The rain did not deaden the spirit of the Mariners on Sunday. Starting the game by removing tarps from the infield Mariners took the field with a positive attitude. Panthers had travelled from Dapto also planning on a good game. With two errors in the field Panthers managed 2 runs over the plate laying down the challenge. Three strike outs by Stephen Pearson saved the innings. Mariners responded with good hits by Tony Burgess and Tausia Antonio to bring David Crowley home.
A team effort and some excellent pitching by Stephen Pearson prevented Panthers from adding to their score – three up, three down! Hits by Chris Keith and Stephen Pearson helped David Crowley again over the plate for 2-2 score after two innings.
Panthers responded by getting onto the pitching. Despite a change of pitcher part way through Panthers batters managed 4 hits and 4 runs. They then closed out the innings preventing Mariners from scoring.
The fourth innings began with Panthers up 6-4. Some good team work saw 5 players involved in getting Panthers out without any addition to the score. Mariners responded strongly with hits by Tony Provest, David Crowley, Stephen Pearson and Tony Burgess advancing runners to score Tony Provest, Amber Palmer, David Crowley and Andrew Pearson.
The rain threatened with the score at 6-6. Panthers led off with a hit. Some tight fielding with good throws by Tausia Antonio, David Crowley and Amber Palmer restricted Panthers runs to just one more. Mariners responded with hits by Tony Provest, Chris Keith, a good three baser to David Crowley bringing home Tony Provest and Chris Keith and two base hit by Andrew Pearson. A final run over the plate for David Crowley before Mariners were all out.
Final score Mariners 9, Panthers 7. Pitching shared by Stephen Pearson (29 strikes in 52 pitches, 4 strikeouts) and Tausia Antonio (32 strikes in 55 pitches, 1 strikeout). Every player put bat on ball. The real difference was in the hitting today. A solid win involving every member of the team! What a great birthday present for Mel! Well done Mariners!
Photos by: Lisa Pearson