Mariners travelled to take on the Wollongong Cardinals 3B team at Hector Harvey field Dapto in the major semi final to have the right to go straight into the grand final.
This Cardinals team beat the Mariners only last week 20/4. Wow what a week can do with a few player and positional changes and a positive attitude in the Mariners camp.
Mariners started in the field with Andrew Pearson on the mound. Cardinals first three batters were retired in quick succession with one of those being a great catch by Mariners first baseman Greg Symmans.
Mariners did a carbon copy of Cardinals getting their first three batters retired.
Second innings for Cardinals was the same as the first with Andrew Pitching well supported by his fielders getting Cardinals next three batters out.
Bottom of the second inning Mariners started promising will two out of their first three batters getting on base but couldn’t convert that into runs.
Third innings Andrew Pearson really started to show his dominance on the mound striking out the next three batters.
Bottom of the third innings Mariners produced their best innings of the game with some nice hits and strong base running causing errors in Cardinals field to bring four important runs across the plate.
The next two innings were a reflection as the first four with Mariners shutting down Cardinals with Cardinals only allowed to trouble the scorers for one run.
Mariner had a couple of nice hits but once again couldn’t convert them into runs.
The definite highlight of the game was the young and the old duo of Andrew Pearson pitching and Stuart Raymond catching to watch Andrew Pearson pitch his first no hitter for the season.
Mariners getting the win in a close encounter 4/1.This win now takes Mariners straight into the Grand Final on Sunday 22nd September.
Andrew Pearson pitched the whole game 79 pitches 52 strikes 11 strike outs
Hits went to 2 base hit Ben Campbell single hits Brodie O’Reilly 2. Matt Moore 2. Stuart Raymond 1. Ben Campbell 1.