Central held on to top spot in the final game before the Christmas break against Central Magpies which was a catch-up game.
Played before an outstanding appreciative crowd at the Blue Lake Sports Park on Sunday because of the club’s annual Christmas Family Party and senior grade cap presentation Central won in a mercy rule seven innings.
In the bottom of the first Kyall McClean and Nathan Meinck were on aboard with well chosen walks, Dylan Chuck then bunted down the third base line for a well-executed bunt to load the bases. Alex Ridding’s hit to short stop allowed him to make first on the fielder’s choice throwing McClean out at home. Koby Chant’s safety down the right field line scored both Meinck and Chuck and Dylan Gull batted in Ridding.
The bottom of the second saw Central add four more, Koby drew a base on ball, Dylan Gull singled to rightfield, Dave Harris’ single to centre field batted in Chant, Josh Chuck followed also hitting to centre field batting in Gull and Nathan Meinck’s two-bagger to left field scored both Harris and Chuck.
The Magpies fought back in the top of the fourth with Mitch Ruwoldt hitting safely to centre field, Brad Lynagh on base from a wild throw across the diamond, Jake Turner slammed one out to left field which scored Ruwoldt, Blade Sturges popped a nice hit to centre field which loaded the bases, Mitch Cutting then got hold of a pitch sending it past the centre fielder resulting in Lynagh and Turner crossing the plate while Blade Sturges crossed the plate on Daniel Ferguson’s hit into an error at second before side away.
In the bottom of the fifth Central got those four straight back. Dave Harris picked a base on ball, with two out Kyall McClean was hit by the pitcher, then consecutive safe hits to Nathan Meinck and Dylan Chuck with his two-bagger scoring both McClean and Meinck. Chuck was batted in by Alex Ridding.
Central Magpies scored their final two runs of the game in the top of the sixth. Jake Turner’s hit down the third base line created an error, Lauchie Tilley on on a fielder’s choice, Turner scored on a passed ball and Tilley was batted in by Mitch Cutting.
In the even inning Dave Harris (Central) picked another walk and was batted in by Kyall McClean who hit safely to right field.
Central picked up the mercy win in the bottom of the seventh when they scored the requisite four runs. Dyan Chuck walked, Alex Ridding doubled to right field, Koby Chant picked a walk loading the bases, Dylan Gull’s double to centre field scored both Chuck and Ridding, Dave Harris’ sacrifice fly scored Chant while Gull was batted in by Kyall McClean giving the top team a sixteen run to six win.
Central had 13 safe hits, 9 walks, 1 hit batter, 14 runs batted in, 4 strikeouts and made 3 errors. Central Magpies had 10 safe hits 4 walks, 5 runs batted in, 7 strikeouts and made 3 errors.
Baseball resumes after the Christmas break on Saturday, January 11 with all grades playing. In Division 1 Central Magpies host South Indians on the main diamond at Blue Sports Park commencing at 4pm. Millicent host Central at Boulton Oval commencing at 2pm. If you’re looking for a game contact any of the six clubs on their Facebook page.
DIVISION 1
Central 16 def Central Magpies 6
Safe hits
Central – Dylan Gull 3, Kyall MCClean, Nathan Meinck, Josh Chuck 2, Dylan Chuck, Alex Ridding, Koby Chant, Dave Harris 1
Central Magpies – Mitch Ruwoldt, Blade Sturges, Mitch Cutting 2, Brad Lynagh, Jake Turner, Jordy Carrison, Daniel Ferguson 1