Barracudas Secure Derby Win in Bangor
Ward Park, Bangor — 24 August 2025
On a sun-soaked August afternoon, local rivals the Barracudas and the Sluggers faced off in a highly anticipated North Down Softball Club derby.
The game delivered explosive offence, strong defensive plays, and standout individual performances, with the Barracudas ultimately claiming a convincing 23–5 victory.
Fast Start from the Barracudas
The Barracudas opened the game with intent, scoring eight runs in the top of the first inning and immediately putting the Sluggers under pressure.
Despite the early surge, the Sluggers responded with determination. A sharp outfield catch from Adam Clarke, combined with well-executed defensive relays involving Chief, Dawn Crothers, Simon McLean, and Bryan Gilpin, helped limit further damage.
The Sluggers managed to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning, but strong defensive teamwork from Will Gilpin and Danny McCartney, along with an excellent fly catch by Naomi Connor, shut down the rally.
Barracudas Continue the Pressure
In the second inning, the Barracudas extended their lead with six additional runs, driven by smart base running and consistent hitting.
The Sluggers defence held firm at times, with another catch from Clarke, a strikeout from Simon McLean, and solid fielding from Chief preventing the scoreline from escalating even further.
Power Hitting Makes the Difference
The third inning saw a brief slowdown in scoring, though the Barracudas added three more runs including a powerful solo home run from Danny McCartney.
Defensively, the Barracudas continued to impress. Will Gilpin and Danny McCartney led several key defensive plays, supported by Matty Connor, who executed a clean groundout to end the inning.
Fourth Inning Surge
The Barracudas produced another strong offensive inning in the fourth, bringing in five more runs.
The highlight came with a second home run from Danny McCartney, followed by another homer from Adam Norman, further extending the lead.
The Sluggers managed to respond with two runs of their own, but strong pitching and fielding including strikeouts from Will Gilpin kept the Barracudas firmly in control.
Closing the Game
By the fifth inning the Barracudas had stretched their lead to 23 runs, with Simon McLean managing the mound effectively while Chief anchored two solid defensive outs.The Sluggers added one final run in the bottom half of the inning, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. Final defensive plays from Will Gilpin, Danny McCartney, and Matt Steenwyk sealed the win for the Barracudas.
Thanks to Our Sponsor
A special thank you to our sponsor Tim Hortons Bloomfields, Bangor for supporting North Down Softball Club.
North Down Softball Club is a mixed adult softball club based in Bangor, Northern Ireland, competing in the Softball Ulster league. Matches are played at Ward Park, and new players are always welcome.
