On a cold and windy Saturday morning, Shoalhaven Mariners 2nd grade travelled to Fred Finch Park, Berkeley, where the rain held out just long enough to host the reigning premiers, the Northern Pirates. Mariners were looking forward to a rematch since their round 4 match had ended in draw 12-12.

The Pirates started the game well, scoring two early runs in the first half of the first inning, while the Mariners were kept scoreless. The tables were turned in the second inning however, when two lead off walks hurt the pirates, Mariners able to capitalise and get three home and take the lead.

After both teams were able to score one run each in the third inning, the Pirates were kept scoreless at the top of the fourth. The bottom of the fourth inning would prove to be the difference in the game as Mariners bats fired, coupled with some costly Pirates’ errors, the Mariners managed to score five runs.

It was too little too late as the Pirates did manage to score two runs in the fifth and last inning, Mariners weren't required to bat as time and game was called and the Mariners had run out 9-5 victors.

Mariners hits went to Lee Lawson 2B, Gabe Tate 2B, Jack Middleton, Courtney Dom, Kyle French and Jayden Brain.

Pitching duties for the Mariners we shared between starting pitcher Michael Vine who went 3 innings striking out 5, walking 3 and conceding 4 hits and Jack Middleton who pitched 2 innings for 3 strikeouts conceding 4 hits with no walks.

Minor 2nd Grade

On a cold, miserable Mother’s Day morning Mariners Minor 2nd Grade travelled to Cringila, after the game was transferred from home due to rain washout, to take on the Wollongong Cardinals A team.

Both teams started strong preventing either side from scoring for the first two innings. At the top of the third innings Mariners had a couple of errors which allowed Cardinals to get 2 runs on the board. Mariners dug deep and came out batting and forcing errors putting 4 runs across at the bottom of the third.

In the fourth, Mariners kept Cardinals scoreless and were able to get another run across. In the fifth innings both teams were able to get 1 run in. Mariners kept the pressure on for the next two innings giving Mariners the win of 7-3.

Andrew Provest had an outstanding game on the mound pitching a full game with 12 strike outs and only 1 earned run and having only 2 hits against him, with Jordan Butfield doing the catching duties. The other outstanding player for the game was Degan Brekelmans who had 4 hits from 4 at bats and taking a great catch in centre field.

Best two hits of the day went to Andrew Provest and Austin Raymond, who both had stand up triple hits. Single hits of the day went to Degan Brekelmans, Austin Raymond, Jordan Butfield, Leith Grant, Stuart Raymond and Andrew Provest .

Minor 3rd Grade

Minor 3rd grade started our cold, wet and windy Mother’s Day morning off at Cringila playing against Wollongong Cardinals. 

In our first innings, Mariners started well in the field with Kalysta Palmer making 2 great fielding plays and returning them across to Richard Harrison to take the outs. This allowed Cardinals only 1 run over the plate. Unfortunately our batting let us down, and we were unable to score, with Anthony Burgess having our only hit. In the second innings Cardinals bats fired and had another 7 runs come over. Mariners didn’t give up and came out with bats firing, scoring 3 runs with Tausia Antonio, Anthony Burgess, Kalysta Palmer and Dalton Haines all having hits. In the third innings Mariners struggled in the field allowing Cardinals another 4 runs over. Wayne Parrott started Mariners batting off having a great 2 base hit out to centre field with Tausia Antonio following him with and 2 base hit to left field and bringing in a run. Degan Bekelmans had a single hit to right field  bringing another run in. With some great base running and a forced error from Cardinals, Mariners managed to score 1 more. In the fourth and final innings Mariners kept Cardinals scoreless and went out batting again with Wayne Parrot and Tausia Antonio both having single hits.

The final score was Cardinals winning with 12-7 .

Pitching duties in bad conditions were shared by Tausia Antonio, Andrew Pearson and Degan Brekelmans, backed up well by catchers Tony Burgess and Wayne Parrott.