MOUNT Gambier and District baseball returned on the weekend, but the heat claim a few victims.
Many games were called off due to the heat policy, with the main game on Saturday afternoon shortened.
It all kicked off on Friday under lights, as Tigers lined up against South on a warm night.
South was fast out of the blocks with a two-run opening dig thanks to some young guys finding the middle of the bat.
This would set the tone for the night in what would be a cracking game of baseball, as both teams wrestled the lead back and forth and after the halfway point the score stood three runs a piece.
The game saw league chief umpire Michael Summers step up to adjudicate due to a fierce rivalry and potentially some fireworks, but it would only be two passionate sides going head-to-head for bragging rights.
After the seventh innings the game was still tied at four runs each before a four-run eighth inning saw Tigers take the lead.
But another twist was brewing and when Tigers starting pitcher Karl Ransom’s pitch count expired, he had to lean on Joe Sims returning from injury and South had a sniff.
With loaded bases and two out Tigers escaped despite giving up three runs.
They claimed the win by the narrowest of margins to start the year on a positive note.
For Tigers, Ransom picked up three hits, while Kane Harrison and Matt Thompson added two each.
For South it was Tarkyn Morale with two hits and a number of great plays at shortstop as a standout.
In the other Division one game it was ladder leaders Centrals taking on bottom placed Federals in heat-shortened game.
It would be Centrals with Dylan Chuck on the mound defeating Federals 20-0 in a huge blow out victory.
Division 1: Tigers 8 d South 7. Tigers – K. Ransom 3, K. Harrison 2, M. Thompson 2, P. Kermond 2, J. England 2, B. Marcus 1, R. Rolph 1, J. Sims 1; South – T. Morale 2, J. Balshaw 2, R. Walter 2, D. Joyce 1, R. Placcucci 1, B. Nash 1.
Centrals 20 d Federals 0.
Under 18: Federals 10 d Tigers 7.
All other matches not played due to heat policy.
