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Softball
Lady Braves Eliminate Defending Champs Warriors
By Dean Greenaway
Jun 29, 2008, 15:05

TORTOLA—The Lady Braves—last year’s BVI Softball Association’s runners up—ensured there will be a new champion in the Arnold “Foxy” Barronville championship series women’s division, after eliminating defending champions West End Warriors with Sunday night’s 11-7 victory.

“It feels good and I think it gives the team a good spirit going into the championships,” said Lady Braves’ coach Roy “Panhandle” Hill who will be in the men’s championships with the Hurricanes. “They beat us all year and now we came back and beat them in the semifinals, so I think that gives my players the drive to go into the finals.”

The Warriors out hit the Lady Braves, 12-11 and left 11 stranded, but their hits were not timely. Adina “Sugar Bowl” Nibbs—who led them to the title against the Lady Braves last year—picked up the victory. Cassie Stoutt took the loss. “We didn’t bat all series,” noted Warriors’ manager Eli “Yampi” Nibbs who led them to their first title last year. “We had numerous threats, but, the team didn’t bat. After losing 11-4 on Friday, we had to bat tonight, but we just fell in a slump batting.  The Lady Braves were better than me this year.” Laura Isaac and Sherna Robinson went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Isaac also had 4 RBIs. Warriors’ Pascha Stoutt went 2-for-5 with one run scored and three runs batted in, Kimesha Adams was 3-for-5 with a run batted in. Roxie Lettsome homered in four at bats, scored twice and drove in one.

Hill said his team has to get in some good practices this week as they prepare to face the winner of the Crushers/Elmore Stoutt High School Rams series, which the Crushers lead, 1-0. “I believe after that, we will be ready for the championships,” Hill said.

Hill noted there were several things needed to be done with the Lady Braves. “One, they were swing at the first pitch and I had to get that out of them,” he explained. “They also tried a lot of bunts with the fielders in, and I had to get that out of their heads.”

The Crushers beat the Rams 18-6. Felecia Wattley got the win in relief of Shakira Skelton while Jelissa Potter took the loss. Wattley and Lenia Smith each went 1-for-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in. Rams’ Denecia Hodge finished 1-for-2 with 2 runs scored and 1 run batted in.