PREMIERS Northern Pirates rallied for a one-run victory over Wests Cardinals, while Berkeley Eagles and Dapto Chiefs played out a thrilling draw in Saturday’s round seven in Illawarra baseball.
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Pirates scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth innings to beat Cardinals 5-4, while Chiefs trailed 3-1 after the first innings but fought back for a 3-3 draw against Eagles.
At Dalton Park, Pirates scored a run in the first and second innings, but three Cards runs in the sixth - all with two out - gave the visitors at 3-2 lead.
Cards made it 4-2 with a run in the top of the eighth, before Pirates’ bats came alive with three runs in the bottom of the innings.
Pirates’ American recruit Bob Twedt drove in Lachlan Maher and the home side scored another run to tie the game 4-4.
With just one man out, Pirates player-coach Andrew Clifford hacked off a few foul balls before splitting third-base and shortstop to drive in Liam Blackbourn for what proved the winning run.
Pirates ace pitcher Brenden Lower threw 5.2 innings for five hits, with five strike-outs and three runs conceded.
Cards starter Jarod Bruce was wayward, giving up two hits and five walks in two innings before reliever Scott Sartori threw six innings for eight hits.
Jesse Lynch (2-3) and Luke Rich (2-4) led the hitting for Pirates, while Sartori went 2-3 with 2RBIs for Cards and Trent D’Antonio 2-3.
Meanwhile, at Eagles Field, Berkeley charged to a 3-1 lead in the first innings, but were pegged back by Chiefs.
Chiefs scored in the top of the first innings, plus scored a single run in the fifth and seventh digs to tie the game and seal the second draw of the season.
The battle of the respective starting pitchers was even with Eagles’ Luke Brown going six innings for eight hits with two earned runs, while Jarrett Commane (Chiefs) threw six innings for six hits and three runs.
Chiefs first baseman Ben Garvey and third baseman Mitch Thompson made excellent defensive plays to keep the visitors in the contest.
Chiefs scattered nine hits to Eagles’ four but no player had more than one hit.
Chad Blanch (1-3) including a double was Eagles’ best, while Ash Miller was 1-4 with a double for Chiefs.
Mariners had the round seven bye and are away to Chiefs in Saturday’s round eight. Pirates host Eagles in the other clash at Dalton Park.
