An intense battle ensued in the A grade of Riverland baseball on the weekend. With a 2-4 start to the season for the reigning premiers, Berri were determined to turn their season around, and take it to top of the ladder leaders Renmark in a cliff-hanger.
No side troubled the scorers for the first two innings, when in the third a few safe hits and a walk with loaded bases to Brad Healy saw Adam Job score and take the lead for Renmark. In a tight jam Berri pitcher Andrew Law took control of the situation to successfully fight back and a short pop up to 3rd base saw Peter Moritz take a well timed catch to retire the side. Coming into the Top of the fourth a walk by Peter Moritz saw him reach first base safely and Brenton Halupkas well executed sacrifice Bunt that followed pushed Peter Moritz onto second base and into scoring position.
Phillip Goldspink was next up to bat and after getting a 2-1 count drove the ball into centre right for a base hit and scoring Peter Moritz to tie the game at 1-1.
Ashley Rogers was able to hit safely to push Goldspink to second but a soft hit to Stefan best at shortstop had Goldspink run into a forced tag between second and third for Berri’s final out of the inning.
Renmark in traditional style never wavered from the task and were determined to take the lead back, however soft hits to the infield for routine outs did nothing for Renmark’s confidence as the side was quickly retired and Berri forced into bat in the top of the 5th.
Paul Reid started the hitting in the 5th for Berri with a double to left field and when Law Tripled at the next at bat Paul Reid scored and Berri moved forward now 2-1.
Renmark determined to regain control of the game called on in form Pitcher Stefan Best to try and close the game down however another safe hit to Mark Lang, saw Law cross the plate for Berri’s third run. Stefan Best was then able to shut down the Warriors with three quick consecutive outs.
The task was now Renmark’s and at the bottom of the 5th needing two runs to tie the game saw the task to great and the game slip from their grasp. Renmark’s batting order collapsed under a strong pitching performance by Law and saw Berri Claim a hard fought victory in what can only be described as the match of the round.
In the B grade Lyrup continued to show they are a side that is capable of finals contention with a convincing 10-6 win over Berri’s B grade side.
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