Three of the BatPak team had endured a gruelling weekend at the Diamond One tournament in the UK (well Jon Barry endured sitting in a chair for most of it following an injury), and there was concern that their weary limbs would give way in a game so soon after, however Captain Peter Mullen put himself at the top of the pile, leading off and playing on 3B. A further reshuffle in the infield brough Anne Kiely into 1B with Caryn Elmes moving to 2B. Emma Kilbride enjoyed her first start of the year out in Right-Field, with Kieran Browne replacing Pete in Right-Center.

Both first innings pretty much reflected the batting for the entire game. Four at-bats and three quick outs left Eva stranded on second. Pete stepped up confidently, and duly hit straight to Junior at Short-Stop for an immediate response from Renegades. This only gave BatPak a jolt, and six consecutive hits followed before Caryn flew out to 2B. The Renegades pitcher was struggling to find line and length, despite having measured the pitcher's plate to the millimetre before the game. Two further hits, including an extra-cover drive that any cricketer would be proud of, from Sean "I probably won't play much this year" Bredin brought Pete back to the plate, who made up for his first at-bat with a 2RBI drive to Left-Field. BatPak batted round to the seventh batter, with JB, showcasing his new tool, flew out to Left-Center. BatPak had scored thirteen runs, and the direction of the game swung firmly toward the home side.

Renegades needed a response. And got it. Having scored two runs, Renegades were two down, but pulled out four more runs including a 3 RBI hit from Tony. BatPak's response started poorly, with two immediate outs. But again Sean started a string of hits and Pitcher Drew Hennessy brought in three runs by clearing the outfield and putting the ball in the bushes. Two more runs from Julie Walsh and Dave Pepper nullified the Renegades second inning score. The away team managed only one run in the next three innings, another RBI from Tony to score Eva. BatPak on the other hand continued to turn the screw, running in two, five and a further two runs, including consecutive home runs in the fourth inning from Dave and Emma, the former obliging by accepting Junior's dare to take on his throw from behind second base to home. The throw was strong, but misdirected, and Dave did not need a slide to make it home.

As the game came to a close, it is worth noting some excellend fielding from both teams. Dago, Renegades' 3B (you may remember Dago played with BatPak in Slovenia during the ECCS in 2010), moved like a gazelle to thwart several line drives, including one catch diving full stretch to his right. Andy on 1B scooped balls from all around her, making outs that others would not have. For BatPak, Drew stopped drives that were hit around his ankles numerous times, and a worthy note for Joanne Tyrell, BatPak's second debutant of the season, who replaced Caryn on 2B and made her first out to 1B with the very next play.

The teams traded five more runs in the sixth inning, and with three brief outs from the Renegades lower order the game reached its end. It was a long game, finishing just before nine o'clock. BatPak had dominated the game from the very start and gave Renegades no chance to get into the game. Next week BatPak leave the safety of St Anne's Park next week to play the newly promoted Kiely's Kegs in Dodder Park

Writer's MVPs
Male - Drew Hennessy
Female - Emma Kilbride