The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Ashanti Darville made her return to the New Providence Softball Association a perfect one.

Back from maternity leave, Darville got all the help she needed from her BTC Lady Warriors teammates as she shut down the first year Aliv Strykers 18-0 to record the first perfect game of the 2018 season.

The ladies’ opener took place last night in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. “It was a fresh beginning for me,” said Darville, who missed the past two seasons but needed just 45 minutes to get back in the groove.

“So it was a good introduction back to the league and to start the new season. It was a good one for me and my team.”

Darville said once she can work on her stamina, she feels she can be in a better position to lead the Warriors, managed by Kelly Smith, as they rebounded from their season opening 12-5 loss to the Platinum Lady Sharks.

While Darville, with the assistance of her defense, kept the Strykers off base, losing pitcher Twyla Turnquest surrendered 12 hits as the Warriors went wild, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and exploded for 11 more in the second to secure the abbreviated victory.

Second sacker Sheryl Evans made her presence felt in her debut in the league with a perfect 2-for-2 plate appearance on a pair of triples, driving in three runs and scoring twice to pace BTC.

Darville’s battery mate, catcher Melinda Bastian was also perfect at 3-for-3, scoring two runs and first sacker Jeanette Hilton was also perfect at 2-for-2 with two runs batted in and scored three times.

Left fielder Nadia Thompson helped out by going 2-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored and shortstop Michelle Thompson was 1-for-3 with two runs scored.

Despite getting shut out in their second straight game in their introduction to the league, Turnquest said this is a process that her Aliv team has to endure, but they are making the best of it.

“We are playing good, but the other teams are just getting some runs on us,” she said. “For a team that is just starting, we’re getting the outs and our attitude is still positive. We just have to work on our batting.”

The Strykers, made up of the majority of players from Long Island who reside here in New Providence, got shut out as well in their season opener as the Hennessy Panthers won 20-0 last week.

“Our communication is positive and our spirits is still high,” she stated. “We just have to work on our batting and making the plays.”

Saturday

6pm - Royal Bahamas Defence Force vs Royal Bahamas Police Force in slow pitch All-Star game

7pm - Rescheduled opening ceremonies

7:30pm - Johnson’s Lady Truckers vs Sunshine Auto Wildcats (ladies’ championship rematch)

8:30pm - BTC Warriors vs C&S Hitmen (men’s championship rematch)