Stealers locked in battle with Mets

This weekend Springs Stealers Baseball Club had a mammoth battle with Randburg Mets when they travelled to Randburg.

With it being Mets’ home game, Stealers started off batting first.

Things became clear early on that this would be a battle, as they could only score two runs.

The speed and accuracy of the Mets pitcher Nolan Schipper, took out the heart of the Stealers line-up with three strikeouts.

Geoffrey Merrified on the mound for Stealers, took a little while to settle in and Mets scored a run before a double play from Jules Tancrel and Juan Du Plessis sent Mets back into the field, with Stealers leading 2–1.

Stealers continued to struggle with the bat and could not extend their lead as once more Nolan retired the side with three strikeouts.

On the field Stealers seemed to lose a little concentration and after two walks and two fielding errors Mets scored three runs to take the lead 4–2.

Nolan lost control of a fast ball and hit the first Stealers batter, Richard Williams but Stealers could not capitalise on this as Nolan quickly regained control and struck out the side once more without scoring a run.

Back on the field and Stealers allowed Mets another run, off a walk before two ground-outs to Leon Tancrel put the bat once more into Stealers’ hands.

Stealers was unable to score as batters fell to strikeouts and runs appeared to be a rare commodity.

Stealers turned over pitching responsibilities to Chris Stone and for the first time in the game Mets retired without scoring.

This lifted the Stealers’ spirits and coming into the top of the fifth 5–2 down, bats began to find the pitches and Stealers scored four runs to take the lead.

The score was now 6–5 to Stealers.

However, Mets were not going to let up and levelled the scores with a double before three ground-outs could give Stealers another opportunity to bat.

Stealers once more retired without being able to score, going into the bottom of the sixth innings all tied up at 6–6.

They battled on and managed to prevent Mets gaining the lead once more with a ground-out and two strikeouts.

Back at bat and though Stealers continued to hit the ball, could not capitalise and Mets took the bat once more.

Stealers gave it their all but Dwayne Robson of Mets batted in one run for his team to give them the lead.

With time running out Stealers took the bat for the last time in the game needing two runs to win.

The tension took its toll on the side and three outs later Stealers was defeated 7–6.

This Sunday Stealers is playing in Springs against Panorama. Play starts at 10am.