Nelson Bay Strikers Baseball Club in their first season back playing in the Newcastle competition have hit the ground running and are now three for three.
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The Bay's grade five and six teams have each won their three games since the season kicked off at the beginning of April - an impressive feat after a sitting the 2018 season out.
"Both fifth and sixth grade [teams] and are leading their competitions," Nelson Bay Baseball Club manager Bill Marshall said. "Our four Sundays of batting practice and infield training in February have proved very valuable as we have hit the ground running."
Saturday's game was a Port Stephens clash with the Strikers and Seaham Storm facing off against each other in both grades at Tomaree Sports Complex.
In both games the Strikers defeated Storm. In grade five the final score was Nelson Bay 9 to Seaham Storm 1.
Nelson Bay's most valuable players in Saturday's game were Hayden McGlinchy, Clinton Walshe and pitcher David Connors.
In their first game on April 6, the Bay's grade five team defeated Charlestown Phoenix 21 to 0 and followed up with a 13 to 1 win against Newcastle University on April 15.
In sixth grade on Saturday the final score was Nelson Bay 15 to Seaham Storm 0.
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Nelson Bay's most valuable grade six players in Saturday's game were Peter Kelly and Robbie Pukallus.
Playing their first game together on April 6, the Bay's grade six team defeated Charlestown Phoenix 20 to 0. On April 15 they defeated the Mayfield Boomerangs 13 to 0.
Since reforming in February the Strikers have 22 registered players including Albert Shelley who played with the club 20 years ago.
"We could happily take on another four players as five of our long-term players have work clashes when we play away from Nelson Bay," Marshall said.
The Nelson Bay Strikers call Don Waring Oval, located at Tomaree Sports Complex, home.
The club was formed in 2018. Due to a shortage of players, the Strikers fielded no teams in the Newcastle Baseball competition in 2018, which was its 25th anniversary year.
Anyone aged 16 or above interested in playing baseball for Nelson Bay, no matter what level of experience they have in the sport, can contact Marshall on 0458 130 099.
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