The past two rounds of the VSBL 2018/19 Division One competition have been full of exciting, and oftentimes surprising, results as some teams have picked up momentum after slower starts to the season while others have begun to struggle. After leading the way with the only 8-0 record in the division, reigning premiers Geelong Baycats endured a big loss at Melbourne, while Preston Pirates improved their 0-6 record to 2-7 after back-to-back wins. There’s a lot of baseball left to be played this season, and we wish everyone in Div 1 the best of luck as they continue to make this a memorable season. Catch up on what went down in the past two weekends of play with our results and recaps below.
Midweek Tuesday, Nov. 20th
Sunshine Eagles vs. Preston Pirates 1sts
3 1
The Eagles are redeeming themselves after some struggles earlier this season, having now won five in a row, including Tuesday night’s midweek meeting with the Pirates. It was a close competition, but Sunshine capitalised on scoring chances and had the edge pitching-wise. After back-to-back wins vs. familiar rivals at Berwick, Preston’s lineup couldn’t manufacture the same level of offense against Sunshine’s Jeremy Young, who threw six solid innings. He gave up five hits, three walks and just one run while striking out four. With this win, Sunshine improves to 6-4, while Preston falls to 2-8.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Geelong Baycats 1sts
3 1
Although the clashes between top teams Blackburn vs. Upwey FTG and struggling sides Waverley vs. Moorrabin got rained out, the Lions and Baycats were able to play on Tuesday night, with the victory going to Fitzroy. Geelong, formerly 8-0, has dropped their last two, but still remain at the top of the ladder after midweek games. The Lions enjoyed an early 1-0 lead, but by the 4th the Baycats had tied it up. Fitzroy ended up pulling away with the win to improve their record to 5-5, despite the fact that Geelong outhit them 9-8. Game two will be at Fitzroy on Sunday.
Melbourne Demons vs. Berwick City Cougars 1sts
9 3
The Demons secured their seventh win of the season against a struggling Cougars side that has now dropped the last three. Melbourne took a 4-0 lead after the 1st inning, thanks to a strong offense that wasted no time getting on the board. They added a fifth run in the 2nd and another in the 3rd before taking a 9-0 advantage in the 4th. Berwick was able to come back with three runs, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the powerful Demons. The Cougars’ few RBI’s came from Craig Barnett, Nick O’Shea and Aaron Ouwehand. Now 2-8, Berwick will look to bounce back this weekend as they visit Melbourne, where the Demons will be hoping for more of the same great results.
Sandringham Royals vs. Essendon Bombers 1sts
4 1
It seems that the Royals’ reign at the top of Div 1 may be coming to a close, as the team that won six straight premierships from 2012-2017 has fallen behind. Now sitting at 4-6, the Bombers have struggled with inconsistent offense and pitching that hasn’t been able to get the job done when it counts. After winning 4-1 in round 8 vs. Waverley, the Bombers have dropped the last two.
The Royals hit relatively well and made the most of defensive miscues made by Essendon. Pitcher Michael Formisano threw 4.2 innings, giving up five hits, three walks, one earned run and three unearned while striking out five. Unfortunately for the Bombers, those mistakes came back to bite them as Sandringham shut down their scoring chances, thanks to another terrific outing from American import Peter Gehle. He threw six solid innings of one-run ball, giving up just four hits and two walks while striking out six of the 25 batters he faced.
Sandringham’s offensive production was led by RBI singles from Robert Anthony, Joshua Meyer and Jack Wills. The Royals host the Bombers once more this weekend as they aim for their lucky seventh win.
Sunday, Nov. 18th
Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers vs. Fitzroy Lions 1sts
18 9
The Tigers racked up a crazy amount of runs against the Lions as they cruised to their seventh win by scoring twice as many times as their opponents. Upwey’s hard-hitting lineup was unstoppable, led by Evan Phillips who went 4-for-5 with a double and three RBI’s. Fellow Tigers Jordan Elliot, Ashley Winton and Peter Schroders also enjoyed good days at the plate, gathering 3 hits each apiece. Harvey Chinn hit two singles, while Joshua Hendricks had a single and double on the day with 3 RBI’s.
The Tigers got started early, putting up four runs in each of the first three innings. They added another in the 4th, working their way to a 13-0 lead before the Lions finally got one back in the 5th. Despite a five-run frame in the 7th and an additional three runs in the 8th, Fitzroy had little hopes of making up the deficit. Upwey outhit Fitzroy 19-13 and stranded only 10 runners, compared to 13 for the Lions.
Next up for the Tigers is a series against top four team Blackburn, while Fitzroy will look to take down the first-place Baycats and work their way up the ladder.
Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers vs. Fitzroy Lions 2nds
9 8
After Fitzroy came out with a bang last weekend, pummeling the Tiger 15-2, Upwey had their sights set on revenge. The Tigers narrowly got the better of the Lions for their seventh win on the season. Both sides battled it out for the duration of the game, but a one-run difference at the end was all Upwey needed to hang on for the win. Upwey remains in second place behind undefeated Blackburn, who they face this weekend, while Fitzroy is close behind in the third spot ahead of this weekend’s home game vs. Geelong.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers 3rds
7 5
The Lions continued with their strong season with another win over the Tigers. Despite Upwey’s best efforts to get on the board and keep tacking on runs, Fitzroy pulled away with the victory, staying strong in second place behind the undefeated Baycats. One draw back in round 5 is all that’s separating Fitzroy and Geelong, so this weekend’s matchup between the two should be quite intense as only one can keep their unbeaten record heading into the second half of the season. Meanwhile the Tigers, now even at
4-4, will be keen to stop their three-game skid as they host Blackburn.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers 4ths
8 6
Following a big 13-3 win in round 7, the Lions picked up where they left off, extending their advantage enough to get their fifth victory. Upwey fell to 1-7, with their only win coming in round 5 at Moorrabin. Next up for Fitzroy is a road game at Geelong, while Upwey has a shot at securing their second win when they host Blackburn this weekend.
Melbourne Demons vs. Geelong Baycats 1sts
14 0
The Baycats fantastic start to the season was finally stopped short by a fast and fierce Demons lineup that jumped all over the usually spot-on Geelong pitchers. Melbourne wasted no time getting on the board, scoring five runs in the 1st inning to showcase some early dominance and set the mood for the whole day. Five more runs in the 3rd and four in the 6th sealed the deal, with Steven Bookluck leading the way with 5 RBI’s from 2 hits. Jarryd Rogers followed with 3 RBI’s, while Andy Tierney and Ryan Booth knocked in two runs apiece.
The Demons were supported by an outstanding performance from Ryan Simpler, who shut out the challenging Geelong lineup for 7 hits. He gave up just three hits and no walks while getting seven strikeouts. Now 6-3, the Demons will be looking to keep up the pace against Berwick for the next series, while Geelong will be eager to reset and regroup to get another win at Fitzroy.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/MelbDemonsBC/photos/a.416595881805172/1387767341354683/?type=3&theater
Melbourne Demons vs. Geelong Baycats 2nds
6 6
Both these sides kept in the game, battling back and forth to see who could take home their fourth victory of the year. As it turns out, neither team would achieve such a result on the day, with the game ending in a draw after Melbourne came back to score two in the final innings, tying it up. The Demons now set their sights on a home game vs. Berwick, while Geelong heads to 6-2 Fitzroy.
Geelong Baycats vs. Melbourne Demons 3rds
10 1
The Baycats were celebrating their eighth straight victory after a fantastic day at the plate vs. Melbourne. They jumped on the board early with four runs in the 1st inning, made possible by hits to Daniel Anson, Mat Belfrage and Jordy Isbister. Geelong looked really solid as a team, with all player consistently contributing and tacking no runs. Unlike previous games, the Baycats were completely clean in the field with no errors, allowing them to hold down the Demons.
Starter Daniel Anson had a great day on the mound, throwing five faultless innings before passing it off to Jordan Isbister in the 6th. His curve balls tricked Melbourne batters and kept the game in Geelong’s favour without any drama. Highlights on the day included Liam Whiteside’s solo home run over the left field fence in the 4th, as well as a double, single and 3 RBI’s for Hayden Peoples. The Baycats will be feeling good ahead of their home game vs. Fitzroy this weekend, while Melbourne will be wanting to improve on their performance and get a win at Berwick.
Geelong Baycats vs. Melbourne Demons 4ths
6 4
Despite Melbourne’s dominant 13-2 win in round 7, the Baycats aren’t budging from their place at the top of the ladder, securing their seventh win with a determined day at the plate. Avoiding back-to-back losses, Geelong managed to hold off the Demons when it mattered. Although the Demons stayed in the game, at the end of the day the Baycats came out winners, handing Melbourne their third loss of the season. Geelong is hosting Fitzroy this weekend while Melbourne is heading to Berwick in a bid to improve to 6-3.
Waverley Wildcats vs. Essendon Bombers 1sts
10 6
The Wildcats were successful in their efforts to secure their second win of the season, thanks to a great day at the plate for most of the lineup. Reece Longstaff led the way with four hits and a .800 batting average for the day. Ben Aslett proved difficult to retire as well, managing two doubles and a home run, his second on the year. Despite the final score line, Essendon’s offense wasn’t too shabby either, with 2 RBI’s going to Mark Sayers and three hits for Michael Formisano. Although this result wasn’t ideal for the Bombers, they will be looking to bounce back as they head into their series with Sandringham. Meanwhile Waverley will be keen to build on this sweet finish in their games vs. Moorrabin.
Waverley Wildcats vs. Essendon Bombers 2nds
13 3
A hot offense got the job done for Waverley, with the boys enjoying their first victory of the year against a much-quieter Essendon side. The Bombers that easily earned their 8-3 win in round 7 were nowhere to be found on Sunday as the Wildcats cruised to a big victory. Dropping to 4-4, the Bombers will visit Sandringham for round 9, while the Wildcats will aim for two-in-a-row when they host Moorrabin.
Essendon Bombers vs. Waverley Wildcats 3rds
10 10
After such strong offensive production from each side, neither could pull ahead in their final chances, resulting in a 10-10 draw. Both sides will try to keep their pitching a bit more under control as they look ahead to new series, with Waverley taking on Moorrabin and Essendon facing Sandringham. The Wildcats will be wanting to improve their record, which currently stands at one win, one draw and six losses, while the Bombers will be looking for their seventh win.
Essendon Bombers vs. Waverley Wildcats 4ths
11 3
After a closer game in round 7 that saw Essendon capture a 7-4 win, the Bombers blew this game open thanks to strong efforts throughout the entire lineup. They didn’t shy away from getting on base and were eager to make the most of their scoring opportunities, while the Wildcats couldn’t quite reach that same level of confidence at the plate. Now 2-6, Waverley will be looking to make some bigger moves as the second half of the season approaches, while Essendon needs to keep doing what they’re doing to stay in the top 2 and keep up with the Eagles, who are also 6-2 heading into round 9.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Preston Pirates 1sts
6 7
After a thrilling 9-1 victory finally put the Pirates in the win column, they headed to Berwick to see if they could keep up the pace. Despite a too-close-for-comfort score line for much of the game, Preston pulled off an extra-innings win over their familiar competition from last year’s season in Div 2. Jordan Ley led the team with four hits, including a double and three singles, while Adam Burton was close behind with three hits of his own for 2 RBI’s.
It was a game of back and forth as each side stayed in it, getting runners on and threatening to score fairly consistently. Preston’s Hayden Godbold started on the mound, giving up one earned run and one unearned run with three hits and three strikeouts during his 5.1 innings of work. His teammates faced Berwick’s Craig Barnett, who was solid as well, giving up five hits, one walk and two unearned runs across six innings. He also struck out a season-high six batters.
Both relievers did their jobs but struggled to keep determined runners off base. In the last 5.2 innings, Berwick batters managed seven hits and four runs – three of those earned – against Drew Janssen, but six key strikeouts doomed them as they couldn’t quite tie it up after the Pirates broke through with two runs in the 11th to make it 7-5. Although the Cougars got one back in their final at-bats, they failed to bring the next runner home and were handed their seventh loss of the season.
Throughout the game, Berwick depended on Matt Kennedy, David Mulhall, Nick O’Shea and Ciaran Palmer who each had 2 hits apiece. After losing the last two, Berwick will look have a chance to make up for it in their next series vs. Melbourne, while Preston will face a Sunshine side that’s been on a roll as of late, winning four out of their last five.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Preston Pirates 2nds
5 7
After another disappointing loss at the Pirate Ship last weekend, Preston headed to Berwick City to redeem themselves. They were thrilled to secure their first win of the season after a hard-fought ordeal, in which Berwick battled to stay in it. An up-and-down day ended in the Pirates’ favour after they pulled ahead with two runs in the final innings. Michael Vogt returned to the game after a seven-year absence and he managed a few big hits, while pitcher Masa Hashiguchi had an RBI and a pitching performance that got the job done. The Cougars will now look to turn their 4-4 record into 5-4 when they visit the Melbourne Demons this weekend, while the Pirates face a Sunshine team that’s currently 2-6.
Preston Pirates vs. Berwick City Cougars 3rds
9 12
A 12-7 win last week fueled the Cougars to continue their winning ways as they capitalised on more scoring opportunities. Despite giving up some big runs to the Pirates, allowing them to stay in the game, Berwick managed to hold off the offensive threats to get their third win of the season. Preston fell to 1-7 but will have a chance to turn things around and get back to their fine form from round 2 as they head home to host a winless Sunshine side this Sunday.
Preston Pirates vs. Berwick City Cougars 4ths
6 17
It wasn’t the prettiest of games for the Pirates as they gave up a painful amount of runs to this fiery and fast Berwick side. The Cougars were on the ball all day long, consistently getting on base and proving to be a real trouble to retire. Despite the final score, the Pirates were able to put more runs together for a slightly better result than their 2-23 smashing the week before. With four wins, one draw and three losses on the season, the Cougars will be looking to extend their undefeated streak to five games when they host the 5-3 Demons on Sunday. The Pirates will face a big challenge against the reigning premiers and currently second-place Sunshine Eagles.
Blackburn Orioles vs. Sandringham Royals 1sts
6 5
After a nail biter in round 8 that saw the Royals pull off a 1-0 victory thanks to a legendary pitching performance from Peter Gehle, the Orioles came back with the winning edge in round 9. Blackburn’s Tim Holland, David Dicker, Sam Bucello and Ryan Berg all had hits on the day, while Sandringham was supported by two hits apiece from both Zac Skinner and Jayson Arthur. In the end, this close-scoring game went to Blackburn, now 6-3. Sandringham will try to improve and get their seventh win this weekend against Essendon, while Blackburn will need to keep up with the Tigers to get another victory on Sunday.
Blackburn Orioles vs. Sandringham Royals 2nds
2 3
A closer contest than last week, this game saw the Orioles narrowly edge out the Royals to keep their undefeated start to the season alive. Now 8-0, Blackburn is holding on tight to their place at the top of the ladder, although their upcoming opponents at Upwey Ferntree Gully aren’t far behind, currently sitting at seven wins and one draw. It will be a battle of the undefeated teams as the Orioles head to the Tigers home field. The Royals will host a fellow 4-4 team in the Bombers, and they’ll be looking to bounce back from these last four losses after a beautiful 4-0 start to the season.
Blackburn Orioles vs. Sandringham Royals 3rds
8 13
The Orioles enjoyed a 7-3 win over the Royals in round 7, but their seven-game winning streak was broken as the Royals came back with much busier bats this past weekend. Although Blackburn battled, it proved impossible to overcome Sandringham’s strong lineup, and the Orioles will try to get one back against the Tigers on Sunday. This was a big win for the Royals, who now have three wins, three losses and two draws on the season, a record they’ll look to improve upon at Essendon.
Blackburn Orioles vs. Sandringham Royals 4ths
3 7
Following a 14-0 shutout the week before, the Royals were feeling good heading into this matchup, and it showed as they hit and pitched their way to another big win. Despite giving up three runs the Sandy boys pulled off a confidence-boosting victory with better hitting and team batting on the day. Blackburn hasn’t won a game since round 3 vs. Preston, so they’ll be ready to make some big moves come Sunday when they visit Upwey Ferntree Gully in search of their fourth win. Meanwhile the Royals will look to keep on rolling as they visit the Bombers.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 1sts
2 6
The Eagles have picked up the pace considerably after dropping four of their first five. This marks their fourth consecutive win as they topped the Panthers after a good day at the plate, aided by Brian Lane who went 4-for-5 with three doubles and Jeremy Young with three singles. Despite the disappointing loss – their third straight and seventh overall – several Moorrabin players had multiple hits, with Nick Coy, Matt Hardie and Ben Laux all recording two apiece. Kieran Lewis and Jack Pierson were responsible for knocking in the Panthers two runs on the day. After improving to 5-4, the Eagles will keep their eyes on the prize as they look to achieve five straight vs. Preston, while Moorrabin will face some easier competition in Waverley for this next series.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 2nds
13 5
In a repeat final score from the week before, the Panthers capitalised on defensive mistakes made by the Eagles. Moorrabin had better pitching on the day that controlled the Eagles enough to put the game comfortably in their favour. The Panthers have now improved to three wins, four losses and one draw, while Sunshine has fallen behind with a 2-6 record. The Eagles will have a chance to redeem themselves in this next series vs. Preston, as well Moorrabin when they face Waverley.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Moorrabin Panthers 3rds
3 7
The Panthers just got the edge over the Eagles in last week’s 5-4 win, and this time they extended their advantage to further put the victory out of reach for Sunshine. The Panthers’ pitching was more reliable and controlled than the Eagles, leading to back-to-back wins for Moorrabin after a painful 0-5 start. Sunshine is still looking for their elusive first win, and they’ll be hoping this weekend’s road game at Preston will get the job done.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Moorrabin Panthers 4ths
11 9
The reigning premiers have now won three straight after pulling ahead of the Panthers. Despite Moorabbin’s best efforts to stay in the game and produce runs, in the end this was Sunshine’s game. Now at 6-2, Sunshine will be eager to hold on to their second spot place as they head into this next series vs. Preston, while Moorrabin will need to improve their 1-7 record with a few upcoming wins.
Sunday, Nov. 11th
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 1sts
1 0
The Orioles were handed their third loss after a phenomenal day on the mound for Sandy’s Peter Gehle, who threw eight great innings of scoreless baseball. He gave up six hits and one walk while striking out nine batters, giving the Orioles very little to work with offensively. Blackburn’s starter Skyler Sylvester had a good day on the mound too, throwing five innings and giving up just three hits and one unearned run while striking out six. Unfortunately for the Orioles, their lack of offense sealed their fate, as Sandy got one run on an RBI from Jayson Arthur to score Robert Anthony. Scott Mitchelson and Andrew Jones covered solid innings in relief to keep Blackburn in the game, but it wasn’t enough as Sandringham secured an exciting win at the end of nine innings. Now 6-2, the Royals will be looking to improve to 7-2 when they face Blackburn once more this weekend.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 2nds
3 7
The Orioles are still unbeaten after another big win in round 7 as they handed the Royals their third straight third loss. Sandringham will be looking to return to their fantastic form of the first few weeks, which saw them go 4-0, if they want to stay in the top four when they visit Blackburn for round 8.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 3rds
3 7
The Royals haven’t won a game since round 4, and they will be eager to change things up when they meet Blackburn once more in round 8, especially after the Orioles outscored them in this game. Blackburn had better pitching and better hitting to maintain their undefeated record, and they are proving to be quite a challenge to beat. The next game will be at Blackburn as they aim for 8-0.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 4ths
14 0
The Royals were on fire today, winning their fourth game on the season in exciting fashion with a stellar shutout victory. This was a great result for Sandringham, especially after they suffered a disappointing 0-10 loss the week before at the hands of Fitzroy. Now 4-3, the Royals will be eager to build on this success as they head into the heart of the season, while Blackburn will be looking for a win after three weeks without one.
Preston Pirates vs. Berwick City Cougars 1sts
9 1
Determined to get a win on the board, the Pirates finally got the job done vs. the team they beat to achieve last season’s thrilling premiership title. Hayden Godbold took the mound for the Pirates, throwing a no-hitter through six impressive innings of work, with just one walk and four strikeouts. His reliable command and control gave the Pirates the chance to pressure the Cougars early. Preston was able to get one run in the 3rd off Mark Surtees, who otherwise gave up four hits and three walks with two strikeouts across the first five innings.
Preston’s Drew Janssen came on in relief, and he managed to get out of a tough bases-loaded situation with just one unearned run scored. Despite a few threats, the Pirates failed to get on the board again until the 8th, when they started out hot and didn’t stop. A double down the left field line to Jordan Ley put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs, and it wasn’t long before the score became 3-1. The Cougars intentionally walked Lewis Weldon, which loaded the bases with no outs. Andy Karp’s blazing double scored two to make it 5-1, and a string of hits followed to continue the damage. The Pirates had made it 7-1 with still none out when a passed ball made it 8-1.
After going through the full order, Jordan Ley had yet another hit to reach the final score of 9-1. The Cougars couldn’t get any back and ended up with their sixth loss of the season. Berwick will have their sights set on a better outcome for the return game in round 9, while Preston will be wanting to build on this success.
Preston Pirates vs. Berwick City Cougars 2nds
6 13
Once again, defensive miscues and a lackluster offense doomed the Pirates’ attempts to break their 0-7 spell. Despite getting an early lead, Preston was troubled by Berwick’s formidable offense that keep building on their scoring chances. Now 4-3, the Cougars will be keen to continue approving as the season moves forward, while the Pirates will be needing a win come Sunday’s game.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Preston Pirates 3rds
12 7
Despite some good offensive production on both sides, this game went in favour of Berwick, with their batters having the upper hand on the day. This marks the Pirates sixth loss, and they’ve now dropped their fifth in a row. The Cougars were pleased with this result after a disappointing 16-3 loss at Blackburn the weekend before. Berwick will aim for back-to-back wins when they head to Preston for round 8.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Preston Pirates 4ths
23 2
This was not a pretty day on the mound or at the plate for the Pirates, who gave up 15+ runs for the third time this season. The Cougars were aggressive at the plate, constantly causing trouble for Preston’s pitchers. Berwick has improved to three wins, three losses and one draw after seven rounds, with room to grow and potential as they season moves forward. The Pirates will be eager to regroup and come back stronger and more competitive when they face the Cougars once more, as they look to boost their 2-5 record in the upcoming weeks.
Sunday, Nov. 11th
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 1sts
1 0
The Orioles were handed their third loss after a phenomenal day on the mound for Sandy’s Peter Gehle, who threw eight great innings of scoreless baseball. He gave up six hits and one walk while striking out nine batters, giving the Orioles very little to work with offensively. Blackburn’s starter Skyler Sylvester had a good day on the mound too, throwing five innings and giving up just three hits and one unearned run while striking out six. Unfortunately for the Orioles, their lack of offense sealed their fate, as Sandy got one run on an RBI from Jayson Arthur to score Robert Anthony. Scott Mitchelson and Andrew Jones covered solid innings in relief to keep Blackburn in the game, but it wasn’t enough as Sandringham secured an exciting win at the end of nine innings. Now 6-2, the Royals will be looking to improve to 7-2 when they face Blackburn once more this weekend.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 2nds
3 7
The Orioles are still unbeaten after another big win in round 7 as they handed the Royals their third straight third loss. Sandringham will be looking to return to their fantastic form of the first few weeks, which saw them go 4-0, if they want to stay in the top four when they visit Blackburn for round 8.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 3rds
3 7
The Royals haven’t won a game since round 4, and they will be eager to change things up when they meet Blackburn once more in round 8, especially after the Orioles outscored them in this game. Blackburn had better pitching and better hitting to maintain their undefeated record, and they are proving to be quite a challenge to beat. The next game will be at Blackburn as they aim for 8-0.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles 4ths
14 0
The Royals were on fire today, winning their fourth game on the season in exciting fashion with a stellar shutout victory. This was a great result for Sandringham, especially after they suffered a disappointing 0-10 loss the week before at the hands of Fitzroy. Now 4-3, the Royals will be eager to build on this success as they head into the heart of the season, while Blackburn will be looking for a win after three weeks without one.
Preston Pirates vs. Berwick City Cougars 1sts
9 1
Determined to get a win on the board, the Pirates finally got the job done vs. the team they beat to achieve last season’s thrilling premiership title. Hayden Godbold took the mound for the Pirates, throwing a no-hitter through six impressive innings of work, with just one walk and four strikeouts. His reliable command and control gave the Pirates the chance to pressure the Cougars early. Preston was able to get one run in the 3rd off Mark Surtees, who otherwise gave up four hits and three walks with two strikeouts across the first five innings.
Preston’s Drew Janssen came on in relief, and he managed to get out of a tough bases-loaded situation with just one unearned run scored. Despite a few threats, the Pirates failed to get on the board again until the 8th, when they started out hot and didn’t stop. A double down the left field line to Jordan Ley put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs, and it wasn’t long before the score became 3-1. The Cougars intentionally walked Lewis Weldon, which loaded the bases with no outs. Andy Karp’s blazing double scored two to make it 5-1, and a string of hits followed to continue the damage. The Pirates had made it 7-1 with still none out when a passed ball made it 8-1.
After going through the full order, Jordan Ley had yet another hit to reach the final score of 9-1. The Cougars couldn’t get any back and ended up with their sixth loss of the season. Berwick will have their sights set on a better outcome for the return game in round 9, while Preston will be wanting to build on this success.
Preston Pirates vs. Berwick City Cougars 2nds
6 13
Once again, defensive miscues and a lackluster offense doomed the Pirates’ attempts to break their 0-7 spell. Despite getting an early lead, Preston was troubled by Berwick’s formidable offense that keep building on their scoring chances. Now 4-3, the Cougars will be keen to continue approving as the season moves forward, while the Pirates will be needing a win come Sunday’s game.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Preston Pirates 3rds
12 7
Despite some good offensive production on both sides, this game went in favour of Berwick, with their batters having the upper hand on the day. This marks the Pirates sixth loss, and they’ve now dropped their fifth in a row. The Cougars were pleased with this result after a disappointing 16-3 loss at Blackburn the weekend before. Berwick will aim for back-to-back wins when they head to Preston for round 8.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Preston Pirates 4ths
23 2
This was not a pretty day on the mound or at the plate for the Pirates, who gave up 15+ runs for the third time this season. The Cougars were aggressive at the plate, constantly causing trouble for Preston’s pitchers. Berwick has improved to three wins, three losses and one draw after seven rounds, with room to grow and potential as they season moves forward. The Pirates will be eager to regroup and come back stronger and more competitive when they face the Cougars once more, as they look to boost their 2-5 record in the upcoming weeks.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Moorrabin Panthers 1sts
2 1
Terrific pitching performances on both sides kept this game under control, as batters struggled to piece together scoring opportunities. Sunshine’s Jeremy Young was stellar on the mound, throwing nine innings during which he had 11 strikeouts while giving up five hits, one walk and just one earned run. His pitching prowess made the win possible for Sunshine, as the team managed to score two runs against a strong Moorrabin side. Despite the loss, the Panthers were proud of a great day on the mound for Nick Veale, who threw six strong innings, giving up four hits, one unearned run and one earned run while striking out seven.
Nick Coy knocked in Moorabbin’s only run of the game, while Sunshine’s quiet offense got the job done thanks in part to hits from Brian Lane, Allister Lovelock, Lachlan Ruyter and Jordan Young. If this game is any indication, the next meeting between these two may be another tight competition, as Sunshine now sits at 4-4 while Moorrabin is 2-6.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Moorrabin Panthers 2nds
5 13
The Eagles were handed their fifth loss of the season by a strong and determined Moorrabin side that hit and ran the bases well. After going four weeks without a win, the Panthers were pleased to have such a good day at the plate, and they will be looking to carry this momentum into round 8 and beyond, while Sunshine will be keen to make some improvements and get more wins on the board.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 3rds
5 4
The Eagles were disappointed once again with their seventh straight loss, despite being so close to victory. Moorrabin narrowly got the win in a close game, improving to 2-5 on the season. Having lost their last two games by just one run, it’s safe to say Sunshine will be looking for ways to pull ahead and stay there as they head into round 8.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 4ths
3 11
The Eagles were looking good on Sunday as they took home an easy win at Moorrabin. The reigning premiers have been solid all season long, winning five out of the first seven to stay comfortable in second place behind Geelong. With just one win on the season so far coming last week in round 6, Moorrabin will be wanting to step it up a notch as they head into their upcoming games.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Moorrabin Panthers 1sts
2 1
Terrific pitching performances on both sides kept this game under control, as batters struggled to piece together scoring opportunities. Sunshine’s Jeremy Young was stellar on the mound, throwing nine innings during which he had 11 strikeouts while giving up five hits, one walk and just one earned run. His pitching prowess made the win possible for Sunshine, as the team managed to score two runs against a strong Moorrabin side. Despite the loss, the Panthers were proud of a great day on the mound for Nick Veale, who threw six strong innings, giving up four hits, one unearned run and one earned run while striking out seven.
Nick Coy knocked in Moorabbin’s only run of the game, while Sunshine’s quiet offense got the job done thanks in part to hits from Brian Lane, Allister Lovelock, Lachlan Ruyter and Jordan Young. If this game is any indication, the next meeting between these two may be another tight competition, as Sunshine now sits at 4-4 while Moorrabin is 2-6.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Moorrabin Panthers 2nds
5 13
The Eagles were handed their fifth loss of the season by a strong and determined Moorrabin side that hit and ran the bases well. After going four weeks without a win, the Panthers were pleased to have such a good day at the plate, and they will be looking to carry this momentum into round 8 and beyond, while Sunshine will be keen to make some improvements and get more wins on the board.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 3rds
5 4
The Eagles were disappointed once again with their seventh straight loss, despite being so close to victory. Moorrabin narrowly got the win in a close game, improving to 2-5 on the season. Having lost their last two games by just one run, it’s safe to say Sunshine will be looking for ways to pull ahead and stay there as they head into round 8.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 4ths
3 11
The Eagles were looking good on Sunday as they took home an easy win at Moorrabin. The reigning premiers have been solid all season long, winning five out of the first seven to stay comfortable in second place behind Geelong. With just one win on the season so far coming last week in round 6, Moorrabin will be wanting to step it up a notch as they head into their upcoming games.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Moorrabin Panthers 2nds
5 13
The Eagles were handed their fifth loss of the season by a strong and determined Moorrabin side that hit and ran the bases well. After going four weeks without a win, the Panthers were pleased to have such a good day at the plate, and they will be looking to carry this momentum into round 8 and beyond, while Sunshine will be keen to make some improvements and get more wins on the board.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 3rds
5 4
The Eagles were disappointed once again with their seventh straight loss, despite being so close to victory. Moorrabin narrowly got the win in a close game, improving to 2-5 on the season. Having lost their last two games by just one run, it’s safe to say Sunshine will be looking for ways to pull ahead and stay there as they head into round 8.
Moorrabin Panthers vs. Sunshine Eagles 4ths
3 11
The Eagles were looking good on Sunday as they took home an easy win at Moorrabin. The reigning premiers have been solid all season long, winning five out of the first seven to stay comfortable in second place behind Geelong. With just one win on the season so far coming last week in round 6, Moorrabin will be wanting to step it up a notch as they head into their upcoming games.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers 1sts
8 4
There was a special atmosphere at Merri Park for VSBL round 8 as Saturday games at the venue are unusual. It all started with Fitzroy’s Tom Wilson hitting two triples in as many innings as part of his 4-for-5 day. The second of the three baggers scored him 3 RBIs and gave Fitzroy the lead heading into the 3rd innings. The Lions got two more when Carl Wilson and Jordan Hill got the crowd going with a pair of doubles to make it a 6-0 advantage.
In the 4th Jordan Elliot singled, stole second and scored on a ground ball to put Upwey on the board. He pegged the score back to 6-1, and despite the pressure the Tigers were not ready to give up. In the 5th Harley Chinn, who was a standout for the visitors with three hits, singled with an RBI. Upwey looked resurgent, but Fitzroy starter Alex Merithew soaked up the pressure and was skillfully backed by Carl Wilson and Travis Murphy with some sharp fielding.
Tom Wilson proved difficult to retire for Upwey, as he got on base once again in the bottom of the 4th with a single. He was moved over to 3rd by a hard single from Travis Murphy before coming home on Daniel Huryn’s sacrifice fly. Fitzroy looked confident after five innings with a 7-2 lead.
Dave Ayres entered the game in the 8th and took some time to steady then looked good on the mound. Upwey added one more run after doing the same in the 7th, with the game looking a lot more even at this point with a score of 7-4.
Harley Chinn added to his batting efforts when he pitched well in relief for the visitors, giving up just four hits and one earned run scattered across four innings before handing it over to Jarrod Turner in the 8th.
Jordan Walker scored after a double to make the final score 8-4. Fitzroy’s closer Travis Murphy got the job done to secure the win for the Lions, their fourth of the season. Merithew ended up throwing seven innings during which he struck out two and gave up four hits and one walk, leading to two earned runs and one unearned run.
This marks Upwey’s second loss of the season and they will be looking to make their record 7-2 when they face Fitzroy once more.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers 2nds
15 2
The Lions came out in full force in round 7 as they pounced on the Tigers, cruising to their sixth win. This was an exciting matchup between two top teams, but Upwey ended up being uncharacteristically quiet on the day. Fitzroy’s fantastic pitching got the job done and allowed batters to get on base consistently. The Tigers will have another chance against the Lions come round 8.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers 3rds
14 2
The Lions are making some big moves in the 3rds competition, having won all but one game with a 10-10 draw coming back in round 5. After this convincing win over Upwey, Fitzroy now has six wins on the board, putting them in second place behind tied-for-the-top Blackburn and Geelong. Upwey is still hanging out near the top four with a 4-3 record, but they will need to continue with strong performances in the next few games to stay confidently in the race and increase their win percentage.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers 4ths
13 3
Fitzroy’s 4ths rounded out the sweep with a big day at the plate that saw the whole lineup make big contributions. Now 4-3, the Lions will look to improve to 5-3 when they visit Upwey this weekend in order to get closer to the top four, while the Tigers will be looking to get better form to turn their 1-6 record into something more positive.
Geelong Baycats vs. Melbourne Demons 1sts
8 2
These two Div 1 powerhouses met for an exciting game on Sunday, and it began as a pitcher’s duel. Geelong’s Rudy Jaramillo and Melbourne’s Ryan Simpler looked great in the early innings, dominating and shutting down the opposing offense with ease. It wasn’t until the 5th inning that any real offense came together, with Brock Wells sending a sharply-hit ball to left field for the first hit of the game. He and Tyler Luther-Wilson ended up coming around to score to take a 2-0 lead. As the Demons’ pitcher tired, they tacked on another three runs in the 6th to force a pitching change.
Jaramillo handed the ball over to James Wood to take care of the 7th and 8th inning, and the Demons managed to hit the scoreboard twice to get back into the game with two runs. The Baycats answered in the bottom frame with two runs of their own, securing an 8-2 lead which would become the final score. Geelong’s Elliot Biddle closed the game out with no big drama, closing the book on a great team effort led by Kelli Zablan and Wells who had two hits apiece on the day. Jaramillo was reliable as always, scoring a run and collecting an RBI on two hits and a walk, while pitching six scoreless innings with just two hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Although Geelong eventually pressured him, and he didn’t have much offensive backup to work with, Melbourne’s Simpler still had a good day on the mound. He gave up three hits and three walks, along with three earned runs and two unearned runs across five innings while striking out four.
Geelong remains undefeated with an 8-0 record while Melbourne now sits at 5-3 ahead of their round 9 game on Sunday, in which the Demons will hope to pull off a big upset.
Geelong Baycats vs. Melbourne Demons 2nds
9 3
Pitching command and team batting made this an easy win for the Baycats, who now have three wins, three losses and one draw after seven rounds. This marks three in a row for the Baycats, who have been noticeably stronger and more composed on the field in their recent wins. The Demons are 3-4 and will be looking to come back more competitively when they host Geelong for round 8.
Melbourne Demons vs. Geelong Baycats 3rds
0 7
The Baycats kept up their thrilling start to the season with their seventh consecutive win. Seven may be their lucky number as seven runs were enough to seal the deal on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Geelong had been quiet early on in recent games, and this time around the Baycats blossomed early, scoring a pair of runs in the 2nd with hits from Tom Cruise and Angus Hayden.
Geelong depended on solid defense to get them off the field quickly and back to the plate. The real damage was done in the 3rd inning, when the Baycats piled on an additional five runs with hits from Mat Belfrage, Liam Whiteside and Cruise. Pitcher Duane Davenport was confident and comfortable out on the mound, giving up just one hit with Whiteside reliable behind the dish. He had two doubles and 3 RBI’s on the day, while Belfrage came away with a double and a single as did Hayden Peoples. Cruise had two singles and an RBI, while Chris Hockey and Angus McNee all got in on the hitting fun with singles.
It was a disappointing day for the Demons who couldn’t match the Baycats’ consistency, but they will get another chance when round 8 arrives. Geelong will have their eyes on an 8-0 record to keep up with Blackburn, while Melbourne will look to build on their record of two wins, four losses and one draw.
Melbourne Demons vs. Geelong Baycats 4ths
13 2
Melbourne’s 4ths side kept the seniors from being swept by the Baycats. It was a great game for the Demons, especially considering their pitching and hitting depth held up against the top team on the ladder. Melbourne now sits at 5-2, while Geelong is just ahead at 6-1. The Demons will look to take advantage of their opportunity to get ahead in round 8, while Geelong will be eager to bounce back and protect their coveted top spot.
Essendon Bombers vs. Waverley Wildcats 1sts
4 1
The Bombers were very pleased with Michael Formisano’s fantastic outing, during which he pitched nine innings, giving up just a single hit and a lone run while striking out four. With his impressive command, the Bombers were able to piece together scoring opportunities to get in front of Waverley. Scott McIntrye had a single and a run scored on the night, while Waverley’s Damon Hill knocked in a run. Waverley’s Liam Evans threw 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and one walk along with one earned run and three unearned runs. This is another tough loss for Waverley, who drop to 1-7, while Essendon evens out at 4-4. The Wildcats will get another chance at home against the Bombers in round 9.
Essendon Bombers vs. Waverley Wildcats 2nds
8 3
After two one-run losses in a row, the Bombers were happy to get a big win over the Wildcats. Essendon has now won four and lost three, while Waverley has lost seven straight and will be eager to finally get in the win column when round 8 rolls around and they head home to host the Bombers.
Waverley Wildcats vs. Essendon Bombers 3rds
0 9
This shutout loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Wildcats, who have now had three scoreless games in the first seven weeks. The Bombers were impressive at the plate, making the most of their chances to score and proving to be a challenge for Waverley’s pitching staff. The Wildcats one and only win so far this season came in round 5, while the Bombers are in the top four with a 6-1 record they’ll be looking to expand on in round 8.
Waverley Wildcats vs. Essendon Bombers 4ths
4 7
The Bombers took better advantage of their scoring chances as they took home their fifth win, a rewarding result after a tough 10-12 loss at Sunshine the week before. Waverley has now lost five with two wins on the board, a record they’ll be looking to change for the better as they play Essendon once more in round 8.
Geelong Baycats vs. Melbourne Demons 1sts
8 2
These two Div 1 powerhouses met for an exciting game on Sunday, and it began as a pitcher’s duel. Geelong’s Rudy Jaramillo and Melbourne’s Ryan Simpler looked great in the early innings, dominating and shutting down the opposing offense with ease. It wasn’t until the 5th inning that any real offense came together, with Brock Wells sending a sharply-hit ball to left field for the first hit of the game. He and Tyler Luther-Wilson ended up coming around to score to take a 2-0 lead. As the Demons’ pitcher tired, they tacked on another three runs in the 6th to force a pitching change.
Jaramillo handed the ball over to James Wood to take care of the 7th and 8th inning, and the Demons managed to hit the scoreboard twice to get back into the game with two runs. The Baycats answered in the bottom frame with two runs of their own, securing an 8-2 lead which would become the final score. Geelong’s Elliot Biddle closed the game out with no big drama, closing the book on a great team effort led by Kelli Zablan and Wells who had two hits apiece on the day. Jaramillo was reliable as always, scoring a run and collecting an RBI on two hits and a walk, while pitching six scoreless innings with just two hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Although Geelong eventually pressured him, and he didn’t have much offensive backup to work with, Melbourne’s Simpler still had a good day on the mound. He gave up three hits and three walks, along with three earned runs and two unearned runs across five innings while striking out four.
Geelong remains undefeated with an 8-0 record while Melbourne now sits at 5-3 ahead of their round 9 game on Sunday, in which the Demons will hope to pull off a big upset.
Geelong Baycats vs. Melbourne Demons 2nds
9 3
Pitching command and team batting made this an easy win for the Baycats, who now have three wins, three losses and one draw after seven rounds. This marks three in a row for the Baycats, who have been noticeably stronger and more composed on the field in their recent wins. The Demons are 3-4 and will be looking to come back more competitively when they host Geelong for round 8.
Melbourne Demons vs. Geelong Baycats 3rds
0 7
The Baycats kept up their thrilling start to the season with their seventh consecutive win. Seven may be their lucky number as seven runs were enough to seal the deal on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Geelong had been quiet early on in recent games, and this time around the Baycats blossomed early, scoring a pair of runs in the 2nd with hits from Tom Cruise and Angus Hayden.
Geelong depended on solid defense to get them off the field quickly and back to the plate. The real damage was done in the 3rd inning, when the Baycats piled on an additional five runs with hits from Mat Belfrage, Liam Whiteside and Cruise. Pitcher Duane Davenport was confident and comfortable out on the mound, giving up just one hit with Whiteside reliable behind the dish. He had two doubles and 3 RBI’s on the day, while Belfrage came away with a double and a single as did Hayden Peoples. Cruise had two singles and an RBI, while Chris Hockey and Angus McNee all got in on the hitting fun with singles.
It was a disappointing day for the Demons who couldn’t match the Baycats’ consistency, but they will get another chance when round 8 arrives. Geelong will have their eyes on an 8-0 record to keep up with Blackburn, while Melbourne will look to build on their record of two wins, four losses and one draw.
Melbourne Demons vs. Geelong Baycats 4ths
13 2
Melbourne’s 4ths side kept the seniors from being swept by the Baycats. It was a great game for the Demons, especially considering their pitching and hitting depth held up against the top team on the ladder. Melbourne now sits at 5-2, while Geelong is just ahead at 6-1. The Demons will look to take advantage of their opportunity to get ahead in round 8, while Geelong will be eager to bounce back and protect their coveted top spot.
Essendon Bombers vs. Waverley Wildcats 1sts
4 1
The Bombers were very pleased with Michael Formisano’s fantastic outing, during which he pitched nine innings, giving up just a single hit and a lone run while striking out four. With his impressive command, the Bombers were able to piece together scoring opportunities to get in front of Waverley. Scott McIntrye had a single and a run scored on the night, while Waverley’s Damon Hill knocked in a run. Waverley’s Liam Evans threw 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and one walk along with one earned run and three unearned runs. This is another tough loss for Waverley, who drop to 1-7, while Essendon evens out at 4-4. The Wildcats will get another chance at home against the Bombers in round 9.
Essendon Bombers vs. Waverley Wildcats 2nds
8 3
After two one-run losses in a row, the Bombers were happy to get a big win over the Wildcats. Essendon has now won four and lost three, while Waverley has lost seven straight and will be eager to finally get in the win column when round 8 rolls around and they head home to host the Bombers.
Waverley Wildcats vs. Essendon Bombers 3rds
0 9
This shutout loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Wildcats, who have now had three scoreless games in the first seven weeks. The Bombers were impressive at the plate, making the most of their chances to score and proving to be a challenge for Waverley’s pitching staff. The Wildcats one and only win so far this season came in round 5, while the Bombers are in the top four with a 6-1 record they’ll be looking to expand on in round 8.
Waverley Wildcats vs. Essendon Bombers 4ths
4 7
The Bombers took better advantage of their scoring chances as they took home their fifth win, a rewarding result after a tough 10-12 loss at Sunshine the week before. Waverley has now lost five with two wins on the board, a record they’ll be looking to change for the better as they play Essendon once more in round 8.
