Port Macquarie Spartans Baseball Team

A fabulous pre-Spring Sunday saw the Spartans playing at home to the Mariners in the B Grade semi-final. After occupying last place on the ladder for the first several weeks of the regular season, the Spartans B Grade team have played with grit throughout the remainder of the season to ultimately claw their way into second position.

Constrained to a bare-nine line up, the Spartans took the diamond facing a reinforced Mariners’ side who came out with bats swinging. The impact didn’t take long to be felt, with the Mariners quickly plating 7 runs in the top of the first, triggering the mercy rule.

While keen to begin closing the gap, the Spartans were held to 2 runs in the bottom of the first, with runs earned thanks to the efforts of Michael Potts and Mick Marthick.

Trailing 7-2 into the second, the Spartans’ defence found another gear and both teams were able to hold each other scoreless across the second and third innings. In the top of the second, the Spartans’ secured outs with a pair of strike outs to starting pitcher Jade Holstein, and a catch at left field to Marthick. In the top of the third, the Mariners’ batters were retired thanks to a 6-3 play between Troy Hill and Potts, a 5-3 play between Tony Bransdon and Potts, and a catch off the mound by Holstein.

Scoring resumed in the top of the fourth, with four of the Mariners batters able to find home before outs were taken by a put-out at first by Potts, a catch at right field by Joseph Carbonetti, and a put-out at third by Brandson.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Spartans’ Chris Michell was the only batter able to plate a run.

After the Mariners scored a further run in the top of the fifth, the Spartans were able to return with the bat due to a pair of strike outs to closing pitcher Marthick, and a 4-3 play between Carbonetti and Potts.

In the bottom of the fifth, each of Matt Barrow and Marthick were able to chalk up runs for the Spartans.

With the clock running down and holding a 12-5 lead, the Mariners sought to take a win out of the reach of the Spartans as they pushed a further two runs across the plate in the top of the sixth, despite a trio of strike outs to Marthick.

Facing insurmountable odds and a scene reminiscent of the Battle of Thermopylae, the Spartans’ continue to battle in the bottom of the sixth, plating three runs thanks to Chris Oliver, Barrow and Potts, before the final outs were secured by the Mariners.

Despite fighting from behind from the outset, the Spartans battled heroically across 6 innings, embodying the Spartans’ motto of “No Retreat, No Surrender”. While the 8-14 loss hurts, there is much for the team to be proud of across the game and this year, and it’s exciting to look forward to building from a strong base going into the 2027 season. We’ve always got a place for new and returning players, so it’s never too early to reach out to us and express your interest.

Excitingly, we also look forward to this Sunday as the Spartans’ A Grade play home to the Wauchope Giants in the A Grade Grand Final. Bring a chair, nibbles, and a big-voice, and come join us at Blackbutt Oval by 12.30pm for what promises to be an exciting 7-innings of quality ball.

With the Grand Final round still ahead of us, we again thank

Samone Holstein for her optical mastery 📸

Karen Potts for again being the guaranteed winner of Survivor - the Baseball Scorers Edition ⚾️

Our thanks also to our wonderful sponsors
Finnian's Irish Tavern
Moorebeer Brewing Co.
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie

Last weekend the Spartans were away to the Pirates on Diamond 1 in the last regular season round for 2026.

In B Grade, the Spartans started strongly with three quick runs being scored by Chris Oliver, Sean Faichney, and Mick Marthick.

The Pirates responded aggressively in the bottom of the first, scoring six runs before the Spartans were able to retire the side with a pair of strikeouts to Marthick, and a 6-3 play between Faichney and Michael Potts.

In the top of the second the Spartans were kept to a single run, scored by Joseph Carbonetti.

In response, a tighter field also saw the Spartans keep the Pirates to a single run, aided by a catch at shortstop by Faichney, a 4-3 play between Jade Holstein and Potts, and a caught line-drive at second by Holstein.

Despite their efforts to narrow the 4-7 gap, the Spartans bats were only able to claw back another 2 runs in the third, with runs to Cody Dw and Troy Hill.

Retaining a one-run lead, the Pirates again broke away in the bottom of the third, scoring 7 runs before the seven-run mercy rule ended the innings.

In the top of the fourth, the Spartans continued to find fielders, with only a single run being earned by Marthick.

With a commanding 14-7 lead, the Pirates chalked up another 2 runs before a pair of 6-3 plays and a catch at left field by Marthick gave the Spartans a final opportunity with the bat.

Facing an almost insurmountable task, the Spartans bats finally found the form they'd been fighting for, with runs scored by Chris Michell, Carbonetti, Oliver, Faichney, Marthick, and Bailey Michell. With six runs across the plate and bases loaded, the Pirates intentionally walked Oliver to push Hicks across the plate, and triggering the Mercy Rule to end the Spartans’ come-back.

With a 16-14 win, the Pirates took the game and secured their position as B-grade minor premiers - congratulations Pirates.

Despite the loss, the Spartans were able to secure the second place on the ladder and will take on the Mariners in the semifinals this weekend.

In A grade, an again depleted Spartan side took a while to warm up with Ben Hickey the only batter to score in the first. The Spartans’ defence remained tight though, retiring the Pirates' first three batters with a catch at center field by Blake Owen, a catch at right field by Chris Oliver and a 1-3 play between Hickey and Mick Marthick.

In the second, the Spartans began finding bases, aided by a safe hit to left field by Ben Thiele and a double to center field by Owen. Thiele and Cody Hicks were ultimately able to convert their efforts to runs, providing the Spartans with a 3-0 lead.

The Spartans held the Pirates to a single run in the bottom of the second due to a pair of strikeouts to Hickey and a 4-3 play between Sean Faichney and Marthick.

In the third, the Spartans were able to plate a further five runs with multiple batters finding safe hits in the outfield, including a safe hit to center and right by Thiele and Marthick respectively, and a double to centre by Faichney. Each of Hickey, Thiele, Owen, Marthick and Faichney were able to plate runs, expanding the Spartans lead to 8-1.

In the bottom of the third, the Spartans again held the Pirates to a single run with a 4-3 play, a catch at third by Thiele and a catch off the mound by Hickey.

After being held scoreless by the Pirates in the fourth, the Spartans allowed a single run to be clawed back in the bottom of the innings before shutting down the Pirates’ bats with a pair of strikeouts to Hickey, and a catch at right field to Oliver.

In the top of the fifth, the Spartans were able to expand their lead to 10-3 with runs being plated by Thiele and Owen.

The bottom of the fifth saw a change on the mound and the wheels on the Spartans’ chariot start to wobble with the Pirates plating 6 runs. With two outs thanks to a catch at left field by Marthick, and 5-3 play between Thiele and Forster, the Spartans found themselves clinging to a 10-9 lead and facing the need to bat in the bottom of the fifth. Keen to close the game, Chris Forster took to the mound, quickly finding the Spartans a ground ball and the third out at second by short stop, Hickey.

The win sees the Spartans’ A Grade formally secure the minor premiership with an impressive 12-1 Win-Loss record, and they have earned themselves a rest-week before heading to the Grand Final on 6 September 2026. This year our A Graders have maintained a steady, but humble dominance and have done the Spartans’ proud.

The Kaz’s Play of the Day was awarded to Mick Marthick for a sliding catch at left field.

Our repeated appreciation to

Samone Holstein for her mastery with the freeze frame 📸

Karen Potts for her dazzle with the stats ⚾️

Our additional thanks to our invaluable sponsors

Finnian's Irish Tavern
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings
Moorebeer Brewing Co.
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope

With the rain threatening, the Spartans were home to the Middle Rock Mariners on the weekend.

B Grade were welcomed to the diamond with a shower and the Mariners’ lead off batter sought to set the tone by securing an early run. Adjusting to the maritime conditions, the Spartans shut down the next three batters thanks to a catch at short-stop by Troy Hill, a strike out to starting pitcher Jade Holstein, and a catch at second base by Chris Michell.

Keen to reply, Chris Oliver and Holstein both hit doubles, and were able to quickly convert those to runs with Oliver finding home on a sacrifice play by Michael Potts, and Holstein being driven home on a safe hit to centre field by Tony Bransdon.

With the weather continuing to create home-like conditions for the Mariners, they struck back aggressively in the top of the second, securing six runs and retaking a 7-2 lead. The Spartans were ultimately able to return to the dugout following a 1-2 play between Holstein and Potts, and a pair of strike outs to Holstein.

In a display of bat discipline, the Spartans answered with six runs of their own in the bottom of the second, with runs scored by each of Chris Michell, Joseph Carbonetti, Oliver, Potts, Holstein and Matt Barrow.

Holding a narrow but hard fought 8-7 lead, the Spartans held the Mariners scoreless in the third, quickly shutting down the bottom of the Mariners’ lineup thanks to a 5-3 play between Brandson and Potts, a 4-3 play between Holstein and Potts, and a 2-3 dropped third strike play between Oliver and Potts.

Determined to extend their lead, the Spartans were able to secure a further four runs in the bottom of the third, with each of Manbir Kulbicki, Oliver, Potts and Barrow finding home, with Potts and Barrow being driven in by a double to right field by Brandson.

With the clock running down and the Spartans holding a 12-7 lead, the Mariners came out swinging, with the first three batters quickly clawing back runs thanks to a pair of doubles. Faced with a closing gap, the Spartans’ defence refocused, ending the innings with a 5-3 play between Brandson and Potts, a 1-3 play between Bailey Michell and Potts, and 6-4 play between Hill and Holstein.

The Spartans 12-10 win moves our B Grade team into second place on the ladder, and secures a spot in the semi-final, currently scheduled for 30 August 2026.

Despite managing a depleted line up, A Grade were focused to capitalise on B Grade’s momentum and secure a win off the back of last weekend’s first loss of the season.

Apparently the Mariners’ lead off batter didn’t get the Spartans’ memo as he came out swingIng, quickly chalking up their first run. Keen to ensure the runs didn’t continue, the Spartans were able to shut down the Mariners’ batters with a put-out at third by Chris Forster and a double play involving a put-out at second by the Spartans’ short-stop Ben Hickey, and a throw to assist Todd Maiden secure the third out at first.

Eager to reset the tone and take the lead, the Spartans’ batters started their attack taking nine runs in the bottom of the first, with Blake Owen, Bryce Procter, Maiden, Bailey Michell, Cameron Rutherford and Chris Oliver all finding home, and Hickey finding home twice. Both Owen and Hickey led with bat, with Owen smashing a double to right field, and Hickey taking a pair of doubles, the first to left field, and the second to centre field.

Holding the momentum of a 9-1 lead, the Spartans defence held the Mariners to a single run in the second, facilitated by a 6-3 play from Hickey to Maiden, put-out at first by Maiden, a catch at left field by Michell.

In a tighter bottom of the second, Michell and Rutherford were able to add two runs for the Spartans and extend their lead to 11-2.

The Spartans held the Mariners scoreless in the third, thanks to a catch at centre field by Owen, a catch at short stop by Hickey, and a strike out to Rutherford, before the Spartans bat’s returned with each of Michell, Jade Holstein, Oliver and Hickey adding runs, aided by Hickey’s third double of the game, this time to left field.

In the fourth, Mariners looked to fight back, finding home four times before the Spartans were able to shut down the innings thanks to a pair of 4-6 plays between Holstein and Hickey, a 6-3 play between Hickey and Maiden.

After holding the Spartans scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, the Mariners sought a come back, plating three runs before the Spartans were able to close the innings and game with a strike out to Hickey, a 3-6 play between Maiden and Forster, and a difficult caught fly deep at second by Holstein.

With the Spartans taking the game 15-9 and one regular season game remaining, A Grade have reinforced their spot in the grand final, and their position as minor premiers.

This weeks Kaz’s Play of the Day goes to Jade Holstein for his best ‘all rounder’ performance across the mound, field, and with the bat in both grades.

Our thanks as always to our season sponsors
Finnian's Irish Tavern
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope
Moorebeer Brewing Co.

And our amazing

Samone Holstein for going above and beyond in the rain 📸

Karen Potts for her endless hours behind the scorebooks ⚾️

Round 11 saw B Grade take a 13 - 10 win against the Giants, and A Grade took their first loss of the season, going down 15-9.

Our thanks to Samone Holstein for the capturing the game in ways that words can’t 📸

And our ongoing gratitude to our sponsors

Finnian's Irish Tavern
Moorebeer Brewing Co.
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie

Under perfect winter skies, the Spartans hosted the Pirates last weekend in the Hastings Baseball Memorial Round.

In B Grade, the Spartans and Pirates competed for the Ken Barnes Memorial Cup, named in honour of the Pirates’ patriarch and former player, Ken Barnes.

In A Grade, the battle was for the Goldspink Memorial Shield, named in honour of former Spartan and Hastings Baseball President, Phillip Goldspink. The Shield memorialises those warriors who have since departed, with Matt Fenton (formerly Matt Allen) also named on the shield.

Keen to secure the Cup in B grade, the Pirates came out swinging, scoring four early runs. The Spartans were ultimately able to close down the innings thanks to a put-out at first by Michael Potts, a 6-3 play between Sean Faichney and Potts, and a 2-5 play between Chris Oliver and Matt Barrow shutting-down an attempted Pirate steal from 2nd to 3rd.

The Pirates soon demonstrated their defence to be as focused as their attack, keeping the Spartans scoreless in the bottom of the first.

The pressure on the Spartans continued in the top of the second, with the Pirates plating an additional three runs before two strikeouts by Jade Holstein, and a catch at left field by Mick Marthick gave the Spartans a turn with the bat.

After again holding the Spartans scoreless in the bottom of the second, the Pirates continued the assault scoring a further four runs in the top of the third. Keen to stem the bleeding, a trio of strikeouts by Marthick secured the Spartans another opportunity to begin clawing back some runs.

In the bottom of the third, a renewed focus with the bat enabled Faichney and Marthick to each plate a run, enabling the Spartans to move into the fourth trailing 11-2.

Bailey Michell came on to close for the Spartans, keeping the Pirates scoreless in the top of the fourth, thanks to a catch at centre field by Troy Hill, a strikeout by Michell, and a caught foul-fly at home by Oliver.

Although keen to close the gap further, the Spartans were only able to plate a single run in the bottom of the fourth, with Oliver making it home before the game was closed out by the Pirates taking an 11-4 win, and the inaugural Barnes Memorial Cup.

Despite the absence of two key players in A Grade, the Spartans were keen to maintain their winning season streak, and to secure the Shield.

Riding the momentum of their B Grade win, the Pirates took an early lead scoring two runs before the Spartans were able to close the innings thanks to a catch at centre field by Cody Dw, a strike out to Todd Maiden, and a dropped-strike 2-3 play between Bryden Kouwenberg and Ben Thiele.

The Spartans shaky start continued with their bats being held scoreless in the bottom of the first, allowing the pirates to take a 2-0 lead into the top of the second.

Keen to end the Pirates’ momentum, the Spartans’ defence was able to keep a tight innings thanks to a pair of strikeouts by Maiden, and a 4-3 play between Cameron Rutherford and Thiele.

In the bottom of the second, the green shoots of a Spartan attack began to grow with Bailey Michell plating a run, and closing the gap on a Pirates 2-1 lead.

The Spartans‘ defence continued in the top of the third, again holding the Pirates scoreless thanks to a strike out by Maiden, a second catch at centre field by Hicks, and a second dropped-strike 2-3 play between Kouwenberg and Thiele.

In the bottom of the third the momentum of attack continued to build for the Spartans, with both Bryce Procter and Maiden scoring runs, and handing the Spartans a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the fourth, the Pirates were able to claw back a single run and tie the score, due to an unfortunate wild throw during a pickoff attempt. Focused by the error, the Spartans closed the innings with a pair of strikeouts by Maiden, and a 6-4 play between Proctor and Rutherford.

Motivated to extend the lead in the bottom of the fourth, each of Thiele, Chris Forster, Proctor and Michell were able to secure runs for the Spartans, aided by stand-up doubles to each of Forster and Michell.

Facing a 7-3 Spartan lead, the Pirates were held to a single run on a wild pitch, before the innings was closed with a pair of strike outs, and 1-6 play between Maiden and Procter catching the runner attempting to steal second.

In the bottom of the fifth the Spartans were able to widen the lead and secure the win with each of Hicks, Thiele, and Forster scoring for the Spartans, thanks to a triple to right field by Forster.

Securing a 10-4 victory, the Spartans maintained their 10-0 win streak for the season, and secured the Goldspink Memorial Shield.

This week‘s ”Kaz’ Play of the Day” was awarded to Cody Hicks for his pair of catches while cameoing as a centre fielder in Blake Owen’s absence (massive congrats on the new bub Blakey!).

Our thanks to our valued sponsors
Finnian's Irish Tavern
Moorebeer Brewing Co.
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings

And our Spartan thanks to:

Samone Holstein for sating our optical needs 📸

Karen Potts for scribing scores like Lycurgus’ laws ⚾️

As the mercury continued to fall, the Spartans continued to generate heat in both grades as they played away to the Mariners this week.

B Grade started with a blast as a combination of hitting and bat discipline facilitated an early 6 runs with each of Chris Oliver, Michael Potts, Mick Marthick, Jade Holstein, Tony Bransdon and Chris Michell each chalking up a run for the Spartans in the top of the first.

The Mariners sought to answer early, clawing back 3 runs before the Spartans were able to close out the innings thanks to a 6-3 play from Sean Faichney to Potts, an infield fly, and a caught fly at short stop by Faichney.

The Spartans’ scoring continued into the top of second with runs to Potts, Faichney and Marthick enabling B Grade to take a 9 - 3 lead into the bottom of the second.

On a defensive roll, the Spartans were able to keep the Mariners scoreless, with outs secured by a 4-3 double play thanks to a caught fly by Bailey Michell at second, and an out at first when the Mariner’s batter was left stranded away from the bag on the catch. The third out was secured by a second 4-3 play between B. Michell and Potts.

Keen to keep the scoreboard ticking over, the Spartans bats opened up with doubles to Potts and B. Michell, and runs being plated by Oliver, Potts, Faichney and B. Michell.

The Mariners were again kept scoreless in the bottom of the third, thanks to a 4-3 play between B. Michell and Potts, a strike out to Holstein, and a caught fly at second by B. Michell.

In the fourth, both the Spartans and the Mariners kept each other scoreless, with outs being secured by the Spartans through a 1-3 play between Holstein and Potts, a 5-3 play between Brandson and Potts, and a 2-5 play between Oliver and Brandson.

Heading into the top of the fifth with a 13-3 lead, Holstein was able to plate a final run for the Spartans before the Mariners made a final push to close the gap. While the Mariners were able to score two, the Spartans were able to close the game with a pair of strike outs to Holstein and a 1-3 play between Holstein and Potts.

Walking away with a 14-5 scoreboard, the Spartans B Grade secured their fourth win of the season, and were able to edge themselves into second place on the leaderboard.

Despite several absences from the regular A Grade line up, the Spartans were able to continue their season’s momentum in to the top of the first with early scoring to Ben Thiele, Mick Marthick, Ben Hickey and Cameron Rutherford.

The Mariners hit back with a quick, single run before the Spartan’s secured outs through a 5-3 play between Thiele and Marthick, a caught fly at centre field by Todd Maiden and a strike out to Hickey.

After being kept scoreless in the top of the second, the Spartans‘ tight defence returned the favour with a caught fly by Bailey Michell at second, and a further strike out to Hickey.

The Spartans’ bats returned in the top of the third with doubles to Hickey and Bryce Procter, single runs scored by each of Thiele, Hickey, Proctor, and Chris Oliver, and two runs being scored by each of Maiden, B. Michell and Rutherford.

Taking a 15-1 lead into the bottom of the third, the Mariners were able to find four runs, before the innings was closed out with a strike out to Thiele, and a 6-3 play from Proctor to Marthick.

In the fourth, Marthick was able to chalk up an extra run for the Spartans, before the Mariners were again shut out with a caught fly at first, a catch by Hickey at centre field, and 6-3 play between Proctor and Marthick.

Taking a 16-5 lead into the fifth, Rutherford, Bryden Kouwenberg and Thiele were able to plate three runs, aided by a double to left field by Thiele. Keen to close the gap, the Mariners were able to score two in the bottom of the fifth before a 6-5 play between Proctor and Maiden led to an out at third, and the innings was closed with a 1-3 play between Thiele and Marthick.

The 19-7 win to the Spartans A Grade also takes them to 9-0 for the season, as they continue to hold first spot on the leaderboard.

Our ongoing thanks to the support from our longterm sponsors
Finnian's Irish Tavern
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie
Moorebeer Brewing Co.

And our special thanks to

Samone Holstein 📸 for being lenstacular.

Karen Potts ⚾️ for being statstacular.

Additional thanks to Michael Potts (plate) and Jade Holstein (base) for their collective efforts in stepping up and umpiring the A Grade game.

Eager to chalk up their third win for the season, the Spartans B Grade played host to the Giants in round 8.

With Bryden Kouwenberg taking the mound for the Spartans, the top of the first innings saw the Giants held to a pair of runs, with Kouwenberg retiring two on strike outs, and a third returning to the dug out after being caught attempting to steal second with a 2-4 throw from Chris Oliver to Jade Holstein.

With the bat, the Spartans asserted themselves early, completing a run through of the line up with each of Oliver, Michael Potts, Mick Marthick and Holstein plating runs to give the Spartans an early 4-2 lead.

The Giants fought back in the top of the third, taking three runs before the Spartans were able to shut down the scoring thanks to a put-out at third by Tony Bransdon, and a second pair of strike outs by Kouwenberg.

Trailing by one, and back at the top of the batting order, disciplined batting by the Spartans was rewarded with runs being scored by each of Oliver, Potts, Sean Faichney, Marthick, Holstein, Matt Barrow, and Brandson.

Despite the Spartans’ 11-3 lead, the Giants continued to battle, quickly loading the bases. With two missing thanks to a 1-3 play between Kouwenberg and Potts to remove the lead-off batter, and a forced out at home on a 5-2 play between Brandson and Oliver, the Giants’ scored three thanks to a monster double to centre field by their one-spot batter. Keen for another bat, Kouwenberg struck out the next batter to shut down the innings and take the Spartans into the bottom of the third.

Racing the clock, the Spartans continued to show discipline with the bat, ultimately enabling Marthick, Holstein, and Troy Hill to score. At the end of the game, the Spartans were able to take away a hard-fought 14-8 win.

A Grade continued their season form, with Todd Maiden taking the mound to start the game and quickly retiring the Giants first three batters thanks to a strike out, a 4-3 play from Bryden Kouwenberg to Ben Thiele, and a caught fly taken at short stop by Bryce Procter.

The Spartans offence started with a minor wobble as the led off batter flied out to second, but was quickly restored as each of Chris Forster and Blake Owen found first base, only then to be driven home by a signature double to centre field by Proctor.

Taking a 2-0 lead into the top of the second, the defence continued with the Giants being held to a single unearned run, and the Spartans securing outs through a 1-6 play at second between Maiden and Proctor, a caught foul fly behind the dish by Ben Hickey, and a strike out to Maiden.

After being held scoreless in the bottom of the second, the Spartans returned the favour to the Giants in the top of the third thanks to a sliding catch at centre field by Blake Owen, a caught line drive by Foster at third, and further strike out to Maiden.

The pattern continued across the bottom of the third and top of the fourth. With Cameron Rutherford taking the mound to avoid Maiden becoming pitch restricted, he was able to quickly dispensed with the Giants‘ eight and nine spot batters with a pair of strike outs, before Hickey secured the third out at home on a great 7-2 play from Bailey Michell at left field.

Keen to extend their lead, the Spartans’ bats began to fire in the bottom of the fourth with outfield singles to Proctor, Maiden, Rutherford, Thiele and Foster, and a double to left field for Kouwenberg. By innings end, each of Proctor, Maiden, Kouwenberg, Rutherford and Thiele had been able to convert to runs, given Spartans a 7-1 advantage.

Always fighters, the Giants began to roar in the top of the fifth with a complete run through of their batting order ultimately plating five runs, before the Spartans were able to end the rally with a jaw-dropping diving catch at centre field by Owen, a caught fly at first by Thiele, and a further catch to Owen.

With a single run lead and limited time on the clock, Hickey was able to plate a final run in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a double from Michell, before the Spartans declared on time, walking away with a 8-6 win, and an 8-0 win record for the season.

This week’s “Kaz’s Play of the Day” was given to Blake Owen for his multiple, running, sliding and diving catches at centre field. To quote Kaz, “He had a blinder… this is why he is the best in the business”.

Our thanks to the support we continue to receive from our sponsors
Finnian's Irish Tavern
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings
Moorebeer Brewing Co.
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie

And our unsurrending Spartan gratitude to:

Samone Holstein 📸 for being the Queen of the Shutter

Karen Potts ⚾️ for being our Scorebook Tsar.

Thanks also to Jade Holstein for riding sh***un in the scorers’ shed with Kaz during A Grade. ✏️

With a forecast of rain, Round 8 saw the Spartans playing away to the Pirates on diamond 2.

Keen to build on a pair of wins, the Spartans’ B Grade looked to make a quick start with the first two batters, Chris Oliver and Michael Potts, quickly finding base. With the Spartans eager to swing the bat, Oliver was able to put the Spartans on the board, before the Pirates retired the next three batters due to a pop-up catch, and a pair of run-outs at first.

The bottom of the first saw Holstein put on a strong display on the mound. Unfortunately though, the Pirates were able to find multiple holes in the field, plundering 5 runs before the Spartans closed out the innings thanks to a catch at short stop by Sean Faichney, a strike out by Holstein, and a 6-3 play between Faichney and Potts.

Despite their efforts to claw back runs, the Spartans were kept scoreless across the second and third innings as multiple hits found the Pirates’ fielders, including a monster hit by Holstein going straight down the fielder’s throat at centre fielder.

With Mick Marthick taking the mound, the Spartans were about to secure outs across the second and third in the form of four strike outs, a 5-3 play between Bailey Michell and Potts, and a second 6-3 play between Faichney and Potts. Unfortunately though, the Pirates were able to score a further three runs, seeing the Spartans trailing 1-8 headed into the fourth.

With plenty of time still available, Matt Barrow sought to lead the way for the Spartans with a combination of bat discipline and aggressive base running. Holstein also found first and was able to get himself in scoring position. With Barrow plating a run for the Spartans, the Pirates were unfortunately able to make three consecutive outs, ending the innings with Holstein left in scoring position.

The Pirates carried their momentum into the bottom of the fourth, scoring a further 5 runs and advancing their lead to 12-2.

Never to surrender, the Spartans began a mini-rally, with further runs scored in the top of the fifth by Oliver, Kouwenberg, Faichney and Barrow, before the Pirates ended the innings to take the game with a 12-6 win.

It was reversed fortunes in A Grade with the Ben Thiele, Blake Owen, Ben Hickey, Todd Maiden, Bailey Michell and Cody Hicks each plating a run in the first innings, and Bryce Proctor arguably smashing the longest home run in Hastings Baseball history to give the Spartans an early 8-0 lead (I’ve heard they’ve now widened the search for the ball, to Kew…).

Keen to avenge their B Grade brothers, the Spartans A Grade were able to quickly retire the Pirates’ first three batters thanks to a tidy 4-6-3 double play from Michell to Proctor to Thiele, and a strike out to Hickey.

Taking an 8-0 led into the top of the second, a second monster hit from Proctor looked to continue the Spartans’ offensive momentum before the ball found the Pirates’ fielder deep at centre field. Maiden was able to put a further run on the board thanks to a line drive to centre field by Hicks, before the Pirates were able to make the third out.

The Spartans were able to quickly close out the Pirates’ second innings with Proctor taking a catch at short stop, and a pair of strike outs from Hickey.

With the Spartans back at the top of their batting order, and despite an interruption in play due to rain, the barrage with the bat recommenced with a safe hit to right field by Thiele, before a Hickey double to left field drove in Thiele, and put Owens in scoring position. Showing a love of the outfield, a safe hit by Proctor to centre field scored Owens and moved Hickey to third. In what was fast becoming a game of follow-the-leader, a line drive by Maiden to centre field scored Hickey, and moved Proctor to second. Discipline with the bat saw Bailey Michell take first, pushing Proctor to third and Hickey to second. Next to bat, Bryden Kouwenberg hit to left field scoring Proctor and Maiden, and moving Michell to second. A hit by Hicks to third enabled Kouwenberg to find second, and secured first base for himself. Back at the top of the line up, a safe hit by Thiele put Kouwenberg in scoring position, and moved Hicks to second before the Pirates called the game, and the Spartans walked away with a 15-0 win.

With the Spartans’ B Grade not presenting her with too many options, the “Kaz’s Play of the Day” went to Bryce Proctor for his spectacular bomb in A Grade. Kaz also called out the Pirates’ master first baseman, Brett Dubar, for his excellent cameo role as the plate umpire for the B Grade game. I’d also call out Kaz for her resilience in the flooded scoring shed during the sudden rain-delay downpour.

As always, our special thanks to:
Samone Holstein 📸 for her endless hours behind the lens.
Karen Potts ⚾️ for her scoring wizardry.

Thanks also to our wonderful sponsors
Finnian's Irish Tavern
Mid North Coast Allied Health - Hastings
Lifestyle Group Port Macquarie and Wauchope
Moorebeer Brewing Co.
INTERSPORT Port Macquarie