THE Shoalhaven Mariners were pleased to have a team in the Illawarra Baseball grand finals in this shortened season.
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This year, that team was in third grade.
Travelling to Berkeley for an 8.30am start to face Dapto Chiefs, the players were as ready as they could be.
Being minor premiers, the Mariners took the field.
Batting first, the Chiefs opened the ledger with a solid hit to right-field.
Some nervous plays and a huge hit over centrefield by Chiefs' Jye Pit brought in runs before sharp fielding and a strikeout closed down the innings.
The damage done was four runs.
Up to bat, the Mariners clawed back two runs thanks to a two-base hit to Antony Lee.
The second innings was a tight one for the Mariners in the field, with three Chiefs batters up and three out.
Mariners had a chance to catch up.
A base hit to right-field put Simon Levy on the diamond but consecutive strikeouts meant he was left on base, as the Chiefs led 4-2.
In the third, the Chiefs loaded up the bases.
James Burgess then hit to the boundary fence bringing in three runs before the final out was made.
The pressure was now on the Mariners with Chiefs now leading 7-2.
A base hit by Andrew Provest brought in a runner but that would be the only one for the innings.
A change of pitcher saw Chiefs make four more base hits just clearing the infield.
This brought in three more runners.
A tall task for Mariners faced them as the came up to the plate.
The pressure of final saw three batter strikeout, with the Chiefs now holding a commanding 10-3 lead.
Mariners knew they had one more chance.
They fielded well and restricted the Chiefs to one more run.
A double play, with Antony Lee making the out at third before throwing to Cheyanne Wenham for the out at second, being a highlight.
The crowd became more vocal.
The Mariners responded with the first four batters progressing around the bases to cross the plate.
Unfortunately, the Mariners would score no more with three strikeouts stranding players on bases, as potential runs were not realised.
In the end, the Dapto Chiefs finished the game 11-7 winners of the grand final.
All in all, a good season for Shoalhaven's third grade side.
With two players having their first season of baseball and two other teenagers their first season with the club, the future looks bright for Shoalhaven Mariners at this level.
Pitchers were Andrew Provest with four strikeouts, 42 strikes from 75 pitches in three innings and Ben Elliott one strikeout, 26 strikes from 42 pitches in two innings.
Shoalhaven Mariners now swing their focus onto the juniors.
Junior baseball will start next school term.
Girls and boys three to 14 years are welcome to come along.
T-ball will be played on Friday afternoons at Ison Park, South Nowra along with training for the older players.
On Sundays, the under 14s team will travel for the Illawarra junior competition.
There are many helping roles for interested parents but there is no obligation to take on one of those roles.
More information is available from Samantha Harbinson (vice-president - juniors) with details on the Shoalhaven Mariners website and Facebook page.
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