The top four continued to make movements during the most recent round of the 2019/20 VSBL Division 2 season as Werribee and Williamstown played a closely fought-out contest that finished with the Giants taking out the victory and moving into first place. Every game counts as there's just four rounds to go before finals begin.
Division 2 Firsts
Williamstown Wolves 1 v Werribee Giants 2
Williamstown got the first run on the board in the second inning but Werribee captialised with runners on base in the third to get two across the plate.
The Wolves made some moves during their first dig, as each point of the diamond was occupied but a deep fly ball out to centre was the final out as runners were left stranded. While the Wolves tallied five hits within the first two innings, Werribee did a great job thereafter to limit the opposition to just one more hit across the next four innings as the Giants had several three-up, three-down digs in that time.
Williamstown's run came from Kevin Desmedt who was lucky with a wild throw from a putout attempt at first that he used to get to third base. Desmedt came home thanks to a single to centre field by Aaron Green. Desmedt would be the pitcher for Williamstown too, lasting six innings for seven hits, one earned run and three strikeouts but took the loss.
While the game didn't start off well for the Giants, with the first three batters all going down in quick succession, they found form in the third when Daine Gregory got the first hit for the home team. Gregory would later be put out on a fielders choice throw to second base, but it allowed Andrew Christou to get safely on base from his at bat.
The Giants gradually got around the bases as Justin Gil also found his way onto first but it was a big hit to centre from Wade Balzer that got both runners in, the second errored by the catcher in a close attempt at home. Werribee got the base loaded even after those runs scored however Desmedt struck out the batter for the final out of the inning.
Evan McPherson had two hits for Giants while Oliver Box, Simon Riches, Wesley de Jong, Balzer and Gregory each had one hit. Joshua Lee was on the mound for the home side and pitched six innings for six hits, zero earned runs and four strikeouts to receive the win.
The win to Werribee has seen another change at the top of the table as these teams switch places, placing some extra emphasis on the importance of this weekend's return fixture at Williamstown. Werribee is now 17-5 while Williamstown is 17-6 with four rounds left.
Williamstown got the first run on the board in the second inning but Werribee captialised with runners on base in the third to get two across the plate.
The Wolves made some moves during their first dig, as each point of the diamond was occupied but a deep fly ball out to centre was the final out as runners were left stranded. While the Wolves tallied five hits within the first two innings, Werribee did a great job thereafter to limit the opposition to just one more hit across the next four innings as the Giants had several three-up, three-down digs in that time.
Williamstown's run came from Kevin Desmedt who was lucky with a wild throw from a putout attempt at first that he used to get to third base. Desmedt came home thanks to a single to centre field by Aaron Green. Desmedt would be the pitcher for Williamstown too, lasting six innings for seven hits, one earned run and three strikeouts but took the loss.
While the game didn't start off well for the Giants, with the first three batters all going down in quick succession, they found form in the third when Daine Gregory got the first hit for the home team. Gregory would later be put out on a fielders choice throw to second base, but it allowed Andrew Christou to get safely on base from his at bat.
The Giants gradually got around the bases as Justin Gil also found his way onto first but it was a big hit to centre from Wade Balzer that got both runners in, the second errored by the catcher in a close attempt at home. Werribee got the base loaded even after those runs scored however Desmedt struck out the batter for the final out of the inning.
Evan McPherson had two hits for Giants while Oliver Box, Simon Riches, Wesley de Jong, Balzer and Gregory each had one hit. Joshua Lee was on the mound for the home side and pitched six innings for six hits, zero earned runs and four strikeouts to receive the win.
The win to Werribee has seen another change at the top of the table as these teams switch places, placing some extra emphasis on the importance of this weekend's return fixture at Williamstown. Werribee is now 17-5 while Williamstown is 17-6 with four rounds left.
St Kilda Saints 2 v Malvern Braves 13
The Braves scored the bulk of their runs in their last two innings, tallying four in the fourth and six in the fifth after having a 3-2 lead after the first three innings.
Malvern has won the past three games, and the Braves enjoyed the return of several Melbourne Aces players on Thursday night, with a lineup featuring the likes of Chris Burke, Jarryd Dale and Ryan Dale.
The Braves needed a big win like this to keep up with the fellow top four sides, sitting third with a 14-7 record, ahead of Moorabbin on runs for as Malvern has scored 157 to 139 for the Panthers. The Saints will want to end their season with a couple more wins as they're currently in ninth place with a 5-18 record. The Braves will travel to St Kilda this weekend.
Mulgrave Rebels 6 v Bonbeach Bluejays 2
The first meeting between these two went 11-10 in favour of the Bluejays, but they couldn't quite replicate these efforts on Thursday night. Bonbeach just couldn't match Mulgrave as the Rebels scored in almost each of their innings; one run in the first, second and third before three to finish the game.
The Bluejays pounded some runs in in the second and fifth but couldn't string anything together at the bottom, instead taking a loss.
Mulgrave had Zeke Howie on the mound who got the win through only giving up four hits and one run along with nine strikeouts.
Tallying nine hits for the game, the Rebels found runs through Michael Morgan who had two hits, two runs and one RBI while Anthony White also had two hits. Jayson Arthur, Caleb Poole, Liam Richardson and Nick Thompson scored the Braves' other runs in the game.
The series will move to Mulgrave now as these teams continue to look to end the season with a few more wins.
Moorabbin Panthers 5 v Doncaster Dragons 3
Moorabbin won 4-1 on the weekend and the Panthers prevailed once again to remain in fourth place from the win. With solid pitching from Zach Kamerman and a strong lineup of batters, Moorabbin is trying to hold on and stay in that top four spot before finals.
Meanwhile the Dragons sit eighth with a 8-14 record after dropping the past two games.
The Panthers' 14-7 record is something they will look to improve on this weekend at home against Doncaster.
Preston Pirates 4 v Port Melbourne Mariners 6
With both teams on a 12-9 record going into this clash, Preston and Port Melbourne have switched places on the ladder. The Pirates are now sixth with Port Melbourne in fifth place, trying to catch up with Moorabbin.
After a close 6-5 ballgame on Sunday that went in favour of Preston, Port Melbourne ended up with the better ledger in the midweek matchup. Glenn Farrell and Mitch Heyward took the mound for Preston and kept the Pirates in the game, but ultimately the Mariners got the upper hand.
The action continues in Preston on the weekend when the 12-10 Pirates hosts the 13-9 Mariners.
With both teams on a 12-9 record going into this clash, Preston and Port Melbourne have switched places on the ladder. The Pirates are now sixth with Port Melbourne in fifth place, trying to catch up with Moorabbin.
After a close 6-5 ballgame on Sunday that went in favour of Preston, Port Melbourne ended up with the better ledger in the midweek matchup. Glenn Farrell and Mitch Heyward took the mound for Preston and kept the Pirates in the game, but ultimately the Mariners got the upper hand.
The action continues in Preston on the weekend when the 12-10 Pirates hosts the 13-9 Mariners.