BASEBALL was certainly the winner on Saturday afternoon when South Indians faced Centrals at Blue Lake Sports Park.
The game descended into a nail-biter, as the ladder-leading Centrals claimed the win, but by just a solitary run.
Ryan Placcucci and Dylan Chuck took control for the their respective sides on the mound and it proved a pitcher’s dual, with only 10 hits for the game combined.
Centrals eventually gained the advantage in the seventh inning thanks to a double to Ethan Chuck which saw him score on a South error for a final scoreline of 1-0.
The Indians can hold their heads high and will take some confidence moving forward after a strong performance.
A plethora of Chucks were the difference for Centrals with Dylan, Ethan and Josh tallying four hits of Centrals’ seven for the night.
For South it came down to single shots to Bruce Morale, Placcucci and Travis Lockwood.
Up the highway at Bolton Reserve Tigers faced the home side Millicent/Federals and looked to gain some points to keep within striking distance of Centrals on the ladder.
That is how it would pan out, with a hard-fought 7-3 victory to the travelling Tigers.
Tigers star shortstop Hayden Jones led the way with the bat with four hits for the day.
Garth Ransom took control on the mound for Tigers and picked up his first win for the year as the reigning league medalist looked to be on song after after a shaky start.
Brayden Morton and Joe Sims were solid with the bat for Tigers and for Millicent/Federals it was Alex Pearson and a future star in the making Ellis Cushion who stood out.
Millicent/Federals coach Anthony Mutton continues to build a young core that certainly looks likely to cause an upset or two sooner rather than later.
This weekend Tigers will take on South in a double-header, while Millicent/Federals v Centrals takes place Friday under lights.
Results
Centrals 1 d South 0. Safe hits – Centrals; N. Meink 2, E. Chuck 2, D. Chuck 1, J. Chuck 1, K. Chant 1; South: B. Morale 1, R. Placcucci 1, T.Lockwood 1.
Tigers 7 d Millicent/Federals 3. Safe hits – Tigers: H. Jones 4, J. Sims 2, K. Ransom 1, G. Ransom 1, R. Rolph 1, B. Morton 1; Millicent/Federals: A. Pearson 2, E. Cushion 2, A. Mutton 1, C. Chittleborough 1.
