Wee Waa Public School softball team cruises into the PSSA semi-finals

The Wee Waa Public School boys’ softball side has come up trumps with a superb 11-2 victory over Molong Public School.

The NSW PSSA quarter-final was held at Dangar Park, Wee Waa, last Thursday with the sides fighting it out for a place in the state semi-finals.

A strong second innings performance by the home side set it up for a nine-run win over its Central West opponents.

Wee Waa will now move on to the semi-final to face Narranga at Blacktown International Sports Park on Thursday, December 5, with a chance of playing in the grand final on the same day.

Wee Waa Public School teacher and softball coach Michael Lever was impressed by the side’s competitive spirit.

“The pitcher from Molong had quite a bit of pace and the boys were feeling a little bit intimidated,” he said.

“But I let them know that they were more than capable, and not to worry about them but focus on what we were doing.

“In the second innings we scored the maximum of nine runs and that was really the difference in the game.

“To go this far from a small town like Wee Waa with 2000 people and 150 kids at the school is incredible.”

Lever said he was confident that the side could go all the way to the grand final.

“We are very capable of beating Narranga,” he said.

“If we were to be playing in the final against a Sydney team that would be a real test.

“But it’s not impossible, the boys are of a very high standard and I am very blessed that I have so many talented kids.”

The Wee Waa team won the toss and chose to open the match with the bat.

Molong’s pitcher was the quickest that Wee Waa had faced all tournament but the students were up to the challenge.

Wee Waa scored two runs at the top of the first innings giving it an early lead.

The bottom of the first innings saw Molong get two batters on base, however the home side was able to stop the visitors from scoring.

The side took three outs thanks to the pitcher and catcher combination.

The combination of Wee Waa’s pitcher Clay Hoffman and catcher Brody Slee was instrumental in the side’s fielding performance.

An out at home plate, a catch in the infield and a strikeout secured Wee Waa three outs to take a 2-nil lead into the second innings.

The second innings was Wee Waa’s best of the match.

The hosts created an 11-point gap after they scored a maximum nine runners home at the top of the second innings.

That batting performance was backed up with a strong fielding display.

Molong scored one run home to make the score 11-1 heading into the third innings.

The visitors came out to field in the third innings with purpose.

The away side took three outs in quick succession as Wee Waa failed to get a batter on base.

Molong could not back up its performance with the ball picking up one run from the third innings.

The run made the score 11-2 and with time ticking down Wee Waa needed a single run to secure its victory as Molong could only earn a maximum of nine runs from the final innings.

Wee Waa loaded the bases with some smart batting before the Molong pitcher threw a wild ball which rolled under the fence, advancing all of the runners.

The home team knew that it could not be beaten and finished the top of the fourth innings with a 15-2 lead.

Molong went out to bat at the bottom of the fourth innings but was unable to score any runs.

Wee Waa secured two of the three outs before time ran out and the umpire called time and game.

That meant the score reverted back to the third innings with Wee Waa picking up an 11-2 win.