YOU could not have scripted the Wallerawang Baseball grand final any better with the game going right down to the last dig with Lizards getting 8-7 to make it back to back titles for the side.
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A jubilant captain Peter Nunan said: “It has been a great year.
“We finished the year as minor premiers and then took our good form into the grand final to score our second win in consecutive years.
“It was a tight match, but we held our nerve to come out on top, it was a real team effort.”
There was a great crowd on hand to witness one of the best grand finals seen at the Wallerawang Oval that looked a real picture.
It was close throughout with the biggest lead being enjoyed by Isotopes who led by two runs after the third innings before Lizards’ John Kearney hit a three bagger.
The lead swapped back and forth with Lizards taking the lead when it counted.
The game came down to the last dig with the grand final being played over seven digs.
With only one dig left, the scores were tied at 7-all and Isotopes were up to bat.
Lizards’ pitcher John Kearney was right on target striking all three batsmen out to give his side a real shot at the title.
One of the features of this innings was a ‘screamer’ of a catch in the outfield by Lizards’ Juzen Takihara to send Isotopes back to the dug out.
Lizards stepped up to the plate and with two batters, John Kearney who is a known as big hitter, Isotopes’ pitcher Ben Smith ‘presented’ him a walk to keep him away from a hit.
With Aaron Bailey on third, Peter Nunan was next to bat.
Nunan with two strikes down, showed his coolness by delivering the ‘killer’ blow to allow Bailey to come home and give them the needed runner and take the title by one.
Isotopes were gallant in defeat and their side consisted of Harris Barrington, Blaire Peters, Derryn Cluff, captain Ben Smith, Rod Phelan, Brad Black, Mitchell Brain, Mat Tree, Grant Buttigieg, Michael Anderson and Josh Howard.
Best for the Lizards were John Kearney, Peter Nunan, Juzen Takihara and Josh Amos while Harris Berrington, Matt Tree and Grant Buttigieg stood out for Isotopes.
It was a quality grand final that had the crowd absorbed right from the opening dig.
At the end of the match, Association president Joe Smith congratulated both sides on a quality performance and presented young Shamus Kearney with the game ball for all his work done throughout the year.
He also thanked all the canteen workers, volunteers and singled out the Council for preparing the diamond to such a high standard.
The visiting umpires from Sydney spoke in glowing terms of the superb facility that the grand final was played at.
He also thanked all the sponsors and Jeff Geddes and the Lithgow Mercury for their continued coverage of baseball in the district.
It is going to be a big year for baseball in 2015 with 50 year celebrations for both softball and baseball coming up on the October long weekend.
The Association will also be entering the Country championships over the June long weekend and will field a very young side to ‘blood’ some of the up and coming players in the competition at this level.
