1sts vs Sunshine - WON 8-7
The firsts have bounced back last night at Melbourne Ballpark to defeat Sunshine 8 - 7. Coming off a drubbing last Sunday the players were anxious to put in an improved performance. None was better than assistant coach Sean Edwards who was outstanding defensively in right field and the two runs he scored at home plate getting under the catchers tag - one on a wild pitch and the other on a relayed throw home - were crucial to firsts winning the game.
Winning pitcher was Andy Mann over 6 innings for 6 hits 5 strikeouts 1 base on balls 1 wild pitch and 6 earned runs. Losing pitcher was Sunshines Chris Larkin over 2 1/3 inn 2 hits 1 strikeout 1 BB 1 WP and 2 earned runs. Melbourne led 6 -2 and then suddenly were in trouble falling behind 7 -6. Coach Andrew Fennell remained calm and expressed confidence to the players who steadied and came through for a well deserved win.
Single hits went to Robby Hondo ( 2 ), Sean Edwards ( 2 ), Chris
Cassidy ( 2 ), Matty Holden, Rhett Mitchelhill and Gavin Van Shie.
1sts vs Waverley - Lost 15-0
The first have been defeated 15 - 0 by Waverley at the Waverley ground. Brett Flemming started on the mound for Waverley and got the win over 5 innings for 3 hits 5 strikeouts 2 base on balls 1 wild pitch for no runs. Tristan Field who started for Melbourne took the loss.
Hits were few with singles to Robby Hondo, Will Keys, Sean Edwards & Rhett Mitchelhill. Melbourne take on Essendon at Melbourne Ball Park on Thursday evening 6:30pm before tackling Newport on Sunday at home in a cruicial game in the context of the season.
2nds vs Waverley - Lost 5-12
3rds vs Waverley - WON 9-8
After a 28 to nil belting at the hands of Geelong only seven days ago the Melbourne thirds faced the unenviable task of facing off against the great depth of the Waverley Baseball Club. And despite a valiant effort, Waverley were simply too strong and comfortably accounted for the young Demons. At least that’s how the script might have read… The Melbourne effort was no doubt valiant but thanks to a great team performance topped off by the play of a couple of under sixteens, Waverley did not end up too strong – the end of this game was much more interesting.
Bryce Taylor made his first start for the Melbourne threes and was nothing short of outstanding, using his full quota over 5 and 2/3rds innings. An absolute strike throwing machine he walked only one and went after the Waverley hitters with an approach that indicated experience beyond his years. Bryce’s effort alone kept Melbourne close for five innings. Five runs in the top of the sixth for Waverley should have been job done for Waverley but this wasn’t the same threes team that went to Geelong only a week earlier.
After five innings of heroics by Bryce he handled the mantle for the sixth innings over to his under sixteen team mate Jack Rintoul. Jack came for the plate with bases loaded, two out and the tying run on third. He had already singled and scored a run in a rally that had plated five runs to this point. On the second pitch of his at bat Jack drove a ball past the do-or-die positioned centre fielder for a David Ortiz like walk-off double. Jack’s double capped a super team come-from behind win, with two runs on three hits through five innings, a sixth innings that consisted of six runs on seven hits including three doubles was simply remarkable.
It may have only been the thirds first win of the season but to win from a 8-2 position going into the bottom of last and given the final four runs were with two outs - this one was extra sweet. And lets face it one win against Waverley is like four wins against anyone else.
4ths vs Waverley - Lost 1-9
Women's Division 2 vs Werribee - Unsure - Score not on web
Masters vs Sunshine - Lost 5-7
Under 18 State vs Newport - Drew 2-2
Newport: 200 000 0 = 2
Melb/Donc: 100 010 0 = 2
Although out hit 7 to 3, the boys stuck to their guns to register a well earned draw. With Josh Bevis starting for the first time on the mound, the Rams jumped out of the blocks quickly and looked dangerous from the outset, scoring 2 runs on 3 hits and a base on balls. After that, Newport were kept in check by some very fine pitching and a mighty tight defence. Rhett relieved Josh
at the top of the fifth to continue the good work. The lads only gave up 3 BBs between them to restrict the Newport hitters.
On the offensive side, we made the most of our limited opportunities - Josh lead off with a BB and worked his way around to 3rd, subsequently scoring our first run on a pitcher's balk (pegged to first but didn't release the ball). The 2nd and equalising run was just as scrappy as the first - Tony reached first on a BB, went to 2nd on a WT2 attempting a peg at 1st. Reached 3rd on an error 6 (another attempted peg) and then Liam Davine came through with the goods, an RBI sac fly to centrefield.
Play of the day: At the top of 6, Josh, at short stop moved smartly to his left to catch a sloppy hit which kept the go-a-head run at 3rd.
Coach's quip: "Proud of the lads for a near errorless game and for 'heads-up' baseball - bunts, hit & runs etc....... "
Hits: 1 each to Dane Pearce, Ben Jackson and Rhett Mitchelhill.
RBI's: I to Liam Davine
Next Week: Fitzroy at Fitzroy (Merri Park St Georges Road).
Under 16 State vs Upwey/Ftg - WON 17-1
Having woken up to the sound of rain on the roof I instinctively thought that at Upwey it would have to be pouring possums. You seem to take that bit longer to get to the car on mornings like these and I began planning the last half of an alternate morning …. shopping mmm undoubtably …after all when else does an opportunity like this occur? Only one small problem, it wasn’t raining as hard at Upwey on arrival at 8am! But wouldn’t you know it before long the wind wound into something substantial and the water trickled down 7 mins before start time, it looked like a washout. However, our intrepid umpire of the day decided that Upwey weather can be fickle and therefore, blow it, let’s get into it.
Justin up to bat popped a high flyball to SS and Upwey failed to capitalise. Brad drilled a single to C/F allowing Juzzy to 3 rd, Tristan then Emmo walked bringing Justin home and Alex was still thinking of breakfast when he went out looking. Cam walked bringing in Brad and Harley lofted one to C/F for the 2 nd out but succeeded in scoring Tristan. Chris rapped a single to R/F giving the Team runs 4 and 5 with Emmo and Cam passing the plate, Bryce walked and finally Justin swinging hard but not connecting completed the inning. Cam responded on the mound with 3 SOs. Score 5-0.
Inning 2 and Brad led off with a walk, Tristan swirled a highball into R/F which proved too much for the fielder and Emmo hit a bouncer to 2 nd which caused Tristan to run into a fielders choice and head back to the dugout but also score Brad. Alex eked out a walk and Cam crunched a line drive double past the L/F cones which scored Emmo. Harley, celebrating Christmas early, pulled a rainmaking homerun out of nowhere to L/F and trotted chest out around the bases, took the high fives at the plate and I should think floated on a cloud for the rest of the day. Sorry, a little carried away there! In the process Alex and Cam slipped over the plate before him thus bringing up runs 8, 9 and 10. Chris steered a single to R/F, Bryce walked and Justin with exams on his mind went back to the bench followed by Brad from a C/F flyout. Cam kept the Upwey guys guessing with 2 SOs and a pop up fly to SS. Score 10-0.
Top of the 3 rd saw Tristan walk, Emmo single to C/F, Alex single to R/F and Cam produce a slow grass cutter to 3 rd getting Tristan home on the throw to 1st. Harley walked pushing Emmo over the plate, Chris bumped the ball to the pitcher who took out Alex on a forced run home however Cam ran home when the catcher threw to 1 st. Bryce then walked loading bases and Justin whipped a bouncer to S/S who elected to take out Bryce running to 2 nd but in the play Harley crossed the plate. Brad swung the ball high into R/F and the fielder battling a swirling wind put it down which gave Chris an easy run over the plate. Tristan followed with a C/F double bringing home Brad. The reply inning saw Cam take care of business with 2 SOs and a pitcher to 1 st out. Score 17-0
The 4 th inning and some good curve balls from the Upwey pitcher saw Cam go back to warming the bench along with Chris and Bryce rainbow a 2 nd base flyout. Brad took to the mound and had little trouble sealing the game with the only run for Upwey coming on a field error. Final score 17-1.
A Team still needs to pitch well, bat consistently and apply pressure both in the batting box and field to take home the bacon. Each week we see players stepping up and producing great individual efforts and today it was Harley with a cloud bursting home run. The pitching was steady from Cam and Brad with Jack and Emmo (catching for the first time this season) doing a great job as usual behind the plate. I guess if I’m truthful, it does beat shopping although I think we should consider home matches in the centre mall at Chadstone!
Under 16 Metro vs Cheltenham - Lost 3-22
Under 14 vs Berwick Blue - Won 14-1
Little League vs Cheltenham - Won 9-7
Sunday morning was looking daunting at the outset, rain, strong winds and a bigger, more experienced opposition, but Melbourne had come to play. Justin started on the mound after one inning on Friday night and was fantastic again. All our pitchers were able to throw strikes but the opposition walked too may early and allowed a few unearnt runs. As the game wore on, Melbourne started to hit the ball as well as leave the balls and we found ourselves with a good lead. Liam K came into pitch and relaxed after a nervy start, he got better with each innings. The fielding was fantastic all day, Lachlan, Charlie and Alex made some hot plays in the infield and were well backed up by the outfielders.
Charlie came into pitch the last innings as Liam had thrown his quota and held Cheltenham to three giving us an exciting first win. Great win.
Little League Centre
With daylight savings now in full swing, the Friday night comps have started up again. Each Friday night there will be game at Surrey Park with away games at venues around Melbourne. Any players for Teeball, Under 12 and Under 14 level are still required and are encouraged to contact:
Stuart Rintoul
srintoul@bigpond.com
0438 809 181
Results
Little League Centre
Melbourne Blue Def Malvern Mets 11-3 Hudson Gerwing started on the mound and pitched well - only giving up 3 runs in two innings of work on 3 hits (a couple of home runs in the 1st inning). We took our chances in the field - Toby making a nice catch at Rightfield, Stephen Ellul making a couple of good 4-3 plays to restrict the Malvern Mets from scoring further. We jumped out of the blocks and scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 1st, and then held the Mets to no runs in the top of the second. We took the game away from the Mets in the bottom of the second dig scoring 7. Our hitting on the night was excellent, while the opposing pitching standard was a little low, we hit when we needed to, Liam Grant hit a magnificent home run as well as 2 singles, doubles to Liam Kenyon (2), Cooper Gerwing and singles to Stephen Ellul (2), Matt Meyers (2), Titus Lin (2), Cooper and Grant Kennerley.
Titus Lin came in to pitch the third inning and closed the game out by throwing lots of strikes and with some good defensive work at 1st base from Matt Meyers catching one in foul territory, we were able to take the game out 11-3.
Melbourne Reds 5 vs. Malvern Indians 5
Another warm Friday night and a couple of happy parents with both U12 and U14’s playing at Malvern at the same time. Special mention to Cooper who brought the water spray bottle and kept everyone cool. Sarah started on the mound after being picked up by the reds in a mid season draft, she threw plenty of strikes and was well backed up in the field. We were ready to hit all night but hit too many back to the pitcher and had trouble scoring runs. Malvern got away from us but we stayed in the game and fought hard. Justin came in and pitched one excellent inning. Trailing by one in the last, Sarah hit a solo home run to tie up the game, Charlie came in the last and threw enough strikes to get them out including a dramatic final play at the plate for an out. Exciting stuff.
Thanks to Brodie for helping out the opposition after five games of footy in one day.
Teeball
Teeball week three, Friday, November 16, 2007.
Great hitting was a highlight at Teeball this week. The kids braved a hot night to practice their throwing, hitting and fielding with coach Adam. Nathan and Joel hit some magnificent shots into the outfield and Samantha, Jamie, Jess, Hamish, Harry, Jamie and Harrison also did well. Adam gave some good instructions about the technical side of throwing, which made an immediate difference.
“Whenever we’re throwing to someone you’re always side on to them,” he said. Getting the glove down low to field the ball was also like mowing the lawn. When it came to batting, “it’s like an elephant trunk, so we swing the trunk”. The kids caught on quickly and had a great practice session before a quick game to finish.
Jamie’s parents Angela and James helped enthusiastically with fielding and batting and Jess’s parents Cheryl and Brian helped field, chasing Nathan and Joel’s balls for miles! The biggest highlight came during the game when Harry’s dad Paul took a speccy while watching near third base. Jamie’s little brother Bastien, 4, also joined in and had a hit. Despite the hot weather it was a great night.
New children are still welcome; anyone interested should contact Stuart Rintoul, srintoul@bigpond.com, 0438 809 181.
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