowles was 1-for-2 with a run scored, shortstop Amarige Taylor was 1-for-3 with two runs scored, first sacker Lashanta Greenslade was 1-for-4 with a RBI and second sacker Shaquel Smith was 1-for-3.