On Sunday Shoalhaven Mariners Minor 2nd grade travelled to Cringila Park Cringila to take on the Wollongong Cardinals.
Mariners batted first with David Crowley and Stephen Pearson both having safe hits to the outfield. Brian Cremin hit a sacrifice fly bringing in Mariners first run of the game. Cardinals fielded well having a double play along with a caught flyball. Mariners started fielding well getting the first two batters out then struggled a little with pitching and errors along with a couple of hits from Cardinals, bringing the score Cardinals way 4-1 .
Second innings saw Mariners bats come alive with Tausia Antonio starting with a double to left field, followed with Ben Campbell and David Crowley having a singles to centre field along with Stephen Pearson a single to left field. In response Cardinals were kept to only one run over the plate with Jamie Featherston and Ethan Morgan having safe hits with Mariners making a double play between Colin Barnes and Leith Grant. Score line now 5 – 5.
Third innings Mariners forced some errors in the Cardinals field along with safe single hits to Leith Grant (2)Tony Burgess, Ben Campbell, and David Crowley bringing 6 runs over the plate. Mariners kept Cardinals score less and stepping out in front 11-5.
The fourth innings was short for both sides Mariners having only 1 safe hit from Alex Davies to centre field and managing to score 1 run in on an error. Mariners fielding again kept Cardinals scoreless 12-5.
The fifth and final innings for the game Mariners Stephen Pearson hit a fantastic triple hit to right field then Brian Cremin having a single to left field to bring in our first run of the innings. Tausia Antonio had a safe hit to the in field along with a error from Cardinals field , Mariners managing to bring in 3 runs. Cardinals came out fighting hard with Jamie Featherston having a safe hit and bringing in 2 runs for Cardinals with Mariners Ben Campbell taking a line drive catch and turning it into a double play to Brian Cremin to finish the game. Final score to Mariners 15-7 .
Pitching duties were shared starting with Andrew Pearson 25 pitches 10 strikes 1 strikeout, Colin Barnes 68 pitches 34 strikes and 1 strikeout and Stephen Pearson to finish throwing 24 pitches 11 strikes.