Toowoomba has semi bone to pick with Dogs
BASEBALL: In an unusual season stat, rivals Toowoomba Rangers and Wests Bulldogs have not met during the GBL Division Three season.
But Rangers are not fazed by the unknown and enter tomorrow’s semi-final showdown against the Dogs in Brisbane full of confidence as they look to keep their seasons alive.
The winner of tomorrow’s elimination match advances to meet the loser of this weekend’s Windsor-Narangba qualifying semi, while the loser is done for 2018-19.
Despite finishing fourth on the competition ladder behind the third-placed Bulldogs, Rangers’ coach Darryl Luchterhand believes his team has the firepower to not only send Wests packing for the season but to also deliver Windsor and Narangba a worrying message.
“We line up with our strongest team possible so there’ll be no excuses if we don’t get the job done,” Luchterhand said.
“But I’m not really worried about Wests to be honest.
“It’s more about us and what we bring to the table.
“I honestly believe if we play at our absolute best we are capable of blowing Wests away.
“We haven’t faced them this season because of game washouts.
‘‘ BUT I’M NOT REALLY WORRIED ABOUT WESTS TO BE HONEST. DARRYL LUCHTERHAND
“But looking at all the stats, I don’t believe they have the pitching to really hurt us.
“I can’t really see them scoring more than five or six runs which I don’t think will win it for them.
“I believe it’s our offence that can win it for us.”
Rangers resume playing tomorrow after a three-week break brought about by the Under 16 Brisbane Bandits and Carina Redsox White forfeiting to Toowoomba in the final two rounds.
Luchterhand believes the enforced break can now work in Rangers’ favour with gun pitcher Sam McNeice rested up and ready to fire on the season’s big stage.
“I might be biased, but in my opinion Sam is the best pitcher in the League,” Luchterhand said.
“He will have gone three weeks on Sunday without throwing a ball in anger and will be fresh with no niggles.
“A break can work against you but it might work in our favour and I’m sure Sam will be ready to fire.
“The downside to missed match practise could be our swinging.
“We didn’t field a ball at training last night, our session was all about hitting.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves but we want to get back to Division One next year and the best way to state our case is to be winning these games.
“I’m sure Windsor and Narangba are looking over their shoulders and they will want to see Wests roll us this week.”
■ RANGERS C-grade team meets Redlands on the road tomorrow in a qualifying semi.