Marist aim for more AFC wins

Marist women’s softball coach Roman Gabriel is confident his team can be a threat to bigger teams in the Auckland Fastpitch Championship.

The side has played three games in the AFC, coming away with one win against Ardmore Marist in round two.

On Saturday, they face Waitakere Bears at Starling Park at 1.30pm.

‘‘We have a pretty young side, there are quite a number of new players - nervous still but they’re slowly getting their confidence up by each game,’’ Gabriel says.

‘‘If we can play to our full potential, we have a strong chance of being a threat to the big teams in the competition.’’

Gabriel hopes they can better their results from last year when they finished last in the league.

He’s banking on the experience of senior players like their skipper, Kara Stirling to motivate the younger players.

‘‘We have learnt a lot from last year. It was a tough time for the team because we were not ready to play in the premier league.

‘‘This year I feel that we’re a better team and hopefully it can get us more wins, and a successful season.’’

Gabriel says the goal is is to play consistent ball week in, week out.

‘‘We started our preparations late this year - the weather, players’ commitments to studies and jobs.

‘‘However, we’ve managed to come together to play every week.

‘‘It is a long season, so I am confident we can make up for the earlier two losses in the league by the business end of the season.

‘‘If we can play good consistent ball, and it gets us a few more wins than last year, then we can say we have had a successful season.’’

However, the long weekend proved a tough slog.

Marist featured in the Waitakere Bears Classic Competition, losing four of their five games to Howick, Western Magpies, Otahuhu and hosts Bears. Their sole win came against the Mt Albert Ramblers.

‘‘I was really proud with our younger pitcher Kim-an Quinn who did really well against the Bears.

‘‘We had a terrible start to the competition losing to Howick but overall the girls performed really well, battling against much stronger and experienced teams.’’

The Magpies went on to win the women’s division, taking Otahuhu out 4-0.