Four runs in the fourth innings was all Wollongong Cardinals needed to propel them to victory against Northern Pirates on Saturday.
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With two out and the lead-off hitter Dean Kontopolous on base, Pirates walked the number nine batter, Sam Rada, to then see both Rada and Kontopolous score on Daniel Moss's RBI double.
From there a costly dropped catch in the outfield resulted in both Moss and the hitter, Scott Sartori, crossing the plate for a disastrous innings for Pirates.
The game was otherwise well contested with Cards' reliever Rada pitching the last five innings, showing great control over of the Pirates' hitters.
His counterpart Lachlan Crawley also kept the batters off balance to keep them in the game. But only Corey Rower made an impact with the bat for Pirates, hitting a double and single, the latter being scored in the ninth to provide Pirates their only run of the game.
However, Rada was able to regain control closing out the match and gaining a 4-1 win for the home side.
At Hector Harvey Park, premiers Berkeley Eagles had little trouble winning their game against Dapto Chiefs after the 10-run mercy rule came into effect after seven innings.
Last week's standout pitcher Josh Doyle this time started the game on the mound and continued where he left off.
His six inning of work saw him strike out five for just three hits, three walks and importantly no runs.
Offensively, Eagles' Ben Shepard's recent return from injury was a positive one after he hit 2/4 with 4 runs-batted-in to lead both sides. Teammate Chad Blanch also had a memorable pinch-hit situation coming to bat in the sixth and promptly hit a home run to right field which ultimately was the final run of the game.
The 11-nil win assures Berkeley will, at a minimum, play the major semi final, giving them two chances should they require them, to make this year's grand final and defend their title.
ILLAWARRA BASEBALL
Round 15
Saturday
First grade
BERKELEY EAGLES 11r, 8h, 1e d DAPTO CHIEFS 0r, 3h, 4e
WOLLONGONG CARDINALS 4r, 6h, 1e d NORTHERN PIRATES 1r, 4h, 1e.
Round 16
Eagles v Pirates at Eagle Field
Chiefs v Cardinals at Cringila Park
Second grade
Dapto Panthers 3r, 6h, 0e d Shoalhaven Mariners 1r, 7h, 2e
Pirates 10r, 7h, 4e d Cardinals 4r, 8h, 6e
Eagles (B) 5 d Eagles (A) 4.
Fourth grade
Shellharbour Warriors 17 d Pirates 9; Cardinals (B) 17r, 13h, 1e d Cardinals (A) 8r, 10h, 5e.
Fifth grade
Cardinals (B) 14 d Warriors 8; Cardinals (A) 18 d Panthers 1; Mariners 25r, 10h, 4e d Pirates 9r, 6h, 8e.
Sixth grade
Cardinals 19 d Panthers 13; Pirates 19 d Mariners 10.
