By Adam Norman
Bangor Barracudas 20
Lisburn Falcons 10
BANGOR Barracudas produced a confident, all-round showing to secure a comfortable victory over Lisburn Falcons, combining sharp defence with powerful hitting throughout.
The Barracudas started strongly in the first inning, with Matt Steenwyk twice fielding grounders and firing to Naomi Connor, at third base, for the opening two outs, before Adam Norman secured the third with a clean outfield catch.
The offence was just as sharp, as Matty Turpitt led off with a triple, Norman doubled him home, Charlene McCartney added an RBI double and Matty Connor followed with an RBI triple.
Matt Steenwyk drove in another run with a single, while debutant Carrie Webb marked her first game with her first-ever base hit.
The defence stayed composed in the second, with Marc Taylor taking a catch behind the plate Matty Connor linking with Charlene McCartney for an out, prior to catching a fly ball to end the inning.
At the plate, Marc Taylor singled, Turpitt walked, Ali Steenwyk drove in a run and Norman added a sacrifice fly RBI, before the Falcons closed the inning with a sharp catch at third base.
Lisburn got on the scoreboard in the third inning after a defensive mix-up, but the ‘Cudas settled quickly. Marc Taylor combined with Danny McCartney for one out, Matty Connor threw to Danny for another and Turpitt secured the third with a fly-ball catch. Matt Steenwyk singled for the ‘Cudas, but strong Falcons pitching kept the inning short.
In the fourth, Matt Steenwyk delivered a standout defensive spell, striking out one batter, throwing to Taylor for another out and taking a sharp line-drive catch himself.
Bangor then broke the game open, as Danny McCartney and Marc Taylor singled, Turpitt and Ali Steenwyk added RBI singles and Charlie Taylor came off the bench to smash a two-run triple. Charlene McCartney, Naomi Connor and Will Gilpin also contributed key hits to help extend the lead.
The fifth inning saw more clinical defence, with Gilpin throwing to Danny Steenwyk for the first out, before Matty Connor started a smooth double.
Marc Taylor, Charlie Taylor and Turpitt all singled in reply, with Charlene McCartney adding an RBI double.
The Falcons opened the sixth with a home run, but the Barracudas remained calm. Marc Taylor caught a fly ball, Gilpin struck out a batter and Matty Connor again combined with Danny Steenwyk for the third out.
The ‘Cudas then produced another strong batting inning. Naomi Connor doubled, Gilpin walked and Webb continued her dream debut with an RBI single, her third hit of the day.
Danny Steenwyk, Marc Taylot, Charlie Taylor, Charlene McCartney, Matty Connor and Turpitt all added to the rally before the Falcons finally stopped the scoring.
The final inning was controlled and confident. Turpitt took the first out with a fly catch, Matty Connor linked with Danny Steenwyk for the second and Marc Taylor sealed the win with his third catch of the day.
It was a strong team performance from the Barracudas, with contributions across the lineup and MVP awards going to Marc Taylor and debutant Carrie Webb.
Bangor Barracudas’ next game is against the Eagles in Wallace Park on May 24.
