Story and pictures by Marvin Lowe

A TKGS player slides into home base safely after the Peicai catcher Ning Min fails to gather the ball. (Photo 1 © Marvin Lowe)

Peicai Secondary, Thursday, July 25, 2008 – Tanjong Katong Girls’ School beat Peicai Secondary 15-6 in a battle for top place in a C Division Softball Championship group game. Despite playing with home ground advantage, Peicai fought valiantly but were overwhelmed by the TKGS onslaught.

Peicai got off to a good start with a home run by Ning Min in their first inning. Peicai managed to score 3 runs to match the 4 by TKGS, keeping it a close contest. In the following three innings, TKGS pitcher, Kazuki, managed to tighten the screws on Peicai by allowing only one run in the third inning.

TKGS responded with 4 runs to extend their lead to 8-4 going into the final inning. At this point, Peicai still stood a chance of upsetting TKGS if they managed to hold TKGS scoreless in their last inning and score 5 runs of their own.

However, their resolve was quickly broken as the TKGS batters hammered in 7 runs in the final inning. A lack of concentration by the Peicai fielders allowed TKGS to run away with easy runs. By the time the TKGS inning ended, the scoreline stood at 15-4 and Peicai’s chance for an upset was all but gone. Still, they batted valiantly in their final inning to score 2 more runs to eventually go down 6-15 to TKGS.

TKGS emerged top for their group and will move on to face Nanyang Girls’ High School in their semi-final match. Peicai will now face Raffles Girls’ School, the top seed for the other group. However, Peicai will fancy their chances to make it into the final as they had previously beaten RGS during the South Zone Championship.

A TKGS player hits the ball hard into the outfield. (Photo 2 © Marvin Lowe)

The TKGS player fumbles the bunted ball to allow the Peicai player to scurry to first base safely. (Photo 3 © Marvin Lowe)

The TKGS pitcher, Kazuki, was in outstanding form. (Photo 4 © Marvin Lowe)

A TKGS player scores a run after reaching home safely. (Photo 5 © Marvin Lowe)

OUT!! The ball was already in the glove of the TKGS player before the Peicai player reached base. (Photo 6 © Marvin Lowe)

Two TKGS players fail to call for the ball, resulting in a dropped easy catch. (Photo 7 © Marvin Lowe)

The TKGS player evades a wild pitch from the Peicai pitcher. (Photo 8 © Marvin Lowe)

Peicai scores after a good hit into the outfield. (Photo 9 © Marvin Lowe)

STRIKE!!! The Peicai player swings and misses a strike ball. (Photo 10 © Marvin Lowe)

Joy and jubilation for the TKGS player after her slide home was ruled legitimate. (Photo 11 © Marvin Lowe)