Geraldton softball round 9 preview: Blaze and Rams scrap for second, Martians face tough test against Suiside

Round nine rolls in this weekend and Suiside already look like they have one hand on the top spot in both the men’s division one and division two ladders of Geraldton softball. Both Suiside sides remain unbeaten and have piled on some big wins so far this season. Neither outfits show any signs of slowing and carry the confidence of those that know how to close out a game. The Bulldogs open the round on Friday night when they face Martians, who have not tasted victory since round one. Yet they are exactly the sort of side that can pounce if Suiside ease off even a little. Suiside will back their batting depth and tight fielding, though Martians will be desperate to snap their run of losses. Rams and Blaze clash later on Friday, which has every chance of going down to the wire. The two sides drew in round seven and both have shown flashes of strong hitting and disciplined pitching. It shapes as one of the closer contests of the weekend. In the division two men’s, Suiside take a breather with a bye, which means the rest of the division has an opportunity to break away from the pack on Saturday afternoon. Rams Blue have a heavy workload with a double-header against Martians then Gunduwa. Gunduwa are also pulling double duty and finish their day against an in-form Pi’s team who have been swinging the bat cleanly in recent weeks. Marlins and Rams White close out the round in what should be a spirited match. * In the women’s top grade, the race is already narrowing to two. Marlins and Rams have found their rhythm and are starting to edge away from the rest of the field. Rams face a big Saturday with a double-header against Martians and then a crucial clash with Marlins later in the afternoon. Pi’s Panthers are still hunting for form and will meet a Suiside outfit equally hungry for some momentum. The women’s division two competition remains wide open and every side looks in the hunt. Blaze, Suiside, Rams White and Marlins have all banked bright early performances. Suiside take on Blaze before facing Pi’s in their second game of the day. Rams White and Marlins go head-to-head and Panthers round things out with their second match when they face Gunduwa.