4th Grade Mariners took on the Northern Pirates to start the 2020 baseball season on a beautiful day at Ison Park.
The Pirates squad started well with a safe hit to third base. Mariners lead off pitcher Andrew Pearson then hit another gear and shut the pirates down. With a couple of easy plays and a nice strike out Pirates were retired.
It was then Mariners turn to bat. Lee Lawson started well hitting a stand up double. New comer, Jessica Bennett, hit a nice ball to right field scoring Mariners first run. After getting a couple of players on base Stuart Raymond cracked a ball over left field’s head scoring another two runs. Mariners couldn’t consolidate any more runs.
Second innings was a mixed bag with Pirates having a couple of nice hits and a couple of strike outs. A few errors from Mariners contributed Pirates putting two runs across the plate. Mariners didn’t trouble the scorers that innings. Pirates 2- Mariners 3.
In the third innings Andrew Pearson did all the work for Mariners getting two strike outs, then fielding a hard hit ball and completing the play throwing to first base. Mariners at bat scored two runs with Stuart Raymond getting on base then a great three base hit from Clinton Towill brought Stuart home. He followed soon after stealing on a wild pitch.
Fourth innings saw Pirates shut down again without scoring a run. A good team effort with continued sound pitching from Andrew Pearson. Mariners managed to make the scorers work again putting two more runs on the board. Lee Lawson started the play with another hit. This was then followed by Gabe Tate repeating his batting efforts.
The final innings saw Mariners bring in their closing pitcher Andrew Provest. Unfortunately, the field let him down with a couple of errors letting Pirates score two runs. Pirates also put on their closing pitcher. He struggled a bit walking batters. The umpire called game with the final score Shoalhaven Mariners coming away with the win scoring 9, to Pirates 4.
Pitcher Andrew Pearson led the way pitching 71 pitches – 46 strikes with 5 strike outs. Closing pitcher Andrew Provest pitched only 24 pitches for 16 strikes and 1 strike out. Hits were shared with a triple to Clinton Towell, doubles to Lee Lawson and Stuart Raymond supported by singles to Lee Lawson(2), Gabe Tate(2), Jessica Bennett and Stuart Raymond. A greatstart to the shortened season!