2nd Grade received the bye in round one, so Shoalhaven Mariners 2nd grade were excited to finally hit the diamond in round 2. They took on the Wollongong Cardinals.  Due to rain falling at Cringila on Saturday morning, the game was moved to Ison park, Nowra.

In first inning action, Mariners bought home the first run of the game with some good hitting from new comer James Lee and familiar face Marcus Atkinson. Michael Vine was then able to capitalise on a Cardinals error and cross the plate. The lead wouldn’t last long as the Cardinals replied with one run of their own, turning a walk into a run when Sam Rada singled to centre.

Neither team was able to trouble the scorers in the second, third and fourth innings. Mariners were again scoreless in the top of the fifth. The Cardinals bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth, bagging 5 hits and 4 runs, taking a firm grip on the game.

While Mariners fought back in the top of the sixth, scoring 2, with 2 out, via a Michael Vine single to centre the Cardinals were able to get the 3rd out and win the game 5-3.

Mariners Pitching was shared between Bailey Biden who threw 4 innings, 94 pitches, 49 strikes, gave up 4 hits, 3 strike outs and 3 walks, while Kai Meuronen threw 1 inning, 21 pitches, 11 strikes and gave up 4 hits.

Next week the Mariners will seek redemption when the take on the Pirates again at Ison Park, Nowra.