The 2019/20 Victorian Summer Baseball League got off to an excellent start this past weekend as seniors took to the field for the first round of the summer season.
The highly-anticipated Division 1 competition featured some surprise results and dominant performances, with reigning premiers Blackburn and Geelong cruising to comfortable victories and several teams pulling away with close wins. With round one complete, teams will look to find their groove and secure strong campaigns early on in the season.
Division 1 Firsts
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Essendon Bombers
0 2
The Rustlers were kept quiet in their return to Division 1 after winning the 2018/19 VSBL Division 2 Championship. Essendon struggled last season, finishing with a 10-15-2 record for fifth place in the Western Conference, but they held strong on Sunday to put their first win on the board. Both teams had reliable pitching and the game was scoreless until the middle innings.
After seven Essendon led 2-0, and Cheltenham couldn't produce any runs to turn the game in their favor although Sam Michael hit a single and a double to get on base. In his first game for Essendon's top nine, 18-year-old Bailey Waterman picked up a safe hit and three walks.
The Rustlers will have the chance to even the score when they host Essendon for round two.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Geelong Baycats
1 6
Last year's runners up put together a great performance on Sunday, working their way to a five-run advantage over the Cougars. Now in their second season in Division 1, Berwick City tried but couldn't quite keep up with the Baycats bats.
Geelong took an early lead and never looked back. Kelli Zablan led the way with 3 RBI's on a soaring home run, while Rudy Jaramillo had two walks, a single and a pair of RBIs. Zablan and Jaramillo pitched well for the Baycats, as the team also relied on doubles from Ryan Darcy and Troy Snarey and a base hit by Josh Davies.
Berwick's Craig Barnett had a single and Jordan Bradley smashed a double while also covering two solid innings on the mound. Aiden Willis contributed two base hits and his team's lone RBI of the game. The Cougars will get their chance for redemption this Sunday as they strive to make the series 1-1.
Blackburn Orioles vs. Sandringham Royals
10 5
Blackburn got their title defence underway in commanding fashion away from home, beating Sandringham 10-5.
Blake Hodgson was exceptional on the mound to give Blackburn the win, pitching four innings and only giving up one run from three hits.
Jacob Evans had four at bats for the Orioles and got three hits, including two doubles. He had a team-high 3 RBIs to help Blackburn on their way to a crucial first victory. The Royals will look to get their bats swinging a bit more to keep up with the Burners in game two.
Upwey FTG Tigers vs. Sunshine Eagles
2 4
Upwey FTG and Sunshine played out in a close game, with the Eagles coming from behind, prevailing 4-2. The Tigers weren’t able to hold off a late Eagles surge, but it was a strong defensive matchup from each side nonetheless.
Jarrod Turner was great on the mound for Upwey FTG as he pitched four scoreless innings and gave up just the one hit. Travis Murphy had three hits in this debut game for the Tigers.
After such an exciting victory, Sunshine will look for a 2-0 start to the season on Sunday, while Upwey FTG will aim to battle hard and come out on top.
Photo: Sunshine Baseball Club - Facebook/Lee Dare
Waverley Wildcats vs. Fitzroy Lions
4 3
Waverley were able to hold on to a one-run victory over Fitzroy, the final score ending up 4-3.
Luke Papanicolaou got the win for Waverley, giving up zero hits while striking out four batters, but was assisted by Andrew Russell (six innings, two earned runs).
Mohi Kahui hit a home-run throughout his at bats, bringing in two runs.
Riley Hill pitched seven innings for the Lions, ending the game with an ERA of 1.29.
Only two players recorded hits for Fitzroy – Jordan Walker and Daniel Huryn – the latter rounding third base on one of his two hits.
Fitzroy will hope to bridge the gap this weekend when they face Waverley again.
Melbourne Demons vs. Newport Rams
3 2
Melbourne Demons beat Division 1 newcomers Newport Rams in a close one, 3-2. The Demons went around the bases three times to edge the Rams in a tight matchup.
Bronson Neave was the guy who broke the deadlock at the top of the ninth. The 15-year-old debutant slid home after his first safe hit in Division 1.
Adam Pahos was clean on the mound for Melbourne. In 2.1 innings, he faced eight batters and didn’t give up any hits while striking out two batters.
Oliver McMahon had three singles from four at bats while Slade Squire was the only player for Melbourne to record a double.
Only two players got hits for Newport – Jason Jarvis and Jarod Berman – but the team kept disciplined in the box to try and make their way on base, something they will need to once again in game two and beyond.
Division 1 Reserves
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Essendon Bombers
4 2
Although the first didn't get a win on the board, Cheltenham's seconds got the job done as they held on to a two-run lead over Essendon.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Geelong Baycats
2 0
Both teams worked hard to outlast the other, but Berwick City prevailed as they shut-out Geelong and produced just enough offence to pull ahead.
Blackburn Orioles vs. Sandringham Royals
5 3
In a back-and-forth battle, reigning premiers Blackburn had the upper hand. Their 5-3 win shows this tight-knit team may be a contender for a second straight championship flag.
Upwey FTG Tigers vs. Sunshine Eagles
7 2
Upwey FTG beat Sunshine with a five-run win, the final score being 7-2.
Mitch John threw a complete game as the defence got around their pitcher, but situational awareness when in the batter’s box was just as useful, especially as debutant Jordan Gavin had two RBIs.
Photo: Sunshine Baseball Club - Facebook/Lee Dare
Waverley Wildcats vs. Fitzroy Lions
8 1
Waverley piled on the pressure in this matchup, beating Fitzroy 8-1. The Wildcats' offence was clicking on all cylinders, and they'll look to keep it going strong in round two and beyond.
Melbourne Demons vs. Newport Rams
12 1
Melbourne got the better of Newport as they used ball and bat to their advantage in windy conditions to win 10-1.
Catcher Sadi Nergiz was the standout with the bat with three hits and a walk from four at bats.
Division 1 Thirds
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Essendon Bombers
4 6
Cheltenham and Essendon put on quite a show in the thirds, as both sides worked hard to get ahead. Ultimately Essendon prevailed for a two-run victory to open the season.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Geelong Baycats
6 20
The Baycats have won the past three premierships in the thirds, and they show no signs of slowing down after their rout of Berwick on Sunday. The Cougars will look to control their defence and keep up with Geelong in their next meeting.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Waverley Wildcats
0 9
Waverley held the Lions scoreless in this thirds matchup while the Wildcats themselves had nine cross the plate. Waverley will look to replicate this fine form in their upcoming game.
Newport Rams vs. Melbourne Demons
4 20
All throughout the lineup, Melbourne's players were confident and comfortable. This momentum lifted them to a 16-run advantage over Newport.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles
8 21
It was a huge win for Blackburn, getting the edge over Sandringham 21-8. The Royals have some work to do to get in front of Blackburn in Sunday's round two matchup.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Upwey FTG Tigers
2 7
It was the same result in the thirds to the seconds, with Upwey FTG beating their opponent Sunshine 7-2. The Tigers are excited with their solid start to the season, and they will look to capitalise on their strengths moving forward.
Division 1 Fourths
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Essendon Bombers
4 5
Cheltenham and Essendon both fought hard, but the Bombers sneaked by with a one-run win to open their season in winning style. After taking out the premiership flag last year, Essendon is in good shape for another solid run.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Geelong Baycats
4 4
Both the Cougars and the Baycats were determined to win on Sunday, however the game ended in a draw when neither side could break past the four-run mark. Sunday will see both teams fight for their first win to boost their records.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Waverley Wildcats
9 5
The Fitzroy fourths team had a first-up win over Waverley, the game finishing with a score of 9-5. Fitzroy has some strong bats in their lineup and they will need to rely on offensive production as the season heats up.
Newport Rams vs. Melbourne Demons
2 12
Newport didn’t get off to the start this season that they would’ve liked as they went down to Melbourne 12-2. The Rams have room for improvement, and they will look to redeem themselves in round two for a better result.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles
2 17
Blackburn came out firing in this matchup, beating the Royals 17-2. Sandringham didn't produce much offence, an area in which they will try and be better in come next round.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Upwey FTG Tigers
20 5
The experienced Eagles piled on the runs in this encounter with the Tigers with the game ending with a mammoth score of 20-5.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Essendon Bombers
4 5
Cheltenham and Essendon both fought hard, but the Bombers sneaked by with a one-run win to open their season in winning style. After taking out the premiership flag last year, Essendon is in good shape for another solid run.
Berwick City Cougars vs. Geelong Baycats
4 4
Both the Cougars and the Baycats were determined to win on Sunday, however the game ended in a draw when neither side could break past the four-run mark. Sunday will see both teams fight for their first win to boost their records.
Fitzroy Lions vs. Waverley Wildcats
9 5
The Fitzroy fourths team had a first-up win over Waverley, the game finishing with a score of 9-5. Fitzroy has some strong bats in their lineup and they will need to rely on offensive production as the season heats up.
Newport Rams vs. Melbourne Demons
2 12
Newport didn’t get off to the start this season that they would’ve liked as they went down to Melbourne 12-2. The Rams have room for improvement, and they will look to redeem themselves in round two for a better result.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles
2 17
Blackburn came out firing in this matchup, beating the Royals 17-2. Sandringham didn't produce much offence, an area in which they will try and be better in come next round.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Upwey FTG Tigers
20 5
The experienced Eagles piled on the runs in this encounter with the Tigers with the game ending with a mammoth score of 20-5.
Sandringham Royals vs. Blackburn Orioles
2 17
Blackburn came out firing in this matchup, beating the Royals 17-2. Sandringham didn't produce much offence, an area in which they will try and be better in come next round.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Upwey FTG Tigers
20 5
The experienced Eagles piled on the runs in this encounter with the Tigers with the game ending with a mammoth score of 20-5.
Sunshine Eagles vs. Upwey FTG Tigers
20 5
The experienced Eagles piled on the runs in this encounter with the Tigers with the game ending with a mammoth score of 20-5.
The experienced Eagles piled on the runs in this encounter with the Tigers with the game ending with a mammoth score of 20-5.