Round Seven of the 2019/20 VSBL Women's Division 1, 2 and 3 competitions featured fantastic matchups and high scores as teams did their best to improve their records. There's 10 rounds to go as Springvale and Doncaster lead the way in Women's Division 1 and 2.
Women's Division 1
Essendon Bombers 2 v Doncaster Dragons 5
Doncaster took this game and remains undefeated throughout Women's Division 1, beating Essendon in a close game at home.
Doncaster has a great matchup with Springvale to look forward to while Essendon will be searching for their first win of the season since round two when they play Footscray this upcoming weekend.
Springvale Lions 8 v Footscray Bulldogs 2
Springvale drew first blood in this game with two runs in the second and kept a tight defence for the following three Footscray digs, until the home team tied the scores as the fifth inning came to a close.
Sensing the urgency, the Lions came out with the bats and hit in three runs in the sixth, followed by another three in the seventh to put the result out to six, which would be the final margin as the Bulldogs couldn't force their way back into the game.
Gabby Bevan, Emily Devine and Shae Lilywhite helped propel Springvale to victory with contributions all throughout the lineup.
The loss sees Footscray without a win this season, however the Bulldogs will be hoping for a positive result this weekend against Essendon. Springvale sits second, slightly behind Doncaster, setting up a big matchup in the next round where each team could switch positions.
Women's Division 2
Essendon Bombers 3 v Footscray Bulldogs 15
Footscray got off to a great start, batting in six runs in a dominant first inning.
Essendon scored one themselves at the top of the second, but the Bulldogs didn't look like letting their guard down, adding three in the second and a further six in the third.
Jody Hamilton, Rachel Howard, Kelly Jewers and Emma Lowe all had a great game for Footscray.
The Bombers collected two runs in their fifth inning dig before the game was called, a win still alluding Essendon this season. Footscray now has an even record at 3-3 before playing Fitzroy this weekend.
Doncaster Dragons 17 v Fitzroy Lions 0
The Dragons have improved their record to 6-0 after a big win over Fitzroy.
Doncaster enjoyed contributions from players throughout the lineup, including Rachel Bagley, Kirsten Bezzina, Vanessa Clifford and Maddy Davis.
The Lions have just a single win this season and face Footscray in round eight while the Dragons will be confident in their clash with Wheelers Hill.
Springvale Lions 13 v Wheelers Hill Warriors 0
The Lions consistently found ways to keep improving their tally of runs throughout this game, constantly gaining a bigger lead to shut out the Warriors.
One-, two-, and three-run efforts in the first, second and third innings was a foreshadowing of things to come in the fourth, with six runs crossing the plate.
Another one was added in the fifth, with the Lions defence to be rewarded for their efforts as well.
Lily Bell-Tanner, Jessica Adkins-Barber, Aspen McGovern and Maddy Patrick made a difference for Springvale in this game, with the whole team coming together to get the job done.
The win keeps the Lions with a perfect 6-0 record, while Wheelers Hill are 3-3, just behind Footscray. Next up for the Warriors is Doncaster, whereas Springvale face Essendon.
Photo: Springvale Lions Baseball Club - Facebook
Women's Division 3 East
Moorabbin Panthers 11 v Doncaster Dragons 21
Doncaster had a huge win over the previously-undefeated Moorabbin as the Panthers lost their first game of the season.
Doncaster has a matchup against the fresh-off-the-bye Melbourne whereas Moorabbin will hope this defeat was just a small bump in the road as the team takesmul on Springvale next weekend.
Springvale Lions 19 v Mulgrave Rebels 2
This was a big result for the Lions to get their second win of the season, adding at least one run to their score in every innings, highlighted by seven-run innings in the second and fourth.
The entire lineup got involved in the hitting frenzy as Springvale's bats were hard to slow down. Mulgrave was able to get on the board in the second with two runners crossing the plate.
Mulgrave go into the bye week at 1-3 while Springvale comes up against the Panthers as they look to improve and climb further up the ladder.
Melbourne Demons v BYE
Women's Division 3 South
Bonbeach St Chads White 5 v Bonbeach St Chads Blue 18
In the battle between the two Bonbeach teams, Blue came out on top.
Multiple seven-run digs to start the game for Blue set the tone of the game that they would be playing, although White batted in five runs to their score in the third.
Blue added another five to their score as they were able to take full advantage of a hard-hitting offensive lineup.
Bonbeach Blue have set up a top-three clash with Berwick next weekend, while Bonbeach White have the week off due to the bye.
Berwick City Cougars 16 v Pakenham Pumas White 1
Berwick opened the game with three runs and didn't look back, only allowing Pakenham one in the bottom of the first.
The Cougars never slowed down, seeing another six runs get added to their score before a monster seven-run fourth innings saw the lead increase further out of reach for the Pumas.
Next weekend is sure to be good for both of these teams as Berwick will be out to prove themselves against Bonbeach Blue, whereas Pakenham White face fellow Pakenham side, Black.
Sandringham Royals v Pakenham Pumas Black (FORFEIT)
Sandringham face ladder-leaders Cheltenham next Saturday while it's a game that has bragging rights on the line for Pakenham Black as the team takes on the other Pumas side from this division.
Cheltenham Rustlers v BYE
Division Three West
North Western Titans 22 v Geelong Baycats White 14
This was a high-scoring game in Geelong, with runs coming from each team in every innings that was played.
Emma Fairbrother drew a walk to score a run in the first inning for North Western, starting things off right.
While Geelong White was able to keep pestering away at the Titans, the away side had three consecutive seven-run innings, prompting the scoreline to read 21-7 heading into the fourth. Fairbrother joined Jessica Nelson, Tracie Williams, Julia Klieve, Jemma J Rigby and Katie K Rigby with RBIs in the frame.
Another one run came home for North Western Titans but then it was the Baycats' turn for some offensive hitting, collecting seven runs but unfortunately running out of time to take control of that momentum. This burst of offense was led by Hannah Lindsay, Katrina Edwards, Jess Caurin, Jennifer Mason, Ella Wilson and Danni Phillips.
Kim Borg got the win for North Western after allowing three hits and seven runs over three innings with three strikeouts. Nelson handled one-third of an inning of relief out of the bullpen.
K. Rigby, Williams and Deb Said all had multiple hits for North Western as the team gathered 10 hits in total on the day. K. Rigby went 3-for-3 to lead her team. Teresa Warner stole five bases as five players stole at least two.
Lindsay had three of Geelong's eight stolen bases.
It was the Titans' first win of the season as they head into the bye, while Baycats White are without a win so far this season and face Fitzroy this weekend.
Fitzroy Lions (FORFEIT) v Geelong Baycats Blue
The third-placed Fitzroy take on Baycats White in the upcoming round while Baycats Blue get set for a top-two clash with Sunshine.
Sunshine Eagles v BYE