Saints edge out Coyotes 2-1
SThe top of the ladder Saints narrowly defeated the second place Coyotes at Ravendale last Friday evening.
Chief umpire Ray Guimelli controlled the game on a cold and windy night.
Coyotes centerfielder Peter Jones denied the Saints first batter Mitchell Roberts of a certain hit with a nice running catch to start the game.
Shaun Lever reached first base on an infield error and advanced to third by stealing.
From there he scored the Saints first run on a Raymond Dennis sacrifice.
Dennis who featured strongly in the earlier B Grade game, had to leave the A Grade match in the top of the third inning, replaced by Juan Lezedake.
The Coyotes game plan was to use aggressive baserunning to put pressure on the Saints fielders.
A tactic that the cagey coach Mal Munro was able to use against the Coyotes in the pivotal last inning.
Coyotes put runners on base in every inning, but the Saints infield held tight in support of winning pitcher Jayden Blewit.
Dylan Blewitt led off the top of the second inning with a line drive into left field.
He stole second base and advanced to third after tagging up on a Jayden Blewitt fly ball to right field.
Broden Dennis hit a scorching ground ball past the third baseman which allowed Blewitt to easily cross the plate.
This turned out to be the last run the Saints scored, but it also was the last run that they needed.
Coyotes Peter Jones drew a walk to start the bottom of the second inning.
Saints shortstop Mitchel Roberts was on the receiving end of a perfect throw by catcher Dylan Blewitt to cut down the runner attempting to steal.
Unfortunately, Roberts hyperextended his hand on the close play and had to leave the game.
Saints coach Mal Munro was forced to inject himself into the game, no doubt sooner than his wife or doctor wanted.
One of the defensive highlights of the game was the inning ending third out in the top of the fourth.
The swift footed Coyotes' right fielder Mitchell Wilbe snuffed out the Saints rally, with an impressive unassisted put out.
He expeditiously ran in from his position in the outfield to comfortably reach first base before the Saints bewildered batter could get there.
Good pitching and fielding from both sides prevented any further scoring till the last inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jayden Roderick hit a Texas League single just out of reach of the diminutive Saints second baseman.
Roderick advanced when Sawyer grounded out to first.
Saints pitcher Jayden Blewitt committed an ironic baulk which allowed Roderick to advance to third.
Blewitt quickly regained his focus however, to strike out the next batter for the second out.
Player coach Luke Howie came up to bat and hit a clutch single into right field allowing Roderick to score.
Howie then safely stole second but was caught in a rundown by the wily veteran Mal Munro.
The game-ending play emphases the vitally important role base coaches have by clearly letting their players know where the ball is at all times.
All indications lean to the belief that this game was a preview of the upcoming grand final.
Coyotes leave the field with the knowledge that the game could have gone either way.
The Saints have to be pleased that their last three victories were won by three different starting pitchers. A valuable asset in the upcoming finals.
Next Friday evening the Coyotes battle the third place Tigers at North Shields.
While at Ravendale, the pesky Indians will be looking to finish the minor round with an upset victory over the Saints.
Game Totals: Saints two runs, five hits, 0 errors; Coyotes one run, four hits, one error.
Saints winning pitcher Jayden Blewitt four strike outs, two walks; Coyotes pitcher Luke Jantke three strike outs, one walk.
In the B grade game, the Saints easily defeated the Coyotes 11-1.
The Saints batted through the line up in the first inning, scoring seven runs.
Given this insurmountable lead, starting pitcher Chris Hester went on to record eight strike outs while not allowing a single walk.
Throughout the game he was superbly backed up by his reliable infielders.
The outfield also chipped in, with centerfielder Raymond Dennis throwing out a runner at first base to get the last out of the third inning.
Playing her first game of baseball, shortstop Kayla Perry reached base twice with her excellent knowledge of umpire Annie Jantke's consistent strike zone.
Perry demonstrated very good baserunning skills and her slick fielding stopped everything that was hit her way throughout the game.
The Coyotes shortstop Alana Jantke is credited with an unusual infield fly rule, umpires assist.
Jantke also led her team with eight put outs, and was impressive her ability to consistently get the lead runners out.
The game also featured some heads-up play by the young Coyotes Conner Rutherford at second base and Jessen Nelson Richards at third.
The future of Coyotes bodes well with promising players Charlie and Jack Todd, Calen Rutherford and Lashan Nelson-Richards.
Starter Jonathon Chapman is credited with two strike outs in his debut performance as a pitcher.
The second place Saints B grade will be tested next week, when they face the top of the ladder Indians.
The last time these two teams played, the Saints forfeited a large lead in the last inning to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Whichever team wins will have a big psychological advantage going into the finals.
Best batters for Coyotes: Rubin Thompson, a double into right field, Calan Rutherford a single into centerfield, Lashan Richards-Nelson one run batted in.
Best batters for Saints: Liam Dennis three for four with two doubles, Ramon Dennis three for four with one double, Cameron Izzo, two for three with two runs batted in.
Game Totals: Saints 11 runs, 11 hits, one error; Coyotes one run, two hits, four errors.