On Saturday the Mariners 2nd Major Grade travelled to Fred Finch Park Berkeley to take on the league leading Wollongong Cardinals. This match also kicked off the Illawarra Baseball League’s pink round in support of Breast Aware Australia. Mariners players looked great as they dawned pink hats, socks and other attire in support of the cause.

The game began with Mariners taking to the field in the top of the first inning and Brenton McMahon with the pitching duties. McMahon needed no help from his fielders doing all of the work himself and striking out three of the first 5 Cardinals hitters.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, The Cardinals sent youngster Alex Kennedy to the Mound with regular starting pitcher Rob Cauduro unavailable. Kennedy struggled to find the strike zone walking 2 and hitting 2, enabling the Mariners to score 2 easy runs before he was replaced with only one out. Cardinals replacement pitcher Brett Deacon did well to limit the damage and strand The Mariners with bases loaded.

The Cardinals mounted a fight back in the top of the second inning when a leadoff single and stolen base was turned into a run buy a wild throw to first base. The damage was limited to only one run when Mariners pitcher Brenton McMahon struck out another 3.

The Cardinals lack lustre pitching continued in the bottom of the second inning with another 2 walks and another 2 hit Mariners batters. This coupled with a Michael Vine double, the Mariners brought in two more runs and now lead 4-1.
After the Cardinals were unable to trouble the scorer in the top of the third inning the Mariners were back at it again. Another Michael Vine double brought in 2 runs as Jordan Butfield also doubled.

In fifth inning action neither team managed any runs but Mariners hitter Nick Fisher did manage a nice single to Centerfield.
Cardinals finished the game adding two consolation runs in the top of the sixth inning and Mariners weren’t required to bat and walked out 6-3 winners.