Red-hot Flame Out To Have Last Laugh
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday November 16, 2002
THE Illawarra Flame will be looking to continue their recent winning form when they take on Sydney Major League baseball competition leaders Baulkham Hills Kookaburras in a double-header at Fred Finch Park today.
The Flame have won their past three games starting with an excellent double against fourth-placed Canterbury Bankstown Vikings at home a fortnight ago.
Last Sunday Illawarra defeated Auburn Orioles 16-10 away but Flame head coach Andrew Coad was concerned that they let their opponents score five unanswered runs in the last three innings.
Coad realises Baulkham Hills will punish any mistakes as they have been the most consistent team in the competition, having lost just two of 16.
The Kookaburras are stronger than they were when twice beaten by the Flame last season.
Whilst those were the only two times Illawarra has defeated Baulkham Hills in eight seasons, Coad was confident of at least splitting today's double-header, but admitted it would be a tough clash.
``Baulkham Hills are a really competitive team and because they lost last week, they will be out to atone for that loss," Coad said.
However the Flame will have Josh Hill swinging the bat for them although he will not be pitching in this game after returning recently from a long season in the US.
``Even though Josh won't be pitching, his mere presence will be a boost for our guys," Coad said.
Illawarra's pitching ranks have been boosted by the acquisition of young Australian Provincial pitcher Andrew Ferris, who has moved from Tamworth and will play his first game with the Flame today.
With Hill expected to pitch in the next couple of weeks, the heavy workload carried by Brad Drain and Jonathan Hall should be lifted.
``Brad and JJ have been a tower of strength for us this season and have had to bear the brunt of the pitching," Coad said.
Jye Pitt is back after missing last weekend's game against Auburn.
Illawarra and Baulkham Hills met in round one this season, Baulkham Hills winning 8-3 under lights at Blacktown Olympic Centre and 2-1 in the daylight game at the Kookaburras' home ground.
The first of today's clashes starts at noon followed by game two at 3pm.
Lower grade games will be played tomorrow, starting with under 18s at 9.30am followed by third grade at noon and second grade at 2.30pm.
Other games this round are Manly Warringah at Ryde Eastwood, North Shore at Cronulla Sutherland, Macarthur at Blacktown, and Auburn at Canterbury Bankstown.
© 2002 Illawarra Mercury