ROUND 2 of Division 1 baseball provided an entertaining clash between Central and last season’s runner-up South Indians.
It resulted in a tight 11-innings game, with South victorious by just two runs to one.
Central scored first in the top of the fifth when Kyall McClean found himself on second base after a wild throw from Indians third sacker, Ben Nash.
McClean crossed the plate on Nathan Meinck’s hit to right field.
But the Indians tied the score in the bottom of the sixth after Steve Isaccson doubled to right field and scored on Bruce Morale’s two bagger to left field.
Scores remained tied at the end of the ninth and with still time to play, the game continued until the 11th dig when Morale singled to centre field and scored on Alex Lewis’ single for the win.
Central had nine safehits to South’s eight and Central made a solitary error, while South made three.
Central pitcher Dylan Chuck picked up nine strike outs and gave up two base on ball.
Starting pitcher for the Indians Dean Hamilton pitched four strike outs and gave up six free bases, including one hit batter.
The late game saw last season’s premiers come back to earth with a thump when they were defeated by Federal.
Federal scored the first of their five runs in the top of the fourth when Wade Chant continued his excellent batting form, when he singled to left field and scored on Shane Howard’s single to centre field.
The runs continued in the sixth after Wade Chant again singled, this time to the infield and scored on Alex Pearson’s double to centre field.
Tigers clawed one back in the bottom of the inning when lead-off batter Brayden Morton picked a walk and scored on Tyler Horrigan’s single to centre field.
Two more runs were added by the Demons in the seventh, both unearned.
Kane McMillan found himself onboard after a fielders choice and advanced on Clay Carpenter’s single to right field.
McMillan scored on Alex Reppin’s muffed fly at second base and Carpenter scored on a wild throw from shortstop Brodie Foster after a flyball from Travis Younghusband.
Federal’s final run came in the ninth, also unearned when Travis Younghusband drew a walk and scored on Shane Howard’s hit to third base, which created a wild throw.
The final result saw Demons win 5-2.
Federal’s Alex Reppin pitched the whole game, giving up five hits and two walks, but picking up 13 strikeouts.
Tigers used three pitchers over the course of the game, between them conceding 10 safehits, five base on ball and a hit batter.
Tigers made five errors while Federal conceded none to claim the win.
