(Story & Photo by Marco Stoovelaar)
 Britt Vonk Best Hitter & All Star Australian Championship Tournament
Nederlands
 BLACKTOWN, Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales (Australia) -
On Saturday (January 9), Queensland Heat won 3-1 vs. defending champion New South Wales Firestars in all-deciding final of the 69th edition of the Open Women's Softball Fastpitch Australian National Championship Tournament.
The event opened on Sunday, January 3, but was troubled by a lot of rain on the first five days.
In the end, the six participating teams all faced each other once (instead of twice) in the preliminary round that ended on Friday-evening.
On Saturday, the Play-Offs and Finals were played.
...Britt Vonk...
...Best Hitter & All Star...
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar) |
After completion of the Final and the crowning of Queensland Heat as Australian Champion, winning the Gilley's Shield, the winners of the individual awards were named.
Netherlands National Team-player Britt Vonk, who won the championship with Queensland, was the Best Hitter of the tournament and with that won the Sybild Turner Best Batter Award.
She batted .476 (10-for-21) in the tournament, including the Play-Offs (.529 in the preliminary round), scored ten runs and batted in five.
Three other awards also went to players of Queensland.
Justine Smethurst won the Lorraine Woolley Pitcher of the Tournament Award, while Brenda De Blaes won the Midge Nelson Tournament Most Valuable Player Award.
Jade Wall, who decided the final by hitting a 2-run homerun, won the Player of the Grand Final Award.
Seven players of Queensland were named to the All Tournament Team, including Britt Vonk as short stop.
Also representing Queensland in the All Tournament Team were Justine Smethurst (pitcher), Jessica Muller (1st base), Brenda De Blaes (2nd base), Tara Speakman (3rd base), Janice Blackman (outfield) and Chelsea Forkin (outfield).
Completing the team were Rachel Lack (catcher, New South Wales), Samantha Poole (outfield, New South Wales) and Clare Warwick (designated player, ACT Diamonds).
(January 9)
Related articles:
 Britt Vonk wins Australian Softball Title with Queensland. (January 9)
Britt Vonk in Semi-Final Australian Softball Championship; Schedule set for Play-Offs. (January 8)
Australian Softball Finals resume with abbreviated schedule. (January 7)
Australian Softball Championship hampered by heavy rain. (January 5)
Britt Vonk, Saskia Kosterink; more familiar names in Australian Softball Final. (January 3)
|
