Mariners Major League Second Grade travelled north to Fred Finch Park to face Eagles A having played Eagles B last week. The team knew this week would be tough with two key players out for school holidays.
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The game started with both teams being retired for no runs. A strong start for Mariners! Brendan McMahon led off with a good hit to start the next innings. Unfortunately for Mariners some good pitching meant another dig with no runs scored. Eagles A started similarly with a good hit but were able to capitalise and bring home the runner.
Down 1-0 Mariners dug deep and led off with five good hits bringing home 4 runners. Eagles matched the pressure and scored 4 runs. Still in touch, Mariners countered again hitting well and bringing home a further 3 runs. Tight fielding and some good team work restricted Eagles to 2 runs. The score tied, one innings to go.
Some good base running forcing errors in the field saw Sam De Meyer get home on a base hit giving Mariners the lead for the first time in the game. A change of pitcher for Mariners, Michael Vine struck out the lead off batter and combined with Kieran Harris at first to take the second out of the innings. A couple of hits and a walk loaded the bases for Eagles. A tense moment, a stumble in the field and Eagles scored the winning run.
A close game played in good spirits, Mariners went down 9-8 but not without a tussle. Thank you to Tony Provest playing up from Minors 2nd Grade which allowed us to take the field.
Hits to Sam De Meyer (3, including a 3-base hit), AJ Provest (3, including a 2-base hit), Edan Kelly (2), Michael Vine and Kieran Harris. Pitching shared between Brendan McMahaon (4 innings, 75 pitches, 51 strikes & 7 strikeouts) and Michael Vine (1 innings, 14 pitches, 9 strikes with 1 strikeout). A great team effort!
Mariners Minor League Second Grade were at home, Ison Park, South Nowra, to Cardinals 4C. It was obvious from the first at bat that Cardinals would be a challenge. Cardinals opened the innings with only one run and Mariners were in with a chance. Mariners replied with a hit and three runs.
In the second innings Cardinals found form with three hits scoring 4 runs across the plate. Mariners were unable to add to their total. Cardinals consolidated their lead with 3 further runs in the third innings. Mariners fought back scoring two more from two hits lifting their total to 5, still trailing the Cardinals at 8.
With six hits in the last innings Cardinals consolidated their lead. When Mariners were unable to add to their total the score ended up 14-5 to Cardinals. Benny B2 Campbell had some great fielding out in centerfield. Stephen Pearson did some great backing up on the field and Raymond Goulden had his first outing on the mould having a great time.
Hits were made by Stephen Pearson (2), Tony Burgess (2 base hit), Colin Barnes (1) and Ben Campbell (1). Kalysta Palmer got on base both at bats, with Sue Stibbard and Amber Palmer also making it on base. Tony Burgess batted in three of Mariners' five runs.
Pitching was a shared responsibility with Stephen Pearson - pitching 59 pitches with 28 strikes and 2 strike outs; Raymond Goulden pitched 37 with 13 strikes and 1 strike out; Colin Barnes pitched 29 with 18 strikes and 2 strike outs. Every week the team learns new aspects of the game.
Mariners Minor League First Grade played Cardinals 3C with both sides missing players. Cardinals opened the batting scoring a single run. Austin Raymond led off for Mariners with a hit to centre field and stealing bases to be home before Mariners were all out. One all.
In the second innings tight fielding kept both teams to a single run. A hit opened Cardinals' third innings, but the Mariners managed to shut them out stranding the batter on second. Andrew Pearson had pitched a tight three innings with 63 pitches, 36 strikes and 5 strike outs. Mariners were unable to add to their total despite a good hit from Matt Moore.
Some strong hitting and a couple of walks allowed Cardinals to take the lead in the game. Their fourth innings yielded three runs giving them the lead. With Mariners unable to add to their score in the fourth, Cardinals additional two runs in the fifth put the home side under pressure. Austin Raymond had pitched 52 balls with 28 strikes and 2 strike outs. Tight fielding by Cardinals made it look tough for Mariners, but 4 hits gave them a chance in this last innings. Three runs were scored by Mariners before the final ground out sealed the 6-4 victory for the Cardinals.
Hits to Matt Moore (2, including a 3-base hit), Leith Grant (2, including a 2-base hit) and one to Austin Raymond, Brian Cremin and Heath Peters. Played for fun this was a great game to watch.
