After racing to an 11-1 lead after four innings, Thistle had to dig deep to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning in their 14-13 victory over visitors Helderberg Pirates in their Major League B game of the Cape Town Baseball Federation competition on Saturday 26 January at the Ottery Baseball Fields.
Pirates almost turned it around by scoring nine runs from six hits and two errors in the top of the fifth innings, and drawing level at 13-all in the top of the ninth inning. Keenan Thomas, who got on base via an error, scored the winning run for Thistle.
Pirates made 10 errors compared to Thistle’s six.
Both teams utilised three pitchers. Keegan Watson started on the mound for Thistle. He was briefly replaced by Siya Mana after six innings. Garth van Eeden threw the last three innings. Austrian Szon Tomkiewicz threw two innings before being relieved by Justin Smith for one inning for Pirates. Jared Uys pitched the last six innings.
Pirates also out-hit Thistle 16 hits to 12. SP Griebenow (4/6) was Pirates’ best hitter, with Bantu Sotyato and Spencer Diedericks (both 2/4) doing well for Thistle.
In other Major League B results, on Saturday Westridge Yankees beat Milnerton Mavericks 18-3 at Stephan Reagan Sports Ground. Van der Stel beat Grassy Park Crusaders 11-7 in Stellenbosch.
On Sunday Grassy Park Crusaders beat Helderberg Pirates 12-1 at Radloff Park in Somerset West. Both Thistle and Van der Stel recorded their second victories for the weekend with an 8-5 and 15-2 win over Milnerton Mavericks and Battswood respectively.
In Saturday’s Major League fixtures, Bothasig Knights beat VOB 16-1 at Abe Sher Sports Field, Athlone A’s beat Durbanville Villains 8-1 at Vangate Sports Complex, and Maitland Giants lost 14-2 to Bellville Tygers at PP Smit Sports Ground.
Results:
Saturday
Major League:
Bothasig Knights 16; VOB Macaws 1
Athlone A’s 8; Durbanville Villains 1
Bellville Tygers 14; Maitland Giants 2
Major League B
Westridge Yankees 18; Milnerton Mavericks 3
Thistle 14; Helderberg Pirates 13
Van der Stel 15; Grassy Park Crusaders 9
Battswood on bye
Major League Reserve:
Bothasig Knights 5; VOB Macaws 6
Athlone A’s 14; Durbanville Villains 6
Bellville Tygers 11; Maitland Giants 7
Major League B Reserve
Thistle 0; Helderberg Pirates 9
Van der Stel 11; Grassy Park Crusaders 7
Battswood on bye
Sunday:
Major League B
Thistle 8; Milnerton Mavericks 5
Helderberg Pirates 1; Grassy Park Crusaders 12
Van der Stel 15; Battswood 2
Westridge Yankees on bye
Major League B Reserve
Thistle 6; Milnerton Mavericks 5
Helderberg Pirates 8; Grassy Park Crusaders 5
Van der Stel 9; Battswood 0 (default)
Westridge Yankees on bye
