Shoalhaven Mariners Major 2nd Grade came off a first round defeat at the hands of the Wests Illawarra Cardinals , the Shoalhaven Mariners second grade hosted the Berkeley Eagles 2B side on Saturday at Ison park.
In the early innings, Mariners starting pitcher Andrew Provest put on a masterclass of pitching and fielding his own position, making some spectacular plays. Andrew Provest would go on to complete 4 innings, with 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 hit and no runs conceded, putting the Mariners in the box seat for the win.
The Mariners were on top quickly in the bottom of the first inning as a Jayden Brain infield single turned into a run through a great hit to left field from that man again Andrew Provest.
With the game locked at 1-0, the Mariners were retired in order in the second, third and fourth inning unable to add anything to the scoreboard.
Relief pitcher and new recruit Marcus Atkinson now took to the mound to hurl the last 2 innings. Marcus shut down the Eagles offence with some great pitching allowing no hits, 2 walks, one strike out and no runs.
In the bottom of the fifth inning the Mariners were finally able to put the nail in the coffin and score an extra 3 runs through some great hitting by Gabe Tate, Marcus Atkinson and Jordan Butfield. Mariners walking away with their first win of the season. Final score 4-0.
Next Saturday the Mariners will travel to Berkeley to take on the Eagles 2A side.