ARMIDALE Outlaws and Warriors continued to dominate their Tamworth grade baseball competition in contrasting ways on Saturday.
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While competition-leading Outlaws beat an under- strength Cougars 9-nil, Warriors, a half game back on the table, had to endure a testing time from Gunnedah Giants.
The Giants went down 10-8 after going into the final few innings locked at 7-all.
Warriors stalwart James Ardill was the star for his visiting side, relieving on the mound in the final two innings.
He also led off the batting in the final inning with a hit in aninning that realised three runs.
They were then able to restrict the Giants to a run for a two-run success.
“The Gunnedah Giants were missing a few players too,” Warriors co-coach Mitch Holt said. “Jamie Eveleigh and a couple of their overseas players.”
Robert Chandler (2), Mitch Holt (3), Andrez Bello (2), Nathan Handsaker, Brad Redshaw, Vali Orcher (2) and Ryan Handsaker (2) also had hits while Ryan Handsaker pitched well early before Orcher made his first grade pitching debut before Ardill completed the game.
Chang San (3), Jason Wong, Simon Norvill, Brody Cleal and veteran coach Dave King all had hits for the Giants.
“Gunnedah played well. They are improving every game and made us earn it today,” Holt said after the two-run win.
“Kingy is doing a great job with them.
“Brody Cleal also made some great plays at second base for them.”
Armidale coach Mick Alldis said the Armidale Outlaws had a great day against the under-strength Cougars.
“The score blew out in the final few innings but it was a tight contest early on with Brad Smith (Outlaws) and Kris Bird (Cougars) keeping the hitters quiet,” Alldis said.
“That was until Aiden Lee (three hits) and Minoru Masui (two hits) both smoked back to back doubles to left field to get Armidale started in the third.
“Smith came out after four innings (81 pitches) and was better for the workout after not throwing for a while.”
Alldis relieved and the Armidale hitters went to work.
“Newcomer Luke Turner chimed in with a 2 RBI hit and the bunt single from new UNE International student recruit Minoru Masui was sublime,” Alldis added.
“Cougars were well served by Kris Bird who toiled away on the mound and Scotty Peets who had a multiple hit game.
“Defensively there were some great plays by both teams. Aiden Lee continued on his great day, throwing a runner out at 3B and right fielder Ray Nickson gunned down a runner for a rare 9-6 put out.
“Unfortunately the Cougars bats couldn’t fire and were shut out on the day.”
