Cougars hit for six

By Russell Bennett
THE BERWICK Cougars had a rough start to a nightmare stretch in their season’s fixture, suffering a tough loss to the league-leading Mulgrave Rebels.
The Cougars mounted a courageous late-game fightback but couldn’t convert it to a victory, going down 6-3.
Star import Josh Leite started the game on the mound and fought hard over six innings, striking out nine Rebel hitters and only giving up four earned runs.
Youngster Nick Veale came on in the last two innings to close the game.
But it was the Rebels’ import who stole the show, pitching the entire game and contributing heavily to a well-earned victory.
The Cougars’ game of the week was their fourths’ heartbreaking loss – by just one run – also to Mulgrave, 10-9.
Berwick’s best start to a game this season left the Rebels clueless, as the Cougars had 13 hitters in the first inning, including seven hits for seven runs. The team was all smiles as it took the field with runs in-hand.
Jessica Lees took to the mound again, attempting to replicate her form from the previous week.
Berwick only gave up three runs to Mulgrave in its first innings but struggled to keep the momentum.
The side gave up four runs in the third, chasing runners.
Fourths coach Brian Lees said, in future games, his side should try to “slow dance with the runners”.
“Just get the ball and tag them,” he said.
The remainder of the game saw Berwick scrambling to stay in the game – showing signs of life but relying on its defence to secure the win.
“Opportunity knocked with a shut out and the top of our order coming up,” Lees said.
“The question was asked; can lightning strike twice? With only one run, the answer was no.
“All tied up with time against us, the best we could do was a draw.
“Some say that a draw is like kissing your sister.
“This we won’t know as the tide could not be held back and the run that counted for so much scrambled across the plate to end the game.”