BASEBALL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brad Drain made a telling contribution in his first start of the season as Northern Pirates overwhelmed a spirited Berkeley Eagles 11-0 at Dalton Park in Saturday's round eight of Illawarra baseball.
The Pirates veteran who has had to overcome injuries for much of his career, threw five strong innings with seven strikeouts and only three hits, in an impressive win by the premiers.
Drain had five strikeouts in the first two innings and also drove in two runs for a MVP performance.
Pirates only led 3-0 until the eighth innings, then piled on eight runs as they out-hit Eagles 9-3. Lachlan Crawley was superb in relief for Drain, pitching three hit-less innings before the Pirates batters came alive in the eighth.
Pirates' American shortstop Bobby Twedt jnr, had a double and 2RBIs, while catcher Luke Rich was 2/3 with a double and Drain (1/3) with 2RBIs.
Eagles were competitive until their eighth inning collapse, with Sean Ginard respectable in his first start on the mound, throwing three innings for four hits, three walks, three strikeouts and only two earned runs.
Eagles reliever Luke Brown was on top until the eighth innings and pitched 4.1 innings for four hits, two walks with two strikeouts.
But Eagles only managed three hits against Drain and Crawley, as Pirates claimed their third win of the season to remain the only unbeaten team in Illawarra baseball.
The other first grade clash between Wests Cardinals and Shoalhaven Mariners was washed out, as was the entire round of second grade and third grade.
Already this season two full rounds of first grade have been washed out, while just one top grade game was possible in round four and now round eight - both involving Pirates.
The five team first grade competition was dealt a blow with Kiama Braves withdrawing on the eve of round one.