Despite some rain earlier in the week, the sun came out on Thursday and the 2019 season re-commenced.

The grass was even cut! Thanks to everyone who came along with rakes to clear up the cuttings.

Diamond One saw Aries host the Jaguars in a fun, close encounter. The lead never reached more than two runs at any point, changed four times throughout the game and the score was tied at the end of the second, fourth and, most importantly, in the seventh inning.

How close the contest was can be summed up by the penultimate play of the game. In the bottom of the seventh, one run behind and with two outs, Aries male MVP Mason Thompson had made it to third base. 

During the next at bat, the ball was hit near the third base line and Mason decided to break for home. The inch of daylight between Jaguars’ pitcher Darren’s glove and Mason as he scored the tying run symbolised how close this game was throughout.

Over on Diamond Two, Las Panteras were hosting the Dodgers. A close first inning suggested this could be a tight game. Las Panteras had more than doubled their lead by the end of the second inning, however, and slowly pulled away by scoring in every inning and inflicting two shutouts on the Dodgers.

Despite the grass literally being mown around both teams, it was the top of the sixth inning that proved to be the turning point of the game. A huge batting performance by Las Panteras to score 15 runs ended the game by mercy rule and in doing so outscored all other teams in the league this week in that one inning!