The VSBL 2018/19 Women’s Division 1 competition is in full gear, with some of the state’s top female players leading the way toward an exciting finish to the season. With 12/19 rounds in the books, the top four teams Springvale, Essendon, Footscray and Doncaster will look to come back strong and healthy as the New Year rolls around. Will the Lions hold on to their first-place spot on their way to a seventh-straight premiership, or will another club rise to the occasion? We’ll see how it all plays out when the women hit the field once more on Saturday, January 12th.
Round 12 (Sun. Dec 15th)
Doncaster Dragons vs. Springvale Lions
6 14
It’s five in a row for Springvale! The Lions have been untouchable since their last loss back in round 7, when they fell to the Bulldogs in a painful 16-17 defeat. Standout starter Gabby Bevan had another fine start, setting Springvale up for an easy victory to improve to 10-2 on the season. Doncaster hasn’t enjoyed the same excellent results this season, with the Dragons dropping three in a row to fall to 3-9. Looking ahead to 2019, Doncaster will look to bounce back vs. Essendon, while Springvale will aim for another strong performance on the road at Footscray.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Essendon Bombers
3 7
The Bombers got the best of the Bulldogs for the third game in a row, with Essendon outscoring Footscray 35-8 in the series. This winning streak came at a great time for the Bombers, giving them a much-needed boost to reach an even 6-6 record at the break. Footscray is close behind with a 5-7 record, and the Bulldogs will be looking forward to giving their best shot to their upcoming games vs. first-place Springvale.
Round 11 (Wed. Dec 12th)
Springvale Lions vs. Doncaster Dragons
8 5
The Lions are shaping up to lead the division throughout the season as they hold on tight to their first-place position. This is their fourth straight win, and so far this year they’ve outscored the Dragons 15-7 across three games. Despite the Dragons’ efforts, they’ve struggled to pick up the pace against these hard-to-beat Lions.
At times, Springvale jumped all over the Dragons’ pitching, with Erin Collins giving up seven hits and six runs – five earned – in three innings. She did knock in two runs with a big single, her 11th hit of the year and 11th RBI of the season. Doncaster’s Bronwyn Gell hit her first triple of the year, while Ursula Howard, had 2 RBI’s on the day with a triple and a single. Hannah Sowden joined in the fun with an RBI triple, while Brooklyn Hutton recorded a single. Even with this solid offensive production, it wasn’t enough for the Dragons to overcome the Lions. This result keeps Doncaster in fourth place with a 3-8 record, while Springvale remains at the top with a 9-2 start to the season.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Essendon Bombers
2 15
Footscray fell for the sixth time this season as Essendon came out with their big bats in tow. The Bombers blasted their way to an exciting fifth win, coming off of their big 13-3 victory the week before. Essendon’s hard-hitting lineup challenged Footscray’s Brittney Cedelland, who threw 2.2 innings in which she gave up seven hits, four walks, seven earned runs and two unearned while striking out three.
Despite the disappointing final score, made possible by RBI’s from Amanda Napier and Famke Gildemacuer, the Bulldogs know where they need to improve, and they’ll look to make those adjustments as they prepare to take on Essendon once again.
Round 10 (Sat. Dec 8th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Footscray Bulldogs
13 3
After two tough losses, the Bombers were pleased to get back in the win column with a convincing performance over the Bulldogs. Footscray fell for the third week in a row as they struggled to hit off of Essendon’s solid pitching.
The Bulldogs were unable to capitalise on all of their scoring opportunities, but even so several players had good offensive outings. Morgan Doty enjoyed a pair of singles and run scored, while
Abbey McLellan knocked in one of Footscray’s runs as she had a single, BB, HP and run scored. Doty also pitched 2.2 innings, giving up two hits, six walks, four earned runs with three strikeouts. Famke Gildemacuer also took the mound for Footscray, throwing 2.1 innings during which she gave up nine runs – six earned – on six hits and four walks. Alanna Kappler and Megan Kelly had singles on the day, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Essendon’s formidable offense.
The last time these two met, back in round 6 on Nov. 10th, Footscray outlasted Essendon 11-5. Four more games are scheduled between these two rivals in the weeks to come, as Footscray sits at 5-5 after the first 10 rounds while Essendon is 4-6.
Springvale Lions vs. Doncaster Dragons
4 1
This struggling Doncaster side dropped their seventh game of the season, a disappointing result after their thrilling 19-9 victory the week before. Both sides seem to bring their best stuff when they play another, with close results being the norm. Their round 6 game was another low-scoring affair, which was won 3-1 by Springvale, and the Lions emerged victorious once again thanks to another great start from Gabby Bevan. She threw seven solid innings of one-run ball with just four hits allowed and five strikeouts. She was pretty good at the plate too, with a single, double and run scored.
Fellow members of the Lions lineup were on the ball as well, with Emily Devine going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, bringing her hit tally to 16 on the season. Shae Lillywhite smashed a double and a triple, while Kellie Manzie had 2 RBI’s and Jade Hough kept her season-long hitting streak alive with a single. Rieko Abe had a single and a walk, while Shirley Loon took a pair of walks to get on base. Springvale was able to make the most of their scoring chances against Doncaster’s Kirsten Bezzina, who threw 4.2 innings and gave up six hits, three walks and four runs – three of them earned for her second-best ERA in six appearances. Erin Collins filled in for 1.1. innings, holding the Lions at bay despite facing eight batters and giving up two hits and one walk.
Doncaster’s dismal day at the plate was brightened by singles for Brooklyn Hutton and Beck Petty, as well as Ursula Howard’s 7th RBI of the year and a pair of singles and a walk for Bronwyn Gell. Now a remarkable 8-2 after the first 10 rounds, Springvale will look to carry this momentum forward, while 3-7 Doncaster will need to get back to their winning ways in the second half.
Round 10 (Sat. Dec 8th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Footscray Bulldogs
13 3
After two tough losses, the Bombers were pleased to get back in the win column with a convincing performance over the Bulldogs. Footscray fell for the third week in a row as they struggled to hit off of Essendon’s solid pitching.
The Bulldogs were unable to capitalise on all of their scoring opportunities, but even so several players had good offensive outings. Morgan Doty enjoyed a pair of singles and run scored, while
Abbey McLellan knocked in one of Footscray’s runs as she had a single, BB, HP and run scored. Doty also pitched 2.2 innings, giving up two hits, six walks, four earned runs with three strikeouts. Famke Gildemacuer also took the mound for Footscray, throwing 2.1 innings during which she gave up nine runs – six earned – on six hits and four walks. Alanna Kappler and Megan Kelly had singles on the day, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Essendon’s formidable offense.
The last time these two met, back in round 6 on Nov. 10th, Footscray outlasted Essendon 11-5. Four more games are scheduled between these two rivals in the weeks to come, as Footscray sits at 5-5 after the first 10 rounds while Essendon is 4-6.
Springvale Lions vs. Doncaster Dragons
4 1
This struggling Doncaster side dropped their seventh game of the season, a disappointing result after their thrilling 19-9 victory the week before. Both sides seem to bring their best stuff when they play another, with close results being the norm. Their round 6 game was another low-scoring affair, which was won 3-1 by Springvale, and the Lions emerged victorious once again thanks to another great start from Gabby Bevan. She threw seven solid innings of one-run ball with just four hits allowed and five strikeouts. She was pretty good at the plate too, with a single, double and run scored.
Fellow members of the Lions lineup were on the ball as well, with Emily Devine going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, bringing her hit tally to 16 on the season. Shae Lillywhite smashed a double and a triple, while Kellie Manzie had 2 RBI’s and Jade Hough kept her season-long hitting streak alive with a single. Rieko Abe had a single and a walk, while Shirley Loon took a pair of walks to get on base. Springvale was able to make the most of their scoring chances against Doncaster’s Kirsten Bezzina, who threw 4.2 innings and gave up six hits, three walks and four runs – three of them earned for her second-best ERA in six appearances. Erin Collins filled in for 1.1. innings, holding the Lions at bay despite facing eight batters and giving up two hits and one walk.
Doncaster’s dismal day at the plate was brightened by singles for Brooklyn Hutton and Beck Petty, as well as Ursula Howard’s 7th RBI of the year and a pair of singles and a walk for Bronwyn Gell. Now a remarkable 8-2 after the first 10 rounds, Springvale will look to carry this momentum forward, while 3-7 Doncaster will need to get back to their winning ways in the second half.
Round 9 (Sat. Dec 1st)
Doncaster Dragons vs. Essendon Bombers
19 9
The home side prevailed as the Dragons smashed their way to a big win, their first since round 3, when they overcame Footscray 12-8. Doncaster was led by strong performances from Rachel Bagley, who went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple, coming around to score each time, as well as Erin Collins, who enjoyed a 4-for-5 day with three singles, a double and 4 RBI’s. This was her best hitting game of the season with a .800 BA, and she also contributed a solid inning of scoreless ball on the mound.
Kirsten Bezzina pitched four innings for Doncaster, giving up five hits and five walks for nine runs – eight of them earned – and three strikeouts. Despite Essendon’s best efforts, these runs weren’t enough as Doncaster’s formidable offense was a force to be reckoned with. Other contributors included Beck Petty (3-for-4 with three singles, run scored) and Hannah Sowden, who also went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. Bronwyn Gell went 2-for-4, while Ursula Howard and Kate Lethborg enjoyed two singles apiece.
Essendon has now lost three of their last four, giving them a 3-6 record to match Doncaster at the bottom of the ladder. There’s plenty of baseball left to be played as these teams are scheduled to go head-to-head twice more this season. The Bombers have won all but one game vs. Doncaster thus far, and they’ll be eager to rebound next time around.
Springvale Lions vs. Footscray Bulldogs
11 4
Springvale is leading the division with a 7-2 record, putting them a few paces before 5-4 Footscray. After a heartbreaking 16-17 loss to Footscray in round 7, the Lions rebounded with an excellent outing on Saturday, due in large part to a fantastic start from Gabby Bevan, who threw six innings, giving up eight hits, two walks and four runs – two earned – while striking out three. Her teammates supported her at the plate, with Shae Lillywhite going 3-for-5 with three singles and an RBI, while Emily Devine also recorded three hits. Jade Hough kept her season-long hitting streak alive with a single and an RBI on the day, while Lili Cavanagh had a double and Rieko Abe, Anna Kimbrell and Kellie Manzie all had big singles to keep the scoring efforts going. Manzie threw one inning of scoreless ball as well, giving up just a lone hit.
Although Footscray couldn’t match Springvale’s offensive production, there were some bright spots, with Famke Gildemacuer going 3-for-4 with a triple, two singles and 3 RBI’s. Morgan Doty has had a hit in every game so far, with a pair of singles on Saturday. Megan Kelly, Sabrina Kinlough and Abbey McLellan all had singles during the game as well. In her 2.1 innings of work, Brittney Cedelland allowed six hits and seven walks for seven runs – four earned.
The Bulldogs will seek revenge when these two teams meet again for the first game of 2019.
Round 8 (Sat. Nov 24th)
A 0-0 result for the Footscray Bulldogs vs. Doncaster Dragons game put the focus on the Essendon Bombers home game vs. Springvale Lions. The Lions prevailed with a 14-7 win for their fifth victory of the season, a great result after their disappointing 16-17 loss to Footscray the previous week. Led by Rieko Abe, who went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and a walk for 3 RBI’s, the Lions proved difficult to retire. Jade Hough achieved 4 RBI’s for the second time this season on a single and a double, while Anna Kimbrell smashed two doubles for the second week in a row, earning herself 2 RBI’s. Shae Lillywhite also recorded 2 RBI’s with her pair of singles and a walk, while Shirley Loon had a single, double and two runs scored. Lili Cavanagh had an RBI single and Kellie Manzie came around to score twice following a singe and a walk.
Springvale was able to focus on their offensive efforts with Gabby Bevan on the mound. She threw 4.2 innings, allowing 10 hits, two walks and seven runs – five of them earned. Several Essendon hitters connected well against her, with Kayla Adams recording a pair of singles for 2 RBI’s and Jasmine Bentley sending two singles and a double into the field to come around and score twice. Courtney Fouria was another busy bat for the Bombers, with a single, a double and RBI along with 4.2 innings pitched. On the mound, she gave up eight hits, two walks and 11 runs – eight of those earned. Her teammates Kira Jansen, Abbey Kelly and Emily Kline-Marantelli all had hits on the day as well.
With this loss, Essendon drops to 3-5, with their sights set on improving in upcoming games to stay competitive in the division as Springvale leads the way with Footscray in close pursuit.
Round 7 (Sat. Nov 17th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Doncaster Dragons
16 13
The Bombers prevailed in this hard-fought game as they moved up to 3-4. After three consecutive losses, this is exactly what Essendon needed to regain their confidence and hit the ground running.
This effort was led by Kayla Adams, who went 3-for-4 with three singles in her best game at the plate thus far. She’s now had 11 hits on the season. Allie Bebbere was also a key player, with a single, a double and 3 RBI’s. Although she struggled on the mound, giving up eight hits and nine runs – seven of those earned – in 2.2. innings, the Bombers still found their footing to get the upper hand over the Dragons.
Emma Davenport had a 2-for-4 day with a pair of singles, while Kira Jansen smashed a single and a double to knock in three runs. Abbey Kelly proved tough to retire with a single, double, two walks and two runs scored. Both Courtney Foura and Danni Teasdale collected 2 RBI’s on singles, as Georgia Page went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and 2 RBI’s. She also pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless ball despite giving up three hits, keeping Essendon in the game.
Although the final score didn’t go in their favour, the 2-5 Dragons showed some fantastic offensive power in their fourth consecutive loss. Erin Collins went 2-for-3 with a double, single and 2 RBI’s. While she struggled on the mound in one painful inning where the Bombers managed 10 earned runs on eight hits, the Dragons were there to back her up. Other Dragons’ offense was provided by Kirsten Bezzina, who hit a single and knocked in a run while running the bases smoothly to score three times. She handled 4 innings on the mound, allowing eight hits and two walks for six runs – five earned.
Belinda Cannington went 3-for-4 with three singles and 3 RBI’s, Vanessa Clifford collected 2 RBI’s on a pair of hits, Madeline Davis hit a single and Bronwyn Gell had a double, walk, HBP and RBI. Ellen Goodrope and Beck Petty also collected singles and RBI’s on the day.
The Dragons will be hoping to get the lead and stay there as round so as to avoid a five-game losing streak as round 8 comes along. Round 9 is the next time these two teams will face off.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Springvale Lions
17 16
In a wild runfest, Footscray narrowly came away with the victory after a huge day at the plate. While pitching was neither side’s strong suit, the Bulldogs relied on fantastic offensive production from Famke Gildemacuer, who went 3-for-5 with three singles and 3 RBI’s. She did fill in for one inning on the mound, allowing 3 earned runs on three hits and a walk. Teammate Brittney Cedelland gave up seven runs on 10 hits across 3 innings, but she kept the Dragons in the game with timely hits, including a single and a double for 2 RBI’s.
Morgan Doty joined in the fun with a double and a triple for 2 RBI’s. She came around to score three times and pitched 1.1 inning, during which she allowed five hits, three walks and six earned runs. Holly Howard had a phenomenal day, going 4-for-4 with 2 RBI’s, while Alanna Kappler knocked in four of her own with three singles. Abbey McLellan challenged Springvale pitchers by going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. She contributed an inning of scoreless ball on the mound. Aggressive batting and patience at the plate helped Footscray, as Sabrina Kinlough scored several times after getting on base via two walks.
The Lions were disappointed to lose their second game of the season in such close fashion, but even so they had a lot to be proud of offensively. The entire lineup contributed, with Rieko Abe taking a walk and doubling to earn 2 RBI’s and Lili Cavanagh whacking two singles to bring home two runners. Although pitcher Gabby Bevan struggled in 1.1 innings of work, giving up six hits for eight runs – seven earned – her fellow Lions were right there to keep the team in the game. Shae Lillywhite got on base at every plate appearance, with a single, double and two walks for 3 RBI’s. She also pitched for the first time this season, giving up three earned runs in an inning.
Other notable players for Springvale included Hanami Campitelli, as she went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and two runs scored, as well as Sinead Flanigan, who collected 4 RBI’s with two singles, a double and two walks. Emily Devine was solid with a single and a double, while Jade Hough managed three singles for 2 RBI’s. Doubles were the name of the game for Anna Kimbrel, who had two for 2 RBI’s, and Kellie Manzie had a base hit as well as three innings of work on the mound, giving up eight hits for six earned runs.
Setting their sights on round 8, the Lions will try their best to add some distance between first and second place on the ladder, while Footscray will be in hot pursuit of the top spot.
Round 6 (Sat. Nov 10th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Footscray Bulldogs
5 11
The Bombers were shut down by a dominant Bulldogs team that connected well with the ball and made the most of scoring opportunities. This win brings Footscray to a 3-3 record, while Essendon falls to 2-4.
Although they lost, the Bombers did have some brilliant offensive moments, including Georgia Page knocking in two runs on a big single and Emily Kline-Marantelli smashing her first double of the season. Abbey Kelly went 4-for-4 with four singles, consistently getting on base and coming around to score three times. She pitched four innings, during which she gave up eight hits and five earned runs while striking out four. Courtney Foura had a single and a triple to score three runs, while Kira Jansen had a base hit.
Footscray outpitched and outhit Essendon, with several players recording multiple hits. Alanna Kappler had three singles for 3 RBI’s, while Megan Kelly scored a run after hitting a single. Starting pitcher Brittney Cedelland collected a single, two doubles, HBP and 2 RBI’s to support her solid start, during which she allowed five runs on nine hits across seven innings. She also had a season-high eight strikeouts on the day.
The Bulldogs also relied on Famke Gildemacuer, who sent a single and two doubles past fielders for 2 RBI’s, as Holly Howard also knocked in two runs with a pair of singles. Abbey McLellan was hit by pitch twice and singled for an RBI and two runs scored. Feeling good after this win, Footscray will look ahead to their upcoming opportunities to get on the same level as Springvale, while Essendon will be ready to get back in the win column.
Springvale Lions vs. Doncaster Dragons
3 1
A relatively quiet day at the plate for both sides saw the Lions sneak away with their fourth straight win. This was made possible by Gabby Bevan, who was in fine form on the mound as she threw seven innings, giving up just five hits, two walks and one unearned run while striking out two. Rieko Abe saved the day with a huge 2-run double, while Sinead Flanigan also had an extra-base hit and Emily Devine, Anna Kimbrell, Shirley Loon and Maddy Patrick all recorded singles on the day.
Doncaster was in the game the whole time, but ultimately, they couldn’t match Springvale’s offensive production. Erin Collins looked good on the mound, throwing five innings in which she allowed six hits, one walk and three runs -two unearned. Bronwyn Gell knocked in the team’s lone run on a single, and she also kept the Lions at bay with a scoreless inning of relief pitching. Rachel Bagley, Ellen Goodrope and Kate Lethborg all recorded singles for Doncaster, while Belinda Cannington had a double.
Awesome pitching performances for both teams will leave these squads eager for similar form as they face round 7 and beyond, with the Lions trying to hold on to their first-place position and the Dragons trying to catch up.
Round 5 (Sat. Nov 3rd)
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Doncaster Dragons
14 11
In this high-scoring affair, the Bulldogs ended up on top thanks to contributions across the board, with Abbey McLellan having a standout game. She went 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and a walk for 3 RBI’s. She also pitched two innings, allowing five hits and one walk for three earned runs. Teammate Brittney Cedelland came around to score two runs, with a single, walk and RBI on the day. She handled four innings on the mound, allowing eight runs to score. Luckily for Footscray, their batters were relentless and didn’t give up easily, allowing them to ultimately secure their second win of the season.
Footscray’s Famke Gildemacuer knocked in 3 RBI’s with a single, double and a walk, while Alanna Kappler enjoyed a single and a walk for 2 RBI’s. Megan Kelly and Sabrina Kinlough joined in the fun with two singles apiece. For Doncaster, Kate Lethborg smashed three hits for 3 RBI’s, while Brooklyn Hutton recorded three singles and an RBI. Vanessa Clifford had 2 RBI’s and two runs scored with her single and double, while Ursula Howard came around to score twice as well with a single and a walk. Jayme Hassett-Smith also had a walk and a single, while Ellen Goodrope had two hits and Madeline Davis managed a single, double and an RBI.
The Dragons stayed in the game thanks to pitching outings from Erin Collins, who threw 2.1 innings and gave up seven hits, four walks and 12 runs – seven of them earned, as well as Kirsten Bezzina who held the Bulldogs to just five hits, three walks and two earned runs in 3.2 innings. Both sides are now 2-3, and will look forward to meeting again in round 8.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
13 3
Essendon was kept quiet by the confident-as-ever Springvale side, as the Lions secured a 4-1 start to the season. Gabby Bevan threw five innings, giving up just four hits and one walk for three runs – two of them earned, while striking out three. Her teammates handed the task at the plate, with Shae Lillywhite leading the way on a 4-for-4 day, including two triples, a double and a single for 3 RBI’s and just as many runs scored. Anna Kimbrell followed suit on two singles and a double for a 3-for-3 performance with 3 RBI’s. Kellie Manzie wasn’t far behind with a single and a double for 2 RBI’s and a run scored, while Shirley Loon scored on two walks and Jade Hough, Sinead Flanigan and Emily Devine all joined in the effort with RBI’s.
On Essendon’s side, the offense was kept to a minimum, although several players did their best to make a dent in the deficit. Kayla Adams had an RBI double, while Courtney Foura added an RBI single and Jasmine Bentley knocked in her first run of the season. Abbey Kelly also had two singles and one run scored in addition to her four innings on the mound. She gave up eight hits and three walks for five earned runs and two unearned runs along with four strikeouts. Georgia Page filled in for one inning, allowing three hits and three walks for six runs – five of them earned. Now 2-3, Essendon will look to turn the tables when they meet Springvale once again in round 8.
Round 4 (Sat. Oct 27th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Doncaster Dragons
7 3
Doncaster fell flat in their second game against Essendon. The Bombers won 10-8 back in round 2, and they cruised to a solid victory this time around, too. Kayla Adams was solid at the plate with a pair of singles for 2 RBI’s, while Allie Bebbere had a single and threw six solid innings, giving up 11 hits but holding the Dragons to just three runs – two of them earned. Jasmine Bentley, Kira Jansen, Abbey Kelly, Emily Kline-Marantelli and Danni Teasdale all had hits on the day, while Emma Davenport earned 2 RBI’s on a single and a triple.
With Essendon solid on the mound, the Dragons didn’t have much room to get back in the game, although they did manage three runs. With missed offensive opportunities, the Dragons were resigned to their second loss of the season. Rachel Bagley, Vanessa Clifford, Erin Collins, Madeline Davis and Ursula Howard all had hits, while Belinda Cannington smashed a double and a single and Ellen Goodrope sent a triple into the field along with two singles. The Bombers will look for another win against Doncaster as round 7 approaches, while the Dragons will look to come back with a stronger performance against these rivals.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Springvale Lions
2 31
Springvale soared high above Footscray in this run rally, with seven players recording multiple hits against a lackluster Bulldogs pitching staff. Rieko Abe came away with an amazing six hits on the day. She went 6-for-6 with four singles, two doubles, four runs scored and 5 RBI’s. She wasn’t the only one who excelled at the plate, with Emily Devine sending a ball over the fence for the second game in a row, in addition to her two singles for 7 RBI’s total. Pitcher Gabby Bevan threw three quiet innings and also earned an RBI, while Hanami Campitelli had a single and run scored.
The Lions didn’t stop there, with Sinead Flanigan also contributing two singles and a double for an RBI and four runs scored. She had two solid innings on the mound, giving up a lone hit, two walks and two earned runs during that time. Jade Hough came around to score three times while earning 4 RBI’s on a single and her first home run of the year, as Anna Kimbrell also scored three times thanks to a single and HBP for 2 RBI’s. Shae Lillywhite ran the bases well, scoring five runs following two doubles and two singles, which also gave her 3 RBI’s on the day. Two was Shirley Loon’s number on Saturday, with two singles, two runs scored and 2 RBI’s to her name. Kellie Manzie had a similar day at the plate, helping the Lions make the most of their scoring potential.
Although it was a day Footscray would like to forget, Brittney Cedelland’s home run was a bright spot. The Bulldogs will be eager to put this game behind them and achieve a better result in round 5 vs. Doncaster, while Springvale will set their sights on improving their record to 4-1.
Round 3 (Sat. Oct 20th)
Doncaster Dragons vs. Footscray Bulldogs
12 8
The Bulldogs couldn't quite make up the deficit they found themselves in as the Dragons won their second game of the season. Kate Lethborg went 2-for-3 with two singles, 2 RBI’s and one walk, while Kirsten Bezzina had a single, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. She also threw two innings, giving up five hits, three walks and four earned runs, keeping the Dragons in the game and in a good position to secure the win.
Belinda Cannington was another key contributor with her double and several HBP to reach base. Erin Collins joined in the hitting fun with a huge triple, along with her four innings of pitching work, during which she gave up seven hits, two walks and four earned runs. A 2-RBI single for Madeline Davis and a 2-for-3 performance from Ellen Goodrope helped Doncaster reach their goal, while Ursula Howard and Brooklyn Hutton also got on base to continue challenging Footscray.
Although the game didn’t end the way they wanted it to, the Bulldogs didn’t give up without a fight. Brittney Cedelland threw four innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and five runs – four of them earned, while knocking in a run at the plate. Morgan Doty went 3-for-4 with a blazing double and two singles for two runs scored and 3 RBI’s. She gave up five earned runs and two unearned runs in her lone inning of work. Famke Gildemacuer also had a pair of singles and a double, while Holly Howard scored twice after her base hits. Sabrina Kinlough and Abbey McLellan also got on base several times and recorded RBI’s on the day. The Bulldogs will be eager to change things up and get their second win of the season soon, while Doncaster will look to continue their dominant batting as they head into round 4 and beyond.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
11 0
Essendon was left in the dust as Springvale sailed to a huge shutout win, especially after their 12-8 loss to Footscray in round 2. Despite singles from Kayla Adams and Courtney Foura, as well as a double from pitcher Abbey Kelly, the Bombers couldn’t hold the Lions down. Allie Bebbere struggled in four innings of work with eight runs allowed. Kelly came in to throw an inning, giving up two more earned runs and one unearned.
The Springvale lineup was feeling good at the plate, especially as starting pitcher Gabby Bevan carried the momentum on the mound with six scoreless innings, giving up just three hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Emily Devine became the first female player to hit a home run over Springvale’s centre field fence, with her amazing grand slam making it a great day to be a Lions fan.
By the top of the 4th, the Lions had taken a 6-0 lead, and they kept on rolling to their exciting win. Sinead Flanigan recorded 2 RBI’s, while Jade Hough racked up three singles and Anna Kimbrell had a pair of base hits along with two runs scored and two walks. An RBI single for Siobhan Stephenson kept things moving, while Kellie Manzie took three walks to score two runs for a .750 on-base percentage for the day. Singles for Shirley Loon and Shae Lillywhite also made a difference for the Lions, who will look forward to another chance at beating the Bombers in round 5.
Round 8 (Sat. Nov 24th)
A 0-0 result for the Footscray Bulldogs vs. Doncaster Dragons game put the focus on the Essendon Bombers home game vs. Springvale Lions. The Lions prevailed with a 14-7 win for their fifth victory of the season, a great result after their disappointing 16-17 loss to Footscray the previous week. Led by Rieko Abe, who went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and a walk for 3 RBI’s, the Lions proved difficult to retire. Jade Hough achieved 4 RBI’s for the second time this season on a single and a double, while Anna Kimbrell smashed two doubles for the second week in a row, earning herself 2 RBI’s. Shae Lillywhite also recorded 2 RBI’s with her pair of singles and a walk, while Shirley Loon had a single, double and two runs scored. Lili Cavanagh had an RBI single and Kellie Manzie came around to score twice following a singe and a walk.
Springvale was able to focus on their offensive efforts with Gabby Bevan on the mound. She threw 4.2 innings, allowing 10 hits, two walks and seven runs – five of them earned. Several Essendon hitters connected well against her, with Kayla Adams recording a pair of singles for 2 RBI’s and Jasmine Bentley sending two singles and a double into the field to come around and score twice. Courtney Fouria was another busy bat for the Bombers, with a single, a double and RBI along with 4.2 innings pitched. On the mound, she gave up eight hits, two walks and 11 runs – eight of those earned. Her teammates Kira Jansen, Abbey Kelly and Emily Kline-Marantelli all had hits on the day as well.
With this loss, Essendon drops to 3-5, with their sights set on improving in upcoming games to stay competitive in the division as Springvale leads the way with Footscray in close pursuit.
Round 7 (Sat. Nov 17th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Doncaster Dragons
16 13
The Bombers prevailed in this hard-fought game as they moved up to 3-4. After three consecutive losses, this is exactly what Essendon needed to regain their confidence and hit the ground running.
This effort was led by Kayla Adams, who went 3-for-4 with three singles in her best game at the plate thus far. She’s now had 11 hits on the season. Allie Bebbere was also a key player, with a single, a double and 3 RBI’s. Although she struggled on the mound, giving up eight hits and nine runs – seven of those earned – in 2.2. innings, the Bombers still found their footing to get the upper hand over the Dragons.
Emma Davenport had a 2-for-4 day with a pair of singles, while Kira Jansen smashed a single and a double to knock in three runs. Abbey Kelly proved tough to retire with a single, double, two walks and two runs scored. Both Courtney Foura and Danni Teasdale collected 2 RBI’s on singles, as Georgia Page went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and 2 RBI’s. She also pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless ball despite giving up three hits, keeping Essendon in the game.
Although the final score didn’t go in their favour, the 2-5 Dragons showed some fantastic offensive power in their fourth consecutive loss. Erin Collins went 2-for-3 with a double, single and 2 RBI’s. While she struggled on the mound in one painful inning where the Bombers managed 10 earned runs on eight hits, the Dragons were there to back her up. Other Dragons’ offense was provided by Kirsten Bezzina, who hit a single and knocked in a run while running the bases smoothly to score three times. She handled 4 innings on the mound, allowing eight hits and two walks for six runs – five earned.
Belinda Cannington went 3-for-4 with three singles and 3 RBI’s, Vanessa Clifford collected 2 RBI’s on a pair of hits, Madeline Davis hit a single and Bronwyn Gell had a double, walk, HBP and RBI. Ellen Goodrope and Beck Petty also collected singles and RBI’s on the day.
The Dragons will be hoping to get the lead and stay there as round so as to avoid a five-game losing streak as round 8 comes along. Round 9 is the next time these two teams will face off.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Springvale Lions
17 16
In a wild runfest, Footscray narrowly came away with the victory after a huge day at the plate. While pitching was neither side’s strong suit, the Bulldogs relied on fantastic offensive production from Famke Gildemacuer, who went 3-for-5 with three singles and 3 RBI’s. She did fill in for one inning on the mound, allowing 3 earned runs on three hits and a walk. Teammate Brittney Cedelland gave up seven runs on 10 hits across 3 innings, but she kept the Dragons in the game with timely hits, including a single and a double for 2 RBI’s.
Morgan Doty joined in the fun with a double and a triple for 2 RBI’s. She came around to score three times and pitched 1.1 inning, during which she allowed five hits, three walks and six earned runs. Holly Howard had a phenomenal day, going 4-for-4 with 2 RBI’s, while Alanna Kappler knocked in four of her own with three singles. Abbey McLellan challenged Springvale pitchers by going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. She contributed an inning of scoreless ball on the mound. Aggressive batting and patience at the plate helped Footscray, as Sabrina Kinlough scored several times after getting on base via two walks.
The Lions were disappointed to lose their second game of the season in such close fashion, but even so they had a lot to be proud of offensively. The entire lineup contributed, with Rieko Abe taking a walk and doubling to earn 2 RBI’s and Lili Cavanagh whacking two singles to bring home two runners. Although pitcher Gabby Bevan struggled in 1.1 innings of work, giving up six hits for eight runs – seven earned – her fellow Lions were right there to keep the team in the game. Shae Lillywhite got on base at every plate appearance, with a single, double and two walks for 3 RBI’s. She also pitched for the first time this season, giving up three earned runs in an inning.
Other notable players for Springvale included Hanami Campitelli, as she went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and two runs scored, as well as Sinead Flanigan, who collected 4 RBI’s with two singles, a double and two walks. Emily Devine was solid with a single and a double, while Jade Hough managed three singles for 2 RBI’s. Doubles were the name of the game for Anna Kimbrel, who had two for 2 RBI’s, and Kellie Manzie had a base hit as well as three innings of work on the mound, giving up eight hits for six earned runs.
Setting their sights on round 8, the Lions will try their best to add some distance between first and second place on the ladder, while Footscray will be in hot pursuit of the top spot.
Round 6 (Sat. Nov 10th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Footscray Bulldogs
5 11
The Bombers were shut down by a dominant Bulldogs team that connected well with the ball and made the most of scoring opportunities. This win brings Footscray to a 3-3 record, while Essendon falls to 2-4.
Although they lost, the Bombers did have some brilliant offensive moments, including Georgia Page knocking in two runs on a big single and Emily Kline-Marantelli smashing her first double of the season. Abbey Kelly went 4-for-4 with four singles, consistently getting on base and coming around to score three times. She pitched four innings, during which she gave up eight hits and five earned runs while striking out four. Courtney Foura had a single and a triple to score three runs, while Kira Jansen had a base hit.
Footscray outpitched and outhit Essendon, with several players recording multiple hits. Alanna Kappler had three singles for 3 RBI’s, while Megan Kelly scored a run after hitting a single. Starting pitcher Brittney Cedelland collected a single, two doubles, HBP and 2 RBI’s to support her solid start, during which she allowed five runs on nine hits across seven innings. She also had a season-high eight strikeouts on the day.
The Bulldogs also relied on Famke Gildemacuer, who sent a single and two doubles past fielders for 2 RBI’s, as Holly Howard also knocked in two runs with a pair of singles. Abbey McLellan was hit by pitch twice and singled for an RBI and two runs scored. Feeling good after this win, Footscray will look ahead to their upcoming opportunities to get on the same level as Springvale, while Essendon will be ready to get back in the win column.
Springvale Lions vs. Doncaster Dragons
3 1
A relatively quiet day at the plate for both sides saw the Lions sneak away with their fourth straight win. This was made possible by Gabby Bevan, who was in fine form on the mound as she threw seven innings, giving up just five hits, two walks and one unearned run while striking out two. Rieko Abe saved the day with a huge 2-run double, while Sinead Flanigan also had an extra-base hit and Emily Devine, Anna Kimbrell, Shirley Loon and Maddy Patrick all recorded singles on the day.
Doncaster was in the game the whole time, but ultimately, they couldn’t match Springvale’s offensive production. Erin Collins looked good on the mound, throwing five innings in which she allowed six hits, one walk and three runs -two unearned. Bronwyn Gell knocked in the team’s lone run on a single, and she also kept the Lions at bay with a scoreless inning of relief pitching. Rachel Bagley, Ellen Goodrope and Kate Lethborg all recorded singles for Doncaster, while Belinda Cannington had a double.
Awesome pitching performances for both teams will leave these squads eager for similar form as they face round 7 and beyond, with the Lions trying to hold on to their first-place position and the Dragons trying to catch up.
Round 5 (Sat. Nov 3rd)
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Doncaster Dragons
14 11
In this high-scoring affair, the Bulldogs ended up on top thanks to contributions across the board, with Abbey McLellan having a standout game. She went 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and a walk for 3 RBI’s. She also pitched two innings, allowing five hits and one walk for three earned runs. Teammate Brittney Cedelland came around to score two runs, with a single, walk and RBI on the day. She handled four innings on the mound, allowing eight runs to score. Luckily for Footscray, their batters were relentless and didn’t give up easily, allowing them to ultimately secure their second win of the season.
Footscray’s Famke Gildemacuer knocked in 3 RBI’s with a single, double and a walk, while Alanna Kappler enjoyed a single and a walk for 2 RBI’s. Megan Kelly and Sabrina Kinlough joined in the fun with two singles apiece. For Doncaster, Kate Lethborg smashed three hits for 3 RBI’s, while Brooklyn Hutton recorded three singles and an RBI. Vanessa Clifford had 2 RBI’s and two runs scored with her single and double, while Ursula Howard came around to score twice as well with a single and a walk. Jayme Hassett-Smith also had a walk and a single, while Ellen Goodrope had two hits and Madeline Davis managed a single, double and an RBI.
The Dragons stayed in the game thanks to pitching outings from Erin Collins, who threw 2.1 innings and gave up seven hits, four walks and 12 runs – seven of them earned, as well as Kirsten Bezzina who held the Bulldogs to just five hits, three walks and two earned runs in 3.2 innings. Both sides are now 2-3, and will look forward to meeting again in round 8.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
13 3
Essendon was kept quiet by the confident-as-ever Springvale side, as the Lions secured a 4-1 start to the season. Gabby Bevan threw five innings, giving up just four hits and one walk for three runs – two of them earned, while striking out three. Her teammates handed the task at the plate, with Shae Lillywhite leading the way on a 4-for-4 day, including two triples, a double and a single for 3 RBI’s and just as many runs scored. Anna Kimbrell followed suit on two singles and a double for a 3-for-3 performance with 3 RBI’s. Kellie Manzie wasn’t far behind with a single and a double for 2 RBI’s and a run scored, while Shirley Loon scored on two walks and Jade Hough, Sinead Flanigan and Emily Devine all joined in the effort with RBI’s.
On Essendon’s side, the offense was kept to a minimum, although several players did their best to make a dent in the deficit. Kayla Adams had an RBI double, while Courtney Foura added an RBI single and Jasmine Bentley knocked in her first run of the season. Abbey Kelly also had two singles and one run scored in addition to her four innings on the mound. She gave up eight hits and three walks for five earned runs and two unearned runs along with four strikeouts. Georgia Page filled in for one inning, allowing three hits and three walks for six runs – five of them earned. Now 2-3, Essendon will look to turn the tables when they meet Springvale once again in round 8.
Round 4 (Sat. Oct 27th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Doncaster Dragons
7 3
Doncaster fell flat in their second game against Essendon. The Bombers won 10-8 back in round 2, and they cruised to a solid victory this time around, too. Kayla Adams was solid at the plate with a pair of singles for 2 RBI’s, while Allie Bebbere had a single and threw six solid innings, giving up 11 hits but holding the Dragons to just three runs – two of them earned. Jasmine Bentley, Kira Jansen, Abbey Kelly, Emily Kline-Marantelli and Danni Teasdale all had hits on the day, while Emma Davenport earned 2 RBI’s on a single and a triple.
With Essendon solid on the mound, the Dragons didn’t have much room to get back in the game, although they did manage three runs. With missed offensive opportunities, the Dragons were resigned to their second loss of the season. Rachel Bagley, Vanessa Clifford, Erin Collins, Madeline Davis and Ursula Howard all had hits, while Belinda Cannington smashed a double and a single and Ellen Goodrope sent a triple into the field along with two singles. The Bombers will look for another win against Doncaster as round 7 approaches, while the Dragons will look to come back with a stronger performance against these rivals.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Springvale Lions
2 31
Springvale soared high above Footscray in this run rally, with seven players recording multiple hits against a lackluster Bulldogs pitching staff. Rieko Abe came away with an amazing six hits on the day. She went 6-for-6 with four singles, two doubles, four runs scored and 5 RBI’s. She wasn’t the only one who excelled at the plate, with Emily Devine sending a ball over the fence for the second game in a row, in addition to her two singles for 7 RBI’s total. Pitcher Gabby Bevan threw three quiet innings and also earned an RBI, while Hanami Campitelli had a single and run scored.
The Lions didn’t stop there, with Sinead Flanigan also contributing two singles and a double for an RBI and four runs scored. She had two solid innings on the mound, giving up a lone hit, two walks and two earned runs during that time. Jade Hough came around to score three times while earning 4 RBI’s on a single and her first home run of the year, as Anna Kimbrell also scored three times thanks to a single and HBP for 2 RBI’s. Shae Lillywhite ran the bases well, scoring five runs following two doubles and two singles, which also gave her 3 RBI’s on the day. Two was Shirley Loon’s number on Saturday, with two singles, two runs scored and 2 RBI’s to her name. Kellie Manzie had a similar day at the plate, helping the Lions make the most of their scoring potential.
Although it was a day Footscray would like to forget, Brittney Cedelland’s home run was a bright spot. The Bulldogs will be eager to put this game behind them and achieve a better result in round 5 vs. Doncaster, while Springvale will set their sights on improving their record to 4-1.
Round 3 (Sat. Oct 20th)
Doncaster Dragons vs. Footscray Bulldogs
12 8
The Bulldogs couldn't quite make up the deficit they found themselves in as the Dragons won their second game of the season. Kate Lethborg went 2-for-3 with two singles, 2 RBI’s and one walk, while Kirsten Bezzina had a single, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. She also threw two innings, giving up five hits, three walks and four earned runs, keeping the Dragons in the game and in a good position to secure the win.
Belinda Cannington was another key contributor with her double and several HBP to reach base. Erin Collins joined in the hitting fun with a huge triple, along with her four innings of pitching work, during which she gave up seven hits, two walks and four earned runs. A 2-RBI single for Madeline Davis and a 2-for-3 performance from Ellen Goodrope helped Doncaster reach their goal, while Ursula Howard and Brooklyn Hutton also got on base to continue challenging Footscray.
Although the game didn’t end the way they wanted it to, the Bulldogs didn’t give up without a fight. Brittney Cedelland threw four innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and five runs – four of them earned, while knocking in a run at the plate. Morgan Doty went 3-for-4 with a blazing double and two singles for two runs scored and 3 RBI’s. She gave up five earned runs and two unearned runs in her lone inning of work. Famke Gildemacuer also had a pair of singles and a double, while Holly Howard scored twice after her base hits. Sabrina Kinlough and Abbey McLellan also got on base several times and recorded RBI’s on the day. The Bulldogs will be eager to change things up and get their second win of the season soon, while Doncaster will look to continue their dominant batting as they head into round 4 and beyond.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
11 0
Essendon was left in the dust as Springvale sailed to a huge shutout win, especially after their 12-8 loss to Footscray in round 2. Despite singles from Kayla Adams and Courtney Foura, as well as a double from pitcher Abbey Kelly, the Bombers couldn’t hold the Lions down. Allie Bebbere struggled in four innings of work with eight runs allowed. Kelly came in to throw an inning, giving up two more earned runs and one unearned.
The Springvale lineup was feeling good at the plate, especially as starting pitcher Gabby Bevan carried the momentum on the mound with six scoreless innings, giving up just three hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Emily Devine became the first female player to hit a home run over Springvale’s centre field fence, with her amazing grand slam making it a great day to be a Lions fan.
By the top of the 4th, the Lions had taken a 6-0 lead, and they kept on rolling to their exciting win. Sinead Flanigan recorded 2 RBI’s, while Jade Hough racked up three singles and Anna Kimbrell had a pair of base hits along with two runs scored and two walks. An RBI single for Siobhan Stephenson kept things moving, while Kellie Manzie took three walks to score two runs for a .750 on-base percentage for the day. Singles for Shirley Loon and Shae Lillywhite also made a difference for the Lions, who will look forward to another chance at beating the Bombers in round 5.
Round 7 (Sat. Nov 17th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Doncaster Dragons
16 13
The Bombers prevailed in this hard-fought game as they moved up to 3-4. After three consecutive losses, this is exactly what Essendon needed to regain their confidence and hit the ground running.
This effort was led by Kayla Adams, who went 3-for-4 with three singles in her best game at the plate thus far. She’s now had 11 hits on the season. Allie Bebbere was also a key player, with a single, a double and 3 RBI’s. Although she struggled on the mound, giving up eight hits and nine runs – seven of those earned – in 2.2. innings, the Bombers still found their footing to get the upper hand over the Dragons.
Emma Davenport had a 2-for-4 day with a pair of singles, while Kira Jansen smashed a single and a double to knock in three runs. Abbey Kelly proved tough to retire with a single, double, two walks and two runs scored. Both Courtney Foura and Danni Teasdale collected 2 RBI’s on singles, as Georgia Page went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and 2 RBI’s. She also pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless ball despite giving up three hits, keeping Essendon in the game.
Although the final score didn’t go in their favour, the 2-5 Dragons showed some fantastic offensive power in their fourth consecutive loss. Erin Collins went 2-for-3 with a double, single and 2 RBI’s. While she struggled on the mound in one painful inning where the Bombers managed 10 earned runs on eight hits, the Dragons were there to back her up. Other Dragons’ offense was provided by Kirsten Bezzina, who hit a single and knocked in a run while running the bases smoothly to score three times. She handled 4 innings on the mound, allowing eight hits and two walks for six runs – five earned.
Belinda Cannington went 3-for-4 with three singles and 3 RBI’s, Vanessa Clifford collected 2 RBI’s on a pair of hits, Madeline Davis hit a single and Bronwyn Gell had a double, walk, HBP and RBI. Ellen Goodrope and Beck Petty also collected singles and RBI’s on the day.
The Dragons will be hoping to get the lead and stay there as round so as to avoid a five-game losing streak as round 8 comes along. Round 9 is the next time these two teams will face off.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Springvale Lions
17 16
In a wild runfest, Footscray narrowly came away with the victory after a huge day at the plate. While pitching was neither side’s strong suit, the Bulldogs relied on fantastic offensive production from Famke Gildemacuer, who went 3-for-5 with three singles and 3 RBI’s. She did fill in for one inning on the mound, allowing 3 earned runs on three hits and a walk. Teammate Brittney Cedelland gave up seven runs on 10 hits across 3 innings, but she kept the Dragons in the game with timely hits, including a single and a double for 2 RBI’s.
Morgan Doty joined in the fun with a double and a triple for 2 RBI’s. She came around to score three times and pitched 1.1 inning, during which she allowed five hits, three walks and six earned runs. Holly Howard had a phenomenal day, going 4-for-4 with 2 RBI’s, while Alanna Kappler knocked in four of her own with three singles. Abbey McLellan challenged Springvale pitchers by going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. She contributed an inning of scoreless ball on the mound. Aggressive batting and patience at the plate helped Footscray, as Sabrina Kinlough scored several times after getting on base via two walks.
The Lions were disappointed to lose their second game of the season in such close fashion, but even so they had a lot to be proud of offensively. The entire lineup contributed, with Rieko Abe taking a walk and doubling to earn 2 RBI’s and Lili Cavanagh whacking two singles to bring home two runners. Although pitcher Gabby Bevan struggled in 1.1 innings of work, giving up six hits for eight runs – seven earned – her fellow Lions were right there to keep the team in the game. Shae Lillywhite got on base at every plate appearance, with a single, double and two walks for 3 RBI’s. She also pitched for the first time this season, giving up three earned runs in an inning.
Other notable players for Springvale included Hanami Campitelli, as she went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and two runs scored, as well as Sinead Flanigan, who collected 4 RBI’s with two singles, a double and two walks. Emily Devine was solid with a single and a double, while Jade Hough managed three singles for 2 RBI’s. Doubles were the name of the game for Anna Kimbrel, who had two for 2 RBI’s, and Kellie Manzie had a base hit as well as three innings of work on the mound, giving up eight hits for six earned runs.
Setting their sights on round 8, the Lions will try their best to add some distance between first and second place on the ladder, while Footscray will be in hot pursuit of the top spot.
Round 6 (Sat. Nov 10th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Footscray Bulldogs
5 11
The Bombers were shut down by a dominant Bulldogs team that connected well with the ball and made the most of scoring opportunities. This win brings Footscray to a 3-3 record, while Essendon falls to 2-4.
Although they lost, the Bombers did have some brilliant offensive moments, including Georgia Page knocking in two runs on a big single and Emily Kline-Marantelli smashing her first double of the season. Abbey Kelly went 4-for-4 with four singles, consistently getting on base and coming around to score three times. She pitched four innings, during which she gave up eight hits and five earned runs while striking out four. Courtney Foura had a single and a triple to score three runs, while Kira Jansen had a base hit.
Footscray outpitched and outhit Essendon, with several players recording multiple hits. Alanna Kappler had three singles for 3 RBI’s, while Megan Kelly scored a run after hitting a single. Starting pitcher Brittney Cedelland collected a single, two doubles, HBP and 2 RBI’s to support her solid start, during which she allowed five runs on nine hits across seven innings. She also had a season-high eight strikeouts on the day.
The Bulldogs also relied on Famke Gildemacuer, who sent a single and two doubles past fielders for 2 RBI’s, as Holly Howard also knocked in two runs with a pair of singles. Abbey McLellan was hit by pitch twice and singled for an RBI and two runs scored. Feeling good after this win, Footscray will look ahead to their upcoming opportunities to get on the same level as Springvale, while Essendon will be ready to get back in the win column.
Springvale Lions vs. Doncaster Dragons
3 1
A relatively quiet day at the plate for both sides saw the Lions sneak away with their fourth straight win. This was made possible by Gabby Bevan, who was in fine form on the mound as she threw seven innings, giving up just five hits, two walks and one unearned run while striking out two. Rieko Abe saved the day with a huge 2-run double, while Sinead Flanigan also had an extra-base hit and Emily Devine, Anna Kimbrell, Shirley Loon and Maddy Patrick all recorded singles on the day.
Doncaster was in the game the whole time, but ultimately, they couldn’t match Springvale’s offensive production. Erin Collins looked good on the mound, throwing five innings in which she allowed six hits, one walk and three runs -two unearned. Bronwyn Gell knocked in the team’s lone run on a single, and she also kept the Lions at bay with a scoreless inning of relief pitching. Rachel Bagley, Ellen Goodrope and Kate Lethborg all recorded singles for Doncaster, while Belinda Cannington had a double.
Awesome pitching performances for both teams will leave these squads eager for similar form as they face round 7 and beyond, with the Lions trying to hold on to their first-place position and the Dragons trying to catch up.
Round 6 (Sat. Nov 10th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Footscray Bulldogs
5 11
The Bombers were shut down by a dominant Bulldogs team that connected well with the ball and made the most of scoring opportunities. This win brings Footscray to a 3-3 record, while Essendon falls to 2-4.
Although they lost, the Bombers did have some brilliant offensive moments, including Georgia Page knocking in two runs on a big single and Emily Kline-Marantelli smashing her first double of the season. Abbey Kelly went 4-for-4 with four singles, consistently getting on base and coming around to score three times. She pitched four innings, during which she gave up eight hits and five earned runs while striking out four. Courtney Foura had a single and a triple to score three runs, while Kira Jansen had a base hit.
Footscray outpitched and outhit Essendon, with several players recording multiple hits. Alanna Kappler had three singles for 3 RBI’s, while Megan Kelly scored a run after hitting a single. Starting pitcher Brittney Cedelland collected a single, two doubles, HBP and 2 RBI’s to support her solid start, during which she allowed five runs on nine hits across seven innings. She also had a season-high eight strikeouts on the day.
The Bulldogs also relied on Famke Gildemacuer, who sent a single and two doubles past fielders for 2 RBI’s, as Holly Howard also knocked in two runs with a pair of singles. Abbey McLellan was hit by pitch twice and singled for an RBI and two runs scored. Feeling good after this win, Footscray will look ahead to their upcoming opportunities to get on the same level as Springvale, while Essendon will be ready to get back in the win column.
Springvale Lions vs. Doncaster Dragons
3 1
A relatively quiet day at the plate for both sides saw the Lions sneak away with their fourth straight win. This was made possible by Gabby Bevan, who was in fine form on the mound as she threw seven innings, giving up just five hits, two walks and one unearned run while striking out two. Rieko Abe saved the day with a huge 2-run double, while Sinead Flanigan also had an extra-base hit and Emily Devine, Anna Kimbrell, Shirley Loon and Maddy Patrick all recorded singles on the day.
Doncaster was in the game the whole time, but ultimately, they couldn’t match Springvale’s offensive production. Erin Collins looked good on the mound, throwing five innings in which she allowed six hits, one walk and three runs -two unearned. Bronwyn Gell knocked in the team’s lone run on a single, and she also kept the Lions at bay with a scoreless inning of relief pitching. Rachel Bagley, Ellen Goodrope and Kate Lethborg all recorded singles for Doncaster, while Belinda Cannington had a double.
Awesome pitching performances for both teams will leave these squads eager for similar form as they face round 7 and beyond, with the Lions trying to hold on to their first-place position and the Dragons trying to catch up.
Round 5 (Sat. Nov 3rd)
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Doncaster Dragons
14 11
In this high-scoring affair, the Bulldogs ended up on top thanks to contributions across the board, with Abbey McLellan having a standout game. She went 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and a walk for 3 RBI’s. She also pitched two innings, allowing five hits and one walk for three earned runs. Teammate Brittney Cedelland came around to score two runs, with a single, walk and RBI on the day. She handled four innings on the mound, allowing eight runs to score. Luckily for Footscray, their batters were relentless and didn’t give up easily, allowing them to ultimately secure their second win of the season.
Footscray’s Famke Gildemacuer knocked in 3 RBI’s with a single, double and a walk, while Alanna Kappler enjoyed a single and a walk for 2 RBI’s. Megan Kelly and Sabrina Kinlough joined in the fun with two singles apiece. For Doncaster, Kate Lethborg smashed three hits for 3 RBI’s, while Brooklyn Hutton recorded three singles and an RBI. Vanessa Clifford had 2 RBI’s and two runs scored with her single and double, while Ursula Howard came around to score twice as well with a single and a walk. Jayme Hassett-Smith also had a walk and a single, while Ellen Goodrope had two hits and Madeline Davis managed a single, double and an RBI.
The Dragons stayed in the game thanks to pitching outings from Erin Collins, who threw 2.1 innings and gave up seven hits, four walks and 12 runs – seven of them earned, as well as Kirsten Bezzina who held the Bulldogs to just five hits, three walks and two earned runs in 3.2 innings. Both sides are now 2-3, and will look forward to meeting again in round 8.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
13 3
Essendon was kept quiet by the confident-as-ever Springvale side, as the Lions secured a 4-1 start to the season. Gabby Bevan threw five innings, giving up just four hits and one walk for three runs – two of them earned, while striking out three. Her teammates handed the task at the plate, with Shae Lillywhite leading the way on a 4-for-4 day, including two triples, a double and a single for 3 RBI’s and just as many runs scored. Anna Kimbrell followed suit on two singles and a double for a 3-for-3 performance with 3 RBI’s. Kellie Manzie wasn’t far behind with a single and a double for 2 RBI’s and a run scored, while Shirley Loon scored on two walks and Jade Hough, Sinead Flanigan and Emily Devine all joined in the effort with RBI’s.
On Essendon’s side, the offense was kept to a minimum, although several players did their best to make a dent in the deficit. Kayla Adams had an RBI double, while Courtney Foura added an RBI single and Jasmine Bentley knocked in her first run of the season. Abbey Kelly also had two singles and one run scored in addition to her four innings on the mound. She gave up eight hits and three walks for five earned runs and two unearned runs along with four strikeouts. Georgia Page filled in for one inning, allowing three hits and three walks for six runs – five of them earned. Now 2-3, Essendon will look to turn the tables when they meet Springvale once again in round 8.
Round 4 (Sat. Oct 27th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Doncaster Dragons
7 3
Doncaster fell flat in their second game against Essendon. The Bombers won 10-8 back in round 2, and they cruised to a solid victory this time around, too. Kayla Adams was solid at the plate with a pair of singles for 2 RBI’s, while Allie Bebbere had a single and threw six solid innings, giving up 11 hits but holding the Dragons to just three runs – two of them earned. Jasmine Bentley, Kira Jansen, Abbey Kelly, Emily Kline-Marantelli and Danni Teasdale all had hits on the day, while Emma Davenport earned 2 RBI’s on a single and a triple.
With Essendon solid on the mound, the Dragons didn’t have much room to get back in the game, although they did manage three runs. With missed offensive opportunities, the Dragons were resigned to their second loss of the season. Rachel Bagley, Vanessa Clifford, Erin Collins, Madeline Davis and Ursula Howard all had hits, while Belinda Cannington smashed a double and a single and Ellen Goodrope sent a triple into the field along with two singles. The Bombers will look for another win against Doncaster as round 7 approaches, while the Dragons will look to come back with a stronger performance against these rivals.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Springvale Lions
2 31
Springvale soared high above Footscray in this run rally, with seven players recording multiple hits against a lackluster Bulldogs pitching staff. Rieko Abe came away with an amazing six hits on the day. She went 6-for-6 with four singles, two doubles, four runs scored and 5 RBI’s. She wasn’t the only one who excelled at the plate, with Emily Devine sending a ball over the fence for the second game in a row, in addition to her two singles for 7 RBI’s total. Pitcher Gabby Bevan threw three quiet innings and also earned an RBI, while Hanami Campitelli had a single and run scored.
The Lions didn’t stop there, with Sinead Flanigan also contributing two singles and a double for an RBI and four runs scored. She had two solid innings on the mound, giving up a lone hit, two walks and two earned runs during that time. Jade Hough came around to score three times while earning 4 RBI’s on a single and her first home run of the year, as Anna Kimbrell also scored three times thanks to a single and HBP for 2 RBI’s. Shae Lillywhite ran the bases well, scoring five runs following two doubles and two singles, which also gave her 3 RBI’s on the day. Two was Shirley Loon’s number on Saturday, with two singles, two runs scored and 2 RBI’s to her name. Kellie Manzie had a similar day at the plate, helping the Lions make the most of their scoring potential.
Although it was a day Footscray would like to forget, Brittney Cedelland’s home run was a bright spot. The Bulldogs will be eager to put this game behind them and achieve a better result in round 5 vs. Doncaster, while Springvale will set their sights on improving their record to 4-1.
Round 3 (Sat. Oct 20th)
Doncaster Dragons vs. Footscray Bulldogs
12 8
The Bulldogs couldn't quite make up the deficit they found themselves in as the Dragons won their second game of the season. Kate Lethborg went 2-for-3 with two singles, 2 RBI’s and one walk, while Kirsten Bezzina had a single, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. She also threw two innings, giving up five hits, three walks and four earned runs, keeping the Dragons in the game and in a good position to secure the win.
Belinda Cannington was another key contributor with her double and several HBP to reach base. Erin Collins joined in the hitting fun with a huge triple, along with her four innings of pitching work, during which she gave up seven hits, two walks and four earned runs. A 2-RBI single for Madeline Davis and a 2-for-3 performance from Ellen Goodrope helped Doncaster reach their goal, while Ursula Howard and Brooklyn Hutton also got on base to continue challenging Footscray.
Although the game didn’t end the way they wanted it to, the Bulldogs didn’t give up without a fight. Brittney Cedelland threw four innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and five runs – four of them earned, while knocking in a run at the plate. Morgan Doty went 3-for-4 with a blazing double and two singles for two runs scored and 3 RBI’s. She gave up five earned runs and two unearned runs in her lone inning of work. Famke Gildemacuer also had a pair of singles and a double, while Holly Howard scored twice after her base hits. Sabrina Kinlough and Abbey McLellan also got on base several times and recorded RBI’s on the day. The Bulldogs will be eager to change things up and get their second win of the season soon, while Doncaster will look to continue their dominant batting as they head into round 4 and beyond.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
11 0
Essendon was left in the dust as Springvale sailed to a huge shutout win, especially after their 12-8 loss to Footscray in round 2. Despite singles from Kayla Adams and Courtney Foura, as well as a double from pitcher Abbey Kelly, the Bombers couldn’t hold the Lions down. Allie Bebbere struggled in four innings of work with eight runs allowed. Kelly came in to throw an inning, giving up two more earned runs and one unearned.
The Springvale lineup was feeling good at the plate, especially as starting pitcher Gabby Bevan carried the momentum on the mound with six scoreless innings, giving up just three hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Emily Devine became the first female player to hit a home run over Springvale’s centre field fence, with her amazing grand slam making it a great day to be a Lions fan.
By the top of the 4th, the Lions had taken a 6-0 lead, and they kept on rolling to their exciting win. Sinead Flanigan recorded 2 RBI’s, while Jade Hough racked up three singles and Anna Kimbrell had a pair of base hits along with two runs scored and two walks. An RBI single for Siobhan Stephenson kept things moving, while Kellie Manzie took three walks to score two runs for a .750 on-base percentage for the day. Singles for Shirley Loon and Shae Lillywhite also made a difference for the Lions, who will look forward to another chance at beating the Bombers in round 5.
Round 5 (Sat. Nov 3rd)
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Doncaster Dragons
14 11
In this high-scoring affair, the Bulldogs ended up on top thanks to contributions across the board, with Abbey McLellan having a standout game. She went 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and a walk for 3 RBI’s. She also pitched two innings, allowing five hits and one walk for three earned runs. Teammate Brittney Cedelland came around to score two runs, with a single, walk and RBI on the day. She handled four innings on the mound, allowing eight runs to score. Luckily for Footscray, their batters were relentless and didn’t give up easily, allowing them to ultimately secure their second win of the season.
Footscray’s Famke Gildemacuer knocked in 3 RBI’s with a single, double and a walk, while Alanna Kappler enjoyed a single and a walk for 2 RBI’s. Megan Kelly and Sabrina Kinlough joined in the fun with two singles apiece. For Doncaster, Kate Lethborg smashed three hits for 3 RBI’s, while Brooklyn Hutton recorded three singles and an RBI. Vanessa Clifford had 2 RBI’s and two runs scored with her single and double, while Ursula Howard came around to score twice as well with a single and a walk. Jayme Hassett-Smith also had a walk and a single, while Ellen Goodrope had two hits and Madeline Davis managed a single, double and an RBI.
The Dragons stayed in the game thanks to pitching outings from Erin Collins, who threw 2.1 innings and gave up seven hits, four walks and 12 runs – seven of them earned, as well as Kirsten Bezzina who held the Bulldogs to just five hits, three walks and two earned runs in 3.2 innings. Both sides are now 2-3, and will look forward to meeting again in round 8.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
13 3
Essendon was kept quiet by the confident-as-ever Springvale side, as the Lions secured a 4-1 start to the season. Gabby Bevan threw five innings, giving up just four hits and one walk for three runs – two of them earned, while striking out three. Her teammates handed the task at the plate, with Shae Lillywhite leading the way on a 4-for-4 day, including two triples, a double and a single for 3 RBI’s and just as many runs scored. Anna Kimbrell followed suit on two singles and a double for a 3-for-3 performance with 3 RBI’s. Kellie Manzie wasn’t far behind with a single and a double for 2 RBI’s and a run scored, while Shirley Loon scored on two walks and Jade Hough, Sinead Flanigan and Emily Devine all joined in the effort with RBI’s.
On Essendon’s side, the offense was kept to a minimum, although several players did their best to make a dent in the deficit. Kayla Adams had an RBI double, while Courtney Foura added an RBI single and Jasmine Bentley knocked in her first run of the season. Abbey Kelly also had two singles and one run scored in addition to her four innings on the mound. She gave up eight hits and three walks for five earned runs and two unearned runs along with four strikeouts. Georgia Page filled in for one inning, allowing three hits and three walks for six runs – five of them earned. Now 2-3, Essendon will look to turn the tables when they meet Springvale once again in round 8.
Round 4 (Sat. Oct 27th)
Essendon Bombers vs. Doncaster Dragons
7 3
Doncaster fell flat in their second game against Essendon. The Bombers won 10-8 back in round 2, and they cruised to a solid victory this time around, too. Kayla Adams was solid at the plate with a pair of singles for 2 RBI’s, while Allie Bebbere had a single and threw six solid innings, giving up 11 hits but holding the Dragons to just three runs – two of them earned. Jasmine Bentley, Kira Jansen, Abbey Kelly, Emily Kline-Marantelli and Danni Teasdale all had hits on the day, while Emma Davenport earned 2 RBI’s on a single and a triple.
With Essendon solid on the mound, the Dragons didn’t have much room to get back in the game, although they did manage three runs. With missed offensive opportunities, the Dragons were resigned to their second loss of the season. Rachel Bagley, Vanessa Clifford, Erin Collins, Madeline Davis and Ursula Howard all had hits, while Belinda Cannington smashed a double and a single and Ellen Goodrope sent a triple into the field along with two singles. The Bombers will look for another win against Doncaster as round 7 approaches, while the Dragons will look to come back with a stronger performance against these rivals.
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Springvale Lions
2 31
Springvale soared high above Footscray in this run rally, with seven players recording multiple hits against a lackluster Bulldogs pitching staff. Rieko Abe came away with an amazing six hits on the day. She went 6-for-6 with four singles, two doubles, four runs scored and 5 RBI’s. She wasn’t the only one who excelled at the plate, with Emily Devine sending a ball over the fence for the second game in a row, in addition to her two singles for 7 RBI’s total. Pitcher Gabby Bevan threw three quiet innings and also earned an RBI, while Hanami Campitelli had a single and run scored.
The Lions didn’t stop there, with Sinead Flanigan also contributing two singles and a double for an RBI and four runs scored. She had two solid innings on the mound, giving up a lone hit, two walks and two earned runs during that time. Jade Hough came around to score three times while earning 4 RBI’s on a single and her first home run of the year, as Anna Kimbrell also scored three times thanks to a single and HBP for 2 RBI’s. Shae Lillywhite ran the bases well, scoring five runs following two doubles and two singles, which also gave her 3 RBI’s on the day. Two was Shirley Loon’s number on Saturday, with two singles, two runs scored and 2 RBI’s to her name. Kellie Manzie had a similar day at the plate, helping the Lions make the most of their scoring potential.
Although it was a day Footscray would like to forget, Brittney Cedelland’s home run was a bright spot. The Bulldogs will be eager to put this game behind them and achieve a better result in round 5 vs. Doncaster, while Springvale will set their sights on improving their record to 4-1.
Round 3 (Sat. Oct 20th)
Doncaster Dragons vs. Footscray Bulldogs
12 8
The Bulldogs couldn't quite make up the deficit they found themselves in as the Dragons won their second game of the season. Kate Lethborg went 2-for-3 with two singles, 2 RBI’s and one walk, while Kirsten Bezzina had a single, two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. She also threw two innings, giving up five hits, three walks and four earned runs, keeping the Dragons in the game and in a good position to secure the win.
Belinda Cannington was another key contributor with her double and several HBP to reach base. Erin Collins joined in the hitting fun with a huge triple, along with her four innings of pitching work, during which she gave up seven hits, two walks and four earned runs. A 2-RBI single for Madeline Davis and a 2-for-3 performance from Ellen Goodrope helped Doncaster reach their goal, while Ursula Howard and Brooklyn Hutton also got on base to continue challenging Footscray.
Although the game didn’t end the way they wanted it to, the Bulldogs didn’t give up without a fight. Brittney Cedelland threw four innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and five runs – four of them earned, while knocking in a run at the plate. Morgan Doty went 3-for-4 with a blazing double and two singles for two runs scored and 3 RBI’s. She gave up five earned runs and two unearned runs in her lone inning of work. Famke Gildemacuer also had a pair of singles and a double, while Holly Howard scored twice after her base hits. Sabrina Kinlough and Abbey McLellan also got on base several times and recorded RBI’s on the day. The Bulldogs will be eager to change things up and get their second win of the season soon, while Doncaster will look to continue their dominant batting as they head into round 4 and beyond.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
11 0
Essendon was left in the dust as Springvale sailed to a huge shutout win, especially after their 12-8 loss to Footscray in round 2. Despite singles from Kayla Adams and Courtney Foura, as well as a double from pitcher Abbey Kelly, the Bombers couldn’t hold the Lions down. Allie Bebbere struggled in four innings of work with eight runs allowed. Kelly came in to throw an inning, giving up two more earned runs and one unearned.
The Springvale lineup was feeling good at the plate, especially as starting pitcher Gabby Bevan carried the momentum on the mound with six scoreless innings, giving up just three hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Emily Devine became the first female player to hit a home run over Springvale’s centre field fence, with her amazing grand slam making it a great day to be a Lions fan.
By the top of the 4th, the Lions had taken a 6-0 lead, and they kept on rolling to their exciting win. Sinead Flanigan recorded 2 RBI’s, while Jade Hough racked up three singles and Anna Kimbrell had a pair of base hits along with two runs scored and two walks. An RBI single for Siobhan Stephenson kept things moving, while Kellie Manzie took three walks to score two runs for a .750 on-base percentage for the day. Singles for Shirley Loon and Shae Lillywhite also made a difference for the Lions, who will look forward to another chance at beating the Bombers in round 5.