Nick Kimpton vs SA Jan
Game two of the top of the ladder clash was one was intense all the way to the end. With South Australia winning 6 - 4.
The Heat struck first in the bottom of the third scoring two runs off a Nick Kimpton double to center field bringing home Mitch Graham and Dallas Christison. The South Australia’s got on the board in the fifth inning scoring one run off a Smith single to center field scoring Collins.
South Australia then tied the game up in the top of the seventh scoring one run off a fielders choice to first baseman Matt Kennelly who chose to attempt a double play and short stop Dallas Christison drop the throw allowing pinch runner Nick Talbot to score.
The Heat rebounded quickly and scored two in their half of the seventh. Lachlan Dale led off with a walk. Chris House laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Dale to second. Bryant Kraus then drew a two out walk bringing Dallas Christison to the plate who redeemed himself smacking a double to the gap, scoring Dale and Kraus. Bringing the score four to two.
South Australia then also rebounded just as fast and scored four runs in the eighth. Jeremy Cresswell drew a lead off walk and a pitch then hit Stefan Welch, bringing runners to first and second. Ryan Murphy then laid down a sacrifice bunt moving the runners to second and third. Michael Collins was then intentionally walked. With loaded bases the next two batters drew bases loaded walks that tied the game at four’s. Still with loaded bases Mathew Smith singled to left field, which scored two runs that ended up being the winning runs needed to tie the series at one game apiece. That was all that was needed for Chris Lawson who shut down the Heat’s offense in the last two innings and picking up the win in the process.
