CUBS produced a big finish to hold off a gutsy Shogun Black 7-2 in their Cairns Baseball League majors competition clash at Trinity Beach on Sunday.
Last year’s A grade runners-up, who are fielding a vastly changed side this season, held a narrow 3-2 lead at the bottom of the third inning before its batters took charge to secure a comfortable five-run win at Centennial Park.
Cubs skipper Scott Webb said his side was progressing well despite missing half a dozen players from last year’s line-up.
Webb said Queensland junior representative Mick Payne was a talent to watch, his contribution on Sunday including a triple hit to the fence and a strong game at short stop.
Webb also praised the performance of pitcher Jason Scammell who struck out 10 batters during his five-inning stint.
While reigning premiers Shogun Heat are yet to drop a game this season, little has separated the rest of the teams and Webb said Shogun Black typified the improvement shown by most in the revamped competition.
In the other major league match, Heat B held out Reds 12-6 with Sam Thompson, Col Baira, Ben Metcalfe and Azuma uno showing good form with the bat. Pitcher Matt Holmes impressed for Heat B as did Matt Holmes for Reds.
