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MILLICENT Bandits struggled against a relentless South Indians in the Division 1 baseball fixture on Saturday.
Despite the home diamond advantage, the Bandits went down, with the mercy rule invoked at 11-1.
The Indians were up and about in the first inning, as Ryan Placucci hit a two-bagger and came home on a wild throw.
Then with two out consecutive safe-hits to Dean Hamilton, Ben Morale, Alex Lewis and Travis Lockwood, three more runs crossed the plate.
In the top of the second Placucci for his second at bat arrived at first after hitting into an error and was batted in by Hamilton who hit safely for the second time.
One more was added in the next inning when Lewis collected his second safe hit of the game and eventually crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
The top of the third saw South add to their score-line by another three runs, as Bruce Morale hit safely to left-field and Hamilton picked up an infield safety.
Lewis’ hit into an infield error saw Morale cross home-plate while Lockwood’s booming hit to left-field scored Hamilton and the resultant error by that fielder also scored Lewis.
South led 11-0 but with the mercy rule not coming into play until the seventh inning, the game continued.
The Bandits scored their only run for the game in the bottom of the sixth when Darcy Pink hit into an error and was batted in by Saxon Altschwager’s Texas-leaguer to left-field.
No more runs were scored in the seventh to give South the win.
Tigers were away to a blistering start in their game against Federal on Saturday night at Blue Lake Sports Park to set up a comfortable 11-2 win.
Consecutive safe-hits went to the first six batters in the game in Brayden Morton, Jesse Foster, Garth Ransom, Tyler Horrigan, Jacob English and Matt Thompson, with the first five all batted in to give Tigers the ideal start.
In the top of the second, Morton hit a high fly ball to third base which was grassed and he eventually crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice.
Two more runs were added in the fourth inning when Horrigan crunched a hit to centre-field and English picked a base on ball.
Horrigan scored on Karl Ransom’s infield out and English touched home on Levi Morton’s second safe-hit of the game.
A couple of errors dogged Federal’s fielding effort in the sixth which allowed two more Tigers runners to cross the plate.
In the bottom half of the inning Federal delighted the small crowd when they hit back with a couple of runs of their own.
Alex Pearson trundled a ball out to right-field and Alex Reppin drew a walk.
Then with two out, Roy Hutchesson’s hit to the outfield was put down allowing both runners to score.
Tigers added their final run in the bottom of the seventh when Levi Morton walked and scored on brother Brayden’s hit to a fielder’s choice.
Division 1: South Indians 11 d Millicent 1. Safe hits – South Indians: Bruce Morale 4, D. Hamilton, T. Lockwood 3, A. Lewis 2, R. Placucci, Ben Morale, H. Battye 1; Millicent: J. Johnson, N. Pink, S. Altschwager 2, C. Chittleborough, D. Pink, T. Winkley 1.
Tigers 11 d Federal 2. Safe hits – Tigers: J. Foster 3, G. Ransom, T. Horrigan, L. Morton 2, B. Morton, J. English, M. Thompson, K. Ransom, D. Lane 1; Federal: A. Pearson, H. Thompson 2, M. Nicholls, S. Howard 1.
Division 2: Central Magpies 15 d South Indians 4. Safe hits – Central Magpies: C. Muller 3, J. Tzioutziouklaris, E. Chuck 2, P. O’Hehir, B. Braithwaite, H. Snell 1; South Indians: R. Walter, H. Timms, N. Tilley, B. Horrigan 1.
Tigers 13 d Federal 1. Safe hits – Tigers: G. Ha, T. May 2, J. Mee, K. Harrison, J. England, J. Sims 1.
Division 3: Central 15 d Central Magpies 4. Safe hits – Central: S. Page 3, B. Jones, J. Cozzi 2, A. Ridding, D. Cutting 1; Central Magpies: A. Crouch 2, S. Henschke, A. Hoath, A. West 1.
Millicent 13 d South Indians 6. Safe hits – Millicent: C. Harris, D. Hateley, M. Pink 2, G. Morley, E. Cushion 1; South Indians: D. Cole 2, K. Joyce 1.
Tigers 14 d Federal 7. Safe hits – Tigers: D. White 4, D. Perry, T. May 3, J. Verrity, M. Thomson 2, P. Clark, A. Bossi, K. Telfer, J. Quinn 1; Federal: A. Hughes, L. Gale 2, G. Williams, M. DeNys 1.
Junior League: Central 14 d Federal 13. Safe hits – Central: M. Ruwoldt, D. Harpham, C. Page, J. Ferrari 1; Federal: L. McDonald, D. Searcy, C. McDonald 1.
Tigers 11 d South Indians 5. Safe hits – Tigers: A. Merrett 2, C. Scott 1; South Indians: D. Habner 2, D. Lewis 1.
Little League: Central 21 d Federal 1. Safe hits – Central: O. Vause 4, J. Harten 3, J. Walkom, S. Ruwoldt, T. Horbury 2; Federal: C. Munroe 2, S. Telford 1.
Tigers 10 d Millicent 2. Safe hits – Tigers: J. Hillstone, H. Elletson, L. Seager, D. Polkinghorne, H. Martin, J. Dixon, B. Sampson; Millicent: R. Meek 1.
Minor League: Central 9 d Tigers Orange 3. Safe hits – Central: C. Ruwoldt 2, A. Maidment 1; Tigers Orange: A. Elletson, T. Dumigan, S. Marcus 1.
Tigers 5 d Federal 1.
