Queensland Takes Out Gilley's Shield - AU women

[Al Doran]

Subject: Queensland Takes Out Gilley's Shield
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 18:13:57 +1100
From: "DiAnne Lilburn" <dianne.lilburn(at)softball.org.au>




Media Release
07 January 2006

Queensland Takes Out Gilley's Shield

Queensland has defeated New South Wales 2-1 in the grand final to take out 
the 2006 Australian Open Women’s Fastpitch Championship, the Gilley’s 
Shield.

New South Wales were going for their third consecutive title and started 
well scoring a run in the first innings. However, Queensland responded 
immediately by scoring two in the same innings and then held on to their 
lead for the rest of the final. Despite a number of runners getting on base 
tight pitching from both teams prevented any further runs being scored.

Although Queensland made some uncharacteristic infield errors consistent 
pitching from Olympian and winner of the Lorraine Woolley Medal for Best 
Pitcher, Kelly Hardie, restricted New South Wales to just one run.

Hardie pitched to 113 batters throughout the championship, pitching a total 
of 30.67 innings with 24 strike outs and an earned run average of just .457 
runs per game.

For New South Wales, pitcher Nicole Bacon held Queensland to two runs 
before being replaced by Australian player Kelly Gentle in the 5th innings.

Earlier in the day, Queensland defeated Victoria 7 runs to nil in the 
preliminary final, setting up another grand final with New South Wales and 
continuing the dominance of these two sides for the Shield since 1985.

New South Wales’ 3rd base, Stacey Porter won the Sybil Turner medal for 
the Best Batter playing in 12 games with a slugging average of 0.727, 
scoring 15 runs and one home run.

Young Queensland player, Nicole Smith playing as a pickup player for the 
ACT was awarded the Rosemary Adey medal for the Rookie of the Year. Smith 
played in 10 games with a fielding average of 0.947 and a batting average 
of 0.258.

The Midge Nelson medal for the Most Valuable Player went to Amanda Doman 
who was instrumental in Queensland’s successful campaign with a fielding 
average of 0.950, a slugging average of 0.529 and an on base average of 0.476.

Selectors were out in force during the five day championship, identifying 
players to represent Australian when they enter the international arena for 
the World Championships in Beijing in August 2006. This championship is the 
qualifier for Beijing 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION/INTERVIEWS
____________________________________
DiAnne Lilburn
National Communications Coordinator
Softball Australia
Suite 4, Ground Floor
38-40 Prospect Street
Box Hill, Victoria 3128

T: +61 3 9890 8200
F: +61 3 9890 8295
M: +61 (0) 405 509 674

For more information visit www.softball.org.au <http://www.softball.org.au/>

_____________________________________________________________________________
Did you know that Australia is the world's number one softball nation?
World number two - Open Women's team (Aussie Spirit), Silver Medallist 
(Athens, 2004), Bronze Medallists (Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996).
World number one - Under 19 Men's team (Aussie Colts), three consecutive 
World Championship titles.
World number three - Open Men's team (Aussie Steelers) and Under 19 Women's 
team (Aussie Pride).

From: "DiAnne Lilburn" <dianne.lilburn(at)softball.org.au>

  Als Fastball List
*Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com
    fastball at pmihrm.com
http://www.AlsFastball.com/
NEWS: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball
    eScribe is down, but may be back soon escribe.com

Our New Condo: http://www.rpt.ca/hunt/ for Sale or Rent