Whanganui Braves send out a warning to Manawatu softball nemesis Dodgers ahead of final round

Normally one of Whanganui Braves' better batters, Paddy Steele is in a slump.

Whanganui Braves has sent out a warning to Dodgers Grey, the top qualifier in Section 1 of the Manawatu Senior Reserve grade softball competition, they are coming all bats blazing.

Braves beat Huia Warriors 10-2 in convincing fashion on Saturday to qualify second behind Dodgers and set up an interesting finals qualifying series in the next few weeks.

Huia nearly upset Dodgers the Saturday before, losing in the end 4-3.

Once again the bat told the story. Aaron Mahony had a good day, hitting a home run, a three bagger and dropping a nice running bunt to beat the play to first. All the other runs came from good singles to keep the score board ticking over.

"Everyone is hitting the ball, with the exception of lead-off batter Paddy Steele who unfortunately has found himself in a batting slump these last few weeks," player/coach Shane Foster said.

"Paddy has by far the nicest natural swing in the squad, but he's just way ahead of the pitch. We will work on that at training this week."

Ben Hollis pitched the entire game, with regular pitcher Foster being rested.

"Ben is a bit erratic, which kept the Huia batters guessing, but he got the job done," Foster said of his replacement.

Both shortstop Mahony and 3rd baseman Richie Smith made some good outs, ably supported by good catches in the outfield by Carl Priddle and Ash Blanche.

Braves play top qualifier Dodgers this Saturday in a round that allows both teams a life if they lose, while the rest of the sides in the section play sudden death softball.

In the top section with Braves and Dodgers are Bluesox Hitmen, Huia Warriors, Linton Mustangs and bottom premier team Raiders.