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 Cards out to mark 60th in style 

Cards out to mark 60th in style

12/09/2008 5:00:00 AM
Wests Cardinals have the chance to cap off their 60th anniversary year in style when they take on reigning premiers Berkeley Eagles in the Illawarra Baseball League grand final at Fred Finch Park this weekend.

Cardinals have been the most consistent team all season, finishing on top of the league ladder, and will start favourites after outgunning the Eagles 8-1 in the major semi-final.

Cards pitcher Jamie Simon threw the entire nine innings in that game and will be a significant influence on the outcome of the best-of-three grand final series.

"If we put all our things together, we should go all right," Simon said.

"To win the competition in the club's 60th year, that'd be great.

"I'm getting stronger as I'm getting older. I think I'm listening a bit more, getting a bit wiser."

Simon and Australian Provincial player Blake Handley will shoulder the pitching duties for Wests, with Paul Trembearth as reliever.

Cards have plenty of firepower with the bat including catcher Trent D'Antonio, Chase Richardson, Josh Dean, Ben Garvie, Jeff and Paul Trembearth, while pitchers Simon and Handley have also been hitting well.

The Eagles qualified for the grand final after beating Dapto Chiefs 3-0 in the final at Fred Finch Park last Sunday, with left-handed starter Chris Morgan pitching eight quality innings.

Morgan, together with talented teenagers Joshua Doyle and Jarrett Commane, will play an important role with the ball.

"I think we'll be underdogs after losing the major semi-final, but our pitching was good last week (in the final)," Berkeley head coach Andrew Coad said.

"If we get our hitting right, our fielding and pitching takes care of itself.

"Their strength is having Jamie go the full game so the key is to get to him early in the first game."

Game one will be played tomorrow and game two on Sunday and, if required, a much-anticipated decider will take place next Saturday.

Cardinals and Eagles also will meet in tomorrow's second grade grand final and Eagles will play Bulli Pirates in third grade.

In minor league grand finals on Sunday, Pirates will play Cardinals in fourth grade and Dapto Panthers (4) take on Kiama Braves in fifth grade.

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Eagles pair Chad Blanch and Jarrett Commane and Cardinals duo Jamie Simon and Chase Richardson square off ahead of the Illawarra Baseball League grand final series. Picture: WAYNE VENABLES
Eagles pair Chad Blanch and Jarrett Commane and Cardinals duo Jamie Simon and Chase Richardson square off ahead of the Illawarra Baseball League grand final series. Picture: WAYNE VENABLES

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