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| A Grade Reports for 2007 Winter Season |
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GRAND
FINAL
15 September 2007 Lara makes it three straight in extra innings thriller Lara Wildcats won their third consecutive A Grade title by downing a valiant Bacchus Marsh in a twelve innings thriller before a huge crowd at the stadium this afternoon. This was simply a remarkable game, that went for over four hours and finished under lights. In a sense it was played in two halves. To be more precise, it was played at a frenetic pace over four innings, then took on a totally contrasting defensive complexion over the next eight. Bacchus jumped the favourite early, to hold a 6 zip lead after two. Quality side that they are, the Wildcats shook off some early lethargy and defensive jitters to tie it up in the bottom of four. From that point, it was a battle of attrition, with relievers in Scott Moore (Bacchus) and Cameron Forbes (Lara) holding sway in gutsy performances for their respective clubs. The scores were deadlocked from the seventh onward. It was only in the bottom of twelve that the Wildcats loaded the bases and were able to score the go-ahead run on a Dean Marnell bleeder to rightfield. With some solid early work at the hot corner, four hits, two RBIs and a superb relief effort over five innings, Forbes was a worthy Grand Final MVP. However, there were a number of outstanding individual efforts, for both sides. While he conceded a few runs later in his stint, Tom Shaw was terrific, again; as was Scott Moore, who went nearly seven digs in relief for the Tigers. With two hits and a truckload of infield outs, Chad Galloway was brilliant at third base for the Marsh. With three hits and an RBI, Lara catcher and nine hitter Dale Ricketts was dead-set dangerous for the Wildcats, as were Hammer, Marnell and Stephen Wilson. After an indifferent early season with the stick, Brad Jones was far more productive for the Marsh, while his brother Matt was effective as a team leader behind the dish. The margin between the sides - one run, in extra time - is a reflection of the closeness of the sides on the day. Lara racked up fifteen hits but made an uncharacteristic seven errors; Bacchus hit safely ten times but made just three errors. On numbers, the game should have been close - and it was. Indeed a game of inches! The Geelong Baseball extends its congratulations to Lara on its superb "three-peat". May the club party hard and long. Barring catastrophe or major changes to playing personnel, they will be favoured to go "fourfa" in 2008. Much will be said about their prospects over an ale or many at celebrations over the next day or two. However, the Marsh is one of the clubs that will have a deal to say about that. The Tigers' effort over the past five weeks has been sensational. They went from struggling to make the play-offs to falling just short in the game that mattered most. They will understandably - and rightly - be disappointed and they will be wondering "what might have been" (had that play been made, had that bunt been laid down, had that ball been hit more cleanly or less cleanly). What might have been is gone. We live to fight another day. The Tigers can approach next year with great optimism. They have a young side, they have the mechanics to play terrific baseball and they showed real character in taking it up to all comers in the finals series. Youth, skill and heart are handy requisites in sport. And in life. In what was a great day for the Wildcats club, Lara took the A Reserve title 8-5 over Guild,who had a magnificent season overall but couldn't quite produce on Grand Final day. Werribee won both the B and B Reserve grades over Guild, 8-7 and 11-5 respectively. In C Grade, Corio belted Werribee 9-1 after a tight early contest. BACCHUS MARSH:
2 4 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (7) errors 3
LARA: 0 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 (8) errors 7 Hits: Bacchus Marsh: B Jones 3, C Galloway, E Byrne 2, S Moore, L Vicary-Lovegrove, J Lindsay Lara: C Forbes 4, D Ricketts 3, B Hammer, D Marnell, S Wilson 2, S Forbes, N Holmes RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: M Jones 2, C Galloway, K Carter, B Jones Lara: D Marnell, C Forbes 2, S Forbes, B Hammer, N Holmes, D Ricketts Pitching: Bacchus Marsh: T Shaw 4.3 inn, 5 hits, 1 K, 2 BB S Moore 6.7 inn, 10 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER Lara: R Wilson 7 inn, 8 hits, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER C Forbes 5 inn, 2 hits, 6 Ks, 2 BB FINALS
WEEK 2
8 SEPTEMBER 2007 Bacchus stuns Brewers: it's the Year of the Cat. BACCHUS MARSH 2 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 1 Against the odds and to confound the tipsters, Bacchus Marsh has taken the Preliminary Final with a stirring 2-1 win over Ballarat Brewers, setting up an "all feline" clash against Lara Wildcats in the Grand Final next Saturday. Lara will be shooting for three flags straight, while the Marsh have played some extraordinary baseball in the past month to give themselves a real shot. This was undoubtedly one of the games of the season, with the pitchers holding sway and with some stunning defensive work being provided by both sides - but more particularly the Tigers. Again this week, the Bacchus throwers were terrific - Tom Shaw blanking the Brewers into the sixth dig and Scott Moore finishing off with his customary aplomb. The Brewers used Irons for three, Meddick for five and Hipke to close down the last. They were great in holding the Tigers to six hits, while their own offence picked up ten. The Tigers' first run came in the first, compliments of a Matt Jones single; its second not until the seventh, after Vicary-Lovegrove beat out an infield hit, stole second, held up on a Galloway bleeder, stole third and then scampered home on a throwing error. The Brewers troubled the scorers in the bottom of seven only, when a Brett Bennetts grounder scored "Barry" Fugitani. The Marsh made the most of their limited scoring opportunities. The Brewers hit the ball cleanly, but were simply choked in offence as the Tigers defended out of their skin in an errorless display, including three quality doubles in dangerous situations. Galloway was superb at the hot corner, Pat Lovelock was inspirational at rightfield and old stager Earl Byrne was well among the action at first base and with the stick. While managers will say there is always room for improvement in amateur sport, the Tigers played what was pretty much the "perfect game" under the circumstances - their pitchers fired, their defence was superb and they made the very most of scoring opportunities against three of the league's best throwers. While next week is another game, which may be played out in a far different manner, the Tigers will certainly take it up to the reigning double premier. Another disappointing end for the Brewers, who promised so much but failed to deliver offensively in their two finals appearances in 2007. With several of their stars getting on in years, one wonders whether there will be the desire - or the opportunity - for another crack at premiership glory. In A Reserve, Lara forced a Grand Final showdown with Guild after beating Saints 4-1. Guild got past Saints and will meet Werribee in B Grade. Werribee B Reserve will meet Guild, who downed Corio in the Preliminary; while Werribee made it three Grand Final appearances from three by beating Guild to set up their C Grade season finale with Corio. BACCHUS MARSH: 1 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 (2) no errors FINALS
WEEK 1
1 and 2 SEPTEMBER 2007 Lara into Grand Final: Brewers face dangerous Tigers in Preliminary Lara Wildcats are on track for a third consecutive A Grade title by downing the Brewers 6-4. While the Wildcats enjoy the break next Saturday, the Brewers still have plenty of work to do to get another crack at the champions. With a depleted Bacchus Marsh working up a serious head of steam in the past fortnight, the Brew Crew will be in for a stoush in the Preliminary Final. Previews. BACCHUS MARSH 5 defeated GUILD LIONS 2 Sixteen year-old Tom Shaw is the
toast of the
town in Bacchus Marsh tonight after leading his side to a 5-2 win over
the more
fancied Guild Lions in a cut-throat First Semi-Final.
Just a fortnight ago, the Tigers seemed to be a lost cause, while the Lions were strong in third place and appeared capable of beating any of the contenders. Since then, Bacchus has scratched and clawed its way to a win over flag-favourite Lara. It has snatched an unlikely play-off berth and it has peremptorily dumped Guild from flag contention. With Lindsay Webb missing from the pitching roster, Bacchus challenged Shaw to deliver against the Lions, who have been in fine hitting form of late. And deliver he did, going six innings for just two runs, ten hits - admittedly - but no free passes. One of the most impressive features of the youngster's outing was his capacity to get out of a number of potentially ugly situations - when Guild had multiple runners on in the bottom of the second, third and fifth digs. From Guild's perspective, its pitching wasn't too shabby either - with southpaw Pat Moulton going deep into the eighth. But holding a 2-1 break was simply not enough for the Lions, as Bacchus issued a serious assault into that dig, knowing that they had superstar Scott Moore in the wings to protect any lead they might have. A combination of three hits, two walks, a HPB, a sac fly and a delayed steal gleaned the Tigers four runs and a match-winning break over their shell-shocked opponents, who played some great baseball but could not withstand the tide of adrenalin and aggression conjured up by the Tigers when it mattered. One stunning innings was the difference between the sides. The Marsh were outhit eleven hits to six, but capitalised on their opportunities in a frenetic and irresistible innings. The result may not have been an upset of monumental proportions - but it surely took many by surprise. So the Marsh boxes on, qualifying for next Saturday's Preliminary Final against the Brewers, who will know that their opponents are serious scrappers riding the crest of a wave that just may be capable of taking them all the way in 2007. For their part, the young Lions should hold their heads high, knowing that they gave it their all and will certainly come back tougher for the experience at this level. BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 (5) errors 1 GUILD: 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 (2) errors 3 Hits: Bacchus Marsh: P Lovelock 2, L Vicary-Lovegrove, C Galloway, M Jones, J Lindsay Guild: D Jones 3, A Barnes, RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: L Vicary-Lovegrove 2, C Galloway, P Lovelock Guild: D Jones, S Barnes Pitching: Bacchus Marsh: T Shaw 6.3 inn, 10 hits, 1 K, 2 ER Scott Moore 2.7 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 1 BB Guild: P Moulton 7 inn, 6 hits, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 4 ER C Lyons 2 inn, 1 K, 1 BB LARA
6 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 4
Lara Wildcats have booked a berth in the Grand Final - and a shot at a third consecutive A Grade title - by downing Ballarat Brewers 6-4 in a quality Second Semi-Final clash at the stadium this afternoon. It was a perfect day, weather-wise, for the first of September - and there was a clear spring in the step of the Lara outfit as it dispensed with its great rival of the past few seasons. There was an eerie sense of deja-vu in the way the match panned out, with the Wildcats striking a decisive blow in the seventh innings - just as they did in the 2006 Grand Final. However, the Brewers can be dirty only on themselves, not on the baseball gods - this time for stranding so many runners on base. They outhit their opponents thirteen to nine but were not able to tame the Wildcats on a number of occasions that they had the chance. By contrast, Lara had less opportunities, but took full toll in a match-defining seventh dig that yielded five runs complements of a Ben Hammer double, a Holmes bleeder, a Ross Wilson triple and a Brewers wild pitch. There was nothing in the game early, with Rory Meddick and Ross Wilson holding sway for their respective sides. Meddick was miserly for the Brewers by giving up just four hits and one run over four (a free pass with bags loaded), while Wilson was superb until he began to tire in the bottom of six, when the Brewers smacked three runs to set up a commanding 4-1 lead. After an uncharacteristically shaky start, Cameron Forbes settled into some fine finishing work for the Wildcats, while the Brew Crew's Ross Hipke was steady but not dominant in a five innings stint that included the five run blowout in the seventh. As expected, the game produced a number of individual highlights, apart from the pitching. Ross Wilson complemented his terrific all-round game with two hits and two RBIs. Holmes and Hammer were dangerous for the Wildcats, while Adam Irons (three hits), Brett Bennetts (three hits and an RBI), Leigh Ashmore (two and two) and Scott Kerr (two hits) led the Brewers' offence. Lara's Hammer and Stuart Forbes and the Brewers' Ned Baldwin made some sensational plays in the outfield, while evergreen Brett Bennetts was superb at the hot corner for the Brewers to underscore his value to the side. While the Wildcats can enjoy the rest next week, the Brewers have another chance against the winner of tomorrow's First Semi-Final between Guild and Bacchus Marsh. With Guild having beaten the Brewers this season - and with the Marsh having gone awfully close, there is no certainty about anything. Oh, perhaps other than knowing that Lara has seriously shortened its odds for a third consecutive title. LARA: 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 (6) errors 2 BALLARAT CITY: 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 (4) errors 1 Hits: Lara: N Holmes, R Wilson 2, B Hammer, C Forbes, S Wilson, C Lewis, D.Ricketts Ballarat City: A Irons, B Bennetts 3, S Kerr, L Ashmore 2, P Gladman, N McKenzie, H Burrows RBIs: Lara: R Wilson 2, B Hammer, N Holmes, S Malthouse Ballarat City: L Ashmore 2, N Baldwin, B Bennetts Pitching: Lara: R Wilson 6 inn, 10 hits, 1 BB, 4 ER C Forbes 3 inn, 3 hits, 1 BB Ballarat City: R Meddick 4 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER R Hipke 5 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 2 BB ROUND 18 25 and 26 AUGUST 2007 FOUR DECIDED: Tigers
sneak in by a whisker as Guild sinks Saints Ballarat Brewers will play Lara in next weekend’s A Grade Second Semi-Final, while Guild will host Bacchus Marsh in the “knockout” First Semi-Final. Finals in the first week will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Games, venues, times.
BACCHUS MARSH 6 defeated LARA 4 Needing the win to have any chance of fourth – and with two of its young guns missing – the Marsh came out firing to blast four runs in the bottom of the first in response to a threatening first dig by the Wildcats that could have produced more than its solitary score.
Whether through nerves or selective hitting, both starters in David Asp (Lara) and Lindsay Webb (Bacchus) threw more than their reasonable share of pitches early on. But by the fourth the Wildcats had squared the ledger.
Webb’s bizarre ejection in the top of four
did not bode well for the
Marsh, who called upon Scott Moore to take on the task of subduing
arguably the
most potent offence in the league. He was “
In the meantime, the Tigers offence picked up a couple in the bottom of four off a tiring Asp, who may have been kept in a hitter or two too many before giving way to Cameron Forbes, who produced an equally effective relief effort for his own side.
While there was little hinging on the result for the Wildcats, they were surprisingly subdued in totalling just nine hits against a side that has taken it right up to the double-reigning premier and that is capable of riding a tide of emotion that may make it tough to beat in the play-offs.
Shaun Moore was a welcome inclusion for the Tigers, while sibling Scott was the catalyst that sparked his side. Team leader Matt Jones showed the way in offence by picking up two hits and three RBIs. Webb banged a couple of timely RBIs, while Stuart Forbes, Malthouse, Ricketts and Hammer were best with the bat for the Wildcats. LARA: 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 (4) errors 2 BACCHUS MARSH: 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 (6) errors 3 Hits. Lara: S Forbes, S Malthouse, D Ricketts 2, B Hammer, D Marnell, C Forbes Bacchus Marsh: M Jones 2, Scott Moore, C Galloway, , B Jones, Shaun Moore RBIs. Lara: B Hammer 2, D Marnell, D Ricketts Bacchus
Marsh: M Jones 3, L Webb 2, Pitching. Lara: D Asp 4 inn, 8 inn, 1 K, 3 BB, 6 ER C Forbes 3 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 2 BB Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 3 inn, 5 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER Scott Moore 5 inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB
GUILD 9 defeated SAINTS 0 With fourth place beckoning, three hits was a dismal return from a Saints offence that has struggled for most of the season.
Once again, too much reliance was placed on Dean Barker, who held sway early but ran into trouble in the fourth dig, with the young Guild bats consistently putting the ball into play and setting up a comfortable win that will have them brimming with confidence leading into the First Semi-Final against Bacchus Marsh (on Sunday).
Again playing some terrific defence behind Barnes, Moulton and Lyons, the Lions hitters kept up the pressure throughout, with evergreen Dean Jones (three hits and two RBIs), Ben Jensz and Cameron Lyons leading the way. Now out of the hitting wilderness and looking confident, Hiro Sekene picked up a pair of hits for the Guild outfit.
With its offence seemingly in hibernation mode, Saints struggled big-time against Stuart Barnes (who went four) and Pat Moulton (three digs), with Cam Lyons slamming the season gate on a Saints club that improved on 2006 but disappointed when a finals berth was in the offing. SAINTS: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 1 GUILD: 1 0 0 3 4 0 1 (9) errors 2 Hits. Saints: B Twaddle, J Lee, A Hynes Guild: D Jones 3, B Jensz, C Lyons, H Sekine 2, A Barnes, S Barnes, P Moulton RBIs. Guild: D Jones, C Lyons, B Jensz 2 Pitching. Saints: D Barker 4 inn, 7 hits, 4 K’s, 3 BB, 6 ER J Lee 3 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 2 ER Guild: S Barnes 4 inn, 2 hits P Moulton 3 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 2 BB C Lyons 1 inn, 1 K, 1 BB BALLARAT BREWERS 5 defeated DEAKIN 0 The “Brew Crew” has finished clearly in top placing ahead of Lara and – as expected – they were never seriously threatened by the winless Blues. Nevertheless, this was a decent standard game, in which the Deakin “youngsters” could lay claim to keeping the lid on a Brewers’ defence that leads the league in all offensive indicators. Apart from a three-run blowout in the fifth dig, Dylan Arvidson and Russell Millard did a fine job of holding the Brewers to eight hits – Hamish Burrows, Kerr and Bennetts being the best. In making nine outs, centrefield Lachlan Waters was a stand-out for the Blues – who battled manfully, but were seriously up against it against a Meddick/Irons pitching combination that is among the very best in the league. DEAKIN: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 4 Hits. Ballarat City: H Burrows, S Kerr, B Bennetts 2, P Gladman, R Meddick Deakin: L Waters, RBIs. Pitching. A Irons 4 inn, 2 hits, 4 Ks Deakin: D Arvidson 6 inn, 7 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER R Millard 3 inn, 1 hit, 1 BB ROUND
17
18 and 19 AUGUST 2007 Tigers an outside chance but four seems settled
While its form over recent weeks has been pretty good, Bacchus Marsh appears likely to miss the play-offs leading into next week’s final round. Brewers and Lara will finish a clear top two. After drawing with and then beating Bacchus in their double-header, Guild cannot be dislodged from third and Saints – now fourth - can only miss the past season under a combination of circumstances.
In beating Guild, Saints would be sure of fourth. If they lose, or even draw that game, the door may still be ajar for Bacchus, who would in turn have to beat or at least draw with Lara to have a shot at sneaking in.
GUILD 2 drew with BACCHUS MARSH 2 There has been very little between these teams all seasons and they managed to play out another thriller in the first of the double-header that showcased some of the better young pitching talent in the league.
Pat Moulton went the distance for the Lions in conceding just five hits - two of those to Brad Jones, who has struck some form late in the season. Shaky last week, Lindsay Webb turned it all around for the Marsh by going seven digs for four hits, seven Ks and just one pass.
Both sides played outstanding defence to limit the scoring opportunities, with Guild’s Nick Spence (three hits and an RBI) a stand out with the bat. BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 (2) no errors GUILD: 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 (2) errors 2 Hits. Bacchus Marsh: B Jones 2, C Galloway, K Carter, L Webb Guild: N Spence 3, A Barnes, R Stewart RBIs. Guild: N Spence Pitching. Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 7 inn, 4 hits, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER S Moore 1 inn, 1hit, 1 K Guild: P Moulton 8 inn, 5 hits, 5 Ks, 3 BB GUILD 3 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 1 Guild delivered a potentially fatal blow to the Tigers' chance of play-off action with the return game at Mason’s Lane on Sunday.
Both sides had their scoring opportunities but were thwarted - on several occasions - by stunning defence (interspersed with a few Guild bloopers) that saw runners gunned at the plate, unlikely double plays and outfielders spearing some spectacular fly balls. Throw in some coaching strategy and some excellent umpiring - by Hicks and Box - and you have the elements that make our game such a treat.
Despite the high defensive standard of the game, some great hitting was delivered by Ben Jensz and the Barnes brothers for Guild, while Scott Moore, Chad Galloway and Earl Byrne were dangerous for the Marsh. GUILD: 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 (3) errors 5 BACCHUS MARSH: 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 1 Hits. Guild: B Jensz 3, S Barnes, A Barnes 2, D Jones, C Lyons, R Stewart, N Spence, L Dineen Bacchus Marsh: S Moore, C Galloway 2, L Vicary-Lovegrove, E Byrne, L Webb RBIs. Guild: D Jones, C Lyons Bacchus Marsh: C Galloway Pitching. Guild: S Barnes 6 inn, 7 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER C Lyons 3 inn, 1 K, 1 BB Bacchus Marsh: T Shaw 6.3 inn, 9 hits, 1 K, 3 BBs, 1 ER S Moore 2.7 inn, 3 inn, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER
SAINTS 2 defeated DEAKIN 1 In the round’s other nail-biter, Saints scrambled back into fourth place after holding on against Deakin, who played some of their best baseball in an otherwise disappointing season.
While the stats can be misleading, they tell the difference in this game. Russell Millard was honest enough for the Blues but still gave up nine hits to the Sainters, with Ernstzen picking up four of them and Josh Lee two. By contrast, Dean Barker simply refused to give the Blues a sniff in his seven digs for another dozen Ks and just a solitary hit. DEAKIN:
0 0 0 0 0 0
1(1) errors 3
SAINTS: 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 (2) no errors
Pitching. Deakin: R Millard 6 inn, 9 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 2 ER Saints: D Barker 7 inn, 1 hit, 12 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
BALLARAT BREWERS 11 defeated BELLARINE 1 The Bears finished their season with a fumble-fingered performance against the league leaders, who excelled in all aspects of the game in a mismatch that had very little riding on it.
Playing errorless defence, the Brewers gave their pitching guns a decent workout, with Meddick giving up just three hits (including his season first earned run) and Hipke picking up a lazy seven Ks over three digs.
Matt Osborne toiled manfully over eight for the Bears, but he held few fears for the league-leading offence that this time amassed thirteen hits and took full toil of a chain of Bears fielding lapses. Baldwin, McKenzie and Ashmore picked up three apiece, while Bennetts, Irons and Gladman chimed in with the stick when required.
While the Brewers might be enjoying some late season junk-time, they will be aware that the test is yet to come, with Lara in ominous form, Guild brilliantly managed and getting heaps from their youngsters, Saints able to hold anyone when Barker is on song and Bacchus Marsh a serious threat should they sneak into finals action. BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 (1) errors 7 BALLARAT CITY: 0 10 3 5 0 1 1 (11) no errors Hits. Bellarine: S Ellis 2, D Harvey Ballarat City: N Baldwin, N McKenzie, L Ashmore 3, J Burrows 2, B Bennetts, A Irons RBIs. Bellarine: S Ellis Ballarat City: N Baldwin, N McKenzie, L Ashmore, B Bennetts 2, P Gladman, L Collins Pitching. Bellarine: M Osborn 8 inn, 13 hits, 3 Ks, 3 BB, 3 ER Ballarat City; R Meddick 5 inn, 3 hits, 7 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER R Hipke 3 inn, 7 Ks ROUND
16
11 and 12 AUGUST 2007 Tigers and Lions too strong: lack-lustre Saints disappoint BACCHUS MARSH 12 defeated BELLARINE 1 Bacchus Marsh kept its finals hopes alive with a comprehensive win over the Bears at Mason’s Lane on Saturday. With three games still to play, the Marsh will be assured of a finals berth if they can win all, or even two; should they win just one, fourth placing might well be decided by the last round clash between Guild and Saints. Of those three games, though, the Tigers play Guild twice and Lara once. A tough ask. Although the Bears were competitive early, Saturday’s game was virtually over when Bacchus blasted two runs in the third and six in the fourth – all with two out. With his field making a couple of telling blunders, Dave Crotty held few fears for the Tigers, although Lyndon Hockey put the brakes on late in the game with his wily offspeed offerings. In a team total of twelve hits, Jack Lindsay (three hits and five RBIs) was a star for the Marsh, with other strong contributions coming from Lovelock, Byrne and Brad Jones. The Tigers played errorless defence but may have expected more from Lindsay Webb, who had control problems and threw an inordinately high number of pitches in his stint on the mound. The versatile Scott Moore was on hand, though, to slam the gate on the Bears, whose season will end next week with the tough road trip against the Brewers. BELLARINE: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 2 BACCHUS MARSH: 1 1 2 6 1 1 (12) errors 0 Hits: Bellarine: W Visser, B McKentish, S Martin, J Crotty, D Crotty, S. Ellis Bacchus
Marsh: J Lindsay 3,
P Lovelock, E Byrne, B Jones 2,
K Carter, S Moore, C RBIs: Bellarine: B McKentish Bacchus
Marsh: J Lindsay 5,
E Byrne 2, P
Lovelock, Pitching: Bellarine: D Crotty 4 inn, 9 hits, 2 BBs, 2 ER L Hockey 2 inn, 3 hits, 3 Ks, 2 ER Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 3.3 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 7 BB, 1 ER
GUILD 11 defeated DEAKIN 3 The Lions strengthened their hold on third placing with a comfortable win over Deakin, who are still winless but are showing improved form in recent weeks. In a contest that never reached any great defensive heights (seven errors between the sides), Guild set up the win with nine runs in the third dig - compliments in part of some sloppy Blues fielding. Bouma and Millard did a pretty fair job in holding a strong Lions offence to a manageable number of hits, with Josh Spence, Adam Barnes, Jensz, Lyons and Stewart being the best. Deakin was buoyed by the return of Bon
Southall, who picked
up his side’s only two hits as Pat Moulton, Spence and GUILD: 0 0 9 1 0 1 (11) errors 3 DEAKIN: 0 0 0 2 1 0 (3) errors 4 Hits: Guild: A Barnes, B Jensz, J Spence 2, C Lyons, R Stewart, G Dew, M Miller Deakin: B Southall 2 RBIs: Guild: J Spence 3, A Barnes, C Lyons, R Stewart 2, B Jensz, G Dew Deakin: C Humphrey, H Narasaki Pitching: Guild: P Moulton 4 inn, 1 hit, 4 Ks, 4 BB, 2 ER J Spence 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks C Lyons 1 inn, 2 Ks, 1 BB Deakin: M Bouma 4inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 6 BB, 3 ER R Millard 2 inn, 4 hits, 1 ER LARA 12 defeated SAINTS After these clubs played out a thriller at
But what promised much delivered so little. Dean Barker was a no-show for Saints, leaving Josh Lee to assume mound duties. While he was terrific last time, Lee found the going difficult, with the strong Lara offence scoring at will. With Dean Marnell back, and in form (two hits and three RBIs on Sunday), the Wildcats lineup is near its imperious best, with the Forbes brothers, the Wilsons, Hammer, Holmes and Dale Ricketts all making serious contributions. Brendan Twaddle was best for Saints with two and two, while Meager and Talbot picked up two hits apiece. Ross Wilson was superb in holding the Sainters over five digs, whilst Cameron Forbes continued to ease himself back into work with a couple in relief. Lara has again assumed top placing over the Brewers, who had the bye but should pick up two wins from its last two, while the Wildcats have just one game – against Bacchus Marsh – to come. It’s academic, though, as the two clubs appeared destined, from very early on, to be meeting in the Second Semi-Final on the first day in spring. For Saints, now fifth on match ratio behind Bacchus – and with a lesser percentage - there is much still to be done. Although a win over Deakin seems likely, their fortunes rest very much with the Tigers' performance in the Guild double-header. It may yet come down to a last-round shootout between Saints and Guild to determine fourth placing. SAINTS: 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 (5) errors 3 LARA: 0 4 1 2 5 0 (12) errors 4 Hits: Saints: B Twaddle, S Meager, S Talbot 2, M Ernstzen, J Lee Lara:
C Forbes 3, S Forbes, D Marnell, R RBIs: Saints: B Twaddle 2, S Meager, J Lee Lara:
D Marnell 3, B Hammer, R Pitching: Saints: J Lee 4.7 inn, 10 hits, 5 Ks, 4 BB, 6 ER S Talbot 1.3 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 1 BB Lara: R Wilson 5 inn, 4 hits, 3 Ks, 1 BB C Forbes 2 inn, 4 hits, 1 BB, 2 ER
ROUND
15
4 and 5 AUGUST 2007 Wildcats win two: Saints throwers on fire: "Cubs" show heart Although both clubs were seriously challenged during a fascinating round that included the reschedule of an earlier Saints/Lara washout, Ballarat Brewers and Lara Wildcats strengthened their hold on the top two placings and will certainly meet in the Second Semi-Final in a few weeks' time. The youthful Guild Lions club holds third but may be under the pump from an improving East Belmont Saints, who were a bit stiff not to have won both games of their double-header. With the bye this week, Bacchus Marsh is still a chance for play-off action but will need to win three of its past four to be a contender. SAINTS 5 defeated BELLARINE 0 Saints won the first of its weekend double-header 5-0 over Bellarine in a match that produced one of the most remarkable individual pitching outings in recent league memory. Already in some of his best career pitching form, Saints southpaw Dean Barker was untouchable in picking up 20 strike outs over nine completed innings, conceding just three hits and two passes. A tight game early, Saints blasted four in the fourth - as the Bears' defence faltered - to give Barker more than enough breathing space. Now producing some offensive form after an indifferent early season, the Sainters were again well served by Brendan Twaddle (three hits and an RBI), Chris Rickard and Josh Lee (both with two RBIs). BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0)
errors 4 SAINTS: 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 (5) errors
1 Hits: Bellarine:
S Ellis, D Harvey, M Osborne Saints: B Twaddle
3, S Meager, M Ernstzen, L Poulter, C Rickard, J Lee RBIs: Saints:
C Rickard, J Lee 2, B Twaddle Pitching: Bellarine:
M Osborn 4.3 inn, 4 hits, 3 Ks, 5 BB, 1 ER
D Crotty 3.7
inn, 4 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB Saints: D Barker 9 inn, 3 hits, 20 Ks, 2 BB BALLARAT BREWERS 6 defeated GUILD LIONS 5 At Ballarat's Prince of Wales Reserve, the Brewers ran out a 6-4 winner after Guild gave them a serious scare by coming back with four late runs to have supporters wondering what might have been had the game gone to the ninth dig. With sixteen of its seniors not available, all Guild sides were depleted and the A Grade outfit could more accurately have been identified as "Cubs", with six of its players under 20 years of age. Josh Spence, Stuart Barnes and Cameron Lyons all did a fine job on the hill for the Lions, while the Brewers received great input from Meddick and Irons, the former retaining his 0.00 ERA - after unusually limited mound time this season. The Burrows brothers were best with the bat for the Brewers and "Barry" Fugitani again delivered in the clutch, while Ryan Stewart and Pat Moulton looked dangerous for the visitors, who face a “must win” against lowly Deakin Blues on Saturday. GUILD: 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 (4) errors
4 Hits: Guild:
A Barnes, C Lyons, R Stewart, S Barnes, R Darcy, P Moulton Ballarat City: H
Burrows, J Burrows 2, P Gladman, L Ashmore, A Irons, T Fujitani RBIs: Guild:
C Harper, R Darcy, P Moulton Pitching:
Guild:
J Spence 2 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB
S Barnes 4 inn, 6 hits, 3 Ks, 3 ER
C Lyons 2 inn, 2 Ks, 1 BB
A Irons 4 inn, 4 hits,
6 Ks, 1 BB, 4 ER
LARA WILDCATS 18 defeated DEAKIN 1 An undermanned Deakin Blues were no match for Lara, who racked up eleven hits to two on their way to an 18-1 win. David Asp and Cameron Forbes put in a couple of typically consummate pitching stints, while Chris Humphrey made a welcome return with a one innings cameo on the hill for the Blues, who were again let down by defensive lapses – six of them. The Wildcats commited an uncharacteristic three of their own, which probably says more about the lack of playing intensity than anything else in the game. Ross Wilson (two hits and four RBIs) was the stand in a potent Lara offence, although he was well supported by Stuart Forbes (two and three), Cam Forbes (one and two) and other usual suspects in Stephen Wilson, Lewis, Hammer and Holmes. Although enduring a miserable season - playing wise - the Blues have taken the opportunity to expose their young players to baseball at this level, with Brendan Belfrage, Jackson McCaffey, Darcy Eales and Hiroshi Narasaki all experiencing invaluable game time as the club rebuilds. DEAKIN:
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 (1)
errors 6 LARA: 2 0 7 4 0 5 0 (18) errors 3 Hits: Deakin:
J Armstrong, D Arvidson Lara: S Forbes, R RBIs: Lara:
R Wilson 4, S Forbes 3, C Forbes 2, B Hammer, N Holmes, D Ricketts Pitching: Deakin:
M Bouma 3 inn, 5 hits, 2 Ks, 8 BB, 8 ER
D Arvidson 2 inn, 3 hits, 1 K, 2 BB,
4 ER
C Humphrey 1 inn, 3 hits, 2 BB, 2 ER Lara:
D Asp 5 inn,
6 Ks, 3 BB
C Forbes 2 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks LARA
WILDCATS 6 defeated SAINTS 5 The Lara offence took to Saints starter Josh Lee to blast six earned runs in the second – but that was it for the ‘Cats, as Lee settled into his work and his side pegged one back, then two in the fourth and another couple in the fifth off a tiring Ross Wilson. Trailing the Wildcats 5-6 into the bottom of the last dig, the Sainters loaded the bases with none out but failed to score as reliever Joel Ricketts came up with the pitches to cap off a superb spell – and a terrific game of baseball. While the Wildcats' two wins from two has them sharing top placing with the Brewers on match ratio, Saints are looking good to hold fourth placing. They may not be the most free-scoring side in the league, but with Barker and Lee on song – should they make the playoffs – that may not matter. LARA:
0 6 0 0 0 0 0 (6)
error 1 SAINTS: 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 (5) errors
2 Hits: Lara:
N Holmes, C Lewis 2, S Forbes, R Wilson, C Forbes, J Ricketts Saints: S Carter 2, B
Twaddle, M Jeffery, L Poulter,
J Lee RBIs: Lara:
R Wilson 2, S Forbes, B Hammer, C Lewis Saints: L Poulter,
S Carter, C Rickard, J Lee Pitching: Lara:
R
J Ricketts 3 inn, 1 hits, 7 Ks Saints: J Lee 8 inn, 8 hits, 3 Ks, 6 BB, 6 ER
ROUND
14
28 and 29 JULY 2007 "Barry" sparks Brewers in 3-2 thriller: Lara and Bacchus in a canter BREWERS 3 defeated SAINTS 2 Saturday's "match of the day" between Saints and Brewers lived up to its billing as a quality contest that saw neither side on the board until the sixth innings. No surprise, there, with several of the league's top throwers called upon at various stages. The Saints were well-served with six (including 12 Ks) from their ace in Dean Barker and a scoreless two from Josh Lee; while Rory Meddick returned for the Brewers with two starting digs, Adam Irons went four and Ross Hipke slammed the gate with the last couple. The Brewers had chances early, but Barker was able to come up with the big pitches until a game-defining sixth dig. A single to Hamish Burrows, a Scott Kerr bunt for safety and a Jamieson Burrows sac bunt set the table with one out for the Brewers. New to the club this year, rightfielder Tomohiro Fugitani - "Barry" to the Brewers faithful - drove in both runs on his second hit for the game, scampered to second on a throw to the plate and scored a third as Saints mishandled an Ashmore infield ball. Not done, though, Saints hit back in the equaliser with a Josh Lee single, a Twaddle double and an Ernstzen double that scored both. But that was all she wrote, as Hipke and Lee closed it down for their respective sides. Apart from sparking the Brewers offence, Fugitana was brilliant in running down everything that remotely came his way at rightfield. Speediness indeed! While the Brewers hold top placing after the win and Saints may still face a late season challenge from Bacchus Marsh, this was just a terrific game of baseball that proved - again - that there is not a great deal between the leading sides on any given day. Statistically, the only telling difference was in the errors - one of which delivered the go-ahead run in a game that could quite properly have delivered a split result. BALLARAT CITY: 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 (3) no errors SAINTS: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 (2) errors 3 Hits: Ballarat City: S Kerr 3, T Fujitani 2, H Burrows Saints: M Ernstzen 2, B Twaddle, M Jeffery, L Poulter, J Lee RBIs: Ballarat City: T Fujitani 2 Saints: M Ernstzen 2 Pitching: Ballarat City: R Meddick 2 inn, 1 hit, 4 Ks A Irons 4 inn, 4 hits, 4 Ks, 2 ER R Hipke 2 inn, 1 hit, 4 Ks Saints: D Barker 6 inn, 5 hits, 12 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER J Lee 2 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks LARA 13 defeated BELLARINE 3 The Bears were never in the hunt after the reigning premier blasted seven runs in the first two, highlighted by a two-run homer to Cameron Forbes. Another five to the Wildcats in the fifth raised the spectre of the ten run rule, with Harvey, Crotty and Osborn all on the end of some Wildcats’ stick. With a combined five RBIs, Forbes and Ross Wilson were the stars on an already potent offence seriously strengthened by the return of Dean Marnell and that will be near its top when Holmes and Scott Malthouse return to some A Grade form. Wilson rounded out a superb game by going a misrely five digs to concede three hits of a total of five to the Bears, who were best served by Visser, Ellis and McKentish. With the finals and the summer campaign beckoning, Forbes made a brief appearance on the hill for the Lara outfit as the game was mercifully called after seven. While Lara is certain of a top two placing, the Bears are out of contention and will face another tough one on Saturday, with Saints desperate for a win in its bid to secure fourth. LARA: 2 5 0 5 0 0 1 (13) error2 BELLARINE: 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 (3) errors 2 Hits: Bellarine: S Ellis, W Visser, B McKentish, S Martin, D Crotty RBIs: Lara: C Forbes 3, R Wilson 2, S Forbes, D Marnell, S Wilson, C Lewis, S Arnott, A Green, S Baumann Bellarine: S Ellis, D Visser Pitching: Lara: R Wilson 5 inn, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER C Forbes 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 BB, 2 ER A Green 1 inn, 1 hit Bellarine: D D Crotty 1.7 inn, 2 hits, 2 BB M Osborn 2 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 2 BB, 1 ER BACCHUS MARSH 22 defeated DEAKIN 0 Bacchus Marsh showed no mercy for the undermaned Deakin Blues in a mismatch that did little to fire supporter adrenalin but which kept the Tigers’ slender finals aspirations alive. With some regulars missing, the Blues went in with a number of inexperienced players who found it tough going against Lindsay Webb and Jack Lindsay, who between them gave up six scattered hits while picking up a combined twelve strikeouts. Evergreen Anthony Brady was the best in a subdued Deakin offence. While seven defensive errors did nothing to help the Deakin cause, the Bacchus hitters were on fire in picking up sixteen hits, the standouts being an in-form Kane Carter (three hits and two RBIs), Brad Jones (two and three), Scott Moore (two and five), Earl Byrne (two and three), Lovelock and Matt Jones. With four games still to play, the Tigers are an outside chance of making the post-season, although they will need at least two wins – probably three - to dislodge Saints, who face the tougher draw but have an extra game in hand. DEAKIN: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 7 BACCHUS MARSH: 3 6 0 7 3 0 3 (22) errors1 Hits: Deakin: A Brady 2, D Eales, H Narasaki, B Belfrage, M Bouma Bacchus
Marsh: K Carter, B
Jones 3, P Lovelock,
Scott Moore, M Jones, E Byrne 2, C RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: Scott Moore 5, E Byrne 3, B Jones, K Carter 2, L Vicary-Lovegrove, C Galloway Pitching: Deakin: R Millard 3.7 inn, 11 hits, 1 K, 3 BB, 7 ER D Arvidson 1.3 inn, 2 hits, 1 BB, 2 ER M Bouma 2 inn, 2 hits, 2 BB, 3 ER Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 4 inn, 2 hits, 6 Ks, 6 BB J Lindsay 3 inn, 4 hits, 6 Ks ROUND
13
21 and 22 JULY 2007 Brewers take top spot: Lions split with Wildcats
Ballarat Brewers have moved to top placing – on match ratio – while Guild Lions have proven, again, that they are serious contenders after a thrilling Round 13 characterised by stirring comebacks in every A Grade clash.
GUILD LIONS 4 drew with LARA WILDCATS 4 In a fiercely contested game, the young Lions demonstrated they have the skill and the desire to match it with the best clubs in the league. After rolling the Brewers just a few weeks ago and with Pat Mouton throwing another pearler for a mere three hits over six digs, Guild took it right up to the flag favourites, who have relinquished top spot for the first week this season.
The Lions stamped their authority on the match with a three run blast in the second, although David Asp responded well to restrict the Guild hitters to just one more. With two hits and an excellent stint in relief - his first A Grade pitching outing - Lara's Joel Ricketts was one of the individual stars in a quality match-up that strengthens Guild’s hold on third placing.
With the game appearing to be done and dusted when Guild relieved Moulton with their ace Josh Spence, this was not to be, with a brace of hits and three walks giving Lara the opportunities in a frenetic last couple of digs. But they failed to capitalise until the bottom of nine, when a couple of passes, a Ben Hammer double and a Ross Wilson chinker drove in three to tie it up before Stuart Barnes closed out the innings. Ryan Stewart continued his hitting form with three for the Lions, while Ross Wilson (3 RBIs), Joel Ricketts and Hammer were the most dangerous for the Wildcats, who will surely rebound with a vengeance against the Bears next week. GUILD: 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 (4) no errors LARA: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 (4) errors 3 Hits: Guild: R Stewart 3, D Jones, C Lyons, B Jenz, S Barnes, C Harper, R Darcy Lara: J Ricketts 2, S Forbes, B Hammer, R Wilson, C Lewis, S Arnott, D Ricketts RBIs: Guild: S Barnes, L Dineen, R Darcy Lara: R Wilson 3, B Hammer Pitching: Guild: P Moulton 6 inn, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 3 BB, 1 ER J Spence 2 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks, 3 BB S Barnes 1 inn, 2 hits, 3 BB, 3 ER Lara: D Asp 6.3 inn, 9 hits, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 4 ER J Ricketts 2.7 inn, 3 Ks
BELLARINE 13 defeated DEAKIN 7 Still in search of their first win, Deakin would have been on pretty good terms with themselves after smacking four in the second and two in the third to lead the Bears 6-0 early. However, the home side stuck to its guns behind the experienced Dave Crotty as Deakin starter Russell Millard began to feel the pinch in the fourth and the Bears hitters emerged from hibernation.
The Blues tried Bouma and went to Arvidson, but struggled to stem the flow as Bellarine pulled away. In picking up four hits (including a home run), Brad McKentish starred with the bat for the Bears, although he received great support from the Vissers, Osborne and Martin. For Deakin, Chris Hunphrey whacked a pair of doubles and Hiroshi Narasaki singled twice.
Although struggling to hold sides to manageable scores, the Blues would be pleased with the improvement in their defence, which made just one error in a pretty decent standard game that produced some great plays by both sides. BELLARINE: 0 0 1 6 0 3 3 (13) errors 5 DEAKIN: 0 4 2 0 0 0 1 (7) errors 1 Hits: Deakin: C Humphrey, H Narasaki 2, J Armstrong, D Arvidson, A Brady, D Eales, R Millard, M Bouma RBIs: Bellarine: W Visser 3, B McKentish, D Harvey, D Visser 2, S Ellis, S Martin Deakin: H Narasaki 2, M Bouma, J Armstrong Pitching: Bellarine: D Crotty 7 inn, 10 hits, 8 Ks, 1 BB, 3 ER Deakin: R Millard 3.7 inn, 7 hits, 2 Ks, 4 BB, 7 ER M Bouma 2.3 inn, 5 hits, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 3 ER D Arvidson 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K, 4 BB, 2 ER
BALLARAT BREWERS 8 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 6 Needing a win to stay in touch with the leaders, Bacchus Marsh came out in positive and belligerent mood against the home side. Outfielder Kane Carter set the tone for the Tigers with a solo bomb in the second, although the Brewers responded with three of their own in the equaliser. In contrast with an earlier insipid display against the Brewers this season, the Marsh took to Adam Irons and hit back with four in the third and another in the fifth to have the Brewers on the ropes.
Apart from a shaky second dig, the Tigers’ Lindsay Webb was superb on the mound against a potent Brewers' offence that heads the league clearly in hits and runs scored. With Webb’s departure, though, the Brewers put it to Lindsay and Kugele. A pinch hit single to Gladman, a pass to Irons, a Baldwin single, a Bennetts double and a pass ball saw it tied up at six apiece, leaving delivery of the last rites to Scott Kerr, who drove a first-pitch double to left-centre to snatch the win.
A disheartening loss for the Tigers after playing some of their best baseball, but nevertheless a superb game befitting some of the thrillers being played out in recent weeks. Carter and Brad Jones picked up a couple of hits each for the Marsh, while Ned Baldwin and Kerr were best for the Brewers in a total of seven hits - just four of those off Webb, who complemented a fine game with two hits of his own. BACCHUS MARSH: 0 1 4 0 1 0 0 (6) errors 2 BALLARAT CITY: 0 3 0 0 0 0 5 (8) errors 3 Hits: Bacchus marsh: K Carter, L Webb, B Jones 2, P Lovelock, Scott Moore, C Galloway, E Byrne Ballarat City: N Baldwin 2, B Bennetts, H Burrows, S Kerr, J Burrows, P Gladman RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: K Carter 2, L Vicary-Lovegrove, L Webb, B Jones Ballarat City: S Kerr 2, B Bennetts Pitching: Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 6 inn, 4 hits, 5 Ks, 5 BB, 3 ER J Lindsay 0.3 inn, 2 hits, 2 ER S Kugele 1 hit, 1 BB, 1 ER Ballarat City: A Irons 3 inn, 7 hits, 4 K, 3 BB, 1 ER R Hipke 4 inn, 3 hits, 5 Ks, 1 ER ROUND
12
14 and 15 JULY 2007 Tigers
and Lions easy winners in another rain-affected round With BACCHUS MARSH 7 defeated BELLARINE 1 Bacchus Marsh kept its finals aspirations alive with a decisive 7-1 win that effectively puts paid to the Bears' hopes of post-season action. Lindsay Webb went seven in conceding just four hits for the Marsh, who played errorless defence in a high-standard game of baseball at Wallington. Liam Vicary-Lovegrove, Chad Galloway and Scott Moore were best with the bat for the visitors, who made the most of their opportunities to blast four in the third and two in the fourth to set up the win in an otherwise tight contest. Daniel Harvey was the Bears' best with a couple of hits and seven serviceable innings on the hill. Unfortunately for them, the Bears could not provide him with sufficient offensive support. While Bellarine will be looking to rebound against Deakin next Saturday, Bacchus Marsh will give its prospects a serious boost if it can roll second-placed Brewers at Prince of Wales Reserve. BACCHUS
MARSH: 0 0 4 2 0 1
0 0 (7) no errors BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 (1) errors
2 Hits: Bacchus
Marsh: L Vicary-Lovegrove, C Galloway 2, Scott
Moore, M Jones, Bellarine:
D
Harvey 2, A O’Keefe, D Visser RBIs: Bacchus
Marsh: C Galloway 3, Scott Moore, M Jones, Bellarine: A
O’Keefe Pitching: Bacchus
Marsh: L Webb 7 inn, 4 hits, 3 Ks, 5 BB, 1 ER
Scott Moore 1 inn Bellarine:
D
D Crotty 1 inn, 2 Ks GUILD
20 defeated DEAKIN 0 Pat Moulton had another great day out over six innings, giving up just two hits and striking out eight from 21 batters faced. In his A Grade debut, teenager Mitch Miller was impressive in closing the game out for Guild while himself picking up three hits. The Guild offensive assault was led by Ryan Stewart with six RBIs from four hits – one of those an “in the park” home run. With three hits and four RBIs, Cameron Lyons was another stand-out in an emphatic all-round display by the Lions.
Now looking strong in third placing, the Lions will be able to assess their improvement of recent weeks as they take on the reigning double-premier down at Lara on Saturday. DEAKIN: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 3 GUILD: 0 0 1 2 13 4 (20) errors 2 Hits: Deakin:
J Armstrong, M Bouma Guild: R Stewart
4, C Lyons, M Miller 3, D Jones, L Dineen, K Murrells 2, A Barnes, B
Jensz, RBIs: Guild:
R Stewart 6, C Lyons 4, D Jones, L Dineen, K Murrells 2, B Jensz, N
Spence, M Miller Pitching: Deakin:
R Millard 4 inn, 8 hits, 1 K, 5 ER
M Bouma 0 inn, 7 hits, 8 ER
B Belfrage 1.3 inn, 2 hits, 3 BBs, 5
ER
Guild:
P Moulton
6inn, 2 hits, 8 Ks, 1 BB
M Miller 1 inn
ROUND
11
7 and 8 JULY 2007 Saints and Brewers dominant: rain creates havoc SAINTS 13 defeated DEAKIN 0 Saturday's only A Grade clash - between Saints and Deakin - was mercifully called after 70 minutes, with the score at 13 zip in favour of the Sainters, who have made it four in a row and are looking good for a finals berth despite their tough run home (they still have the Wildcats twice, the Brewers once and Guild once). Pitching was the striking contrast between the sides, with Dean Barker at his imperious best in the wet for Saints, while Deakin conceded six hits and ten walks in a truncated mismatch that went just two innings. Evergreen Mark Jeffery led the way with two hits and three RBIs, while Brendan Twaddle knocked in a couple to underscore his importance for the Saints' offence. Again playing errorless defence, Saints are at the top of their game for the 2007 season and supporters can look forward to some terrific baseball should they continue their form against the more favoured sides. For Deakin's part, it has been a difficult and a disappointing season - but the club continues to hold its head high and enjoy the contest (and the off-field social engagement) despite its indifferent on-field form. This great game of ours moves in cycles - especially at amateur level - and it is to Deakin's credit that it chose to remain in A Grade in its own and the league's best interests longer-term. The extent of the Sainters' improvement will be tested next weekend, as they front a Lara outfit stung by its flogging at the hands of the Brewers; while Deakin face another seemingly tough assignment against Guild. SAINTS: 3 10 (13) no errors DEAKIN: 0 0 (0) errors 2 Hits: Saints: M Jeffery 2, B Twaddle, A Hoe, S Meager, D Barker Deakin: A Warren RBIs: Saints: M Jeffery 3, B Twaddle 2, A Hoe, C Rickard, D Barker, A Hynes Pitching: Saints: D Barker 2 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks, 2 BB Deakin: D Arvidson 1 inn, 5 hits, 6 BB, 10 ER B Belfrage 0.3 inn, 4 BB, 2 ER N Warren 0.7 inn, 1 hit, 1 K BALLARAT BREWERS 11 defeated BELLARINE 0 Struggling over recent weeks, Bellarine was offered no respite when the Brewers came to town on Sunday. With Rory Meddick again a "no show" on the hill for the visitors, it was left to Ross Hipke and Adam Irons to do the damage, with the former picking up 11 Ks in his side's 11-0 whitewash of the Bears. Dave Crotty copped the full brunt of an in-form Brewers offence that blasted four in the second and six in the fourth. Ned Baldwin continued his streak with three hits, while Irons - at shortening odds for league MVP - also picked up three in another comprehensive result for the Ballarat outfit. Averaging close to .600, Baldwin is the stand-out association hitter, posting some staggering slugging stats for his side. Although the Bears offered little resistance, today, the Brewers would be on good terms with themselves - with fifteen hits and an errorless defensive performance to follow up their demolition of the Wildcats last week. Now challenging Lara for top placing, the Brewers go to the bye next week, while Bellarine - which has scored just three runs in its past four games - matches up against Bacchus Marsh in what is a "do or die" game for both clubs. While both are at expansive odds for the title, a loss will surely put either out of contention. BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 4 Hits: Ballarat City: N Baldwin, A Irons 3, J Burrows 2, P Gladman, B Bennetts, N McKenzie, R Hipke, L Blake, L Ashmore Bellarine: B McKentish, A O’Keefe, L
Hockey, D Pitching: A Irons 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks Bellarine: D Crotty 4 inn, 12 hits, 2 BB, 7 ER D Harvey 3inn, 2 hits, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 1 ER By agreement between the clubs, the A and A Reserve games between Guild and Bacchus Marsh drawn for this weekend have been rescheduled to Sunday 19 August (giving the clubs a double-header against each other that weekend). ROUND
10
30JUNE/1 JULY 2007 Saints three on end: Lara has shocker: Guild blanks Bears SAINTS 7 defeated BELLARINE 4 East Belmont Saints made it three on the trot with a hard-fought win over Bacchus Marsh, which picked up just four hits but was far more aggressive with the bat than it has been in recent weeks. The Sainters have hit a decent vein of form, though, and this crucial win strengthens their hold on fourth placing.
Struggling to make contact early season, Saints Manager Lee Poulter showed the way, again, with two hits and a couple of RBIs, while Brendan Twaddle continued his great form with another three and two. Evergreen Earl Byrne (one and two) was the most dangerous for the Marsh, who have dropped to fifth and are clearly down on hitting confidence. There is nothing much wrong with their defence - which has consistently made some big plays and has committed very few errors of late.
Mercurial duo Dean Barker and Josh Lee were effective on the hill for Saints, while the Tigers went to their best in Lindsay Webb, Vicary-Lovegrove and Kugele, who could not quite rein in a Saints lineup that is growing in assurance and scoring output each week, picking up 20 hits in its past two outings. The former league powerhouse has beaten Guild and it has pushed Lara, suggesting that a finals appearance is a serious chance. BACCHUS
MARSH: 0 0 1
0 3 0 (4) no errors
SAINTS:
0 1 1 0 1 4
(7) errors
Hits: Bacchus Marsh: L Vicary-Lovegrove, P Lovelock, E Byrne, L Webb Saints: B Twaddle 3, L Poulter 2, M Ernstzen, C Rickard, D Barker, A Hynes RBIs: Bacchus Marsh: E Byrne 2, P Lovelock, C Galloway Saints: B Twaddle, L Poulter 2, A Hoe, C Rickard Pitching: Bacchus Marsh: L Webb 5 inn, 6 hits, 8 Ks, 5 BB, 3 ER L Vicary-Lovegrove 1 hit, 2 BB, 3 ER S Kugele 1 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 1 ER Saints: D Barker 4.3 inn, 4 hits, 6 Ks, 4 BB, 4 ER J Lee 2.7 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 2 BB
BALLARAT BREWERS 10 defeated LARA 2 What was touted as the “match of the season” turned into a fizzer – for Lara supporters at least – as the Brewers scored in every innings to tame the hitherto undefeated Wildcats in Ballarat.
Turning in another “best on ground” performance, Adam Irons was superb for the Brewers in holding the vaunted Lara offence to just five hits – one of those a Ben Hammer solo bomb in the second. In conditions not conducive to pitchers, Irons’ game was in marked contrast to Lara ace David Asp, who struggled with control in the slippery conditions.
Brett Bennetts, Leigh Collins and Ned Baldwin picked up seven RBIs for the Brewers between them, with Scott Kerr and Nathan McKenzie (three hits each) providing great support in a stunning offensive performance.
With the Wildcats retaining top placing and this game easily dismissed by some as an aberration, the double reigning premiers would be feeling a degree of disquiet about their poor defensive work and the sheer magnitude of the loss against a “Red Machine” that is desperate to atone for last year’s disappointment. LARA: 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 (2) errors 5 BALLARAT CITY: 1 2 3 1 1 2 X (10) errors 2 Hits: Lara: S Forbes 2, B Hammer (home run), S Wilson, S Arnott Ballarat City: N Baldwin, N McKenzie, S Kerr, B Bennetts 3, H Burrows, R Hipke, A Irons, L Collins RBIs: Lara: S Forbes, B Hammer Ballarat City: B Bennetts 3, N Baldwin, L Collins 2, H Burrows Pitching: Lara: D Asp 5 inn, 10 hits, 2 BB, 5 ER R Wilson 1 inn, 6 hits, 2 ER Ballarat City: A Irons 6 inn, 4 hits, 8 Ks, 5 BB, 2 ER R Hipke 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks, 1 BB
GUILD 9 defeated BELLARINE 0 In a game featuring some outstanding individual efforts by the winning side, Guild Lions were far too strong for the Bears, whose season appears to have stalled after a promising start, while Guild has consolidated in third place behind Lara and Brewers.
The Guild “youngsters” showed scant respect for elder statesman Dave Crotty of the Bears at Wallington. He went the distance – in typically valiant style – but conceded a damaging sixteen hits to the Lions, the assault being led by Ben Jensz (4 hits and 3 RBIs), Nick Spence (3 hits and 4 RBIs), Liam Dineen (3 hits and an RBI) and Cameron Harper (two and one).
One of the better fielding outfits in the league, Guild was again superb in defence behind Pat Moulton (who went five digs for two hits), Stuart Barnes and southpaw Josh Spence, who offered a little cameo in a single innings stint that conceded a hit but produced three strike-outs. One of the most impressive features of the Guild club - in recent times - has been its capacity to keep producing "home grown" players who have already become stars in their own right or are well on the way to getting there. Like any developing young side, they might have an occasional ordinary day. At their best they are right up there. After all, the Lions have beaten the Brewers, who have just thrashed Lara. Oh, hang on, Saints have beaten Guild. And Bacchus Marsh has beaten Saints. A wonderful thing is baseball form............... BELLARINE: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 2 GUILD: 4 3 1 0 0 1 0 (9) errors 1 Hits: Bellarine: B McKentish, M Osborne, R Burhmann Guild:
B Jensz 4, RBIs: Guild: N Spence 4, B Jensz 3, C Harper, L Dineen Pitching: Bellarine: D Crotty 7 inn, 16 hits, 3Ks, 1 BB, 7 ER Guild: P Moulton 5 inn, 2 hits, 5 Ks, 3BB J Spence 1 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks S Barnes 1 inn, 1 K SPLIT
ROUND
23/24 JUNE 2007 Bacchus squanders chances: Lara gives Bears some hammer With the Under 16 VPBL Championships being held in Geelong, only two A Grade games were held as part of a split round. While both results went the way that was generally expected, there were some ominous messages sent by the winners, who are firmly entrenched at the top of the table.
LARA 20 defeated BELLARINE 1 The Bears have enjoyed a pretty decent season to date, but on Sunday copped the full might of a Lara juggernaut that played errorless defence and produced another great all-round brand of baseball. The Bears tried three of its toilers on the hill, but none was able to put the clamps on a Wildcats offence that racked up a dozen hits and scored in every innings bar one. Stuart and Cameron Forbes, Ross Wilson and Ben Hammer were the stand-out hitters, between them registering a staggering 13 RBIs.
David Asp put in another characteristically polished performance for the Wildcats against a Bears outfit that made a few defensive blunders but was pretty good with the bat in picking up nine hits, although not stringing them together when it mattered.
With its reserves also heading the table, the Wildcats are the association stand-out in playing depth. Their clash with the second-placed Brewers – in Ballarat on Saturday – should be worth travelling many a mile to see. LARA 2 4 5 2 0 1 6 (20) no errors BELLARINE: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (1) errors 5 Hits. Lara: S Forbes, R Wilson 3, C Forbes, D Ricketts 2, B Hammer, P Pruis, S Malthouse Bellarine: B McKentish, W Visser, S Martin 2, S Ellis, A O’Keefe, M Osborne RBIs. Lara: B Hammer 5, R Wilson, C Forbes 4, S Forbes 2, D Ricketts Bellarine: A O’Keefe Pitching. Lara: D Asp 5 inn, 6 hits, 5 Ks, 1 ER S Malthouse 1 inn, 3 hits, 1 K R Wilson 1 inn, 1 K Bellarine: A O’Keefe 2.3 inn, 6 hits, 1 K, 7 BB, 9 ER B McKentish 1 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 2 BB D
Harvey 3.7 inn, 5 hits, 3 Ks, 4 BB, 5
ER BREWERS 2 defeated BACCHUS MARSH 0 Inspired by an outstanding outing by Adam Irons on the hill, a depleted Brewers was still able to sneak home against Bacchus Marsh, whose loss squeezes them from the four on percentage. While Irons was dominant with twelve Ks and just three hits over five digs, the Tigers – for the second time in two clashes with the Brewers this season – should have made far more of their scoring opportunities.
On three occasions in the early innings, the Tigers had one or two men on – with none or one out – and managed to strand them on base. Spectators – a few at least – scratched their heads as apparent opportunities were squandered, although all credit should be given to Irons and a steady Brewers defence for standing up when it mattered.
In a high-standard game dominated by the pitchers, the Tigers’ Steven Kugele was terrific over six innings in giving up just one pass and six hits.
While Bacchus face a tough one at Saints on Saturday, the Brewers will be asking for plenty from Hipke and Irons against Lara, with regular catcher Leigh Ashmore on the sidelines and Rory Meddick interstate. BALLARAT CITY: 0 0 0 2 0 0 (2) errors 1 BACCHUS MARSH: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 1 Hits. Ballarat City: S Kerr, B Bennetts, J Burrows 2, P Gladman, H Burrows Bacchus Marsh: L Vicary-Lovegrove, E Byrne 2 RBIs. Ballarat City: R Hipke Pitching. Ballarat City: A Irons 5 inn, 3 hits, 12 Ks, 4 BB R Hipke 2 inn, 1 hit, 5 Ks Bacchus Marsh: S Kugele 6 inn, 7 hits, 1 K, 1 BB L Webb 1 inn, 1 hit, 1 K ROUND
9
16/17 JUNE 2007 Lions by a whisker: Lara blanks Deakin, Saints in rare form GUILD LIONS 4 defeated BALLARAT BREWERS 3 Guild Lions stunned second-placed Ballarat Brewers and strengthened their own hold on third with a gutsy 4-3 win in what - as a spectacle - was arguably the game of the season.
As expected, low scores were the order of the day, with four of the league’s best young pitchers in action. The go-ahead run came compliments of a Brewers' defensive blunder with two out in the bottom of nine, although the thrilling finish was sullied somewhat after some contact at the home plate sparked an all-in fracas.
A hard-fought contest throughout, the game featured several fine individual efforts including a Hamish Burrows homer to open scoring for the Brewers in the second, an outstanding all-round game by Guild's Ben Jensz at the hot corner, an errorless Guild defence, a polished A Grade debut by the Brewers' "Barry" Fujitana and superb efforts on the hill by all throwers used - Nick Spence and Pat Moulton for the home side and Ross Hipke and Rory Meddick for the Brewers. BALLARAT CITY: 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 (3) errors 4 GUILD: 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 (4) no errors Hits: Ballarat City: T Fujitana, P Gladman, H Burrows (HR), S Kerr, A Irons, L Ashmore Guild: B Jensz, C Harper 2, A Barnes, D Jones RBIs: Ballarat City: T Fujitana, H Burrows, S Kerr Guild: A Barnes, B Jensz Pitching: Ballarat City: R Hipke 7 inn, 6 hits, 7 Ks, 1 ER R Meddick 1.7 inn, 1 K Guild: N Spence 5 inn, 5 hits, 3 Ks, 3 ER P Moulton 4 inn, 1 hit, 3 Ks, 2 BB
SAINTS 11 defeated BELLARINE 2 A resurgent Saints outfit continued its strong recent form by crushing Bellarine 11-2 and drawing level on points (with Bellarine and Bacchus Marsh) in fourth placing - its first appearance in the leading group since early last season.
With an offence now exuding confidence behind experienced players again hitting consistently, and with Dean Barker at his mercurial best , Saints might not yet be challenging for flag favouritism - but there's no doubt they are back in town. Marcel Ernstzen, with four hits and four RBIs, was the standout in a team total of thirteen hits as the Saints gave Dave Crotty one of his tougher outings for the season. Barker, who seems to some observers to throw his best in cooler and damp conditions, fanned a dozen in his six digs while giving up just four hits, NO passes and NO HPBs (according to the stats!).
While evergreen Crotty has carried much of the workload thus far, Bellarine’s lacking of pitching depth may have become a factor as the season wears on. – and there will certainly be no respite for the Bears against an undefeated Lara next Sunday. SAINTS: 0 0 0 2 2 5 2 (11) errors 3 BELLARINE: 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 (2) errors 6 Hits: Saints: M Ernstzen 4, B Twaddle, S Talbot 2, A Hoe, C Rickard, M Jeffery, J Lee, A Meehan Bellarine: S Ellis, D Crotty 2, W Visser RBIs: Saints: M Ernstzen 4, B Twaddle 3, A Hoe, M Jeffery Bellarine: L Hockey Pitching: Saints: D Barker 6 inn, 4 hit, 12 Ks, 1 ER J Lee 1 inn, 1 hit, 2 Ks Bellarine: D Crotty 5.3 inn, 6 hits, 2 Ks, 4 BB, 6 ER M Osborn 1.7 inn, 7 hits, 2 ER
LARA WILDCATS 10 defeated DEAKIN 0 Reigning double premier, Lara, thwarted any hopes of a Deakin revival - for the time being at least - by blanking the Blues 10-0 and improving upon an already formidable percentage at the top of the table.
The Wildcats’ win was set up by a six-run blast in the first dig, featured by a two-run homer to Cameron Forbes.
After this initial onslaught, the game kicked back to a less frenetic pace as Dylan Arvidson settled into some solid relief work over the next five for the Blues. But the damage had been done as Deakin again struggled to offer any offensive resistance, picking up just three hits to Lara’s ten and making five defensive errors. An understandably disappointed Deakin supporter noted that the most impressive feature of the Wildcats' game was the contribution made by all players in its imposing lineup. Apart from the Forbes bomb, he remarked, "There were no real individual heroics - they all just do what they have to do for the team". Like a quality team in any sport and, hmmm, more than a tad reminiscent of 2006....and 2005. LARA: 6 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 (10) errors 2 DEAKIN: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0) errors 5 Hits: Lara: R Wilson, S Wilson, D Ricketts 2, C Forbes (HR), P Pruis, S Malthouse, S Arnott Deakin: G Morris, J Armstrong, S Woodridge RBIs: Lara: C Forbes 2, S Forbes, S Arnott, D Ricketts Pitching: Lara: D Asp 3 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks R Wilson 2 inn, 1 hit S Malthouse 2 inn, 4 Ks S Forbes 1 inn Deakin: A Brady 2 inn, 7 hits, 2 BB, 5 ER D Arvidson 5 inn, 2 hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 1 ER
B Belfrage 1 inn, 1 hit
ROUND
8
2/3 JUNE 2007 Saints alive: Brewers and Wildcats too strong SAINTS 5 defeated GUILD 4 Languishing in sixth but showing improved form of late, Saints produced a season-best offensive performance to peg back a Guild lead, draw ahead and hold on 5-4 in a tough and uncompromising game in front of an appreciative Pioneer Park crowd. Two league aces in lefties Dean Barker (Saints) and Pat Moulton (Guild) were dominant as the respective managers employed a short game to establish ascendancy in what shaped as a low-scoring contest. Partially offsetting his work with seven passes, Barker conceded just two hits - while Moulton was steady well into the sixth dig. Reliever Josh Lee was superb in closing for the Saints, although the Lions would rue some dodgy baserunning and failure to capitalise upon late scoring opportunities. While both had lapses in defence, the difference between the sides was in the hitting, which saw Saints reap their best output for the year, as Rickard, Talbot, Hoe, Poulter, Ernstzen and Jeffery looked dangerous in run-scoring situations. Now striking some managerial form, Poulter’s rightfield bleeder sparked the roll that delivered the Saints three game-breaking runs in the sixth. Going to the Queen’s Birthday break, A Grade is at a fascinating stage, with six sides well in contention for post-season play. Guild holds third placing behind Lara and Brewers, while Saints are on a modest two wins from seven, yet not far shy of third and fourth. With a struggling Bacchus having the bye at the resumption, with Guild to host the Brewers and Bellarine taking on a resurgent Saints, the stage is set for intense baseball to be played out in weeks to come.
GUILD: 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 (4) errors 4 SAINTS: 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 X (5) errors 3 Hits: Guild: D Jones, C Lyons, R Stewart, R Darcy Saints: C Rickard, S Talbot 2, A Hoe, B Twaddle, M Ernstzen, M Jeffery, S Meager, L Poulter, J Lee RBIs: Guild: R Stewart Saints: A Hoe, L Poulter, S Talbot Pitching: Guild: P Moulton 5.3 inn, 9 hits, 2 Ks, 3 BB, 3 ER N Spence 1.7 inn, 2 hits, 1 K Saints: D Barker 6 inn, 2 hits, 6 Ks, 7 BB J Lee 2 inn, 2 hits, 1 K, 3 BB BALLARAT BREWERS 20 defeated DEAKIN 0 Even with five of its regulars missing, the Brewers were far too strong for Deakin, who as always played out the game in a positive but almost resigned manner given their fragility at this level for the time being. Getting another solid outing under his belt, Rory Meddick was too slippery on the hill for the Brewers, while Adam Irons would have enjoyed one of his rarer relief outings this season. Brady and Arvidson showed commendable fortitude in sharing mound duties for the Blues in the wake of an offensive onslaught that saw the Brewers pick up 21 hits. Brett Bennetts was the statistical standout with five of those, although Paul Gladman (4 and 4), Rory Meddick (2 and 4), Scott Kerr and Leigh Collins made serious contributions to the carnage. |