GREENWELL Point's Tim Atherton and his Berkeley Eagles have won back-to-back Illawarra Baseball premierships after twice coming from behind to take control late in the game.
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Their long-time rivals, and perennial grand finalists, Wollongong Cardinals jumped out of the blocks, scoring five runs over the first two digs to stun the reigning premiers.
Tim Atherton came on with instant success, striking out the side in the third. Eagles were then able to chip into the lead scoring two runs at the bottom of the innings.
Atherton dominated the mound into the seventh shutting out Cards and allowing his team to get their offence into gear. A big four runs with two out in the fifth innings did just that, giving Eagles a 6-5 lead for the first time in the game.
Eagles’ Mick Shipp helped their cause, hitting a laser beam over the centre field fence to tack on another run in the sixth before both sides offences erupted in the seventh. Cardinals started with a bang when lead off Nathan Grogan doubled and was then joined on base with Alex Howe’s infield single.
Atherton then faced one of his ABL rivals, Josh Dean, who fired a three-run home run over centre field. Atherton struck out the next batter only to see a second home run launched over right field by young Sam Rada.
Eagles appeared rattled and a fracas between both teams saw left fielder Kaine Abbott sent off to set the game on its head. Holding the lead (10-7), Cardinals brought on Dean Kontopolous, but Eagles catcher Jordan Kelly led the innings with a home run over right field. The wheels seemingly fell off for Cards with five further runs scored by Eagles, four of these unearned.
Atherton shut out the Red Birds in the eighth while a three-run home run from Chad Blanch padded his side’s lead to seven runs and virtually two hands on the trophy.
With nothing to lose, Cardinals again rallied in the ninth with the first four batters hitting safely to bring in a run. Blanch then made arguably the play of the game grabbing Matt Cole’s scorching line drive at third base and diving back at the base for a double play to snuff out a third Cardinals comeback – but not before Cards’ scored three more runs to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
Fittingly Blanch made the final out with a routine infield play for the 17 – 14 result.
“What a ball game, I’ve never seen a lead change so many times,” coach, Chad Blanch said.
“This is the first time that Berkeley have won back to back tiles since 2002 and 03…last year was special but this year we enjoyed it so much with so many of us spending time together, seeing our kids being born.”
In the minor grades Shoalhaven Mariners won their first ever premiership, easily accounting for Northern Pirates, 13-3. Shellharbour Warriors won back to back fourth grade titles, defeating Wollongong Cardinals 10-6. Mariners claimed a fifth grade side won a nail-bitter against Cardinals 7-6, while Dapto Chiefs upset minor premiers Warriors 10-9.
