The Cardinals ace had 10 strikeouts and threw only 100 pitches in the full nine innings to concede just five hits and one run in a dominant outing. 

Eagles had only three hits in a 11-0 loss premiers Northern Pirates in round eight and again struggled in offence, with only Chad Blanch (2/4, RBI) a threat.

Cards in contrast scattered 12 hits and scored a single run in five different innings, including the first two digs to lead 2-0.

 Eagles’ teenage starting pitcher Luke Brown did his best, throwing 4.1 innings for only six hits, two walks and three runs.

 But Brown wasn’t helped by Eagles ineffective offence, while in contrast three Cardinals had a multi-hit game.

 Joel Thompson went 3/5 with a double and an RBI, while Nathan Grogan and Sydney Blue Sox ABL star Josh Dean were both 2/5 with a double and an RBI.

 Meanwhile, Matt Sainsbury’s towering triple helped turned the game for the premiers Northern Pirates in the 13-5 victory over win-less Shoalhaven Mariners at Dalton Park.

 Mariners stunned the home side with five runs in the third dig to lead 5-2 before Sainsbury smashed a three-run triple to tie the game in the bottom of the third.

  Pirates then showed their class with four unanswered runs in the fifth innings and another four runs in the sixth for a comprehensive win.

 Pirates starting pitcher Ben Gibson threw four innings for five hits, four walks and five runs conceded, while Lachlan Crawley was excellent in relief for the Bucs with four hit-less innings.

  The competition has a general bye next weekend before resuming on Saturday June 13    with round 10 marking the mid-point of the season.

  Cards will host Mariners and Pirates are at home to Dapto Chiefs in the grand final rematch. 

   Ladder (wins/losses/draws): Pirates (4-0-1), Dapto Chiefs (2-1-1), Cardinals (2-2-2), Eagles (2-3-1),  Mariners (0-4-1).