In two remarkably similar encounters on Saturday, the Bellingen Diggers came up short against the Coffs Harbour Allstars, 7-6 in B grade, then 11-9 in A grade.
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In the first B grade game of the season for both teams, the Allstars jumped in front 2-0 in the top half of the first inning, but the Diggers tied the score with 2 runs of their own in the bottom half. After a scoreless second inning, the Allstars tallied 2 more runs in the top of the third, but the Diggers answered again, this time pushing 4 runs across to grab a 6-4 lead. Scott Hansen's long bases-loaded double was the big blow of the inning.
Bellingen's lead was short-lived, as the Allstars came right back with 3 runs to retake the lead by a run. The Diggers threatened in each of the next two innings but could not score, and the game ended with the Allstars in front, 7-6. Braiden Spalding walked 3 times, scored twice and took 2 top catches in left field for Bellingen, and John Lowe set down the Allstars in order in one inning of relief in his pitching debut.
The A grade feature game between the two teams followed a remarkably similar script. The Allstars scored 2 runs in the top of the first, with the Diggers answering with 2 of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Coffs came back with 2 more runs to grab a 4-2 lead, but Bellingen answered with a big 7-run inning to take what seemed to be a commanding 9-4 lead.
The Diggers, however, quickly gave that lead back to the the Allstars, who responded with 6 runs of their own to take a 10-9 advantage. After the Diggers were held scoreless, and the Allstars added another run to their total, Bellingen put the tying runs aboard with no one out in their final at bat, but the rally again stalled and Coffs held on for the 11-9 win. Hunter Bake-Smith and Nik Doves led the way for the Diggers with each scoring twice.
Although the Diggers are still looking for their first win of the young season, optimism is high at the young club. Talented players new to the team were in evidence across the park in both grades on Saturday, including Doves, Bake-Smith, Spalding and Lowe, as well as veteran Japanese "import" (and former Allstar) Hitoshi Kuwahara and Matt Bryant, who returns to the field after a two-season absence.
