Jarrett Commane won an absorbing pitcher's duel for Dapto Chiefs in a 1-0 victory over leaders Northern Pirates in a tense Illawarra baseball clash at Dalton Park.

Ben Garvey was Chiefs match winner in the second innings. After stealing second base, he advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scored on a wild pitch from Pirates' Ben Gibson.

The impressive Commane threw a season-high eight inning, giving up just five hits with no walks, no runs and six strikeouts.

Gibson was also outstanding for Pirates, going seven inning for just four hits, and three walks.

Pirates had their chance to tie the game in the ninth innings, with one out and a man on first base.

But Chiefs catcher Matt Dubois threw out the Pirates baserunner trying to steal second and Chiefs closer Matt McCann induced a ground ball to seal victory.

While pitchers' dominated at Dalton Park, it was a hitting bonanza at Gainsborough Oval, with Kiama Braves snatching a comeback 9-9 draw against Berkeley Eagles.

The teams combined for 28 hits, with Eagles leading 9-4 after seven innings only for the home side to strike back with three runs in the eighth and two runs in the ninth.

Josh Doyle pitched 7.2 inning for Eagles but gave up 13 hits and seven runs, with six strikeouts.

Braves' teenage starting pitcher Luke Brown looked good in his five inning, conceding seven hits but only one earned run, with three walks and three strikeouts.

Braves' Matt Sneddon was a key figure in the batting box, going 4/6 with a double, while teammate Tim O'Donnell was 2/5 with a double.

Chad Blanch led the hitting for Berkeley with 3/5 including a double and one RBI, while Mick Shipp was 2/4 with a double and 2RBIs.