Rob Laidlaw

IN a twist of fate, Gawler Rangers’ opposition made crucial errors that led to the division two baseball side beating Northern Districts 5-3 last Sunday.
Over many previous games in the past couple of seasons, it’s been Gawler that has cost itself wins, but how sweet it is for the shoe to be on the other foot.
The Rangers scored a run in the second frame when Nathan Schreier singled and advanced around the bases on a couple of passed balls and a fielder’s choice.
North came right back with the equaliser in the bottom of the dig, and although he struck out three batters in the fourth inning, Gawler pitcher Josh Lands gave up two hits, which gave North its second run and a 2-1 lead.
With two out in the sixth, Ben Strong singled, but was picked off by the North pitcher, and in the ensuing rundown play, Strong took advantage of a couple of errant throws to scoot to third base, where he was knocked home by Jake Rodda’s infield hit to again level the scores.
Over the first seven frames, 16 of Gawler’s 21 outs came by the way of strikeout in a dominating display from the North pitcher, which meant Gawler had made the most of its opportunities to still be in the game.
At the top of the eighth and final dig, both teams were forced to change pitchers, and it would be the Rangers who would take advantage.
Keenan Leech picked a walk, Strong collecting a single, with Leech putting Gawler ahead when he scored on a wild pitch.
An amazing turn of events followed, as Rodda appeared to be struck out, but the catcher dropped the ball and the throw to first base was not in time.
Strong cleverly stole home, then Rodda, after stealing two bases, scored from a wild pitch – putting the Rangers 5-2 up late.
Lands, who had pitched magnificently, giving up four hits for 10 K2s in his seven innings, was replaced on the mound by Rodda for the bottom of the eighth.
The first North batter got a double, who later scored, but a couple of strikeouts from Rodda closed the door with the buffer of those eighth-inning runs proving the difference.
It capped off a good week for the Rangers, who were also awarded the win a fortnight earlier against Woodville, which had played four division one players in its starting line-up.
On the women’s side, playing its first game of the season, Gawler’s division two team settled for a 10-10 draw with Northern Districts after trailing 1-6.
A five run fourth inning, highlighted by Tracey Filko’s two-run hit, levelled the contest, and after some back and forth play, Brooke Clark’s two-run single in a four-run final pulled Gawler even at the end of the game.