Last Sunday saw a lively game between the North Balwyn Stingers and South East Warriors women’s teams at Macleay Park, where SEWBC triumphed 18-9. 

Spirits were high during the intense match, and Coach Grace Raszewski made sure her team was determined from the very beginning.

“At the start of the game I told my team to be competitive, to be aggressive in the box,” she said.

Raszewski nominated ex-softball veteran Hoang “Shorty” Huynh as player of the match, and congratulated her on being a team player as she excelled in pitching, earning herself a strikeout.

“She pitched for me and she’s never pitched before…I’m really proud of Shorty today,” Raszewski said. 

With over 30 years of experience, Huynh discussed the importance of team cohesiveness.

“It’s always a team, it’s never just one person. You may be the main person that has the ball most of the time but your team backs you,” she said.

She felt her personal highlight of the game was the strikeout.

“I’ve never done it before, it’s only the second time I’ve pitched,” she said.

Now third on the ladder, Raszewski exclaimed her admiration for her SEW team, and also spoke highly of the competition. 

“The competitors did amazing as well, it’s always so much fun playing against North Balwyn,” she said.

As for how she feels about baseball in general, Raszewski applauded the women’s teams for their consistently welcoming and familiar environments. 

“I think that’s a really big thing in women’s baseball is that it’s fun to play. I know the umpires, I know the players on the team, it’s such a fun sport,” she said.

It was a secure win by SEWBC to strengthen their place on the Women’s ladder leading into finals.

Stay tuned for match of the round coverage each week for the rest of the season.