In extremely windy conditions on Saturday, the league leading Shoalhaven Mariners 2nd grade side hosted the second placed Wollongong Cardinals, at Hector Harvey Park, Dapto.
After a stellar outing last week against the Pirates, starting pitcher Dan Kelly return to the mound for the Mariners, at the top of the first inning. Kelly struggled to contain the Cardinals as the batted through the line-up scoring 4, to take the early lead.
In reply the Mariners did well to answer back, with the first 5 hitters reaching base and scoring 3 runs of their own.
In 2nd inning action Mariners relief pitcher Kai Meuronen came to the mound and pitched well, stopping the flow of runs and retiring the side facing just 4 Cardinals hitters. Mariners hitters too were halted as Cardinals starting pitcher Rob Caduro started asserting his dominance.
At the top of the third inning the Cardinals were able to manufacture a cheap run when walks and errors allowed Steph Scognamigiloi to score. Cardinals lead now extending to 2.
With Mariners unable to trouble scorers in the bottom of the third, Cardinals came up to bat in the 4th inning. Mariners closing pitcher Andrew Provest now took over pitching duties for the home side. Unfortunately for Provest and the Mariners two walks and an error cost them another cheap run.
Bottom of the 4th inning and Mariners first two hitters were struck out, but they did manage to bring a run in through some good hitting from Lee Lawson.
With neither team able to score in the 5th and last inning, the Cardinals handed Mariners their 3rd loss of the season, winning 6-4.
Mariners hits going to Dan Kelly (2), Lee Lawson (2), Nick Fisher (2B), Sam De Meyer and Gabe Tate
Pitching duties were shared between Dan Kelly who pitched 34 for 15 strikes, 1 hit, 3 walks and 1 strikeout. Kai Meuronen threw 42 pitches for 21 strikes, 1 hit, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts and Andrew Provest who threw 38 pitches for 22 strikes, 1 hit, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Next Saturday the Mariners return home to Ison Park to take on the Berkley 2B side.
Photos by: Tracy Provest