After a couple of wins last week the 1sts have gone down to a solid Doncaster outfit at the Weekend. With both teams lined up on the diamond a minutes silence was held to mark the passing of former Baseball Section Chairman, Arch Cavanagh.
Andy Mann started for the Demons and held his own until his pitch count was up. A couple of hits and untimely mistakes late in the game made the score look a lot worse than that it was. Victorian Aces pitcher Jason Blejwas was outstanding for Doncaster and got the win.
With 7 games to go, Melbourne must win 4 more than Sunshine if it is to avoid relegation. It will be an uphill battle but there have been some good signs mixed in in the few weeks.
Next game Wednesday night at Melbourne Ballpark against Geelong.
This was the first game this year we have given up no earned runs. Having said that, we still managed to allow Doncaster to score 5 runs from errors. Bryce Taylor took the mound for us, whilst Rhys Aldenhoven started for Doncaster. Both pitchers made life difficult for the hitters. Bryce got through his 90 and Brent Davine relieved. Aldenhoven was hitting spots with his fastball and mixed in his off speed pitches well. As such our guys choked up on the handle and started punching balls through the infield in order to score runs and it seemed to be working. Liam, Bryce, Brent & Brendan strung hits together to score the majority of our runs for the day.
Josh Bevis was a welcomed addition to the line up in centre field tracking down 5 fly balls, whilst Gavin Van Schie came back and was solid behind the dish and Adam Promnitz was impressive at third getting dirty and knocking down balls. Doncaster allowed us to remain in the game as they never closed the door on us. We had 2 situations with bases loaded and chances to tie the game up, but couldn’t get that clutch hit we required.
It was a good effort from our guys considering Doncaster’s line up sported the names of Ellis, Pascoe, Ratcliffe, Couling & Macrae. All who made an appearance in the 1sts game that followed.
Under 18s vs Werribee Won 12-2
Melb/Donc: 070 23 = 12
Werribee: 101 00 = 2
First game back after the Christmas break and we headed out westward for our match against Werribee. Both sides must have had some New Year hangover as Werribee could only muster 7 players and the Meldons only 8. Both managers came to the party and the game was played in good spirits with the order batting through – that is the ‘blanks’ were not enforced. Werribee starter Jarod Horne threw a great first dig – after allowing the first two on base he struckout batters 3, 4, and 5 to retire the side. Werribee scored in the first on a sac fly to take an early lead but the lads responded strongly in the second dig to score a maximum 7 runs. Josh pitched 5 complete innings; 18 balls and 47 strikes with 5 Ks– a fantastic effort.
Hits: 2 Rhys Aldenhoven, 1 Josh Bevis, Dane Pearce, Andy Mann, Ben Jackson & Tom Ryan
RBI’s: 2 Tony Clapp, 1 Josh Bevis, Rhys Aldenhoven, Ben Jackson & Tom Ryan
Play of the Day: Tom smacked the ball hard for a well ran triple.
Next week: Fitzroy at Surrey Park
Under 16 State vs Cheltenham - Won 14-1
Still recovering from holidays, and for some 2 weeks in Brisbane humidity, Sunday morning seemed to have a rather laid-back feel to it. Things were still happening around the diamond though, Malcolm with a reel of string, Hondo trying to inject some purpose into the team, Narelle’s voice wafting out of the canteen periodically, Jo spring cleaning the scorers hutch and yours truly with his head in a rubbish bin. Talk was about whether the boys would shrug off the ipods, late nights watching DVDs and cricket in the back yard or on the beach sufficiently to win this first up game.
Inning 1 and Cam took up position on the mound retiring the first three batters in order with a groundball to 2 nd, another to 1 st and a SO. In reply Bryce opened the batting for the Demons forcing the pitch count to 6 before returning to the dugout, Jack rolled one to 1 st base, Brad and Tristan walked on 4 straight balls each and Harley ended the inning with a big dipper fly-out to left field.
Score 0-0.
Second inning and Cam moved up a gear with 3 SOs. Alex led off the batting with a walk, stole 2nd then 3rd, Cam walked then Steve whacked a groundball at 1 st base who threw the ball back to the catcher narrowly missing Alex sliding in then threw the ball to 3 rd as Cam was stealing an extra base only to see the ball disappear into L/F allowing Cam to round 3 rd and cross the plate for run 2. At this point the pitcher was fired up and hurled 3 fast strikes at Jai who returned to the bench, Bryce was walked then Jack slashed a groundball to S/S for a run-on out at 2 nd base. Score 2-0.
Top of the third and a lead-off single then a walk followed by a bunt with the batter being hit on the helmet from the catcher to 1 st throw then with the ball dribbling into R/F the lead-off batter scored. A 2 nd to 1 st out and a SO finished the inning. Bottom of the third saw Brad walk, Tristan thump a triple to the C/F fence getting Brad home, Harley pop-up to S/S, Alex make 1 st then 2 nd on a 2 nd to 1 st throw error and Tristan score on the play, then Cam lob the ball over 1 st base into R/F and run onto 2 nd as the field tried to prevent Alex scoring. Steve got up close and personal with a pitch, Jai laid down a perfect bunt advancing Cam to 3 rd and Steve to 2 nd but was unfortunately pinged at first, then Bryce unloaded with a big daddy triple splitting C/F and R/F all the way to the fence scoring both Cam and Steve. Jack ended the inning with a pop-up to 1 st. Score 7-1.
The fourth inning and Cam and the infield were still making it difficult for Cheltenham with a SO, a pitcher to 1 st out and a line drive fly-out at 1 st. Brad first up bat went down swinging, Tristan drove the ball hard to L/F for a single, Harley launched another L/F fly-out and Alex ground out at S/S.
Top of the fifth and the Demons kept it tight with a groundball out at 1 st, a SO and a C/F fly-out. Things started well for Cheltenham with Cam flying out to L/F but then Steve smacked a groundball through 1 st base all the way to the fence for a running homer, Jai crashed out swinging, Bryce walked, Jack brushed a pitch for a walk, Brad scorched the air with a line drive triple over 1 st base scoring Bryce and Jack, Tristan bounced a groundball to 3 rd and on a throwing error to 1 st ran onto 2 nd meanwhile Brad sneaked home. Harley swinging the bat rather menacingly belted the cover off the first pitch straight through 3 rd base for a double scoring Tristan, Alex followed with a major blowout triple to the C/F fence scoring Harley, Cam singled to R/F bringing Alex home and with that the umpire had seen enough and called time. Final score 14-1.
Cheltenham were 5 th on the ladder going into the matc. The young Demons played a very tight game defensively and were disciplined in the batting box. It was marvelous to see Steve and Jai come into the team and contribute in the way they did and to see the bats unleashing that offensive power that makes the Demons such a formidable opponent. It was probably fortunate that the boys were focused because it seemed the coach needed a couple of stout trees and a piece of canvas! If you can believe the bench talk Hondo had continually encouraged the team to swing the cue (bat), round the pockets (bases) and go in off (run home on contact). I wonder what he was up to in the wee hours of Sunday morning?
Under 16 Metro - Didn't have enough players
Under 14 vs Berwick Blue - Won 7-5
With only four games left before the Final Series, the U/14's sit atop of the State Metro East ladder. They have an imposing 9 wins from 9 games and have looked impressive in both offence and defence. Coach Des Marshall has instilled a strong team ethos and discipline into the talented group of players. Our pitching ace, Brandon Hough, has left for the sunny climes of Singapore, but Des has two able replacements in Jack and Mitchell, who are ready to fill the breach in the run-in to the finals. The most eye-catching facet of their game is the fact that the whole team bats extremely well. They have scored 151 runs in 9 games. They have been giving the ball a real pasting! However, their 'run production' has dropped away in the last two games, when they did not knock in the runs with the same regularity as in the early games of the season.
The boys start training this Wednesday 23rd January, 5pm at Macleay Park. Their first game after the Christmas break will be against Berwick Blue at Macleay Park on Sunday 27th January at 9am. It would be great to see some Melbourne supporters there to cheer the boys on. If you're walking your dog or on your way to Sunday brunch, stop in at North Balwyn to lend the boys your vocal support.
Little League vs Sandringham - Lost 10-15
Little League Domestic
