BDF IX and Gatalamotho softball clubs are through to the quarter finals of the Botswana Softball Shell Golden League.
The two teams came in first and second position in the first group elimination stages to book themselves a place in the last eight teams. BDF IX made it through to the quarter finals by winning their entire three Group A elimination matches while Gatalamotho lost only one game, which they did against the army side.
The boys from the barracks amassed themselves a total of 8 points while Gatalamotho managed only six (6) points out of a possible eight (8). BDF IX, who were always the favourites to make it past the elimination stages made their intentions clear from the onset as they brushed past Wipers Softball club in their first game of the day, beating them by 8 ÔÇô 4 on Saturday before going on to beat Bears 7 ÔÇô 5 in another game later that day.
The men from the barracks continued where they left off on Sunday as they edged off fierce rivals Gatalamotho 4 -2 in a closely contested encounter. BDF IX then wrapped up their games with a convincing 12 ÔÇô 0 trouncing of UB Giants in a lopsided final match of the day. On the other hand, prior to their game against BDF IX, Gatalamotho, who got the second quarter finals spot, seemed unstoppable as they thrashed all their opening day opponents by solid margins.
‘Gata,’ as the team is popularly known, dispatched both UB Giants and Wipers 6 ÔÇô 1 and 8 ÔÇô 3, respectively on Saturday before their winning streak came to a halt at the hands of BDF IX on Sunday. The team, however, dusted themselves off from the loss to beat Bears 8 ÔÇô 5 and clinch the second quarter finals’ spot.
In the women’s category, it was Vikings and BDF IX who made it past the group stages as the two teams got first and second positions in their three-member Group A group. Vikings had a good day in office as they won all their matches, posting in impressive number of runs and losing none of their games. The team posted an impressive score of 12 ÔÇô 4 to win their encounter with Scramblers before dispatching BDF IX by a 6 ÔÇô 0 margin.
BDF on the other hand booked themselves a place in the next stage courtesy of their 7 ÔÇô 2 victory over Scramblers. With the Group A matches now done, all roads lead to Selebi Phikwe this coming weekend where Group B matches will take place. The group will feature Carats, Wells, BMC and Rebels in the men’s section while the women’s section will be composed of Comets, Wells and Dinare.
