Central recovers to defeat Indians

BATTER UP: Central’s Dylan Gull puts bat to ball as he helps his team on its way to a six-run victory over South Indians. Picture: THOMAS MILES

CENTRAL 9 d SOUTH INDIANS 3

CENTRAL bounced back from its defeat at the hands of Federal last week with a resounding win over South Indians in the early Division 1 baseball game at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday.

It did not take long for the runs to start flowing with Centrals batting first.

Lead-off batter Kyall McClean drew a walk and Nathan Meinck found himself on base after a hit into an error at first base.

McClean scored on Dylan Chuck’s fielder’s choice throw to first from shortstop, before Meinck soon followed on Koby Chant’s sacrifice fly to centre-field.

South returned fire when lead-off batter Ryan Placucci singled into left-field and crossed home-plate on Bruce Morale’s double to right-field.

In the top of the third innings McClean hit a two base hit into left-field and scored on Meinck’s single to centre-field.

Meinck then crossed home when Dylan Chuck hit a two-bagger to centre-field.

When Chuck scored on Dylan Gull’s safe hit Central held a sturdy 5-1 lead.

The Magpies then added three more runs in the top of the fifth to slip further out of reach.

Meinck singled and Chuck doubled, with the former stealing home after a lapse in concentration from South.

Gull picked a base on ball and both he and Chuck crossed the plate on a fielding error at left-field after a hit from Brad Lynagh.

Central added its final run in the top of the eighth, when with two out McClean drew a wild throw to first from shortstop.

He scored Central’s ninth run after Meinck’s hit to second base caused an error.

In a last ditch effort, the Indians fought hard to close the gap in the bottom of the eighth.

Placucci drew a wild throw from a hit to second base and scored on Morale’s home run over the left-field fence before the run chase was shut down.

Despite those efforts, Centrals remained comfortable in the lead an claimed a 9-3 run victory.

Chuck threw a superb nine-inning game with six strikeouts, while giving up just five hits and one walk.

Central made two errors, while South made seven, with the Indians three pitchers on the day combining for two strikeouts, 11 hits and three base on ball.

FEDERAL 5 d TIGERS 1

TIGERS suffered its second defeat in two weeks on Saturday, when it faced Federal in the late Division 1 match at Blue Lake Sports Park.

The ladder leader did not hit the scoreboard until the bottom of the ninth innings, but by then the damage had been done.

Federal lead-off batter Kane McMillan picked a base on ball and Alex Reppin’s hit to first base caused an error by that fielder.

McMillan then scored on Sam Shephard’s single to left-field and Reppin crossed home on Gavin Smith’s Texas-leaguer to centre-field to set up the win early.

Clay Carpenter walked in the top of the sixth and scored on a wild throw at the plate in an attempt to throw him out.

In the same dig Josh Wilsmore singled to left-field and scored on McMillan’s huge hit over left-field’s head which enabled him to run three bases.

McMillan scored on Sam Shephard’s second safe hit of the game and the Demons held a 5-0 lead.

Tigers put up a gallant fight in the bottom of the ninth, but it was to no avail.

Brayden Morton singled and scored on Alex Harkness’ two-bagger to left-field, before Federal closed the game out to claim a 5-1 win.

Federal’s Reppin pitched the full nine innings for 10 strikeouts, while he gave up 10 hits, one walk and two hit batters.

The victors made two errors and left 11 runners stranded on base.

Tigers used two pitchers who picked up a combined 12 strikeouts, while giving up six base on ball, five errors and left 12 runners on base.

Due to the Australia Day long weekend there will be no baseball played this week.

Games resume on Friday February 1 with two Division 1 games between Federal and South Indians.