Two of GSA's own were vital cogs in WA's first National Championship title in over a decade. WA claimed the over-35 softball national championship in Sydney over the weekend as they dominated the final to claim the Bob Harrow Shield 9-2.
Geraldton pair Dion Harrison and Paul Valenti both played significant roles in the tournament for the Black and Gold while former GSA member Lyndon Barker also played his part in succesful week for WA. Another GSA mainstay, Kurt Mead was selected in the side but was unable to travel due to injury.
After a dominant first three days in which WA won their first six games in a row, they were given a reality check on day four as they went down to Queensland and New South Wales to finish second after the group stages.
They faced NSW again in the semifinal where they got over the line in a thrilling seventh innings.
After going 2-0 up in the fourth from an Aaron Cockman Homer NSW got one back in the sixth before WA piled on five runs in the seventh when Cockman went over the fence once again while Geraldton’s Dion Harrison scored of a single earlier.
NSW hit back with three runs with just one out but a base running error resulting in a double play ended their charge as WA went through to the final with a 7-4 win against Queensland, who won back-to-back elimination finals.
Mark Harris was dominant on the mound, striking out 17 batters for the win.
Both Geraldton players were given the start in the Grand Final, Harriosn playing second and batting 2, Valenti batting 9 and playing Left Field.
WA came out swinging with a Harrison double sending through Nathan Brown before Harrison got home off a sacrifice fly. The tournments Best Picther Heath Buswell, proved he was no mug with the stick, as he smashed a homer to make it four in the first inning.
Queensland kept in touch with two in the second with WA getting one in the third before they killed the game in the fifth.
Jason Garner hit a homer with Cockman on base to score two before Buswell scored off a single with Brett Walker scoring on an error sending four across the bag and brining out the mercy rule.
Harrison finished the game with 2 vital hits and Valenti added 1 as well.
Both players fielded 1.000 for the tournament to show that Geraldton can defienatley match it on the National Stage.
Garner was named tournament MVP, Buswell was named Best Pitcher and Harris was awarded the Grand Final MVP.
The pair were ecstatic with the win and both paid tribute to president Denise Bell, who recently passed away and whose funeral service was held on Friday.
“Super stoked, thank you guys and my No.1 supporter Kate Harrison and also that one’s for you Denise Bell,” Harrison posted.
“Bloody awesome, Gero represent! I’m sure Denise will be fine with us missing Friday,” Valenti followed.