LSA men’s side wins 17-0
ON a perfect day of outdoor sport, the Limpopo Softball Association's (LSA) men's side provided a glimmer of hope for the sport with their batting aptitude as they walloped the University of Limpopo (UL) 17-0 in Seshego on Sunday.
SESHEGO – ON a perfect day of outdoor sport, the Limpopo Softball Association’s (LSA) men’s side provided a glimmer of hope for the sport with their batting aptitude as they walloped the University of Limpopo (UL) 17-0 in Seshego on Sunday.
However, as the score line reflected, the students were not the ideal opposition to test the strength of a team heading to the national championships, which would take place from March 19 to 23 in Durban.
After winning the toss, LSA opted to bat first and took advantage of UL’s lacklustre fielding by scoring a glut of runs with remarkable flourish.
With clear intention, the provincial side opened the floodgates with two home runs in the opening inning, courtesy of two left-handed batters, first baseman, Phomolo Phaladi and pitcher, Nthabi Kekana.
A depleted UL batting line-up faced perplexing deliveries from Moletlane Texas spinner Kekana, who first led the team from the mound before he was replaced by Adolf Laka.
A draught of runs temporarily marred the game in the second innings, but LSA soon returned to scoring homes runs.
It was the Lebowakgomo Wild Beasts troupe of run-scorers catcher, Nkomori Chepape, Daniel Mphahlele, Laka and Mandla Matswinyane, who increased the tally in the third inning.
In the dying innings, UL pitcher, Kgonego Manyaka had to endure a bruising assault as the best of provincial softball entered into a competition of home runs.
Batting belligerence is of fundamental importance at this level of play and LSA were on good course in their preparations.
With the absence of head coach, Mamphiri Sethosa, his assistants Koloi “Mkhize” Kekana and Lemo Raphasha tried various combinations ahead of the tournament.
The coaching staff had to rest all-time short stopper, Seshoka and his Texas teammates, pitcher-in-chief, Nakedi Mohlake and co-pitcher, Tidima Kekana.
Veteran catcher, Thabang “Contact Number” Letsoalo came off the bench to reaffirm himself as one of the trusted batters in the province.
Meanwhile, Ntate “Vader” Pila took the women’s team through the paces as part of their preparations for the tournament.
The province is yet to announce the final teams after this weekend’s camp.
