Another win for the Stealers
Springs Stealers being the visitors at the Boksburg field batted at first and started badly without scoring any runs. The Boksburg Cardinals took the lead by one run with two walks and a single before Stealers could get their three outs.
In to bat, Stealers made up some ground and scored five runs on two throwing errors and six hits. Cardinals could not reply and Stealers finished the second innings 5-1 up.
Stealers batters were still hungry for hits and after four fielding errors and eight hits, had racked up a comfortable 14-1 lead. Cardinals could only answer with one run as Stealers Geoffrey Merrifield (at catcher) and Leon Tancrel (at third) cornered an ambitious runner attempting to steal home to end the third.
Stealers batters seemed to be taking a breather and only scored one run in the fourth and seemed to continue their relaxed air into the fielding. Cardinals took advantage scoring massively with seven runs off of four walks, two singles, a double and three fielding errors. The score after the fourth inning was 15-9.
Stealers once more took the lead to extend it by three with a double, a walk and an inside the park home run scored by Gareth Henning. Cardinals were not going to give up either and scored four runs of their own with four singles and a walk. The score came close at 18-13.
With the run difference small enough to avoid the mercy rule Stealers batted on into the sixth inning and scored another three runs. These off a single, a double and another inside the park home run from Gareth Henning. Cardinals could only reply with one run from a single, double and throwing error.
Stealers weren’t done yet and after another single, double and two triples had extended their lead to 25-14. Cardinals went in for their last batting. Stealers, after allowing the first hitter on with a single, played a good double play from third, Leon Tancrel to Chris Stone at second and finally Jules Tancrel at first. Buoyed by their play the Stealers fielders let their concentration slip and the next easy ground out was dropped. Cardinals loaded the bases and Stealers, only just, managed to prevent a run with the final out coming from a force out at third to end the game. The final score stood at 25-14.
Stealers will face Kempton Park Red Sox on the September 1 at Springs Old Boys at 10am.
All baseball enthusiasts must not forget the under 18 team from Great Britain will be playing a five game test at Boksburg Cardinals, over the weekend August 23 to 25, against the boys in green and gold.
