THE Sunraysia Baseball League will wrap up this weekend with last year’s A grade finalists, Wanderers and Eagles, set to battle it out for the title.
For the season, Wanderers hold the head-to-head advantage over their opponent, winning four times and losing once.
That one loss came not too long ago in round 13, when a late charge by the Eagles stunned them with an 9-11 loss, handing them just their second defeat of the season.
Eagles coach Andrew Law said his team had a horror start to the season but had been able to work their way into form.
“In the second half, I think we’ve won our last seven games, form is obviously building. We had a horrid start to the season, we only won two games in the front half,” he said.
“(Winning it all) has always been achievable I guess. With that win I think that was their second loss of the year, it is a good feeling and a confidence-booster for the boys.”
Law said that one area in particular could be instrumental for his team.
“Our batting line-up is the strongest it’s been in a couple years so as long as we can wake them up and score early, that’s gonna be the deal breaker for us,” he said.
On the other side of the fence, Wanderers coach Nick Carroll, who has been a big part of his club’s success in recent years, said it would be a matter of tidying some things up.
“Last time the Eagles played well and Wanderers made a few errors in the field that might have cost them in the end, that’s something we can do better this time,” he said.
Wanderers won their first title in 20 years in 2019 and since then have been the benchmark club in the SBL.
The 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic, and 2021 was a shortened year but they managed to finish on top.
Eagles have proven they can do it but in a three game series against a strong side, it will be David vs Goliath.
First throw for the A grade SBL grand final is at 2pm on Saturday, followed by game two on Sunday at 11.30am and third later in the day if required.
