BASEBALL
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Dapto Chiefs led the way as the top three clubs feasted on the three struggling sides with lopsided wins in Saturday's round eight.
A five-run second inning spearheaded Chiefs to a 11-3 away victory over Berkeley Eagles, who have just one win this season.
Jared Commane had three hits, including a double with an RBI, while Stuart McCarthy was 2/2 for Chiefs who out-hit Eagles 15-8.
The Chiefs' pitching was led by Tyson Graham, who threw four innings for four hits with one earned run.
Matt McCann pitched in relief and although giving up six walks he conceded just one run off two hits in three innings.
Former Shoalhaven Mariners first grader Josh Mataveski had a rough first outing on the mound for Berkeley, giving up 11 hits and five earned runs in seven innings.
But Mataveski was the best of Eagles batters, with 2/3 including an RBI.
Premiers Wests Cardinals took advantage of some strong pitching from Scott Sartori to comfortably beat Kiama Braves 10-1 at Cringila Park.
Sartori threw seven innings for six hits, with six strikeouts and only one run allowed.
Braves scored their only run in the top of the fifth to trail 2-1, but Cardinals took control with five runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Jeremy Bec went 3/5 for Cards with a triple and two RBIs, while Dean Kontopoulos was 2/5 including a triple with four RBIs.
Evan Hayes led Braves' hitting with 3/5 including a triple, while teenager Luke Brown pitched well with 3.2 innings for three hits and only one earned run.
Unbeaten leaders Northern Pirates took full toll of an error-riddled Mariners with a 7-1 win at Illawarra Baseball League Field.
Pirates scored two runs in the second inning and another two in the fifth to lead 4-0, but were assisted by seven Mariners errors.
Brendan Lower had three hits for Pirates and the starting pitcher was set for a no-hitter into the sixth inning, before giving up two hits.
Despite eight walks Lower threw six innings, conceding just the two hits and one earned run.
Lachlan Maher went 3/5 with a double as Pirates out-hit the Mariners 13-3.
Pitcher Brenton McMahon (5.2 innings, nine hits, one earned run) tried hard for Mariners but was let down by his fielders.
Close to the midway point of the season Pirates, Cardinals and Chiefs appear certain semi-finalists, with Eagles and Braves to fight for the other play-off spot.