THE return of baseball to Diamond 1 at Blue lake Sports Park was well received on the weekend, with Division 1 double-headers set down to test the damaged outfield.
The main field was back to playable after serious corella damage, thanks to a huge efforts from volunteers.
Saturday afternoon saw South play host to Millicent/Federals in the first of two games.
South got out of the blocks first in the third innings with a run across the plate.
However, Jack Hateley was back to his best for the visitors with three hits and turning a rare feat with a triple play to get Millicent/Federals right amongst it.
The Bandits continued to pressure a South outfit who just could not shake them and after the time was up, it was South by a nose, with the final score 4-3.
Game 2 saw more of a batting game, with runs flowing.
A change in rotation and positional plays were evident and a number of errors started to effect both sides due to fatigue.
South found themselves on the back foot with Millicent/Federals putting four runs across the plate in the first bat of the game, which left South coach Bruce Morale with some thinking to do.
Millicent looked a class above with the bat in the second game and held a 13-4 lead with just South left to bat in the game.
However, South would not die wondering and when they clicked, they clicked.
Run after run crossed the plate and suddenly it was close.
South found themselves with a runner on second and third, with two out and needing just one run to level the score after plating eight in the fifth inning.
Unfortunately it was heart break for the Indians as Millicent held on and secured its second win of the season.
Sunday baseball returned to Mount Gambier for the first time 20 years and it was the top sides of competition going head-to-head.
Centrals simply are a class above the rest and have a great system in place.
Tigers are right on their heels and need to click to get the results they are chasing.
The crowd was witness to a finals-like atmosphere and a fiery contest between two clubs.
It was Tigers who pounced early to bring home two runs and put the pressure on Centrals.
Centrals, as always, bounced back and crossed three runs in the first inning to lead.
From there it was a tug-of-war game.
Tigers hit back with another two runs but again Centrals were able to respond.
The two sides went toe-to-toe and tensions were at boiling point.
Centrals proved why they are top of the ladder when they plated another three runs to take a 9-5 lead.
Tigers just could not get the runs home, leaving a huge 12 runs on base and let the game slip by, with the points going to Centrals 9-5.
Game two was all Centrals, as Tigers were flat and lacked drive.
Centrals took the advantage early, while Tigers again failed to capitalise with runners in scoring position.
Centrals found the gaps early and held a strong 4-1 lead, which in the end was the final tally.
For Centrals it means a grand final berth already in the bag, while Tigers coach Karl Ransom accepted Centrals are the best in the competition for a reason.
Results
Division 1: South 4 d Millicent/Federals 3 (Game 1). Hits – South: R. Placcucci 1, J. Balshaw 1, B. Morale 1, R. Parsons 1, D. Lewis 1, C. Morale 1; Millicent/Federal: J. Hateley 3, T. Winkley 1, J. Telford 1.
Millicent/Federal 13 d South 12 (Game 2). Hits – Millicent/Federal: E. Cushion 2, A. Mutton 2, D. Pink 2, M. Nicholls 2, J. Johnson 1, J. Hateley 1; South: D. Hamilton 3, T. Lockwood 1, T. Morale 1.
Centrals 9 d Tigers 5 (Game 1). Hits – Centrals: K. Chant 3, D. Chuck 2, D. Gull 2, A. Ridding 2, K. McLean 1; Tigers: H. Jones 3, J. Foster 1, M. Thompson 1.
Centrals 4 d Tigers 1 (Game 2). Hits – Centrals: K. McLean 2, D. Gull 2, E. Chuck 2, K. Chant 2 D. Chuck 1; Tigers: J. Foster 3, G. Ransom 1, B. Foster 1, A. Reppin 1, R. Rolph 1, M. Thompson 1, B. Morton 1.
Division 2: Tigers 9 d Centrals 4. Hits – Tigers: G. Ha, B. Marcus, K. Harrison, J. Sims, J. England, T. Wing 1; Centrals: D. Scheidel 2, B. Lynagh 2, L. Kent 2, B. McDonnel 1, M. Cutting 1.
Federals 5 d South 1. Hits – South: B. Whitwell 2, D. Parsons 1, D. Joyce 1; Federals: S. Howard 1, S. Eshoyi 1, N. Lobey 1, L. McDonald 1, D. Harmer 1.
Division 3: Naracoorte 5 d Tigers 0. Hits – Naracoorte: S. Davidson, N. Roundtree 2, K. Sisson, A. Cross 1; Tigers: L. White 1.
