Our Seahawk and Stingray Zooka Ball players, having played a number of games down at The Wool Lane Sporting Complex over the last four months, decided to accept a new challenge on Sunday, February 5, taking on the best of the Illawarra Junior Baseball League at the annual Mark Bush Tournament.

The tournament is named in honour of Mark Bush, an under 12s baseball player tragically killed in a car accident in 1992.

The Bush family are keen for boys and girls to play Junior Baseball in the right spirit and the family attends the tournament every year to present medals to the winners.

The Shoalhaven Mariners squad was Saxon Reghenzani-Tate, Riley Mason, Toby Carroll, Lawson Percival, Alexander Mason, Liam Edwards, Bodhi Hunt Jesse Bridges, Hayden Symonds, Seamus Luxford, Lincoln Case and Daniel Lawler.

They were joined for the tournament by experienced Illawarra Little League representative player Stephen Pearson, who was excited to don Mariners colours for the tournament.

The Mariners Juniors played three games in oppressive conditions, taking on Cardinals Maroon, Dapto Chiefs and Cardinals Gold.

With limited pitching experience in the squad, the Mariners were unable to come away with a win.

Highlights included a sharp catch made by Lincoln Case at 2nd Base, a triple and a head-first slide to Liam Edwards.

Toby Carroll was the best of our batters boasting 3 hits from 4 at bats, with Jesse Bridges hitting 2 from 4 at bats.

Of the Mariners pitchers, Bodhi Hunt impressed with 4 strikeouts.

Riley Mason and the reliable Saxon Reghenzani-Tate did a great job at catcher.

Thank you to our umpire Andrew Pearson, and to all of the parents who made the journey up to Fred Finch Park to support our players.

Thanks also to club sponsor Ewing Electrical for shouting all of the players a Slurpee after the final game – much needed!

The Shoalhaven Mariners Baseball Association runs a junior program between October and March each year at Ison Park, South Nowra.