After both bad weather and the Covid-19 shutdown, Strathalbyn finally played against USC Bears for the first time this season. Strath had some good hits in their first turn at bat and got runners on to base but were unable to bring anyone home with Bears doing a great job in the field with an out at second and two outs at first. Bears were three up three down in their first batting dig with Strath’s pitcher/catcher combo of Tessa Norris to Gab Martin starting off with a K2, second baser Kathryn “Buttsy'' Milne fielding and throwing to Kelly Roe at first base and then Norris took a catch to end the Bears innings. Strath had their mind on getting runs on the board and did so with Crystal Karayiannis and Emily Eglits getting on base and then stealing and running the bases well when hits were made to both get home before Bears made two outs at first and an out at home to send Strath from the diamond. Two quick outs at first base made by Strath gave them confidence in the field but then Bears switched on and through great hits and excellent base running they brought three runners home before Strath could end the innings with an out at third base. Strath were held scoreless in their next four batting digs with Bears on fire in the field and the Strath batters, even though they were getting hits, unable to pick the gaps. Strath held the Bears to one run in their third and fifth digs, while they were scoreless in their fourth. Highlights for Strath fielders during these digs were four outs at first, two K2’s, an out at second and catches taken in the outfield by Karayiannis and Eliza Lovelock.  A close game with fun and great sportsmanship with the final scores for the game…..USC Bears 5 defeated Strathalbyn 2.

In the other ‘A’ grade game of the round, Torrens Valley defeated Hahndorf 4-2. The competition now goes into recess until matches resume on Friday 22 January.