Southampton double sets Falcons up for title

Chichester Falcons Softball Club brought themselves within a breath of taking the Division 2 title on Sunday, doubling off Southampton Spitfires and Redbridge Raiders in a sizzling double header in the sunshine at Wide Lane Sports Ground.

Both opponents were from a lower division but the Falcons took no chances and dispatched both their Hampshire opponents within 4 innings on a mercy rule.

Bronte Harvey

Infielder Cary Chen was unlucky at bat, with a series of fierce liners caught at third base, but Harsha Desai shored up, hitting 8 for 8 on the day, all singles and holding her own at catcher position. David Morris and Stefan Panayotopoulos kept things steady in centre outfield with a few routine fly catches and a trickle of singles and doubles, but pitcher James Wheeler outclassed everybody at bat with 4 home runs, two of which remarkably coming from one single inning as the Falcons batted around the order.

James Wheeler

Not far behind was shortstop Oliver Howley, with a homer of his own preceding four extra base hits to put the final nail in for the Raiders. First baseman Lucy Morris quietly put in a faultless performance in the field as the Falcons ran off with 26-6 and 28-4 respective wins.

One league game remains for the 2017 season - a home encounter on 6th September at Oaklands Park, where the Falcons hope to win their division against veteran team The OAPs.