Comeback victory for Central

TIGERS came out of the blocks firing in the Mount Gambier & District Baseball League Division 1 grand final series but in the end, reigning champions Central successfully defended their title on the newly named Sid Hosking Field at Blue Lake Sports Park.

Tigers dominated game 1 with a 15-5 scoreline before Central bounced back in the do-or-die game two with an 8-4 win.

The reigning titleholders then dominated the series decider with a 17-1 demolition, with Kyall McClean taking out the series MVP – the Burner Family Trophy.

In the final game of a hard–fought three–game series, Central dominated from the get-go delivering a commanding 17–1 victory to secure the championship.

Tigers actually struck first, scratching across a run in the top of the first on a well–placed ball that led to an error but that early spark was quickly answered—and then some.

Central flipped the script in the bottom of the first, erupting for eight runs on five hits.

The big blow came off the bat of Colby Muller, who delivered a two–run single that energised the entire dugout.

The onslaught continued in the second inning, where Central added five more runs.

Josh Chuck started things with a double, McClean followed with a two–run single, and a pair of errors helped push across additional runs.

McClean was the engine of the offense all day.

The leadoff hitter collected four hits in five at–bats, driving in five runs with a combination of timely singles and a triple.

Chuck added two hits of his own, and the team showed excellent discipline at the plate, drawing six walks – Dylan Gull leading the way with two.

On the mound, Gull was nothing short of dominant.

He went the distance, tossing seven strong innings while allowing just five hits and one unearned run.

He struck out seven and walked only one, keeping Tigers’ hitters off balance from start to finish.

For Tigers, Joseph Sims came on in relief and provided five innings of work, striking out five and showing plenty of fight on the mound.

Matt Thompson, Toby McKinnon, Riley Rolph, Jai Hillstone, and Alex Reppin each collected hits, ensuring the offense continued to compete throughout.

The game was a fitting conclusion to a thrilling series. Central’s explosive early innings, combined with a masterful pitching performance and a disciplined approach at the plate, proved to be the winning formula.

A dominant performance to close out the series and claim the championship.