Whanganui Braves softball team post second loss in Manawatu competition

Yet another homer for big hitting Stephen Barnes was not enough get Whanganui Braves across the line against Dodgers in the Manawatu senior men's reserve grade in Palmerston North at the weekend.

Wanganui Braves suffered its second defeat of the season in the Manawatu senior men's reserve grade in Palmerston North at the weekend.

The 11-6 loss was again to a young Dodgers team brimming with confidence. Dodgers has been the only side in the competition to lower the Braves colours after an 8-6 victory in round one.

"Bit of a disappointing result at the weekend, but we were beaten by a better side on the day," Braves player/coach Shane Foster said.

Dodgers dominated with the bat against a Braves side determined to reverse the previous loss, but just could not match them with the bat.

The Dodgers batters made 11 safe hits to Braves 6.

"Its very hard to win games with those stats. We squandered an opportunity late in the game with the game tied four all, with one down and loaded bases. Unfortunately, the our top batting order failed to bring the runners home."

Dodgers closed out the game in the bottom of the sixth innings with a home run to Mark Jones. It capped off a very good game by the right fielder, who made some telling throws from the outfield to stop Braves scoring on home plate.

"Carl Priddle had a good game at centre field, ably supported by Toby Rison at shortstop and once again big Stephen Barnes produced another monster home run to get Braves back in the game. He literally just jogged around the bases," Foster said.

Braves play a double header on Sunday against Linton Mustangs at 12.30pm and Bluesox at 2.30pm.