|
16 September 2006
A GRADE GRAND FINAL: LARA 6 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 3
Wildcats go back-to-back: Holmes sinks Brewers with three run shot in seven
Lara Wildcats have made it back-to-back titles with a thrilling 6-3 win over a gallant Ballarat Brewers in the
A Grade Grand Final of the Geelong Baseball Association.
Clearly the most impressive outfits all season, the two clubs - in perfect conditions - put on a great exhibition of high quality baseball for a large and appreciative crowd at the Geelong Baseball Centre.
While neither side did much - if anything - wrong, the final proved, again, that baseball is indeed a "game of inches". With the scores tied at 3 apiece in the bottom of seven and the Wildcats loading the bases, Nathan Holmes latched onto a waist-high change-up from Brewers reliever Ross Hipke before he had settled, driving it deep to the centre-right field alley for a stand-up double and three game-breaking runs.
Decisive as this offensive play was, Holmes was not the only hero - for either side. Tayler Rowe and Cameron Forbes were superb on the hill for the Wildcats, who played errorless defence befitting the champion side that they have proved themselves to be. Rory Meddick was dominant for the Brewers into the seventh dig, when a Stuart Forbes bleeder and a Ben Hammer single set the table and forced a pitching change. With three hits (inluding a two-out, 2 RBI double in the third), leading association hitter Dean Marnell was terrific for Lara, while Stuart Forbes and Hammer both hit safely twice when it mattered. For their part, Adam Irons, Jamieson Burrows and evergreen Paul Gladman were productive in offence for the Brewers. Cameron Brown (Lara) and Brett Bennetts (Brewers) made some stunning plays at the hot corner, whilst Hammer (Lara) and Lincoln Blake (Brewers) starred in their outfield defence.
Usually taciturn Club President and Lara stalwart Ken Verity was an understandably proud man, delighted with his club's showing - albeit physically a little fatigued (he may have used a different epithet) after himself playing in the (victorious) Lara C Grade side.
"We went to A Grade in 1992," he said, "and it was great to win our first flag last year. We knew the competition would be tough again this year and we weren't just going to rest on our laurels. To win two in a row is the culmination of a lot of bloody hard work within the club."
"The success that we've had is a reward for the local kids and the families who have stuck with us over the journey," Ken said. "We pride ourselves on being a family club. Now we're going to take some time to celebrate as a family."
While the Lara celebrations will continue hard and long, the Brewers can hold their heads high knowing that they were the benchmark this season. They gave it their best shot to come up just short against a club that may be on the cusp of a lengthy period of A Grade success in the Geelong league.
LARA WILDCATS: 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 X (6) no errors
BALLARAT BREWERS: 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 (3) errors 3
Hits: Ballarat City: P Gladman, A Irons 2, J Burrows, N McKenzie, S Kerr, L Blake, L Ashmore
Lara: D Marnell 3, S Forbes, B Hammer 2, N Holmes, D Ricketts
RBIs: Ballarat City: P Gladman 2, J Burrows
Lara: N Holmes 3, D Marnell 2
Pitching: Ballarat City: R Meddick 6.3 inn, 7 hits, 8 Ks, 2 BB, 4 ER
R Hipke 1.7 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB 1 ER
Lara: T Rowe 6 inn, 7 hits, 8 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER
C Forbes 3 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 1 BBOn a day that produced double-success for Lara (with its C Grade title), Geelong baseball was the real winner, with competitive, high standard and spirited clashes happening right across the board. In B Grade, Saints downed the favoured Colac side 4-1 in a match that - after the first dig - was of the highest quality as respective pitchers Mick Alldis and Brad Egan asserted their authority.
David "Badger" Morrissy led his Deakin charges to a 12-2 romp over Lara in A Reserve; the Bacchus Marsh defence had an ordinary day in B Reserve as it went down to a more consistent Werribee team; while the
Lara boys had their second heart-stopper for the day with their 6-4 win over Corio in C Grade.
OTHER RESULTS:
A RESERVE: DEAKIN 12 defeated LARA 2
B GRADE: SAINTS 4 defeated COLAC 1
B RESERVE: WERRIBEE 8 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 2
C GRADE: LARA 6 defeated CORIO 4
FINALS: SECOND WEEK
9 September 2006
A GRADE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Hipke and Meddick star: Brewers march to Grand Final
BREWERS 9 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 4
Rebounding from its Second-Semi-Final loss, Ballarat Brewers booked a Grand Final berth by overpowering Bacchus Marsh Tigers 9-4 at the Geelong Baseball Centre this afternoon.
Team game it might be, but Ross Hipke and Rory Meddick were the difference - put simply - between the two sides. Leading throwers all season, this was no surprise in itself. But it was the changed nature of their respective roles that stunned many observers. The consummate reliever, Hipke started on the hill - this time - and went nearly seven digs for just three hits. In what turned out to be a brilliant tactical ploy by Brewers management, Meddick assumed the designated hitter role and single-handedly blasted five of his team's runs before slamming the short relief gate on the Marsh - who were brave, as always, but made a couple of crucial defensive lapses and were unable to catch up with Hipke after a promising start.
While it's done and dusted for the Tigers, the Brewers will return to the stadium next Saturday (2.00 start) for a Grand Final showdown with the Wildcats, in what promises to be an absolute cracker to finish the winter season. With one win apiece in their encounters this season, the sides appear evenly matched, although the Brewers will be keen to tighten up a defence that committed an uncustomary five errors against the Marsh.
BACCHUS
MARSH: 1 0 0
0 0 0 2 1 0 (4) errors 2
BALLARAT CITY:
0 0 4
4 0 1 0 0 (9) errors 5
Hits:
Bacchus
Marsh: Scott Moore 2, P Lovelock, M
Jones, A Leahy, B Jones, L Vickery-Lovegrove
Ballarat City: P
Gladman, R Meddick 2, J Burrows, N McKenzie, H Burrows,L Ashmore
RBIs:
Bacchus
Marsh: Scott Moore, M Jones, B Jones
Ballarat City: R
Meddick 5, H Burrows, P Gladman
Pitching:
Bacchus
Marsh: L Webb 3.7 inn, 5 hits, 3 Ks, 5
BB, 4 ER
Shaun Moore 4.3 inn, 3 hits, 6 Ks, 1 ER
Ballarat City: R
Hipke 6.7 inn, 3 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
R
Meddick 2.3 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB
FINALS: FIRST WEEK
2/3 September 2006
Lara straight through: Bacchus to meet Brewers in Preliminary Final
A GRADE SECOND SEMI-FINAL:
LARA 3 defeated BREWERS 0
Lara Wildcats are on track for consecutive A Grade titles after a hard-fought 3-0 win over Ballarat Brewers in the Second Semi-Final played at Geelong Stadium this afternoon.
17 year-old Melton youngster Tayler Rowe was the star of the show, exuding poise and exercising great control in his seven innings stint on the hill for the Wildcats. Rowe put the clamps right on the vaunted Brewers offence, who will face the winner of tomorrow's Bacchus Marsh/Guild clash in next Saturday's Preliminary Final. Now proceeding directly to the Grand Final and surely favoured to go back-to-back, Lara will enjoy the week's break.
While lauding Rowe's performance, pundits will also point to the grand outing by Brewer ace Rory Meddick, who held the strong Lara offence in check and conceded zero earned runs - the first, off him, being the result of a controversial obstruction call at third base and the second being an infield throwing error to the plate.
With the Rowe/Meddick dominance - and Cameron Forbes and Ross Hipke effective in closing for their respective sides - it was always a question of taking advantage of limited scoring opportunities. Although the Brewers outhit Lara nine to four, the Wildcats played impeccable defence to extricate themselves from a series of dangerous situations.
BALLARAT CITY: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
LARA: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 (3) no errors style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Hits: Brewers: Irons, McKenzie, H Burrows, Gladman, S Kerr, style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">R Meddick, L Ashmore, B Bennetts, R Hipke
Lara: D Marnell 2, B Hammer, D Ricketts
Pitching: Ballarat City: R Meddick 7 inn, 3 hits, 4 Ks, 3 BB style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
R Hipke 2 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Lara: T Rowe 7 inn, 7 hits, 6 Ks
C Forbes 2 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 1 BB
A GRADE FIRST SEMI-FINAL:
BACCHUS MARSH 12 defeated GUILD LIONS 7
Bacchus Marsh has progressed to the A Grade Preliminary Final after overpowering Guild Lions 12-7.
After a subdued first dig by both sides, this game was turned on its head in the bottom of two with a full-on Tigers assault that yielded nine runs. Gallant as the Lions were in chipping away at the early lead and getting to within three in the sixth inning, the task proved too great, especially after the Tigers added another two as insurance in the bottom of seven.
In all, not a good day for starting pitchers, with Lindsay Webb and Stuart Barnes bearing the brunt of offensive belligerence from both sides. Although Chad Galloway (4 hits and 3 RBIs), Earl Byrne (4 and 2) and Pat Lovelock (3 and 3) were superb for the Tigers, they received grand support from Shaun Moore, Brad Jones and Liam Vicary-Lovegrove; while Murry, Jensz, Travaille, Adam Barnes, Jones and Spence were ever-dangerous for the Lions.
Bacchus will meet the Brewers in Saturday's Preliminary Final (venue and time to be posted), with the Ballarat club well aware - to take the title - that they have to get past the only two sides who have beaten them this season. For the Wildcats and the Marsh - Grand Finalists in 2005 - it may be like "deja vu all over again".
GUILD LIONS: 0 1 1 0 2 3 0 0 (7)
BACCHUS MARSH: 0 9 1 0 0 0 2 0 (12)
Hits: Guild: S.Murry 2, B.Jensz 2, G.Travaille 2, A.Barnes 2, D.Jones, N.Spence, R.Stewart, S.Barnes
Bacchus Marsh: C.Galloway 4, E.Byrne 4, P.Lovelock 3, Shaun Moore 2, B.Jones 2, L.Vicary-Lovegrove 2, Scott Moore, M.Jones, A.Leahy
RBIs: Guild: N.Spence, D.Jones 2, S.Murry, R.Stewart, B.Jensz
Bacchus Marsh: P.Lovelock, C.Galloway 3, M.Jones, E.Byrne 2, Scott Moore.B.Jones
Pitching: Bacchus Marsh: L.Webb 5.3 inn, 10 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB, 7 ER
Shaun Moore 3.6 inn, 1 hit, 5 Ks, 2 BB
Guild: S.Barnes 1.3 inn, 7 hits, 1 BB, 7 ER
J.Landthaler 2.3 inn, 7 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB
N.Spence 4.3 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 3 BB, 1 ER
ROUND 17
26/27 August 2006
BREWERS 10 defeated SAINTS 0
The Brewers ended their home and away season on the note that it began - with a 10-0 whitewash of the
opposition. This time on the end of the trouncing it was Saints, who have endured an uncharacteristically
poor season to finish in the cellar.
This game was pretty much over in the bottom of the first, with the Brewers taking to Dean Barker and
racking up six runs before the Sainters had a chance to catch breath. From that point it was a matter of
how far as the Brewers hit safely sixteen times off Barker and Talbot, with contributions from Hamish
Burrows, Irons, McKenzie, Kerr, Meddick, Ashmore and Bennetts in an errorless and very impressive
all-round display for the visitors, who topped the table with just one loss.
The Brewers availed themselves of the opportunity to give their pitching roster a decent hit-out, with
Meddick, Hipke and Irons packing too many guns for a Saints offence that could muster just three hits.
Saints: 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 (0) errors 2
Ballarat City: 6 1 0 0 0
0 3 (10) no errors
Hits: Saints:
B Twaddle, M Jeffery, D Barker
Ballarat City: H
Burrows 3, A Irons, N McKenzie, S Kerr, R Meddick, L
Ashmore, B Bennetts 2, P Gladman
RBIs: Ballarat
City: R Meddick 2,
A Irons, H Burrows,
N McKenzie, S Kerr, L
Ashmore, B Bennetts, L Blake
Pitching:
Saints: D
Barker 6 inn, 13 hits,
6 Ks, 4 BB, 7 ER
S Talbot 1 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 1 ER
Ballarat City: R
Meddick
3 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks
R Hipke 3 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks, 2 BB
A Irons 1 inn, 1 K, 1 BB
In a game of enormous import to both clubs, Guild earned a finals berth against Bacchus Marsh by shaking off Deakin Blues in a thriller.
With so much to play for, it was understandable that nerves would play some part in the contest - but it was the Lions who were better able to maintain their poise in the field, whilst the Blues made seven fielding blunders to concede three unearned runs, the difference in the final result.
Nothing could be taken away from the pitching of both sides, with Stuart Barnes and Nick Spence again producing the goods for Guild, while Chris Humphrey was great over six digs for the Blues.
With two hits (including a solo home run), Travaille led with the bat, although Murry and Landthaler were again dangerous for the Lions. Morgan, Mason and Biddle kept the contest alive for the Blues, who will rue the defensive lapses that cost them dearly in a number of crucial games this season.
Guild:
0 1 0 1 1 1 1
0 (5) error 1
Deakin:
0 0 2 0 0 0
0 0 (2) errors 7
Hits: Guild:
G Travaille (1 HR), S Murry 2, J Landthaler,
R Stewart, B Jensz, S
Barnes
Deakin: T
Morgan, K
Mason 2, E Biddle, A Warren
RBIs: Guild:
J Landthaler, G Travaille
Deakin: E
Biddle 2
Pitching:
Guild: S
Barnes 6 inn, 4 hits, 2
Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER
N Spence 2 inn, 2 hits, 1 K
Deakin: C
Humphrey
6 inn, 6 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER
P Kerr-Chapman 1 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 2 BB
The reigning premier made its pre-finals statement with an emphatic win over Bacchus Marsh Tigers, who
held the Wildcats to a 3-3 split result at their last encounter.
Taking the opportunity to give youngster Tayler Rowe and old stagers David Asp and Cameron Forbes
each a decent hitout on the hill, the Wildcats kept Bacchus well in check despite another evergreen in Earl
Byrne being outstanding for the Marsh in picking up three hits.
Lindsay Webb threw an impressive five digs for the Tigers, but he and his defence were under constant
pressure from the league's most dangerous hitters - again led by stars in Hammer, Marnell, Holmes
and Scot Malthouse, who between them picked up all of their team's eight RBIs for the Wildcats.
Bacchus
Marsh: 0 0 0
0 1 0 (1) errors 2
Lara: 2 0 2 3 0
1 3
(11) no errors
Hits:
Bacchus
Marsh: E Byrne 3, Scott Moore, Shaun
Moore, A Leahy, B Jones, L Vickery-Lovegrove
Lara: B Hammer, D Marnell, N Holmes 2, S Forbes, C
Brown, S Malthouse
RBIs:
Bacchus
Marsh: B Jones
Lara: B Hammer 3, N Holmes, S Malthouse 2, D
Marnell
Pitching:
Bacchus
Marsh: L Webb 5 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 3
BB, 5 ER
S Moore 2 inn, 5 hits, 3 Ks, 2
BB, 4 ER
Lara: T Rowe 4 inn, 2 hits, 6 Ks, 1 BB
D Asp 1 inn, 4 hits, 1 ER
C Forbes 2 inn, 2
hits, 3 BB
BACCHUS MARSH 11 defeated DEAKIN 0
Even though finals berths had been decided, Bacchus Marsh and Deakin opted to play their Sunday
"catch-up" game for the Round 11 washout, with the 11-0 result in favour of the Marsh restoring some
confidence after their Lara debacle and - of some significance - earning the Marsh "home" status in next
weekend's First Semi-Final against Guild Lions.
Although it might not quite have been a "hit and giggle" affair, the game was decided in five innings
after the Blues had used four throwers with limited success against a Tigers offence that picked up
seven hits to the Blues' two.
Errors again hurt the Blues, although they may well have been excused after yesterday's let down
against Guild, when a place in the play-offs was up for grabs. For their part, Bacchus can approach
their finals campaign with some heart, knowing that they have "been there" several times before in
recent years.
Deakin: 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 4
Bacchus Marsh: 3 3 0 4 1 (11) no errors
Hits: Deakin: P Kerr-Chapman, A Williams
Bacchus Marsh: Scott Moore 2, P Lovelock, Shaun Moore, C Galloway, E Byrne, B Jones
RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: Scott Moore, Shaun Moore, M Jones, C Galloway, A Leahy
Pitching: Deakin: K Mason 2 inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 2 BB, 4 ER
M Ernstzen 1 inn
D Arvidson 1inn, 2 hits, 2 BB, 2 ER
M Darcy 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 ER
Bacchus Marsh: Shaun Moore 4 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 2 BB
E Byrne 1 inn
ROUND 16
19/20 August 2006
BALLARAT BREWERS 7 defeated GUILD LIONS 5
Gift wrapping may have been lacking, but it was very much Christmas in August for the Brewers at Prince of Wales Reserve on Saturday afternoon. Clearly outpointing the league leaders early, the Lions held what looked like a match-winning 5-3 lead into the seventh dig before committing three atrocious errors and conceding a string of free passes to hand the game to the Brewers 7-5 in an entertaining game of winter baseball. In so doing - and with Deakin having a win - the Lions passed up a great opportunity to nail down a finals berth.
To give the Brewers their due, Ross Hipke settled into some fine relief work, Hamish Burrows and Paul Gladman showed the way with the bat, while Lincoln Blake hit two telling shots as a pinch hitter. From the Lions' perspective, Nick Spence did a grand pitching job over six, while he, Jensz, Landthaler and Stewart were ever-dangerous in offence.
DEAKIN BLUES 6 defeated BELLARINE 1
Deakin Blues kept their finals aspirations alive with a 6-1 trouncing of the Bears on Saturday.
Although the Blues were again prone to defensive lapses, they were well served by their gun pitchers in Chris Humphrey and Peter Kerr-Chapman, who between them kept the lid on a Bears offence that could muster just five hits, while the Blues went downtown on Dave Crotty to the tune of eleven hits, Anthony Williams being the the star with two of them, including a home run.
With a double-header next weekend, the Blues' destiny is in their own hands. Holding a tiny percentage break, beating Guild on Saturday could do the trick for the Blues - two wins would give them third placing ahead of Bacchus assuming that the Marsh lost to Lara. But in this most intriguing of seasons, no such assumptions should reasonably be made.
Bellarine: 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 (1) errors 4
Deakin: 0 0 2 2
2 0 0 0 (6) errors 3
Hits: Bellarine:
C Gibbons 2, A O’Keefe, S Martin, C Milligan
Deakin: P
Kerr-Chapman, M Ernstzen, A Williams 2, A Warren, B Williams, G Morris,
B
Southall
RBIs: Deakin:
T Morgan, A Williams
Pitching:
Bellarine: D Crotty
8 inn, 11 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 ER
Deakin:
C Humphrey
7 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 3 BB, 1 ER
P
Kerr-Chapman 2 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks, 2 BB
GUILD LIONS 14 defeated BELLARINE 5
Despite their capitulation to the Brewers, Guild Lions are still in the contest for a finals berth after a topsy-turvy Round 16 of the Geelong Baseball Association A Grade competition.
Facing a “must-win” contest against Bellarine on Sunday, the Lions made their intentions clear by blasting five in the first dig and three in the second to have the Bears on the ropes. For the latter, the lack of pitching depth was evident, with a valiant Wayne Visser kept on the hill until the fifth dig, by which time the damage had been done as the Lions picked up nine hits and a staggering ten free passes.
In the second of their weekend doubleheader, the Lions were well served by their pitching staff in Stuart Barnes, Simon Murry and Jason Landthaler, who between them kept the Bears to four scattered hits. By contrast, Guild hit safely twelve times, catcher Ben Jensz being the standout with three hits and four RBIs, although he was well supported by Ryan Stewart (3 and 1), Landthaler and Stuart Barnes.Guild: 5 3 0 2 1 2 1 (14) errors 3 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">
Bellarine: 0 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 (5) errors 3 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Hits: Guild: R Stewart, B Jensz 3, S Murry, J Landthaler, D Jones, G Travaille, style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
A Barnes, J Peoples
Bellarine: B McKentish 2, C Fulton, W Visser, S Martin, C Milligan, D Crotty, J Hockey
RBIs: Guild: B Jensz 4, J Landthaler, R Stewart, S Barnes style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Bellarine: C Milligan 2, W Visser, D Crotty
Pitching: Guild: S Barnes 5 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
S Murry 1 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks
J Landthaler 2 inn, 4 Ks
Bellarine: W Visser 5 inn, 9 hits, 1 K, 10 BB, 9 ER
C Gibbons 2 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 ER
LARA WILDCATS 14 defeated SAINTS 4
ROUND 15
12/13 August 2006
Tigers and Wildcats in thrillers: Bears trounce Saints
BACCHUS MARSH 5 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 4
Bacchus Marsh breathed fresh life into the winter series by downing the Brewers 5-4 in perfect baseball conditions at Mason's Lane on Saturday afternoon.
After a combination of great contact hitting and some Tiger fumbles produced four runs for the visitors in the first, the Marsh seemed in all sorts of trouble. However, with Lindsay Webb regaining his composure and Shaun Moore doing another impeccable job in relief, the Tigers staged a memorable comeback to whittle away the deficit and then snatch the lead over a Brewers outfit that had some late chances but could not produce the goods when it mattered.
Although Brewers supporters might describe the result as "the loss we had to have" after an eleven-game streak, the reality is that they were simply outplayed by the Marsh after the first innings. Of some concern, too, would be the fact that of just 14 runs scored against the Brewers so far this season, eleven have come from the Tigers offence.
Shaun Moore (2 hits), Matt Jones (2 and one) and Chad Galloway (2 RBIs) led with the bat for the Tigers, whilst Adam Irons had a great day out with two doubles and four tight innings in relief for the Brewers.
Bacchus
Marsh: 12 0 3 1 0 0
0 (5) errors 4
Ballarat
City: 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
(4)
Hits: Bacchus Marsh: Shaun
Moore, M Jones 2, Scott Moore, C Galloway, E Byrne, L
Vickery-Lovegrove style="font-weight: normal;">
Ballarat
City: A Irons, L Blake 2, B Bennetts, H Burrows, S
Kerr, P Gladman, L Ashmore, J Burrows
RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: C
Galloway 2, M Jones, E Byrne
style="font-weight: normal;">
Ballarat
City: S Kerr 2, H Burrows
Pitching: Bacchus Marsh: L Webb
5 inn, 8 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER
style="font-weight: normal;">
Shaun
Moore 2 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Ballarat
City: R Meddick 3 inn, 7 hits, 1 K, 2 BB, 5 ER
A.Irons 4
inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks
LARA 3 defeated GUILD 2 (10 innings)
In another result that has thrown the finals series wide open, Lara scrambled home 3-2 in an extra innings thriller at the stadium. Although - in points terms - the result does not aid the Guild cause (especially with Bacchus winning) - it proved that there is very little between the leading group of sides on any given day.
In a quality game of baseball, it was the pitchers who held sway in this contest – with David Asp and Cameron Forbes on song for Lara and the Spence brothers/Murry combination doing a great job for the Lions in holding the potent Wildcats offence to just seven hits, the best contributors being Stuart Forbes (3 hits) and Cameron Brown (3 hits and a match-winning 2 RBIs). Jensz, Murry and Travaille were again dangerous in offence for the Lions.
Ensconced in second placing and now just a win shy of the Brewers, Lara are building momentum for a tilt at back-to-back A Grade flags, although their victory over Guild indirectly creates another “winner” - the Deakin club, who had the bye but will be celebrating the result in the knowledge that - still just a game behind Guild - it keeps them in the hunt for a final berth.Guild: 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
0 0 (2) errors 4 style="font-weight: bold;">
Lara: 0 0 0 1 0
1 0 0 0 1 (3) errors 2
Hits: Guild:
B Jensz, G Travaille 2, R Stewart, S Barnes, A Barnes
style="font-weight: normal;">
Lara:
S Forbes, C Brown 3, C Forbes
RBIs: Guild:
S Murry, G Travaille style="font-weight: normal;">
Lara:
C Brown 2, C Forbes
Pitching: Guild:
N Spence 7.3 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER
style="font-weight: normal;"><
J
Spence 2 inn, 2 Ks
S Murry 1.7 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 1 ER
Lara:
D Asp 7 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 1 ER
C Forbes 3 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 2 BB
BELLARINE 11 defeated SAINTS 4
In what has been a miserable season for them - at least in terms of playing success - Saints were trounced 11-4 by Bellarine, who have moved to three wins and have in all likelihood consigned the haloed ones to their first A Grade wooden spoon in many years of GBA competition.
Although Saints started well, the Bears took to Sean Talbot and had blasted seven runs by the third to effectively slam the gate on the visitors, who made a series of costly errors against an opponent that again played some pretty good baseball behind Dave Crotty and Adam O’Keefe, who have been steady all season.
Although
the Saints picked up their share of hits (Meagher, Rickard and Connors
all with two), the Bears were relentless in an assault that produced
hits throughout the order, despite leftie Dean Barker being able to
apply the brakes mid-game.
Bellarine: 3 2 4 0 0 0 2 0(11)
errors 2
Saints: 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 (4) errors 6
Hits:
Bellarine:
B McKentish 2, C Gibbons, C Fulton, C Milligan 2, A O’Keefe, S
Martin, S Ellis
Saints: S Meager, C Rickard, A Connors 2, B Twaddle, M
Jeffery, D Barker
RBIs: Bellarine:
B McKentish, C Gibbons, C Fulton, W Visser 2, A O’Keefe,
M Osborn
Saints: A Connors, M Jeffery, D Barker
Pitching: Bellarine:
D Crotty 7 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 3 ER
A. O’Keefe
2 inn, 3 hits
Saints: S Talbot 2.3 inn, 9
hits, 1 K, 1 BB, 6 ER
D Barker 4.7 inn, 2 hits,
5 Ks, 3 BB, 1 ER
N Grigg
1 inn
ROUND 14
Lara too strong: Guild pips Saints: Tigers blank Bears
LARA WILDCATS 6 defeated DEAKIN BLUES 2
Lara consolidated in second placing with a comfortable 6-2 win over a lack-lustre Deakin outfit, placing the
Blues in a vulnerable position with just three rounds of A Grade competition remaining.
Although the Wildcats conceded two unearned runs in the first, that was all she wrote for the Blues, who were not able to assert themselves against Ross Wilson and David Asp, both typically miserly in sharing pitching duties for Lara, who are now certain to meet the Brewers in a second semi-final showdown.
While Chris Humphrey did another great job for Deakin, this time in holding the potent Lara offence over five
digs, the Wildcats were ever-dangerous and still finished with ten hits - enough to win most games at this
level. Scott Forbes showed the way with three of those, while Marnell and Brown picked up two apiece for Lara, whilst Deakin - now fifth, and with the bye next week - will need at least two wins from its last three to have a chance of making the play-offs.
Lara: 0 1 0 1 2 0 2
(6) errors 3
Deakin: 2 0 0 0 0 0
0 (2) error 1
Hits:
Lara: S
Forbes 3, D Marnell, C Brown 2, C Forbes,
P Pruis, S Wilson
Deakin: A Williams 2, A Warren, G
Morris, B
Williams, R Millard
RBIs: Lara: R Wilson, C Brown, D
Ricketts
Pitching: Lara: R Wilson 5 inn, 3 hits, 4
Ks,
D Asp 2 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks
Deakin: C Humphrey 5 inn, 6 hits,
4 Ks, 2 BB, 4 ER
P Kerr-Chapman 2 inn, 4 hits, 2 BB,
2 ER
GUILD LIONS 8 defeated SAINTS 7
Although down 1-4 into the second innings, Guild managed - in the end - to do enough to get past an improved Saints outfit, although the Lions were given a serious scare and were helped out by untimely Saints errors and some wayward pitching that yielded eleven free passes for the Lions.
With a game total of fifteen hits, the Saints took it to Stuart Barnes in the first five before becoming relatively more subdued against Landthaler, who complemented another great relief job with three hits for the Lions. Simon Murry (3 hits) and Adam Barnes (2) were dangerous with the bat for Guild, while Chris Rickard (3 hits), Hynes and Carter led the offence for Saints in a see-sawing clash that went right to the wire.
With Deakin going down to Lara, this was a crucial win for the Lions, who still have four to play, including
a tough one against Lara next Saturday, a Round 16 doubleheader against the Brewers and Bellarine and
a last round clash with Deakin, who may or may not still be in contention by that point.
Saints: 0 4 0 0 1 0
1 0 1 (7) errors 4 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Guild: 1 0
0 5 0 0 0 1 (8) error
1 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Hits: Saints:
C Rickard 3, N
Grigg, S Carter, L Poulter, C Alldis, A Hynes 2,
S Meager, A Connors
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Guild:
S Murry, J Landthaler 3, A Barnes 2, B Jensz
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
RBIs: Saints:
A Hynes 3, S
Carter 2, N Grigg style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Guild:
S Murry, J Landthaler, R Stewart, G
Travaille style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Pitching: Saints:
D Barker 3.7 inn, 4 hits, 7 BB, 2 ER
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
S Talbot 5.2 inn, 5
hits, 3 Ks, 4
BB, 3 ER style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Guild:
S Barnes 5 inn, 10 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 5 ER
J
Landthaler 4 inn, 5 hits, 4 Ks, 1
BB, 2 ER
BACCHUS MARSH 4 defeated BELLARINE 0
Although it was not quite the Shaun Moore show at Wallington on Sunday afternoon, such an assessment was not far amiss as the Tigers' champ continued his stellar season in leading his side to a 4-0 whitewash over Bellarine and - in so doing - making it much more difficult for Deakin to challenge for a play-off berth.
With
reasonable form of late and as an ever-competitive unit, the Bears
would have approached the game with some confidence at home. However,
with Moore going seven digs for just five scattered hits - and
brother Scott solid in relief - the Bears were unable to
exert
scoreboard pressure, even though Adam O'Keefe had another
terrific
outing in holding the Marsh to just four hits over nine digs.
But it was the Tigers who took advantage of their scoring opportunities - and some Bears' defensive lapses - to pick up two in the fourth, and then again in the seventh, to seal a tight game of winter baseball.
Moore complemented an outstanding game by picking up half of his team's hits, although Brad Jones (a hit and two RBIs) offered great support in a win that eases the pressure a little on the Tigers, who still have a tough run home and a bye along the way.
Bellarine:
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 3
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Bacchus
Marsh: 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 (4) errors 3
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Hits:
Bellarine:
C Fulton 2, A O’Keefe, W Visser, S Martin, M Osborn
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Bacchus
Marsh:
Shaun Moore 2, A Leahy, B Jones
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
RBIs:
Bacchus Marsh: B Jones 2
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Pitching:
Bellarine:
A O’Keefe 9 inn, 4 hits, 3Ks, 5 BB
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Bacchus
Marsh:
Shaun Moore 7 inn, 5 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB
Scott
Moore
2 inn, 1 hit
ROUND 13
July 29 2006
BREWERS 5 defeated BELLARINE 0
Ballarat Brewers continued their winning ways with a 5-0 whitewash of Bellarine at Prince of Wales Reserve on Saturday, in a game that was decided in just over an hour and a half.
The Bears were valiant in support of a great pitching outing by Adam O'Keefe - who went the distance - but their defence was ragged and they could muster little in the batter's box against the Brewers’ gun duo of Hipke and Meddick. This time given the starting role, Hipke went an impressive six – including 10 Ks - before Meddick slammed the gate as his contribution to a clinical pitching display for the undefeated Brewers, whose main concern going to the bye seems to be getting their throwing roster enough work to maintain their edge for a finals campaign.
Although the Bears looked more likely to score in the early digs, it was the Brewers who set up their win with one in the fourth - compliments of two Bears errors - and then a game-breaking three in the fifth from hits to Bennetts and Hipke, along with a sacrifice fly to Adam Irons.
In conceding just nine runs in eleven games, the Brewers have been brilliantly served by their pitchers and their defence; however, with ten hits in this game, the offence has shown – again - that its role should not be underestimated.
Ballarat City:
0 0 0
1 3 0 1 0 0 (5) error 1
Bellarine: 0 0 0 0
0
0 0 0 0 (0) errors 5
Hits: Brewers:
M Collins 2, J Burrows, Ashmore, H Burrows, Gladman, Kerr, B Bennetts, R
Hipke, L
Collins
Bellarine:
D Crotty, A O’Keefe, S Ellis
RBIs: Ballarat
City: A
Irons, L Ashmore, H Burrows, B
Bennetts
Pitching: Ballarat
City: R Hipke 6inn,
3 hits, 10 Ks
R
Meddick
3 inn, 3 Ks, 1 BB
Bellarine: A
O’Keefe 8 inn, 10 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 4
ER
BACCHUS MARSH 3 drew with GUILD ALL-STARS 3
In the catfight down at Masons Lane, Bacchus Marsh and Guild played out a thrilling 3-3 draw that for the Tigers - in their season context - is probably as good as a win.
With a half game break and a percentage marginally better than Guild and Deakin, the Tigers hold third placing after this round, although they are still well adrift of Brewers and Lara (who had the bye).
At 3-1 after the fourth, its hitters looking to have Lindsay Webb’s measure and starter Stuart Barnes well on top for the Lions, it augured well for the visitors. However, it was Shaun Moore – again – who was able to hold sway for the Marsh as its hitters made an assault on the Lions’ relievers that yielded the equalising runs in the bottom of eight.
With a combined nineteen hits, both sides would feel that they could have made more of their opportunities – Scott Moore (3 hits) and Matt Jones (2) being the stand-outs for the Tigers, whilst Stuart Barnes (2 hits and 2 RBIs) Nick Spence, Stewart and Jensz (each with two) were best with the bat for the Lions.
Struggling in the early rounds, the Tigers played errorless defence and are back to something approaching their best, although – like Guild – they have a couple of tough games to come.
Bacchus Marsh:
0 1 0
0 0 0 0 2 0 (3) no errors
Guild: 0 2 0 1 0 0
0
0 0 (3) error 1
Hits:
Bacchus
Marsh: Scott Moore
3, M Jones 2, C
Galloway, A Leahy, E Byrne, B Jones
Guild: N Spence, R
Stewart, B Jensz, S Barnes 2, J
Landthaler, G Travaille
RBIs: Bacchus
Marsh: A Leahy, E
Byrne, L
Vickery-Lovegrove
Guild: S Barnes 2,
B Jensz
Pitching: Bacchus
Marsh: L Webb 6
inn, 9 hits, 5 Ks, 2
BB, 3 ER
Shaun
Moore 3 inn, 2
hits, 5 Ks
Guild: S Barnes
6inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
S Murry 1.7 inn, 2 hits, 1 BB, 2
ER
J Landthaler 1.3 inn, 1 hit 2 Ks
DEAKIN BLUES 7 defeated SAINTS 6
Meantime, at Pioneer Park, the Saints showed improved scoreboard form, but they were probably flattered by a spate of Deakin errors that handed the hosts five unearned runs late in the game.
The match was dominated over the first five by the respective starters – Dean Barker (Saints) and Chris Humphrey (Deakin) - but the deadlock was broken when the Blues blasted five runs in the sixth to look home for all money.
With the Sainters showing much more with the bat, though – and the Blues making some ordinary defensive plays – the game went to the wire to see the Blues hang on after oh so nearly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Now sharing fourth placing with the Lions, Deakin is marginally behind with a miniscule percentage break, aware that Guild has a seemingly harder run home. Barring a serious form reversal for Bacchus Marsh, fourth placing may well come down to a last round clash between Guild and Deakin, although only the pundits – not the players – will be looking that far ahead.
Deakin:
0 0 0 0 0 5
2 (7) errors 2
Hits: Saints: B Twaddle 2, N Grigg, L
Poulter, C Rickard,
S Meager
Deakin: B Southall
2, A Williams
RBIs: Saints: B Twaddle 3, N Grigg
Deakin: A Williams,
B Williams, B Southall
Pitching:
Saints:
D Barker 5.3 inn, 3
hits, 7 Ks, 4 BB, 4 ER
S
Talbot
1.7 inn, 2 Ks, 2 BB
Deakin:
C Humphrey 6 inn, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB, 2
ER
P
Kerr-Chapman 1inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks,
4 BB
ROUND 12
July 23 2006
BALLARAT BREWERS 5 defeated DEAKIN BLUES 0
In the A Grade Sunday clash, an undefeated Ballarat Brewers whitewashed Deakin 5-0, to maintain their stranglehold on top placing and place the Blues in a precarious position with the play-offs looming. The result was set up by another dominant pitching display by the Brewers' Rory Meddick, who picked up 10 Ks and conceded just 2 hits over five digs. With Hipke and Irons filling steady support roles in relief and the defence playing errorless baseball, the Brewers continue to shorten as flag favourites.
This time in damage control after the Brewers blasted four runs in the third, Chris Humphrey did a great job in relief for the Blues, who - with a modest match total of three hits - were not able to apply enough offensive pressure to the league leaders, who had stand-out hitters in the Burrows brothers and the versatile Adam Irons.
Ballarat City Brewers: 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 (5) no errors
Deakin: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 3
Hits: Ballarat City: A Irons, J Burrows 2, H Burrows, S Kerr, L Ashmore, style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">B Bennetts style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Deakin: A Williams, B Williams, G Morris
RBIs: Ballarat City: H Burrows 2, J Burrows, N McKenzie style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">
Pitching: Ballarat City: R Meddick 5inn, 2 hits, 10 Ks, 1 BB
A Irons, 2 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 1 BB
R Hipke 2 inn, 3 Ks, 2 BBs
LARA 9 defeated BELLARINE 3
In what turned out to be a productive day for those of the feline persuasion, Lara strengthened its clawhold on second placing - behind the Brewers - with a comfortable 9-3 win over Bellarine at Wallington Reserve on Saturday. Boasting a damaging offence that was well held early, the Wildcats racked up twelve hits off Crotty and Visser, the stand-outs being Cameron Forbes (three hits), Scot Malthouse (three hits) and Dean Marnell (two, including a towering home run).
Although the Bears picked up seven hits, Ross Wilson and Joel Ricketts were steady over eight digs for Lara, with Forbes slamming the gate on the Bears, who face another tough one in Ballarat next Saturday.
Lara: 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 3 1 (9) errors 2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">
Bellarine: 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 (3) errors 2
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Hits: Lara: C Forbes, S Malthouse 3, D Marnell 2 (inc 1 hr), R Wilson, N Holmes, style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">P Pruis, J Ricketts
Bellarine: C Gibbons 2, B McKentish, W Visser, S Ellis, S Martin, M Osborn style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
RBIs: Lara: C Forbes, P Pruis 2, D Marnell, S Malthouse
Bellarine: W Visser, C Fulton
Pitching: Lara: R Wilson 6 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
J Ricketts 2 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 1 ER
C Forbes 1 inn, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Bellarine: D Crotty 7 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 3 BBs, 4 ER
W Visser 2 inn, 6 hits, 2 BBs, 4 ER
BACCHUS MARSH 9 defeated SAINTS 2
With the two leaders putting daylight between themselves and the field, Bacchus Marsh Tigers have jumped to third after getting up 9-2 over Saints who - like the Bears - now appear out of contention for September action.
Although Mick Alldis (three hits) and Chris Rickard (two and two) were dangerous for the Saints, Lindsay Webb and the Moore brothers kept the lid on the opposing offence whilst the Tigers - sparked by Matt Jones, Shaun Moore and Chad Galloway - scored in four of their seven digs in another impressive all-round performance.
In a three way dogfight for third and fourth placings, Bacchus will host Guild - on Saturday - in a match that is pivotal for the final aspirations of each club, especially given that Deakin will be looking to rebound against a struggling Saints outfit to keep itself well in the mix.
Saints: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 (2) errors 5 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">
Bacchus Marsh: 2 0 2 3 0 2 0 (9) errors 1
Hits:
Saints:
M Alldis 3, C Rickard 2, S Meager 1
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Bacchus
Marsh:
Shaun Moore, M Jones, C Galloway 2, Scott Moore, E Byrne, L
Vickary-Lovegrove
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
RBIs:
Saints:
C Rickard 2
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Bacchus
Marsh: M
Jones 2, Shaun Moore, Scott Moore, C Galloway,
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">L
Vickary-Lovegrove
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Pitching:
Saints:
D Barker 3.7 inn, 4 hits, 7 Ks, 5 BBs, 5 ER
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
S
Talbot 3.3
inn, 5 hits, 1 K, 1 BB
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Bacchus
Marsh: L
Webb 5 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 6 BBs, 2 ER
style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">
Shaun
Moore 2inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Scott Moore
1 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 2 BBs
ROUND 11
July 17 2006
And some days it rains.....
After soaking rainfall overnight and into Saturday morning, no play was possible in Round 11 (although a few masochistic souls in the lower grades insisted that conditions were "OK....after all, it's winter baseball!"). The Pennant Committee has assessed the situation within GBA rules and has made its determination (see News).
ROUND 10
Brewers extend break: Tigers and Wildcats split points
Kingsley Collins
BREWERS 5 defeated SAINTS 0
Ballarat Brewers extended their unbeaten streak to nine games after shaking off a dogged Saints outfit at Prince of Wales Reserve on Saturday afternoon, although the final 5-0 scoreline was not a fair indication of the tightness of a contest that saw four of the league's best young pitchers strut their stuff.
After scoring a run in the bottom of the first, the Brewers struggled against leftie Dean Barker and 17-year old reliever Sean Talbot, both of whom are having terrific individual seasons for the Saints. Although a couple of crucial errors hurt the Saints when the game was up for grabs, it was the inability of their hitters to mount a serious offensive challenge against the versatile Adam Irons - who threw a composed first five for the Brewers before their ace Rory Meddick was unleashed to sink any hopes of a late revival in the fading light.
The Brewers offence was again led by Hamish Burrows with two from a total of four, while a Mick Alldis single in the first dig was the only shot fired for the Saints - who are still not out of it but would need to get more from their hitters to orchestrate a serious winning streak after the bye next week.
Ballarat City: 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 (5) error 1
Saints: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
Hits:
Ballarat City: H Burrows 2, J Burrows, L Ashmore
Saints: M Alldis
RBIs:
Ballarat City: H Burrows, P Gladman
Pitching:
Ballarat City: A Irons 5 inn, 1 hit, 7 Ks, 3 BBs
R Meddick 3inn, 3 Ks, 2 BBs
Saints: D Barker 6 inn, 2 hits, 7 Ks, 2 BBs, 1 ER
S Talbot 2 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ERs
GUILD 6 defeated DEAKIN BLUES 3
On the back of a fine pitching performance by Stuart Barnes, Guild All-Stars advanced to third placing behind Brewers and Lara with a polished 6-3 win over Deakin Blues, who mounted a last innings offensive but could not - in the end - compensate for sloppy defensive work that earlier gave up four unearned runs.
Barnes' seven-innings stint conceded just three hits to the Blues, who - although disappointed in the result - would feel pleased with the steady day out for Chris Humphrey over six digs in a low-scoring encounter that was decided with the Lions' four runs in the seventh.
Barnes capped off a great game by picking up two RBIs, while Jones, Murry and Landthaler were ever dangerous for the Lions, who face a "must win" against Bellarine to consolidate in third placing. For their part, the Blues will be looking to play tighter defence against a resurgent Bacchus Marsh - who have moved to equal points with them in fourth placing.
Guild:
0 0 0 0 1 1 4
0 0 (6) errors 3
Deakin: 0 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 2 (3) errors 4
Hits:
Guild:
J Landthaler, S Murry 2, D Jones, B Jensz, S Barnes, G
Travaille
Deakin: A Williams
2, B Williams, G Morris, B Southall, K Mason
RBIs:
Guild: D Jones, S
Barnes 2, J Landthaler, B Jensz
Deakin: G
Morris, K Mason
Pitching:
Guild: S Barnes 7
inn, 3 hits, 1
K, 1 BB
J Landthaler 2 inn, 3 hits, 3 BBs,
2 ERs
Deakin: C Humphrey 6.3 inn, 6
hits, 4 Ks, 2 BBs, 2
ERs
P
Kerr-Chapman 2.7 inn, 2 hits
LARA 3 drew with BACCHUS MARSH 3
The
match of the round
turned out to be an enthralling 3-3 split result - at Lara - between
the Wildcats and Bacchus Marsh, the former still well ensconced in
second placing but the Marsh drawing level on points with Deakin in
fourth, a half game behind Guild.
In a season that continues to produce low scores and stunning pitching performances - both saying something about the quality of pitching coaching being given to our young players - Lindsay Webb was near his best in restricting the Wildcats over seven, while Ross Wilson and Joel Ricketts were impressive for Lara, who travel to Ballarat for a top-of-the table shootout on Saturday.
Dean Marnell was again among the hits for Lara - who managed just one earned run - while Brad Jones, Leahy, Vickery-Lovegrove and Chad Galloway were dangerous with the bat for the visitors, whose season is back on track after early disappointments.
Lara: 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 (3)
errors 5
Bacchus Marsh: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 (3) errors 3
Hits:
Lara: D Marnell 2,
S Forbes, R Wilson, N Holmes, C
Forbes, D Ricketts
Bacchus
Marsh: B Jones, A
Leahy, L
Vicery-Lovegrove 2, C Galloway
RBIs:
Lara: N Holmes
Bacchus
Marsh: M Jones, C
Galloway, L
Vicery-Lovegrove
Pitching:
Lara: R Wilson 6
inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BBs
J Ricketts
3 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ERs
Bacchus
Marsh: L Webb 7
inn, 5 hits, 6 Ks, 6
BBs
C Galloway 2 inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks, 1
BB
ROUND 9
Brewers hang on: Wildcats maul Lions: Saints stay alive
Kingsley Collins
BALLARAT BREWERS 7 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 6
Even some Shaun Moore heroics were not quite enough to get Bacchus Marsh over the line against the Ballarat Brewers, who remain undefeated after Round 9 of the Geelong Baseball Association.
With Ballarat conjuring up one of its fabled full-on arctic blasts, conditions became super tough - especially for pitchers, in this case all six of them - with Moore the only one to come to terms with the greasy ball and chilly conditions.
Scoring five in the first and one in the second - all off Lindsay Webb - would seem to have been enough for the Brewers, who coming in had just three runs scored off them in seven games. However, Moore was superb in holding the league leaders to just one more, while the Brewers were forced deep into the pen, using Meddick for four and Hipke and Irons in the fifth before Manager Hamish Burrows took it upon himself to close the gate before bad light caused the game to be called early with the Brewers holding a 7-6 lead over a gallant Tigers, who looked a real chance with two runs in the fifth, one out and two on to then hit into an innings-killing double.
Hamish Burrows, Leigh Ashmore and Nathan McKenzie were the most productive in offence for the home side, while Shaun Moore and Webb complemented their pitching efforts by being the best with the bat for the Tigers, who now find themselves in a shaky position at 3 and 5 as the season enters its run home.BACCHUS MARSH 0 0 3 0 2 1 (6)
BALLARAT BREWERS 5 1 1 0 0 0 (7)
Hits:
Ballarat City: H Burrows, L Ashmore 2, N McKenzie, P Gladman
Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 2, P Lovelock, C Galloway, Shaun Moore
RBIs
Ballarat City: P Gladman 2, L Ashmore 2, H Burrows, R Meddick
Bacchus Marsh: P Lovelock 2, Shaun Moore 2 , B Jones, Scott Moore,
Pitching:
Ballarat
City: R Meddick 4 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BBs, 1 ER
R
Hipke 0.3 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 3 BBs, 2 ERs
A
Irons 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 BBs, 1 ER
H
Burrows .7 inn, 1 hit, 1 K
Bacchus Marsh: 1.7
inn, 4 hits, 1 K, 5 BBs, 6 ERs
Shaun
Moore 4.7 inn, 2 hits, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
LARA 9 defeated GUILD 3
Meantime, in marginally more
salubrious - albeit windswept - environs
down Lara
way, the locals went claw to
claw with their feline visitors, the Wildcats coming away with a
comfortable 9-3 over Guild Lions, who were unable to capitalise on a
decisive hitting edge that saw them pick up 11 to the Wildcats'
4.
Quality acts in Nathan Holmes and Cameron Forbes were the best with the bat for the Wildcats, while Jensz and Stewart picked up three hits apiece for the Lions.
With the Brewers and the 'Cats both taking the points on this wild of wild Saturdays, these two clubs - ladder leaders - have broken away from the pack and have fans already baying in anticipation for their return clash, a blockbuster at the Brewerdome in a fortnight.
LARA 0 1 3 0 1 3 1 0 (9)
GUILD 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 (3)
Hits:
Lara: S Forbes, R Wilson, N Holmes, C Brown
Guild: B Jensz, R Stewart 3, S Murry 2, J Landthaler, N Spence, G Travaille
RBIs: Lara: N Holmes, C Forbes 2
Guild: R Stewart, N Spence
Pitching:
Lara: D Asp 3 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 2 ERs
J Ricketts 5 inn, 5 hits, 4 Ks
S Murry 1 inn, 2 Ks, 3 BBs, 3 ER
J Landthaler 0.3 inn, 1 hit, 1 BB
D Jones 2 inn, 2 Ks, 2 BBs
SAINTS 5 defeated BELLARINE 2
Despite
an ugly first half-season, Saints kept their finals chances
alive with a polished 5-2 win over Bellarine at Pioneer Park. In
conditions hardly conducive to pitching dominance, southpaw Dean Barker
was superb for the haloed ones, who put it to the ever-competitive
Bears in a four run fifth dig that ultimately decided the
game.
Dave Crotty and Adam O'Keefe did little wrong on the mound for the Bears and could hardly be chastised for their team's sloppy defensive work in crucial situations. Between them picking up four RBIs, Scott Meager and classy evergreen Mick Alldis were great with the bat for the Saints, who have drawn level with the Bears and - amazingly - are now just a win shy of fourth as the Brewers and Wildcats have kicked clear at the top of the table.
BELLARINE 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 (2)
SAINTS 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 (5)
Hits:
Bellarine: B McKentish, S Martin 2, D Crotty
Saints: M Alldis 2, C Rickard, S Carter, Lee Poulter, S Meager, M Grigg
Saints: S Meager 3, M Alldis 1
Pitching:
Bellarine: D Crotty 6 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 2 BBs, 5 ERs
A O’Keefe 2 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks
Saints: D Barker 8 inn, 4 hits, 6 Ks, 3 BBs, 2 ERs
S Talbot 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K
Rags to baseball riches: Blues dump Bacchus
DEAKIN BLUES 9 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 1
In
the weekend’s only A
Grade clash, a hot and cold Deakin trounced Bacchus Marsh 9-1 in a
stunning form
reversal that leapfrogs the Blues into third place – only a point clear
of
Guild and the Marsh but well in touch with the Brewers and Lara at the
top of
the table, although the Blues have played an extra game.
In
something of setback - it had the chance to consolidate in third place
- the Tigers’ cause
was not helped by its usually miserly pitching staff conceding eleven
free
passes. However, this should not detract from the Deakin effort - a far
cry from its Bellarine debacle and one that was set up on the back of
rock-solid defence and
stand-out individual performances by Chris Humphrey and Cam Clarke.
In
throwing just 85 pitches over seven
innings, Humphrey was irrepressible in holding a strong Marsh offence
to five
scattered hits (Matt Jones the standout with two and the only RBI),
whilst Clarke - with
three hits and four RBIs - did serious damage with the bat in a crucial
win
with full rounds of senior matches to resume next weekend. Deakin will
have the bye but will be otherwise engaged with the University Games.
DEAKIN 0 3 0 4 0 2 0 (9) error 1
BACCHUS MARSH 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 (1)
Hits.
Deakin: C.Clarke 3, A.Warren, M.Ernstzen, B.Williams
Bacchus Marsh: M.Jones 2, Scott Moore, C.Galloway, E,Byrne
RBIs.
Deakin: C.Clarke 4, K.Mason 2
Bacchus Marsh: M.Jones 1
Pitching.
Deakin: C.Humphrey 7 inn, 5 hits, 5 Ks, 1 ER
Bacchus Marsh: L.Webb 3.3 inn, 5 hits, 4 Ks, 5 BB, 5 ER
Shaun Moore 2.3 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 5 BB
Scott Moore 0.7 inn, 1 hit, 1 BB
ROUND 8
BELLARINE BEARS 4 defeated DEAKIN BLUES 1
Bellarine
Bears
injected further life into an already fascinating competition by
dispensing
with a more favoured Deakin Blues outfit in Round 8 of the Geelong
Baseball
Association on Saturday.
Although only its
second win from seven outings – both wins over the Blues – the Bears
are
breathing down the necks of Deakin and Guild, who also lost their
weekend clash.
The game was
deadlocked at 1-1 after six innings of tight defence, but was blown
open when the Blues made
three telling errors to let the Bears in with three unearned runs in
the
seventh.
Over six innings, Dave Crotty did a superb job for the
Bears in holding the opposition to four scattered hits (Morgan a
standout for the Blues with two), while the veteran was well
supported by Adam O’Keefe in relief.
Their counterparts in Peter Kerr-Chapman and Chris Humphrey did little wrong on the hill for the Blues in an even encounter that saw neither side dominate with the bat in a thriller that was decided in one topsy-turvy innings, keeping the Bears in the hunt while putting the pressure on the Blues who will host an improving Bacchus Marsh in next weekend's only senior game.
DEAKIN:
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 5
BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 (4) errors 3
Hits: Deakin:
T Morgan 2, E Biddle, P Kerr-Chapman, M Ernstzen, C Clarke
Bellarine: W Visser, A O’Keefe, C Fulton, S Martin, C
Milligan
RBIs: Deakin:
N Hinrichsen
Bellarine: W Visser, C Fulton
Pitching: Deakin:
P Kerr-Chapman 6 inn, 3 hits, 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 1 ER
C Humphrey 2 inn, 2
hits, 1 K, 2 BBs
Bellarine: D Crotty 6 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BBs
A O’Keefe 3 inn, 2
hits, 3 Ks
BALLARAT BREWERS 2-1 defeated GUILD 1
Spectators were treated to a wonderful game of baseball at the Lions’den between the locals and an undefeated Ballarat Brewers, the latter taking the points 2-1 but only after Guild had issued a serious late challenge.
In his last game with the Lions – for a time at least – southpaw Josh Spence was superb for the home side while Rory Meddick and Ross Hipke were dominant for the Brewers, although the Lions outhit the visitors but made some telling base-running and tactical errors when the game was up for grabs.
Hamish Burrows and Leigh Ashmore were dangerous with the bat for the Brewers, while Jason Landthaler was terrific in relief and picked up three hits for Guild, who would be generally pleased with their defensive effort but disappointed that they lost their cool somewhat and could not put the Brewers away when they had runners on base.
GUILD:
0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 (1) errors 3
BALLARAT CITY: 0 0 1
1 0 0 0 0 0 (2) no errors
Hits: Guild:
J Landthaler 3, N Spence, D Jones, S Murry, J Spence, J Peoples
Ballarat City: H Burrows 2, N McKenzie, P Gladman, L
Ashmore
RBIs: Guild:
R Stewart
Ballarat City: H Burrows, L Ashmore
Pitching: Guild:
J Spence 7 inn, 4 hits, 9 Ks, 1 BB
J Landthaler 2inn, 1
hit, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Ballarat City: R Meddick 5 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BBs, 1 ER
R Hipke 4 inn, 2
hits, 3 Ks, 3 BBs
LARA 20 defeated SAINTS 1
In a performance that stunned many – not so much in the result as in its magnitude - Lara humbled Saints 20-1 in a mismatch that underscored the Wildcats’ offensive power and pitching strength against an unusually fumble-fingered outfit that has been an association powerhouse for many moons but has suffered a turnaround in its fortunes at this level.
Emerging stars Tayler Rowe and Joel Ricketts were superb on the hill for the Wildcats in conceding just one safe hit whilst between them fanning ten hitters. In another imperious offensive display, Lara picked up a match-breaking fifteen hits that saw it score six in the first and five in the last in a sustained onslaught. Stuart Forbes and Nathan Holmes (both 3 hits and 3 RBIs) were the most damaging for the Wildcats, but they were well backed up by Dean Marnell, Cameron Forbes and Ross Wilson in a fine team performance that augurs well for the second half season and a shot at defending the A Grade title.
Clearly disappointed to pick up just one hit and make seven defensive errors in a season lowlight, Saints will be determined to salvage some pride when games resume after the Under 18 Carnival break.
SAINTS:
0 0 0 0 0 0 1
(1) errors 7
LARA: 6 3 0 2 3 1 5
(20) error 1
Hits: Saints:
S Meager
Lara: S Forbes, N Holmes 3, D Marnell, C Forbes, R
Wilson, C Brown 2,
D
Malthouse
RBIs: Lara:
S Forbes, N Holmes 3, R Wilson 2, D Malthouse, D Marnell, C Forbes
Pitching: Saints:
S Talbot 4 inn, 11 hits, 3 BBs, 6 ERs
D Barker 2.7 inn, 4
hits, 3 Ks, 3 BBs, 6 ERs
M Krigg 0.3 inn
Lara: T Rowe 5 inn, 1 hit, 8 Ks, 1 BB
J Ricketts 2 inn, 2 Ks, 1 BB
ROUND 7
Lara and Deakin draw, Guild three on end
LARA 3 drew with DEAKIN UNIVERSITY 3
Early flag favourite Lara forced a split result against Deakin University after the Blues looked set for an upset in Round 7 of the Geelong Baseball Association A Grade competition.After the Wildcats opened hostilities in the bottom of the first, Deakin exerted enormous offensive pressure to reply with singles in each of the next three innings whilst Chris Humphrey held the dangerous Lara hitters in check. As a quality side, though, the Wildcats rebounded off reliever Kerr-Chapman to consistently land runners on base and to peg the Blues back.
Pitching again dominated the contest, with Tayler Rowe and David Asp terrific for Lara, who managed to marginally outhit the Blues as Dean Marnell (3 hits) and Nathan Holmes (2 hits) showed their class for the home side.
The draw was a fitting result for a baseball spectacle in a season that continues to produce thrilling finishes and low scores.Having a wonderful year, Kerr-Chapman was among the best for Deakin, who were well served by Warren and Ernstzen with the bat and who can confidently look to successes after the resumption.
Lara: 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 (3)
errors 3
Deakin: 0 1 1 1
0 0 0 0 (3) errors 2
Hits: Lara: D Marnell 3, N Holmes 2, D Malthouse, R Wilson, C Brown, S Malthouse, C Forbes
Deakin: A Warren, P Kerr-Chapman 2, M Ernstzen, E Biddle, G Morris
RBIs: Lara: D Marnell, N Holmes, C Brown
Deakin: P Kerr-Chapman, A Warren
Pitching: Lara: T Rowe 6 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER
D Asp 3 inn, 3 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB
Deakin: C Humphrey 4.7 inn, 3 hits, 6 Ks, 2 BBs, 1 ER
P Kerr-Chapman 4.3 inn, 7 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BBs, 2 ERs
GUILD 2 defeated SAINTS 0
Guild Lions made it three on the trot with a classy win over Saints, who again gave it their best shot but came up just short against a serious finals contender.
Errorless in defence, the Lions were brilliantly served by Josh Spence, who fanned fourteen and conceded just six hits over eight innings to the Saints. In another blinder for the Saints, Dean Barker also went the distance and held Guild to three hits, with Jason Landthaler’s two hits and two RBIs being the offensive catalyst in an important win for the Lions.Led by Lee Poulter (2 hits) but uncharacteristically loose in defence, the Saints marginally outhit the Lions, but again struggled to string them together to create any sort of scoreboard pressure.
Guild goes to the Carnival break equal third behind Brewers and Lara, while the Saints – although with just one win – will be looking to more from their hitters to keep the season alive.Saints: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors
5
Guild: 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 (2) no errors
Guild: J Landthaler 2, D Jones
RBIs: Guild: J Landthaler 2
Pitching: Saints: D Barker 7 inn, 3 hits, 10 Ks, 6 BBs, 2 ERs
Guild: J Spence 7 inn, 6 hits, 14 Ks, 2 BBs
BACCHUS MARSH 13 defeated BELLARINE 0
Bacchus Marsh showed that it is striking something like its best form by thumping Bellarine in a season that has thus far produced very few blow-outs.
Although the scoreline suggests a total Tigers’ dominance, the game was very tight for the first four and the damage was not done until a junk time last couple that produced eleven runs off a tiring Dave Crotty and his relievers.
As always, the Bears were valiant in defence, but struggled to get runners on and could not contain a rampant Tigers lineup that hit safely thirteen times - Scott Moore, Shaun Moore and Kane Carter the stand-outs in an offence now producing contributions throughout the order.
Lindsay Webb continued his hot streak to dominate for the Marsh over five digs, while Shaun Moore capped off another terrific game by killing any thought of a late Bears revival.
After a slow start to its season, the Tigers join Guild in third place, while the Bears – who have played some steady baseball with limited success – languish at the bottom of the table but are still not out of contention.
Bacchus
Marsh: 0 0 1 0 1 4
7 (13) errors 2
Bellarine: 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 (0) errors 3
Hits: Bacchus Marsh: Scott Moore 3, Shaun
Moore, K Carter 2, B Jones, M Jones,
C
Galloway, E Byrne, L Webb, J Rickards
Bellarine: A O’Keefe, S Ellis
RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: Shaun Moore 3, Scott Moore, J Rickards 3, B Jones, M Jones, C Galloway, K Carter, S KugelePitching: Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 5 inn, 1 hit, 4 Ks, 1 BB
Shaun Moore 2 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 2 BBs
Bellarine: D Crotty 6.7 inn, 9 hits, 4 K’s, 5 BB’s, 2 ER’s
A O’Keefe 0.3 inn, 3 hits, 1 BB, 3 ER’s
W Visser 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 3 BB’s
Ballarat Brewers had the bye
ROUND 6
With Josh Spence (Guild) going against Lindsay Webb (Tigers), the contest – as expected – evolved into a quality pitching duel, the former playing a blinder in picking up three hits while conceding the same humble number over seven innings of dominance supported by tight Lions defence. His usual steady self in relief, Jason Landthaler did what was required to keep the lid on the Marsh, who struggled all day to get runners on base.
Although Webb was steady over five, the Moores were effective in relief and the Marsh played errorless defence, the Lions mounted several offensive challenges, breaking the deadlock mid game with great hitting inspired by Spence, Murry (two hits and two RBIs) and Stuart Barnes (two hits).
GUILD:
0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 (3) error 1
BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) no errors
Bacchus Marsh: Scott Moore, M Jones, K Carter, E Byrne
J Landthaler 2 inn, 1 hit, 2 BBs
Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 5inn, 7 hits, 2 K’s, 1 BB, 3 ER’s
Shaun Moore 2.3 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 1 BB
Scott Moore 0.7 inn, 1 BB
In another thriller dominated by outstanding young pitchers, an errorless Deakin University shook off Saints 4-1 in a contest that - with any sort of fortune – could have gone either way.
The Blues controlled the first several innings, with Chris Humphrey on a perfect game into the fifth, when a double to Lee Poulter, a Twaddle single and a ground ball scored the Saints’ first and only run. Deakin had managed several runners and – in characteristic counterpunch - quickly hit back with two of its own in the equaliser.
Humphrey was outstanding in going the distance for 9 strike outs and conceding just six hits to quality opposition, while Dean Barker – albeit giving up six free passes - was impressive for the Saints, who will be desperate to string a few wins together and keep their season alive.
Poulter and Twaddle (each two hits) were best with the bat for Saints, whilst outfielder Tim Morgan had a day out in defence and with the bat for the Blues, who are well in contention but face another tough one at Lara on Sunday.
SAINTS:
0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 (1) errors 3
DEAKIN: 0 0 0 0
2 0
0 2 (4) no errors
Hits: Saints: L Poulter, B Twaddle 2, C Rickard, D
Kirchner
Deakin: T Morgan, E Biddle, M Ernstzen, M Darcy, G
Morris
RBIs: Deakin: T Morgan 2
Pitching: Saints: D Barker 7 inn, 2hits, 10 K’s, 6 BB’s, 1 ER
S Talbot 1 inn, 3 hits, 2 ER’sBALLARAT BREWERS 8 defeated BELLARINE 0
Competitive as ever, Bellarine was no match for the rampaging Brewers, who go to the bye undefeated and with a miserly two runs scored against them in six matches.
In all, the Brewers hit safely a staggering nineteen times, with Nathan McKenzie (4 hits and 3 RBIs), Jamieson Burrows (3 hits), Scott Kerr and Rory Meddick the other serious contributors to a team effort that was set up by an explosive first dig that yielded four runs off wily evergreen Dave Crotty, who seems to shoulder pitching duties for the Bears each week.
Although Wayne Visser and Brad McKentish looked dangerous with the stick, the Bears would be disappointed with their progress – after a promising start to the season - and confident of rebounding against Bacchus Marsh in a contest vital to the finals aspirations of both clubs.
BALLARAT CITY: 4 2 0
1 0 1 0 0 0 (8) errors 2
BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 (0) errors 3
Hits: Ballarat City: A Irons, N McKenzie 4, J Burrows 3, S Kerr, R Meddick 2, A Hughes, B Bennetts, L Ashmore, R Hipke
Bellarine: W Visser 2, B McKentish, C Fulton
RBIs: Ballarat City: N McKenzie 3, S Kerr, B Bennetts 2, R Meddick
ROUND 5
Ballarat Brewers remain undefeated after a last gasp win over Lara in the weekend’s round of the Geelong Baseball Association.
Ace duo Rory Meddick and reliever Ross Hipke were supreme for the Brewers, who conceded just three hits to a star-studded Wildcat offence, outfielder Dean Marnell the stand out with two. Lara’s Taylor Rowe had another great day out in shutting the Brewers down in a number of potential scoring situations over his six inning hit out.
While the Wildcats would rue their defensive lapses, it was the sustained pressure of the Brewers offence that set up the result behind its polished pitching display.
Deakin took the lead with two in the seventh innings, only to see the Tigers draw fielding errors and rebound with three in the last to snatch a timely – and very important - win after a slow start to the season.
Guild piled on the pressure from the outset, scoring three in the first and another in the second with Dean Jones (3 hits), Jensz and Stuart Barnes (each two) leading an offensive charge that yielded thirteen hits in an emphatic display.
The final scoreline probably flattered the Bears, with its two consolation runs coming in the last – when the game was well gone – complements of an error and two free passes by reliever Jason Landthaler.
In what shapes as the match of the round between sides approaching their best form, Guild will host Bacchus Marsh at the Geelong Baseball Centre on Sunday.
ROUND 4
Glamour
side and flag favourite Lara remains undefeated after crushing
an undermanned Bellarine in the fourth round of the Geelong Baseball
Association on Saturday.
After a sluggish start to its season, the Wildcats have
sparked up in the past fortnight behind a potent hitting lineup and a
range of impressive pitching options.
Although appearing the complete package at this point, the Wildcats – at home – will be seriously challenged by league leader Ballarat Brewers next Sunday in what shapes as another epic clash between fierce rivals.
Still well in touch with two runaway leaders, Bellarine will have their chance to atone against a winless Guild at the Geelong Baseball Centre on Saturday.
BELLARINE:
0 0 0 0 0 0 0(0) errors 6
LARA: 1 0 2 0 2 2 0 (7) error 1
BACCHUS MARSH 10 defeated SAINTS 3
In a strong all-round performance, the Tigers were offensively inspired by catcher Matt Jones (three hits including a two run bomb in the first) and Chad Galloway (three hits), although the entire lineup contributed to a blistering display that yielded thirteen hits to the Saints nine.
SAINTS:
2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (3) errors 4
BACCHUS MARSH: 2 1 1 0 4 1 0 1 0 (10) errors 3
Hits: Saints: D Barker, B Morris 2, S Meager, C Rickard, L Poulter, B Twaddle, L Sherwell
Bacchus Marsh: M Jones, C Galloway 3, P Lovelock 2, Scott Moore,
BALLARAT BREWERS 4 defeated DEAKIN BLUES 1
With an almost embarrassingly deep pitching roster, the Brewers opted to rest Rory Meddick and go with Adam Irons, who did a fine job in restricting the students, although they caught up with him by the fifth and scored the solitary run conceded by the Brewers in four games.
In a low-scoring encounter controlled by the respective pitchers, Nathan McKenzie (3 hits) was a standout for the Brewers, while Deakin’s Peter Kerr-Chapman complemented a fine pitching performance by looking ever-dangerous with the bat.
“They’re a quality club,’ he said, “and they can damage any side with their hitting power – but we know we have the pitchers and the defence to shut them down. We’re in pretty good shape.
ROUND
3
Last year’s grand finalists treated their supporters to another thrilling contest, with scores level at two apiece after six innings controlled by two outstanding young pitching prospects in the Marsh’s Lindsay Webb and Wildcat Taylor Rowe, the latter coming off a brilliant performance last week.
Earl Byrne and Scott Moore led the offence for the Tigers, who are winless after two but clearly on the improve and desperate for success against a disappointing Saints outfit next Saturday.
BREWERS 2 defeated SAINTS 0
In a competition that boasts several outstanding young pitchers, the Brewers clash with its saintly nemesis was no exception, with the match dominated by Dean Barker (Saints) and the slippery Brewers duo of Rory Meddick and Ross Hipke, who between them held Saints to a solitary Trevor Elliot safety bunt while racking up a combined sixteen strike outs.
Appearing now, as a light of other days, the Saints offence was unable to mount a challenge while the Brewers were well served with the bat by Gladman, Irons and Jamieson Burrows.
DEAKIN UNIVERSITY 7 defeated GUILD 4
The damage was done early as Deakin cruised to a 6-0 lead after four, with Guild starter Stuart Barnes struggling to contain the Deakin hitters, who bludgeoned a match-breaking 17 hits in an offensive onslaught led by Ernstzen (4 hits) and yielding hits right through the order, Kerr-Chapman capping off a superb game with some great hitting.
Although ever-competitive and playing steady baseball to date, the Lions languish at the bottom of the table, with next week’s bye affording them a reflective moment and some planning time to get their season back on track.
ROUND 2
In a poised all-round performance, the Bears showed that they will be no easy beats in 2006 by wearing down and then overrunning the students in a crowd pleaser at Deakin University.
With scores level after five fluctuating innings and reliever Josh Lee in commanding pitching form for Deakin, the game was turned on its head when Lee sustained an injury and the Bears hit hard with four runs in the eighth on the back of Deakin defensive lapses and strong hitting by Chris Fulton (3 hits), Adam O’Keefe and Brad McKentish.
Williams and Lee were best with the stick for Deakin, who racked up enough hits to be in the contest but were not able to bunch enough in scoring situations.
BELLARINE: 2 1 0 0 2 0 4 1 (10 ) error 1
DEAKIN: 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 (6) errors 4
Hits:
Bellarine 12 (C Fulton 3, A O’Keefe, B McKentish 2, C
Gibbons, W Visser,S Martin, D Crotty, M Osborne
Deakin 10 (J Lee, B Williams 2, T Morgan, E Biddle, K Grabau-Keele,P
Kerr-Chapman, N Hinrichsen, B Southall)
RBIs: Bellarine: C Fulton, D Crotty, M Osborn 2, A O’Keefe, B McKentish,S Martin
Pitching: Bellarine: D Crotty 8 inn, 10 hits, 7 K, 3 BB, 5 ER
BALLARAT BREWERS 3 defeated GUILD LIONS 0
Although again making damaging errors – this week in the first and the seventh innings - the Lions did little else wrong defensively on the back of fine pitching efforts from gun youngster Josh Spence and stalwart Jason Landthaler in relief, between them conceding just eight scattered hits against a potent offence led by Adam Irons and old stagers in Paul Gladman and the Burrows brothers.
Not yet tested on the scoreboard, the Brewers will be on pretty good terms with themselves, but well aware that the sun doesn’t always shine – especially in their neck of the woods – and that there are plenty of tough assignments to come before they can start planning for September action, even in an historic seventy-fifth year of club action that shows such early promise.
BREWERS: 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 X (3) error 1
GUILD: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2
Hits: Brewers 8 (J.Burrows 2, A.Irons, L.Ashmore, H.Burrows, S.Kerr,P.Gladman, A.Collins)
Guild 1 (S.Murry)
Guild: Nil
Guild: J.Spence 5 inn, 4 hits, 3 K, 1 BB, 0 ER
J.Landthaler 3 inn, 4 hits, 3 K, 1 BB, 1 ER
LARA 9 defeated SAINTS 2
Although marginally outhitting the Wildcats and with Carter and Twaddle dangerous with the bat, Saints failed to issue any sort of challenge until the sixth innings, with former Werribee youngster Taylor Rowe (11 strike outs) supreme on the hill for the reigning premiers, whose pitching roster surely ranks in the top two in the league.
Mercurial, aggressive and a serious handful at his best, Dean Barker conceded seven walks and a match-winning lead in what was – for him – a dirty day, although Saints hierarchy will be heartened by the continued relief form of youngster Sean Talbot, who gave up just one hit in nearly three digs against the league’s offensive big guns, this time shown the way by Dean Malthouse with two hits and four matchbreaking RBIs for the Wildcats.
SAINTS: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 (2) errors 2
Hits: Saints 5 (S Carter 3, B Twaddle, B Morris)
Lara 4 (D Malthouse 2, D Marnell, C Lewis)
ROUND 1
In the end doing just enough, reigning premier and early flag favourite Lara Wildcats shook off a dogged Guild outfit in a serviceable, albeit less than convincing start to its winter campaign.
However, the young Lions had the better of the clash early and exercised serious offensive pressure to establish a lead against a powerful hitting line up - only to have the tide turn decisively in the top of four when the Wildcats, with two out, drew a series of defensive errors and rebounded with six runs to forge well ahead.
“This one should not have got away,” lamented Guild coach Dean Jones, who will now be preparing his squad for a showdown with his old club – the Brewers – in Ballarat next Saturday.
Hits:
Lara 10 (S.Forbes, C.Brown, B.Hammer 2, D.Marnell, R.Wilson, C.Lewis, D.Ricketts)
RBIs:
Lara: S.Forbes 2, C.Brown, B.Hammer, D.Ricketts
Guild: B.Jensz 2, S.Murry, J.Peoples
Ballarat Brewers 10 defeated Bacchus Marsh 0
With Kane Galloway and Scott Moore missing from the Tigers line-up and with Sean Moore suffering an apparently serious hand injury early on, the Marsh was no match for a rampaging Brewers outfit led by a dominant Rory Meddick who went nine innings on the hill for a staggering sixteen strikeouts.
Boasting several top liners on its pitching roster, the Brewers – even at this early stage – are looking at a top two placing, while last year’s runner-up the Tigers will be licking their wounds and looking to the return of key players to boost their stocks in what promises to be a hard-fought A Grade season.
Ballarat Brewers 0 0 3 0 2 3 0 1 1 (10) errors 2
Hits:
Brewers 14 (J.Burrows, S.Kerr 3, R.Meddick, B.Bennetts, L.Ashmore 2, A.Irons, P.Gladman)
SAINTS 10 defeated BELLARINE 4
With evergreen Dave Crotty steady on the hill for the Bears and the Saints Dean Barker well in control early, runs were at a premium until Saints scored in the top of the second when Brendan Twaddle – in his first game with the club – drove in skipper Mark Jeffery on a line drive to righfield.
With Crotty tiring and the Bears managing just singles in the fifth and sixth, the Saints pressed on to score freely and lock down the game with Talbot in relief.
Hits:
Saints 13 (B.Twaddle 3, M.Baumann, S.Carter, M.Jeffery 2, L.Poulter,
S.Meagher, D,Barker, D.Kirschner
Bears 3 (B.McKentish, W.Visser, M.Osborn
Mike Schmidt (Phillies third baseman of 70s and 80s)
| b |