Toowoomba aiming for unbeaten season run to play-off series

BASEBALL: Toowoomba Rangers’ tightrope walk towards this season’s GBL Division Three play-offs continues tomorrow when they host All Stars at Commonwealth Oval.

After a long stretch of road games, Rangers finally return to home soil for the final five home-and-away fixture games before next month’s finals begin.

But there’ll be little respite in competition intensity for Toowoomba tomorrow as they push to finish the regular season undefeated to be assured of a premiership shot.

All Stars sit near the bottom of the ladder but Rangers’ coach Darryl Luchterhand said after last week’s testing game against lowly Beenleigh no opposition could be taken lightly.

Rangers are still without the absent Isaac Neil and now have pitcher Daniel Luchterhand missing with a lingering back complaint.

But Luchterhand said the battle plan was clear.

“We’ve already retained the Ian Luchterhand Shield this season over All Stars, but now it’s all about making that top four,” Luchterhand said.

“Every game now is like a grand final, including Sunday against All Stars.

“We can’t afford to drop a game.

“If we do, we could drop out of the four and not be able to get back in.”

Sam McNeice will shoulder the throwing duties tomorrow with several players in line to step up for Daniel Luchterhand.

“Daniel’s back worry is a blow and we need to look after him best we can with the finals ahead,” Luchterhand said.

“We’ll have Sam coming at All Stars Sunday with maybe Laurie Taylor, who threw exceptionally well against All Stars in Brisbane, as back-up.

“But we’ve got a few other options including Hippsy (Brian Hipps) to help out if needed.

“We want to finish Sunday’s game in five innings if we can but we can’t afford to take All Stars lightly or we could pay.”