Papamoa Giants Softball Club

Shoutout to Roger Marshman, the leading Giants player at the moment in batting average and RBIs! The old dog’s still got it! 🥎

We were a bit ropey in the last few weeks before Xmas, so now a bit of work to do in the second half.

After no softball over the long weekend, the Giants were back in action on the 1st or November against a tricky Pirates Softball .Est20 team.

After going a run down at the top of the first, the Giants immediately tied the game at the bottom of the inning. The game went back and forth for the next couple of innings, with both teams having multiple safe hits, but neither team pulled out much of a lead until Papamoa centre-fielder Liam Marshman smoked a pitch out over the left field fence for the team’s first home run of the year. Starting pitcher (and known speedster) Mac Rison followed this up soon after with an inside-the-park home run of his own, and the Giants eased out to a more comfortable lead.

Against strong pitching and tight defense, the Pirates were unable to get themselves back into the game from there, with the final score 10-4 to Papamoa. More encouraging signs for the black and orange team, as the whole lineup again showed good patience and made good contact at the plate.

Next up for the Giants is 8th November at 12pm against Rotoiti Steelers.

Shout out to our awesome sponsors who help us get out on the diamond!

Upshot NZ Limited
The Island
FitFam Aotearoa

Apologies for the late post! On Saturday 18th Oct, the Papamoa Giants had their second game of the season against the defending champion Fairfield Otorohanga United. FOU have a good team of young hungry players, and they jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after two innings. Until then the Giants bats had been quieter than we’d like, but come the 3rd inning they sprang to life with multiple base hits scoring 3 runs in quick succession. From then on a strong second half on the mound from Mac Rison, and strong defense backing him up, FOU were held scoreless for the rest of the game. A late rally scored the Giants another run to seal the game 4-2 for their first W of the season.

A really positive result after falling behind early. The defense was rock solid, especially the infield corners, and once the bats woke up they never stopped rolling.

Back into it in next weekend after a break for labour weekend, huge thanks as always goes to our amazing sponsors!

Upshot NZ Limited
The Island
FitFam Aotearoa

First game back for the Giants against Te Puna United Softball Club was always going to be a tough start to the season, and so it was. TPU jumped out to a 5 run lead early in the game with their usual good hitting, however as the game wore on the Giants tightened up their defense and began to chip away at the score board. At one stage late in the game TPU’s lead was down to 2 runs, but the Giants couldn’t quite manage to pull the deficit all the way back, with the final score ending up 8-5.

Obviously unhappy with the result, however the way we played showed plenty of promise, with everyone getting on base at least once, and good defense once we settled in. A good base to build on.

A huge thanks to Upshot NZ Limited, The Island, and FitFam Aotearoa for the support!

And just like that, we’re back!

The WBoP softball Senior Men’s season kicks into action tomorrow at Carlton Street Reserve, and the Papamoa Giants are keen to rip into it. First game back is against last year’s runner up (and the team that knocked the Giants out in the semi-final) Te Puna United at 4pm.

The main core of the team has returned, and with the addition of a couple of new faces to strengthen both our offense and defense, we’re expecting another close competitive season.

Many thanks must go to our amazing sponsors who are onboard again to help us through another season! Your support means a lot and is greatly appreciated!

Upshot NZ Limited
The Island
FitFam Aotearoa

Up the Giants!

💪🏼🥎☝🏼

After two defeats in a row, the Papamoa Giants were looking to get back to winning ways against the Rangiuru Hammerheads on Saturday afternoon. The 4pm slot is always a tough one to get up for, and so it was again for the Giants as we lacked a bit of spark on the diamond and didn’t play our expected level. However a couple of players stood up and got the team across the line, with the first and second home runs of the season to Jordan Dixon and the second of the season to Liam Marshman scoring the bulk of the Giants runs and seeing them home as 5-1 winners. With another 4pm game this weekend, the boys are certainly going to have to lift their performance in all areas to get themselves another W.

Huge thanks to our sponsors for helping us get out on the diamond each week, you’re all legends!

Upshot NZ Limited
FitFam Aotearoa
Leader Scaffolding NZ
Ceilings Unlimited
Pipe Masters Plumbing, Gas & Drainage
The Island

After a very wet Friday, Saturday morning was bluebird and the team at Western Bay of Plenty Softball Association did a fantastic job getting diamond one ready for the 10am game.

Coming off they bye last week, the Papamoa Giants had another tough game ahead of them, this time against many players from last years final in the form of Rotorua United. The Giants started strong once again scoring early, including the team’s youngest member Liam Marshman going deep for our first HR of the season. That coupled with some heads-up base running from Jordan Dixon saw the Giants take an early 3-0 lead. Rotorua’s bats soon replied though, with their own HR and multiple base hits through the gaps. Despite some good plate discipline, and more aggressive baserunning from Jordan, the Giants were only able to score two more runs for the rest of the game. Rotorua kept chipping away at the scoreboard however, and were able to take out the game 8-5.

Only the second Giants loss of the season, but we’re there or thereabouts and with the majority of the season still to come we will continue to improve and tighten up in a few areas.

Many thanks to our sponsors for contributing to our efforts on and off the diamond!

Upshot NZ Limited
FitFam Aotearoa
Leader Scaffolding NZ
Ceilings Unlimited
Pipe Masters Plumbing, Gas & Drainage
The Island

Saturday’s game against Te Puna United Softball Club was going well for the Papamoa Giants, until it wasn’t. The Giants got off to a hot start in the first inning scoring three runs, but unfortunately the bats went a bit quiet for the rest of the game. Despite another run scored by the Giants a few innings later, TPU managed to keep the game close before they took the lead in the later stages with one swing of the bat - a grand slam out over right field. The Giants got two runners aboard in the last inning but were unable to plate them, with the final score 7-4 to TPU, handing the Giants their first loss this season. A tough result but a close game, with one or two things for the boys to work on.

We have the bye next week, then back at 10am Saturday 16th November.

Thank you for the support from our awesome sponsors! And a special thanks this week to Upshot NZ Limited for helping us with our slick new ball caps. They look sharp!

FitFam Aotearoa
Leader Scaffolding NZ
Ceilings Unlimited
Pipe Masters Plumbing, Gas & Drainage
The Island

After taking the long weekend off, Western Bay of Plenty Softball is back in action this Saturday. After winning their first three games of the season, the Papamoa Giants have what may be their toughest challenge yet in front of them in the form of the defending champion Te Puna United Softball Club. A quality side with good pitching and a deep hitting line up, the Giants will have to bring their A-game to remain undefeated. First pitch is at 2pm at Carlton Street Reserve.

Thanks again to our sponsors for the support!

Upshot NZ Limited
FitFam Aotearoa
Leader Scaffolding NZ
Ceilings Unlimited
Pipe Masters Plumbing, Gas & Drainage
The Island