Flame After The Last Laugh Against Kookas
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday January 17, 2004
THE Illawarra Flame are primed to deliver the biggest upset of the Sydney Major League season against competition leaders Baulkham Hills Kookaburras tomorrow.
They came within a whisker of upstaging the Kookaburras in the first game of their round 15 meeting, losing 1-0 on Wednesday at Blacktown Olympic Park.
While Illawarra coach Andrew Coad conceded earlier this week that his team would not make the semifinals, he also said that tomorrow's clash presented Illawarra with their best chance of upsetting Baulkham Hills.
On Wednesday, the league leaders featured five players from the NSW team which will contest the 2004 Claxton Shield at Blacktown Olympic Park next week.
These players will be missing from the Kookaburras' line-up tomorrow, presenting the Flame with a great opportunity to pick up a much-needed win.
Wednesday night's clash was a remarkably tight defensive game controlled by some brilliant pitching. Both teams managed just one hit apiece, while the Kookaburras made two errors to the Flame's one.
Baulkham Hills' winning run, which came in the third inning, was unearned.
Meanwhile, in other baseball news, four Illawarra representatives will turn out for the Australian Provincial team at the Claxton Shield which is scheduled to run from tomorrow until January 24.
Catcher Trent D'Antonio, pitchers Brad Drain and Jonathan Hall and outfielder Ben Shepherd will play against teams representing Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and NSW.
The Provincials will play the tournament curtain-raiser against defending champions Queensland Rams.
The powerful Rams outfit includes David Nilsson and former Major League Anaheim Angels second baseman and native Queenslander Trent Durrington in their line-up.
Apart from the four players mentioned, the Provincial side also includes other Illawarra connections, with Dom D'Antonio the assistant coach and Jeff Caines the executive officer of the team.
Former Kiama Braves, ACT and National AAA head coach Trevor Schumm will undertake the same duties with the Australian Provincial team.
Keith Ward and Michael Wells, who were members of the 2002 and 2003 championship-winning Berkeley Eagles outfit, will also play for the side.
© 2004 Illawarra Mercury