On Saturday the 2nd placed Shoalhaven Mariners Major 2nd grade hosted the Berkeley Eagles 2A side at Ison Park Baseball Field. With the Eagles having only won 2 games this season and languishing in 5th place they would look to spoil the Mariners and almost did just that.
Mariners starting pitcher Brenton McMahon struggled to find the strike zone in the 1st inning walking the first three Eagles’ hitters. When McMahon finally did find the strike zone Eagles clean-up hitter Vince Pleski didn’t miss scoring 3 with a stand-up double to centre field. McMahon was able to control the damage stranding 2 base runners to end the inning.
In reply Mariners leadoff hitter Andrew Provest reached on an error, stole his way around to 3rd base and managed to score their 1st run of the game on a Michael Vine sacrifice out at first.
In 2nd inning action Eagles clean-up hitter Vince Pleski was at it again, scoring his 4th RBI for the game, with a single to centre field. Some great fielding from Michael Vine at shortstop accounting for 2 outs in the inning.
Some great hitting from the bottom half of the Mariners line up brought home 3 at the bottom of the inning. Scores now locked at 4 apiece.
In his 3rd and last inning of work Mariners starting pitcher Brenton McMahon retired the Eagles in order. McMahon finished the game throwing 87 pitches, 49 for strikes, giving up just 2 hits, striking out 2 and walking 6.
At the bottom of the dig Eagle’s pitcher Phil Dellorifice hit two Mariners. The hit batters proving to be costly with Mariners bringing them both home scoring 2 runs and taking the lead for the 1st time in the game.
Mariners relief pitcher Dan Kelly took over pitching duties and did a great job retiring the Eagles at the top of the 4th inning with no score.
In reply Kieran Harris scored 2 for Mariners, after Kai Meuronen had singled to centre field and Lee Lawson walked. Mariners now with a handy 4 run lead and time running out for the visitors.
But the Eagles work not done yet, costly errors and a hit batter brought clean-up hitter Vince Pleski back up to bat. Pleski again delivered for the Eagles scoring 3 more with a stand-up double to centerfield. He’d finished the game with an astonishing 7 runs batted in. Brett Shipps’ double to left field then tied the game up at 8 a piece before the Eagles were retired.
With the game now in the balance it was do or draw for the Mariners! Kai Meuronen led off and delivered with an outstanding line drive over the left fielders’ head for a stand-up double. Lee Lawson then became the hero of the day and singled to right field, scoring Kai and ending the game in a walk off win for the Mariners 9-8.
Mariners hits going to Kia Meuronen (2B ) and singles going to Marcus Atkinson (2), Andrew Provest, Kai Meuronen, Kieran Harris, Dan Kelly, Lee Lawson and Nick Fisher.
Dan Kelly threw 58 pitches, 30 for strikes giving up just 2 hits, striking out 2 and walking 2.
This was Kai Meuronen’s last game with Mariners for the 2019 season as he heads back overseas to college at Waldorf University, Lowa. Mariners wish him safe travels and the best of luck and will see him back next year.
Next week the Mariners will travel to Cringila to take on the league leading Wollongong Cardinals.