WARRIORS reclaimed the minor premiership lead when they tipped out Armidale Outlaws in another Tamworth first grade baseball thriller on Chris Parsons Diamond at Tamworth's Field Of Dreams on Saturday.
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A 7-6 Warrior win handed the defending premiers a one-point lead over the Outlaws in their see-sawing season battle.
"It was a similar game to the last one," Warriors co-coach Mitch Holt told The Leader. "A real thriller.”
"They led 1-nil early, we drew level at 1-all and then they went up 3-1.
"We hit back to lead 4-3 and then they got a couple more to lead 6-4. However we scored three more runs to win 7-6."
It was a similar game to the last one. A real thriller.
- Warriors co-coach Mitch Holt
Ryan Handsaker started on the mound for Warriors and threw five good innings for Mark Gallaher to relieve and then John Warren to finish off.
Catcher Chris Dyson had a big day also, coming up with four hits and the MVP.
Robert Chandler (3), Mark Gallaher (2), Nathan Handsaker and Brad Redshaw all had hits for the winners while the Outlaws also had plenty of batters getting on base.
Cam Beat, Minoru Masui, coach Mick Alldis, Brad Smith, Josh Shaw, Ben Greatrix, Aiden Lee and Luke Turner all had hits for the Outlaws.
Alldis described it as an arm wrestle and a game that went to the final out, with the Outlaws' tying run left stranded on third base.
"The lead changed several times and, with the Outlaws amassing 17 hits to 12, we just couldn't convert the run-scoring opportunities that presented themselves as often as we would have liked," Alldis said.
Alldis started on the mound for the Outlaws and his seven innings yielded nine hits, three K2's (strikeouts), one bases on balls and four runs.
Smith had a great day with the bat, coming up with three safe hits while Masui, Turner, Shaw and Greatrix all had two hits.
"Minoru Masui again made the highlight reel, with a handful of outstanding fly balls in centrefield along with throwing a laser to 3B for a double play," Alldis said.
"Roo also threw the final innings and showed us he could be quite a handful as a flame-throwing closer."
Masui and Warrior centre fielder Mitch Holt put on a show in centre field for their clubs.
"Mitch took three of the best catches you'd ever want to see in centre field," Warriors stalwart Robert Chandler said. "And Masui was unbelievable for the Outlaws.
"Between the two of them they took 14 catches. That doesn't happen in most games.
"But it was an awesome game played in good spirit too."
With five rounds to play, the Armidale Outlaws are half a game off top spot while their B Grade sides - Black and Orange - occupy second and fourth respectively.
The Blacks played with eight players most of the game and only fell 8-7 to the Cavaliers on Saturday while the Orange team also had a close, losing battle against a full strength Gunnedah Giants.
