Underdogs have their day in Illawarra Baseball
The underdog teams had their day in round 18 fixtures of the 2008 Illawarra Baseball League premiership. Third placed Dapto Chiefs defeated second placed Berkeley Eagles for the first time this season recording a 5-0 win in nine innings at Hector Harvey Reserve, Dapto.
The Chiefs pitchers combined for a three hit shutout, side-arm starter Aaron Wirth allowing 3 hits in 4.1 innings and reliever Jonathan Hall having a blinder by pitching 4.2 hitless innings striking out a commendable nine batters in the rout. Hall capped off his effort by batting in the last two of Chiefs runs with his double in the eighth.
While both teams struggled to get runners into scoring positions in the earlier innings the breakthrough did not happen until the bottom of the sixth inning. At this point Craig Leighton scored Chiefs first run after being walked. He was batted in on Aaron Mills’ well executed sacrifice bunt. Mitch Thompson scored the second run on Mark Spears safe hit.
Put in a position where immediate action was required the Eagles hitters were given no chance when Hall struckout the side in the next innings. He then proceeded to strikeout two batters in each of the next two innings. Chiefs cause was assisted when they scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth on an BRI hit by Stuart McCarthy and two on Hall’s two out double.
The other game saw bottom of the table Kiama Braves topple fourth placed Bulli Pirates to record their third win of the season with a 12-7 result at Gainsborough Reserve, Kiama Downs. Pitcher Josh Parker did the job for Braves hurling all eight innings allowing 7 earned runs on 12 hits
In a hitters game Braves outhit Pirates 15-12, Evan Hayes (3 / 5, 2 RBI’s) and Shaun Crowther (2 / 3) featuring for Braves while Travis Dutton (3 / 4, 1 RBI) Luke Rich and Troy Clifford (both 2 / 4) were Pirates best.
First Grade Table – Cardinals 82%, Eagles 67%, Chiefs 43%, Pirates 32%, Braves 21%.
Second Grade: Eagles 9 Chiefs 3; Pirates 5 Braves 3; Mariners 5 Cardinals 3
Third Grade: Eagles 19 Chiefs 2; Pirates 10 Braves 6; Mariners 11Cardinals 6
Minor League: Panthers (5) 8 Braves 4; Cardinals 9 Panthers (4 ) 8; Pirates 20 Warriors 2
In round 19 fixtures this Saturday Wests Cardinals play Kiama Braves at Cringila Community Park and Berkeley Eagles play Bulli Pirates at Eagles Field, Fred Finch Park, Berkeley. Dapto Chiefs have a bye in firsts but play Shoalhaven Mariners in lower grade games at No. 2 Field, Fred Finch Park, Berkeley. First grade games commence at 2.15pm.
Wolves 15s to take on Blacktown in Premier Youth League
Last weekend saw the Elimination Finals (4th team v 5th team) and Qualifying Finals (2nd v 3rd) being played in soccer’s Premier Youth League. As the Wollongong Wolves 15s topped the table they had a week off. Next weekend they take on Blacktown who defeated APIA 2 – 1 in the qualifying final.
In the under 15s elimination final Marconi was level with Sydney Olympic one all at the end of the game but then won 5 – 3 on penalties. Marconi will take on APIA Leichhardt next week in the minor semi-final.
Illawarra Junior Football Association Finals on the way
The Illawarra Junior Football Association has announced the dates for its final series. They are:
• August 23 & 24 - Semi finals
• August 30 & 31 Finals
• September 6 & 7 Grand Finals
More information from the association’s web site. www.ijfa.com.au
Wolves to play Premier League final at WIN on Friday
The Wollongong Wolves Premier League team takes on Sydney Olympic in the Qualifying Final at WIN Stadium on Friday night (August 15) at 7.30pm. The Elimination Final is to be played between Manly United and Sydney United.
Spring Holiday Camps for Kids in October
NSW Sport and Recreation's action-packed kids' holiday camps are run by experienced and well-qualified instructors. Young people learn social living skills, experience challenging activities, develop self-esteem and make new friends. They also have great fun and won’t have a moment to spare!
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/kidscamps/ Videos of local Sports on YOCTV
 If you have an interesting sporting video please contact the Sportslive Director as indicated at the bottom of this column.
More Stories?
For more local sports stories go to www.wollongong.sportslive.com.au
If you want publicity for your sport please contact the Sportslive Director at YouronlineCommunity office on 4254 0200 or to email click here->
| 
