Raffles Institution overcome setbacks to beat Eunoia Junior College, retain A Division boys' softball title
Raffles Institution softball captain Raoul Gunalan (centre), lifting the trophy after winning the National School Games softball A Division boys final against Eunoia Junior College at Jurong East Softball Field on May 20, 2025. ST PHOTO: Brian Teo
SINGAPORE – Despite encountering speed bumps along the way, Raffles Institution (RI) stepped up a gear when it mattered, beating Eunoia Junior College (EJC) 6-1 in the National School Games A Division boys' softball final at the Jurong East Softball Field on May 20.
It was RI's fourth consecutive win in the finals against the same opponents, since the NSG returned to full swing in 2022 after the Covid-19 pandemic.
RI captain Raoul Gunalan said: 'We have come a long way. I've played with some players since Sec 1, and some even from primary school. It's an honour to play alongside them and I'm filled with gratitude to be able to call them my teammates.
'I watch them play in awe and I'm proud to see the team grow as players and people, and I can't thank them enough.
'We admire their (EJC) resilience and desire to keep showing who they are. Props to them for putting up a good performance, even as I tip my hat to my teammates.'
Raoul had to sit out the final after injuring his thumb in the 10-0 win over Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)/Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACSI/ACJC) on May 15.
The journey to the final was riddled with challenges – RI had to play the extra game against ACSI/ACJC after losing 9-8 to EJC in the May 13 play-off between the top two teams from the preliminary round. In that defeat, they were without first-choice pitcher Kevin Liu, who was hospitalised with stomach flu two days earlier.
Kevin returned to the diamond for the final, and while he admitted to not being at his best with his pitching, he produced a good hit while batting in the bottom of the third inning to send two of his teammates home. RI then ran riot with six runs to seal their four-peat.
Kevin, who lost 4kg due to illness, said he had to cope with the responsibility of being the only pitcher for his team this season.
He added: 'The last time I played against EJC, I had almost a perfect game, but seeing them start to contact my pitches today really stressed me out.
'My team really helped me out when they started hitting, which took a weight off my shoulders. When it was my turn to bat (in the third inning), it felt good to see it go far. After that, I felt more relaxed and could focus on my pitching.'
After two scoreless innings, RI's blitz in the third put their opponents under pressure and EJC could only score one consolation run in the fourth inning. Another shutout in the fifth and final inning gave the defending champions the win in front of 150 students, parents and teachers who packed the bleachers.
While the EJC team shed tears of disappointment after the game, there were still lessons to be learnt in defeat.
EJC captain Risdon Toh, who stepped up to the mound with regular pitcher Ephraim Wang out injured, noted that he almost stopped playing two years ago owing to the pressure of competitive sport.
Thanking EJC's teacher-in-charge Trevor Tay and coach Seow Chin Keong, he said: 'Everyone worked hard to get us to where we are today.
'Being in EJC and working with such a nice and supportive coach has helped me rediscover the passion for softball. He taught me that we should play for the love of the game and not because of other people's expectations.
'Even though this loss is hard for the Year Twos because we are graduating, I'm confident the Year Ones will learn from the painful lesson to come back stronger and hopefully take the championship next year.'
Seow, who has coached EJC since 2023, added: 'Winning is something we all want, but sometimes we learn better from failure. These boys have shown dedication, hard work and fighting spirit, and they did their best against strong opponents. They did well in every inning except one, hit Kevin's pitches many times, and I liked that they didn't give up.
'I hope they can continue to contribute to the softball community, and let this defeat be a springboard to go up to the next level.'
David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis.
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