ROB LAIDLAW

GAWLER Rangers have continued to struggle in division two baseball, losing 2-10 to Sturt on Sunday.

Injury woes are hampering the Rangers, especially in the pitching department, as ace starter Jake Rodda only threw one inning after hurting his elbow, which forced Josh Lands, who is recovering from a broken toe, onto the mound.

Sturt took advantage of Gawler’s problems with a solid batting performance, building an 8-0 lead after four frames.

To their credit, the Rangers continued to battle and held the opposition to just two further runs, while scoring twice themselves in the bottom of the fifth frame.

Starting Gawler’s big rally, Steve Vanpoorten belted a lead-off double, and after Josh Mayfield walked, a double steal set the table for Lands who hit a two-run two-bagger up the middle.

This Sunday, the Rangers travel to Erindale to play Kensington.

Gawler is starting to reap the benefits of its junior program, with all sides playing competitive baseball.

The under 15s were unlucky in succumbing 8-10 to East Torrens.

A big four-run final inning put a scare through the opposition camp, with Ethan Hale belting a two-run double, and Gavin Sumner and Josh Cedamon also hitting singles into the outfield.

A magnificent effort by the under 13 twos saw them draw 16-16 with Golden Grove Central Districts.

Ethan Clark and Ewan Walker collected three hits each, and Sam Lacey had two, in a great team effort.

Special mention to Clark, who had nine RBIs with a two-run single, a three-run triple and a grand slam home run.

The under 13 ones also played well, but fell three runs short in a 3-6 loss to the Dodgers, with Deakin Filko and Cadel Carter picking up a pair of hits each.