The Annette's Sporting Lounge Hitmen are champions of the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) once again.
Alcott Forbes delivered the game-winning home-run, a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Hitmen the 5-4 win and complete a shocking four-game sweep of the pennant-winning Sting Truckers in the Carl "Bang Bang" Johnson NPSA Championship series last night at Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
The Hitmen will go on to represent New Providence in the Bahamas Softball Federation's (BSF) National Round Robin Championships, which begin on Thursday, October 30.
Angelo Dilette finished the game with two runs scored and one run batted in (RBI) for the Hitmen, while Rudy Fox chipped in with two hits.
Jamal Johnson and Ramon Storr finished the game with two hits and one run scored each for the Truckers.
The game went back and forth as neither team was able to gain full control. Both defenses fielded well throughout the contest.
The score was tied 4-4 going into the seventh inning. The Truckers were up to bat first, but failed to score a run, which left the door open for the Hitmen to win the game and clinch the series. With two outs and the game on the line, winning pitcher Alcott Forbes delivered a home-run on the first pitch he saw to seal the game and the championship for his team.
"Words can't express how I feel right now," said Forbes. "I came out here and I was overdue to give my team a hit. I was nursing an injury coming in but nothing can stop the heart of a lion."
Hitmen's team manager Curtis Stevens said that he dedicates the win to 'Bang Bang' Johnson, and is ready to lead his team to the round-robin tournament. Johnson, the late manager of the Electro Telecom Lady Hitters, passed away earlier this year.
"Like I told everyone this one is not for us," said Stevens. "Going into the round-robin, we just need to work on our defense a bit. Some things I saw I didn't like. We weren't as sharp as I wanted, but once we correct a few things we will be really hard to beat."
The Hitmen will play their first game of the round-robin tournament on the Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. against the defending national champions Creter's Bulldogs out of Abaco.

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