The Waiheke Islanders Baseball team won their second game is as many games, defeating McLeans College 11-6 Wednesday afternoon in Auckland.
Waiheke took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Finlay Mathieson walked, stole second and third and scored on Corey Alofivae’s RBI groundout. Mcleans came back with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the first due to Islander wildness on the mound. Waiheke took a 5-2 lead in the 3rd inning capped by 2 run scoring singles by Nick Syred and Corey Alofivae. Hira Pulham relieved Ryan Walton on the mound with his first ever pitching performance. Pulham got the first batter to fly out. The Waiheke defence then caved as the next 2 batters reached base on errors. It should have been three straight outs for Pulham. Pulham was then relieved by Corey Alofivae but not after McLeans had scored 4 runs.
Leading 6-5 in the last inning Mcleans needed only 3 outs for the win. Pinch hitter Zoe Southwood (pictured) singled in her first ever at bat. She advanced on an error then stole 3rd base. Zoe tied the game with a steal of home plate. In the mean time Dillon Bennett and Josh Linnett walked and stole second base. The inning was capped by a 2 run double by Ryan Walton. Corey Alofivae ended the game facing 3 batters in the last inning striking out 2. The Islanders are next in action Monday for the Blue and Gold game and again next Wednesday against Pakaranga at Lloyd Elsmore.
