Rob Laidlaw

THE Gawler Rangers have moved into the black with a tense 2-1 home victory over fourth-placed Henley & Grange, taking its fourth win from seven division two baseball games.
It was a huge scalp for the Rangers, with the windy conditions favouring the home side.
Gawler managed to hold Henley out in the first inning before striking immediately, scoring two runs in the bottom of the opening frame.

Ben Strong led off with a walk and motored all the way home on Rhys Argent’s double to centre-field, before Liam Holland, with two out, singled a ball down the right-field line to score Argent and make it 2-0.
A single run in the second frame from Henley closed the gap, but the Rangers regular pitcher Josh Lands ended the dig with a strikeout and collected another two K2s in the third, in a three-up, three-down effort.
It looked like the visitors were setting up a push for the lead with runners on second and third base and none out in the fourth, but an infield line-out to second base, another K2 and a magnificent catch at left-field by Ben Nottle quelled the threat.
It was then Gawler which looked set to extend its lead in the bottom of the fourth when Holland and Noah Okeil collected hits, but, with just one out, it wasn’t to be as both runners were hung out to dry on the bases to retire the side.
A scoreless fifth by both sides led to the sixth dig, which proved the final frame.
Henley managed to get a runner to third base, but he was left stranded, leading to the bottom of the sixth, where the Rangers lost a runner on base and, with two out, Holland, Jake Rodda and Okeil walked to load the bases before the final out was made and the game was called.
Lands went the distance from the mound, pitching six innings for three hits and an impressive 11 K2s.
The division two team play on Saturdays over the next fortnight, starting with an important clash with away at Glenelg this week.
Gawler’s women had another close loss, going down to East Torrens by one run, 10-11.
Jess Zemitis was the standout with the bat, collecting two hits, including a double, scoring three runs and batting one run in.

Results
Division two: Gawler Rangers d Henley & Grange 2-1 (hits: Liam Holland 2, Ben Strong, Rhys Argent, Noah Okeil).
Division three: Gawler Rangers | Henley & Grange 0-23 (hits: Wyatt Ryan, Travis Schreier).
Women’s division two: Gawler Rangers | East Torrens 10-11 (hits: Jess Zemitis 2, Beck Teagle).
Junior League: Gawler Rangers | Goodwood 4-10 (hits: Joash Cedamon 2, Amara Quinn).