On a beautiful sunny winters day the Middle Rock Mariners started their shortened 2020 Baseball season at Wauchope's Blackbutt Reserve on Sunday, July 5.
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This year's competition will be run with special Covid 19 restrictions.
The A Grade side got off to a great start when pitcher Matt Lenton shut out the Spartans in the first innings, partly due to an excellent running catch by leftfielder Mali Boller.
The Mariners hitters Tim Harris and Warren Collins blasted hits deep into the outfield both recording safe hits.
Unfortunately the Mariners were unable to turn this promising start into any runs.
In the second innings the Spartans opened their account after they turned two safe hits into one run.
This innings highlight was a wonderful outfield catch by the newly promoted Matt Lindsay.
The Mariners failed to score in their turn at bat.
The third innings was dominated by the Mariners' new catcher Jack Day. Day threw out a stealing base runner with a rocket throw to shortstop Ryan Bray who tagged the runner as he tried to slide into second base.
Not content with that great play Day then took a spectacular foul fly close to the third base dugout with a blistering turn of pace and a complete disregard for his own safety.
The Spartans opened up a 4/1 lead after the top half of the last innings. The Mariners then showed they never give up attitude when Tim Harris, Matt Lenton, Todd Reid and Jack Day all had safe hits, bringing the score back to 4 /4.
With Jack Day on third base the Mariners were in a winning position but to their credit the Spartans, with a loss staring squarely at them, struck out the final Mariners batter leaving the final score a very exciting four all draw.
Coach Todd Reed was pleased with the whole team.
"Every player played their part today and shows that the improvement the team made last year is continuing and this team has the talent to be a real force in this year's competition," he said.
The Mariners B grade team were completely outclassed by the Spartans going down 30/0 in a one sided game. The highlight for the team was a two base hit by newcomer Damien McAnarney. Mick Prosser had a solid game as catcher and picked out a walk while batting. Hari Prasad took a great catch in leftfield and hit a ball solidly to shortstop in a good start to his baseball career.
The team to their credit kept their spirits high and look forward to a better showing next week.
