The Wellington Khaki Sox baseball team travelled to Wales for two games against the Cardiff Merlins AA team.
With the sun shining and ground looking decent, the Sox batted first and started the first game strongly.
Jamie Pollard registered the first hit, finding the gap on the left side of the field, then stealing second base. However, it didn’t’ convert to a run with an excellent Merlins fielding play forcing a very close tag at home plate.
Gian Jimenez took the mound to pitch for Wellington and put in a very solid display over four innings, with his breaking pitches proving particularly effective.
The game remained very close throughout, but the Khaki Sox bats couldn’t find a way to effectively hit the Merlin’s Pitcher.
With Jiminez beginning to ail, the Merlins put together a few hits and walks to start to pull away in the latter innings of the game. Jamie Cox took over pitching duties and unfortunately, couldn’t stem the tide of the Merlins, for them to pull away and finish the game winners, 11 runs to one.
Game two took on a similar feeling, with the Khaki Sox hitters again not firing as they know they are able.
With Jes Jimenez pitching for Wellington, the Merlins were again held through the initial innings.
Khaki Sox did find a way to string together a few hits, walks and an excellent hit by pitch by Duncan Smart, to lead the game by a couple of runs at one point, with Miguel Sanchez hitting a ground rule double to drive in a couple and Natasha Hole also contributing with an RBI.
However, with fielding errors being an issue through the game, and the Merlins bats coming alive late again, the home side pulled away through the fourth and fifth innings to take the game 14-4.
Wellington Khaki Sox truly appreciate the hospitality and welcome shown by the Cardiff club and look forward to returning this in the reverse fixture on Sunday at Wellington Rugby Club.
This is the Khaki Sox first home games this season and the club welcome all to come along and see what baseball is all about.
They are always on the lookout for new talent, so please do make contact, even if you have the smallest interest
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