Rangers’ pre-Xmas goal firmly on track

Toowoomba heads off Indians for eighth straight win.

Taewoo Kim of Indians is tagged out by Ranger’s pitcher Lawrence Taylor during their GBL Division 4 round-11 clash last Sunday at Commonwealth Oval. Picture: Nev Madsen.

BASEBALL : Toowoomba Rangers kept the pressure on GBL Division 4 ladder leader Wests Bulldogs with another comprehensive victory at Commonwealth Oval on Sunday.

Rangers racked up an eighth successive League victory with a 14-2 round-11 thumping of Indians Mano.

The win keeps Rangers firmly placed in second position on the competition table behind the Bulldogs who Toowoomba have now headed in the for-and-against column on the back of their dominant premiership run.

Rangers’ coach Luke Ardill set his team the challenge of completing their pre-Christmas games undefeated after they suffered their only round-one loss against Wests back in October.

The team has responded manfully to deliver Ardill his Christmas wish as Rangers now sets about defeating Wests in their January 12 meeting and grabbing the minor premiership lead.

Last Sunday’s game marked the end of Division 4 round-one fixtures and Rangers begin their round-two push on the road this weekend against Southern Stars.

Ardill said Rangers’ shut-out of Indians was an all-round team effort, highlighted by solid pitching and defence which has seen Toowoomba rack up the League’s best for-and-against figures.

“Johnathan Dicthburn started for us on the mound on Sunday and Laurie Taylor finished, “Ardill said.

“They both threw well, but no one player really stood out for us.

“The whole team stood up in enthusiasm and intensity.

“Indians were up 2-1 at the top of the third, but we really got going from there and we now have the Leagues’ best for-and-against figures.”