By DAHALIA SMITH, NG Sports Reporter, dahalia@nasguard.com

The Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins secured a spot in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association's (GSSSA) softball playoffs on Monday, with a 25-10 victory over the R.M. Bailey Pacers at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Taking the win was pitcher Troy Bullard while Wilfred Culmer suffered the loss. In the other games played on Monday, the H.O. Nash Lions beat the C.H. Reeves Raptors, 31-5, in the junior girls division, the C.R. Walker Knights won over the C.C. Sweeting Cobras, 11-5, in the senior girls division and the S.C. McPherson Sharks won, 12-7, over the D.W. Davis Pitbulls in the junior boys division.

Marlins' 11th grader Troy Bullard led the Stingrays to a 4-2 win/loss record this season. The Marlins gained wins over the C.C. Sweeting Cobras, the GHS Magic and the Pacers and lost games to the C.R. Walker Knights and the C.V. Bethel Stingrays.

"I was impressed with my pitching performance today because my team had my back and they were helping me out a lot. We played that game as if it was the championship. I hope that we continue the trend going into the playoffs and then hopefully the championship. This victory against the Pacers put us into third place going into the playoffs. At this point, I think the team has what it takes to move onto the championship.

"However, one setback for the team is that I won't be here for the playoffs and championship rounds, as I will be returning to my hometown of Abaco. While there, I will be attending S.C. Bootle and plan to help them with their sporting program. I intend to represent S.C. Bootle in all sporting disciplines," said Bullard.

Meanwhile, Pacers' coach Kendal Campbell said his team's win/loss record improved from last year. Nonetheless, he is still dissatisfied with their overall regular season performance.

"I was hoping that the game against the Pacers would have elevated our play but we came out sluggish and had trouble trying to get back into it. Right now, we have a win/loss record of 3-3 as we beat C.C. Sweeting, GHS and C.I. Gibson and lost to C.R. Walker, the Pacers and Doris Johnson.

"In comparison, we only won two games last season. Overall, I think the team could have played much better this season. I was only expecting for us to drop one or two games, but not three. However, this year's record was good enough to move us into the playoffs. It looks like we are going to be in fourth place. We have a lot of work to do between now and the playoffs. I always tell the team that fundamentals are key. My pitcher pitched a very good game but our defense did not rise to the occasion," said Campbell.

Campbell added that despite having an average season, he was grateful for the support from corporate Bahamas.

"This season we really needed uniforms for all of our softball teams but it was not in the budget to purchase any this year. However, 'Bommer George', proprietor of Bommer Heavy Equipment and Machine Rental came to the rescue and donated uniforms for the school," added Campbell.

Today when GSSSA softball action continues, games will be played in all divisions. In the senior boys division, C.R. Walker is set to play C.C. Sweeting, C.I. Gibson will go up against GHS in the senior girls division, L.W. Young will take on A.F. Adderley in the junior girls division, and H.O. Nash will face C.H. Reeves in the junior boys division.