“From the Diamond” Round 4

3 Nov

A SALUTE TO MR FIDGE (1st November)

The number of players who have played 800 games for their club – and mostly in the top two divisions is rare, with Goodwood saluting their veteran Darren Fidge with an 11-inning, 3-2 victory at Mitcham against reigning premier Sturt on his milestone day.

How the Indians won the game is amazing, as Sturt had two chances to blow the scoreline out but didn’t, and all Goodwood’s runs were unearned.

At the top of the opening frame, Peter Paech reached base on an error, went to third on Brodie Heeps’ single and scored on a wild throw.

But Sturt looked like opening up a lead in the bottom of the third dig, after walks to Jack Dawson and Harry Knuckey, and Jonas Garcia was hit by a pitch, for the bases to be loaded with none out, but only scored one run, on Mitch Lightbody’s grounder.

Then in the bottom of the sixth, consecutive one-out hits to Jackson Brebner-Russ, Blake Farr and Tyler Green saw one run in and the threat of many more, but the Saints’ lead was restricted to just 2-1.

Heading to the top of the ninth inning, Alexander Gray led off for Goodwood and reached on an error, went to third base on Heeps’ single and came home on Billy Sutton’s sac fly to make it 2-2. And although Griffen Weber hit a two-out double to have runners at second and third bases, they were stranded.

And in the bottom of the ninth with two out, Sturt loaded the bases but could not plate the winner.

Neither side could score in the 10th dig, which led to the 11th, where Goodwood scored placed runner Dylan Howarth, after a Gray infield single and Paech’s sac fly, with the Saints pushing hard but unable to respond.

Tom Fitzgerald pitched four innings in relief for the win, conceding three hits for four strikeouts. Liam Scott started for the Indians and did not give up a hit in four frames, while collecting eight K2s. Fidge pitched 1.1 digs in relief, for one hit and two K2s.

For Sturt, starter Austin McClure threw 5.2 innings for seven hits and four K2s, while Tyler Green finished the game, conceding five hits for three K2s in taking the loss.

Other Round Highlights

Henley & Grange defeated Northern Districts 4–0 at West Lakes, powered by two big Jacks. The Rams’ runs came off two home runs — Jet Clohessy’s two-run bomb and Wilson Lee’s solo dinger — backed by Jordy Grose’s dominant eight shutout innings with 10 strikeouts.

Southern Districts held off Kensington 5–3 in the late game at West Beach, with strong performances from Jake Campbell, Matt Hutchings, and Jacob Morin, who struck out nine over 5.1 innings.

East Torrens continued their impressive season, defeating Gawler Rangers 15–6, fuelled by a seven-run first inning and standout performances from Charlie Ashcroft, Luke Chandler, and Owen Couzner.

Woodville broke open their game against Glenelg with a 12–2 win, highlighted by Cesar Perez’s home run and AJ Verastegui’s 12 strikeouts across six innings.

Adelaide secured a 10–3 victory over Port Adelaide, led by Max Tracey’s perfect five-hit performance (including a home run) and Ben Ganley’s four hits.

West Torrens dominated Golden Grove Central Districts 11–0 at Lockleys, capped off by Mason Clavell’s two-run walk-off home run and Austin Gallagher’s earlier dinger.

Division One Results

Southern Districts d Kensington 5–3
Henley & Grange d Northern Districts 4–0
East Torrens d Gawler Rangers 15–6
Woodville d Glenelg 12–2
Adelaide d Port Adelaide 10–3
West Torrens d GGCD 11–0
Goodwood d Sturt 3–2 (11 innings)