Third Grade had the advantage of plying at home on Saturday. Facing Dapto Chiefs first place on the table was at stake. Mariners pitcher AJ Provest struck out the first batter, James Lee caught the second out at Centre Field before Antony Lee put out the lead runner at third base. Mariners up to bat. It looked like Chiefs were going to deliver the same punishment with the first two batters out. Then Ben Elliott hit to left field. Stephen Pearson stepped up to loaded bases. After two swings he’d rather forget Stephen hit a strong hit to centre field sending home all three runs. Stephen would also get home bringing Mariners total to 4.
Featuring in all three outs AJ Provest sat Dapto Chiefs down with adding to their score. Mariners again had two on base before Stephen Pearson again sent the ball deep into centre field. Two more scored.
The third innings started with a hit for Dapto putting the runner in scoring position. A caught fly ball to right field before two more hits would see the runner score. Stephen Pearson juggled the ball before making the out and second and throwing home to secure a double play to close the innings. Despite hits by Simon Levy and Degan Beckelmans Mariners only added one more to the total. Mariners led 7-1.
The fourth innings featured a caught fly in right field, a pick up by 2nd base making the out at first before pitcher Ben Elliott sat Dapto Chiefs down with a strikeout. Mariners were looking good with a base hit by Stephen Pearson and two base hit by Antony Lee helping score 4 more runs. A rare triple play featuring Chief’s third baseman sat Mariners down.
One last chance for Chiefs at bat did not yield anything further. Final score Mariners 11, Chiefs 1.
Pitching was shared between Andrew Provest with 26 strikes in his 41 pitches, 2 innings and 3 strikeouts and ben Elliott also with 26 strikes in his 41 pitches, 3 innings and one strikeout.