Launceston's softball comp returns to Churchill Park

Saints Red juniors posted their first win of the season against club rivals Saints White 13-9 but lost to Eagles juniors 10-2.

Both Kikoak girls, Tunisha and Lelanni, stood out with a strong batting performance for Eagles. Kai Martin-Shepherd and Ryleigh Emms shared pitching duties for Saints while Finlay Antypas took the plate early on handing the duty over to Shayla Brand to finish the game out.

In the women's competition, Saints Red beat Saints Black 19-3, finishing via the run rule.

The undermanned Black struggled to slow down Red's hard hitters. Kelly Hodgetts posted her first home run while Brenda Hanlon pitched the full game for Black and Maddie Barron for Red.

Maddie Roddick, Chase McFerran-Shepherd, Emms and Ashton Reeves played up from the junior ranks for Black.

Red had the double header and faced off against an energised Eagles outfit. Belinda Mcferran was out of the circle for Red and Eliesha Gardner steadied the ship for Eagles who were far too strong with all players contributing offensively and defensively. Kelly Kikoak stood out at first base and also from the batters box as Eagles came away with a solid 9-3 win.

In the men's game, Saints held off a challenging Eagles to come away with a 11-7 victory.

The game was tied up after the second innings but Saints managed another four over the plate in the third and sealed the deal for the game.

Sean Roddick and Bradley Bell shared the pitching duties for Saints and Troy O'Konnah along with Rhyley Swann for Eagles. Markus Harris, Dylan Bayles, James North and Bradley Bell all did their bit with a solid batting performance for Saints, as Matt Wareham, Troy O'konnah and Matt Tatnell were handy with the bats and scored for Eagles.

The women's state championships are to be held in Hobart this weekend with all three associations - Ulverstone, Launceston and Hobart represented. The tournament runs through Saturday and Sunday.