17 Jul 2024

The BDF IX ladies and Police IX men’s teams are champions of this year’s Softball Extravaganza tournament.

BDF IX defended the trophy they won last year in a thrilling 4-1 win over the 2022 champions Titans, walking away with a P25 000 first prize while second-placed team, Titans pocketed P20 000 and third prize winner, Police IX won P18 000.

In an interview, BDF IX coach, Mothusi Shalobane commended his team for the sterling performance, attributing their win to intensive training.

“We analysed our opponents’ weaknesses and enhanced our strength and power to earn more runs,” said Shalobane, explaining the strategy he used to defeat Titans.

Under the male category, the 2022 champions, Police IX emerged victorious with a narrow 9-8 win over the defending champions, Wells International in a fiercely contested match. 

Police IX, which missed last year’s tournament as a result of late registration, started painfully slow, but came back strong in the last innings to snatch the trophy from Wells.

The latter, who lost the game by a whisker, fought hard, but ultimately fell short in the last innings, giving the determined Police IX a win that made them P25 000 richer.

Wells International walked away with P20 000 whilst the host, Comets redeemed their pride by pocketing P18 000 third prize money. 

Police IX captain, Rannane Mothudi said the evenly matched teams played a super competitive ball, commending them for a sterling performance.

“It was a fiercely contested game and either of the two teams had the potential to win the game.”

Though Police IX could not concede a run in the first innings, he said his men never gave up until the final whistle.

Rannane, who also scooped the Best Catcher award, said although his team trailed behind in the first inning, they regained their grip after Zibisane Samuel earned Police IX its first run. 

The men also made an improvement in the last innings, earning extra three runs, thereby breaking the 5-5 tie.

Meanwhile, on  individual awards, BDF IX ladies came on top scooping three awards that were earned by Best Catcher, Juliet Solomon, Best Pitcher, Keitumetse Thatayaone and Keabetswe Mohotsha, who won the Most Valuable Player award. Police IX’s Otsile Moshabe scooped the Best Slugger.

Police IX men also won all the individual awards with Kefilwe Kenosi scooping the Best Slugger whilst Samuel Kunyalala scooped the Best Pitcher. 

Eric Simwanza received the Most Valuable Player award.

All awards attracted P500 cash prize whilst the Most Valuable Player award attracted P750. Ends