Musketeers chase baseball treble

IPSWICH Musketeers are chasing three wins on the trot when they play Mudgeeraba at Tivoli tonight.

Mudgeeraba should prove there for the taking, given they had just their first win on Sunday, after conceding 32 runs in their opening two losses.

Sunday afternoon presents a much tougher assignment when the Musketeers travel to Redcliffe to play the undefeated Padres.

Padres shape as the team beat this season, scoring 52 runs in their opening three victories, including a last start 13-6 win over premiers Surfers Paradise.

Musketeers coach Dave Suthers has injury concerns tonight, with first baseman Gareth Jones recovering from a rib injury sustained taking a catch in the opening week of competition.

Steven Bayliss, expected to return this week is again out due to work commitments.

“Neither played last weekend so it’s still a strong line-up,” Suthers said.

“We had a good training session on Tuesday night with plenty of energy.

“That’s what winning does.”

The Musketeers are desperate for a win over Mudgeeraba, knowing how tough it will be against Padres, especially with number one pitcher Dean Jones short of match fitness.

“To win both (games last weekend), I’m ecstatic,” Suthers said.

“Redcliffe (Padres) are one of the strongest sides so we really need to win on Friday.

“I don’t know whether it was the quality of opposition on the day (when they beat Surfers Paradise) but all we can do is look at results.”

Suthers just hopes he can get a number of quality innings out of Jones, who will be relieved by Handy.

“He has only thrown once,” Suthers said of his star pitcher.

“He is not physically ready to go yet.

“Hopefully he can get us through.”

Handy proved a revelation last week when he and Robert Reeves combined to get the Muskets home over Rapids.

“He was a big reason we won on Sunday,” Suthers said.