Fifteen hits weren’t enough for Stealers as it lost a shootout, 17-14 in five innings, to Baulkum Hills on Saturday at Cliff Oval. Baulkum Hills were playing their first game aganist the Stealers having been move down to E grade from the grade above.

Aryia Iwato had a busy day at the plate, collecting two extra-base hits. He doubled in the first inning and had a home run in the fifth inning. Brian Riegeis-Morgan also had a home run for the Stealers in the second inning.

Baulkum Hills hammered Stealers pitching as six hitters had a field day, combining for 15 hits, 14 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Baulkum Hills never trailed after scoring seven runs in the second on an RBI double by Steve Cox, a solo home run by Andrew Face, two singles, and an RBI triple by Dean Robson.

Baulkum Hills scored four runs in the third inning, and then followed it up with four more in the fifth. In the third, Baulkum Hills scored on an RBI single by Steve, bringing home Ian Mawson.

Stealers scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut its deficit to three. An RBI double by Kim Timmins, an RBI single by Matt Tulk, a two-run single by Michael Burrell, an RBI double by Gill Russell, and a groundout by David Lane also scored a run; all triggered Stealers’ comeback. Mark Schafer to ended the Stealers threat with a ground out to short-stop.
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Four runs in the bottom of the fifth helped Stealers close its deficit to 15-12. A sacrifice fly by Gene Reis and a two-run homer by Aryia gave Stealers life. But, Andrew Face got Michael Burrell to hit the ball hard to 2nd base which put Aaron Duckworth out on a field choice to end the game.

Stealers Manager David Lane said after the game: “Like last week and most of the season, we started slow and then we came back strong towards the end the game. Being ‘come back kids’ means that we put a lot pressure on ourselves and sometimes we come up short; that is what happen today. Rarely, does a baseball game turn on a single play or event; but having the bases loaded at the bottom of the 1st inning with only one out and failing to be the first team to score set the tone for the game. We look forward to playing them again”.

                   1 2 3 4 5                           R H E
BLK            0 7 4 2 4                          17 18 1
STL             0 3 0 7 4                          14 15 1

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