Baseball resumes this Saturday after the Christmas New Year break albeit on a smaller scale with only the top two grades.
Divisions 1 and 2 are both in action, while all junior grades return on Saturday, January 30 and Division 3 next month.
In the early game of Division 1 starting at 5pm, fourth-placed Federal plays host to undefeated Central at Blue Lake Sports Park.
An enthralling battle between the top two pitchers Alex Reppin and Dylan Chuck should emerge and the former’s Federal needs to put some wins together to get earn a top-three finals berth.
The Demons heavily rely on Matt Nicholls and Reppin with the bat and would like the rest to up the anti and also improve on some costly fielding errors.
Central on the other hand sit pretty, but cannot afford to become complacent.
A number of youngsters have been contributing factors, while catcher Kyall McClean leads the Magpies’ batting followed by Nathan Meinck and Dylan Gull, which averages one hit for every three plate appearances.
Given some players may be unavailable, expect a close game with Centrals not giving up its undefeated status.
Tigers take on the visiting Millicent under lights and a thrilling battle could be in store.
Tigers sit in second spot, but only half a game in front of the Bandits and Federal. Brothers Kane and Garth Ransom are both experienced hurlers and give Tigers more depth on the mound.
Jacob English is their leading light with the bat with a current average over .400 followed by Garth Ransom and Jesse Foster.
However, the remaining line-up needs to get some more bat on ball if they are going to endure and make it to finals.
Millicent has not played Division 1 baseball for well over 15 years and is going through somewhat of a learning curve.
The young side relies heavily on Darcy Pink whose pitching and batting is up there with the best.
Tim Nieuwenhuizen and Craig Chittleborough are the bandits leading batters, both batting over 400.
In Millicent’s previous outing against Tigers it lost by nine runs, but a little more consistency should see the side push Tigers throughout the game.
South Indians has the bye.
