The Mount Gambier Baseball League returned with a bang on Saturday and a newcomer stole the show in the opening round.

Millicent celebrated its return to Division 1 with a crushing win over an undermanned Federal on home turf.

The Bandits made a statement in their first top grade game since 2005 after the mercy rule came into play in the eighth inning.

The home crowd enjoyed plenty of entertainment as Millicent scored in all, but two innings with the first run in the second after Tim Niewenhuizen crossed home from Craig Chittleborough’s deep hit to right-field.

Then the runs started to flow as Jack Hateley, Craig Chittleborough, Jordan Johnson, Niewenhuizen and Anthony Mutton all reached home base during a productive passage of play.

Federal’s pain did not end there with two more runs added in the seventh before the game was wrapped up in the eighth when Niewenhuizen hit safely and scored his fourth run from three safe hits.

It was an outstanding performance from Millicent in its return to the “big league” with 12 safe-hits, while Federal struggled all day and could not trouble the scorers.

The Bandits will travel to Mount Gambier this Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash with Central.

Reigning premier Central is in hot form after it overcame a fast-finishing South Indians opponent under lights at Blue Lake Sports Park.

South opened the scoring in its first dig after loading the bases, but Central replied at the top of the second when Koby Chant scored on Brad Lynagh’s safe-hit, while Alex Ridding also crossed home.

Centrals tightened its grip during the middle innings when Kyall McClean and Jordan Aston scored two runs each as Dylan Chuck’s hitting became a factor.

One more run was added at the top of the seventh when Alex ridding hit safely for the third time and crossed the plate on an unfortunate catcher’s error.

However, the Indians fought back from the onslaught to score two runs from Deklin Joyce and Jesse Balshaw, who both scored on Dean Hamilton’s long hit to right field.

South’s Ryan Placucci added another run on the board after Hayden Batty’s sacrifice fly to left-field, but it was not enough to turn the tables as the last inning was closed out by the pitchers to confirm Central’s 8-4 win.

The Indians will search for their maiden win against Tigers fresh from an extra week off on Saturday, while Federal enjoys a bye.

RESULTS – DIVISION 1:

Millicent 10 d Federal 0. Safe-hits – Millicent: T. Niewenhuizen, C. Chittleborough 3; J. Hateley, D. Pink, A. Mutton 2. Federal: M. Nicholls, J. Wilsmore, R. Hutchesson 1.

Central 8 d South Indians 4. Safe-hits – Central: K. McClean, D. Chuck, A. Ridding 3; K. Chant 2; J. Aston, B. Lynagh 1. South Indians: B. Morale 3; J. Balshaw, D. Hamilton 2; H. Battye, R. Placucci 1.

Division 2:

Federal 8 d Central Magpies 5. Safe-hits – Federal: H. Thomson, J. Wilsmore, B. Kroon 1. Central Magpies: K. Shaw, K. Bowd 2; J. Chuck, B. Braithwaite, J. Carrison 1.

Central 9 d South Indians 2. Safe hits – Central: J. Aston 3, L. Tilley, B. Sturges 2; B. Green, L. Kent, J. Aston 1. South Indians: H. Timms, S. Isaacson, P. Walter 1.

Division3:

Central Magpies 17 d South Indians 3. Safe-hits – Central Magpies: L. Patching 3; S. Henschke 2; A. Crouch, N.  Crouch, A. Hoath, T. Wilson, D. McCarthy, G.Crouch 1. South Indians: S. Unayami, K. Joyce, J. Henke, C. Morale, Z. Anderson 1. Millicent d Federal (forfeit).

Junior League: Federal 18 d Central Magpies 10. Safe-hits – Federal: A. Lynch 3; C. Williams, R. Searcy, O. Wheatley 1. Central Magpies: D. Ferguson, B. Vause, R. Earle 2; B. Ridding, B. Braithwaite, B. Dempsey, O. Earle 1. South Indians 11 d Central 3. Safe-hits – South Indians: D. Lewis 3; D. Habner, E. Timms, C. Clark, J. Lewis 2. Central: C. Page, A. VonStanke, B. Dempsey, J. Ferrari, T. Siebert, M. Ruwoldt 1.

Little League: Millicent 13 d Federal 7. Safe hits – Millicent: J. Garner, L. Fox 1. Federal – W.

Vincent 3, S. Telford 2. Central 6 d South Indians 3. Safe- hits – Central: C. Smith, O. Vause

2; L. Brierley, J. Harten 1. South Indians: J. Lewis 2, Z. Lewis, Z. Smith, N. Habner 1. Minor League: Federal 9 d Central 1. Safe-hits – Federal: L. Vincent, M. Adam, L. Telford 3; L. Evans-Reid, M. Kroon, F. Wheatley 2; J. Fenton, T. Klaassens 1. Central: M. Cook, X. Harpham, A. Stephenson 1.

ROUND 2 FIXTURE –

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

Division 1: Tigers v South 4pm; Centrals v Millicent 7pm; Federal bye.

Division 2: Tigers v South 2pm; Centrals v C/Magpies 12pm; Federal bye.

Division 3: Centrals v Millicent 4pm; C/Magpies v Naracoorte 2pm; Tigers v South 12pm; Federal bye.

Junior League: Centrals v C/ Magpies 12pm; Tigers v South 2pm; Federal bye.

Little League: Tigers v South 12pm; Centrals v Millicent 2pm; Federal bye. Minor: Centrals v Tigers.