Led by Connor Wear’s home run and double, Bellingen rebounded from a narrow loss the week before to defeat the Coffs Harbour Allstars 14-8 in a see-saw encounter on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After the Allstars grabbed an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning, Wear blasted a two-out two-run homer to put the junior Brewers ahead 2-1. Coffs regained the lead with two runs in their next turn at bat, but it was short-lived as Bellingen answered with five runs to go back in front 7-3.
Again the Allstars rallied with four runs to level the scores at 7, with Luke Greenwood making a run-saving play at second base for the Brewers for the final out of the inning. Bellingen then retook the lead for good with five more runs, sparked by run-scoring singles from Aiden Oliver and James Cecil and capped by a ringing double from Cam Rutherford.
Coffs Harbour could manage just one run in reply, with Luke Mitchell and Rutherford combining to twice cut down Allstars runners at the plate trying to score on errant pitches. Wear stroked his double to get the Brewers started in their final at bat as they scored twice more to nail down the 14-8 win.
Bellingen’s senior sides had less success against the competition-leading Sawtell Dodgers. In B grade they ran into a Sawtell buzz saw in a one-sided 23-0 loss. Great running catches in the outfield by Jon Lowe and Joel Northcott were highlights for Bellingen in an otherwise forgettable performance.
The Brewers A grade side fared only slightly better, falling to the Dodgers 13-3. Cooper-Bake Smith, with two hits, one run scored and one batted in, and Rob Kozik, with a hit, a run scored and an outstanding running catch in left field, were best for the Brewers.
Bellingen’s senior sides are back in action Saturday against the Allstars, which they hope will see a reversal of their recent poor form. Ironically, the only two losses for the Allstars and the only two wins for the Brewers in A grade this season have been against each other.