The 2019/20 VSBL season is heating up in the Women's Division 1, 2 and 3 competitions as teams are giving it their all out there on the field. Springvale and Doncaster remain undefeated in both Division 1 and 2, while Melbourne and Moorabbin are leading the way in Division 3 East. Cheltenham is 3-0 in Division 3 South and Sunshine hasn't lost in Division 3 West. There's still so much fantastic women's baseball to look forward to for the rest of the summer season, with many teams showcasing their best stuff as they chase premiership dreams.
Women's Division 1
Springvale Lions 7 v Essendon Bombers 6
The grand-final rematch lived up to expectations as Springvale were behind by one heading into their last inning of the game.
However, the Lions spoiled the Bombers party as they found a way to see two runs cross the plate and overtake their opponents on the ladder after Round 3.
It was head coach Shae Lillywhite with a bases-clearing double that sent the Lions dugout into raptures.
Springvale remain without a loss this season while the reigning premiers slipped to third. Essendon prepares to host Doncaster while Springvale hosts Footscray in round four.
Doncaster Dragons 14 v Footscray Bulldogs 12
A hard-fought, high-scoring game between these two winless sides in 2019 ultimately produced a win for the away side with Doncaster beating Footscray 14-12.
The Bulldogs would be rueing a missed opportunity to snatch their first win of the season while the Dragons won their first game of the year. Footscray faces Springvale and Doncaster visits Essendon this Saturday.
Women's Division 2
Fitzroy Lions 5 v Footscray Bulldogs 12
The Lions had an early advantage over the Bulldogs early on, leading 4-0 heading into the bottom of the second.
But a combined 12-run effort in the second and third innings allowed Footscray to overcome to deficit and win 12-5 for their second victory of the season..
Springvale Lions 27 v Essendon Bombers 2
Springvale Lions are 3-0 after Round 3 after a blistering 27-2 win over Essendon on the weekend. The Lions turn their attention to Footscray for round four while Essendon will search for their first victory against Doncaster.
Wheelers Hill Warriors 3 v Doncaster Dragons 7
Doncaster Dragons were able to go 3-0 to start the season after a 7-3 win over Wheelers Hill Warriors. The Warriors are looking ahead to another chance at victory this weekend as they play Fitzroy while the Dragons will try and extend their winning streak to four.
Women's Division 3 East
Springvale Lions 7 v Moorabbin Panthers 16
Moorabbin has won back-to-back games after a convincing 16-7 victory over Springvale who slumped to a 0-2 start. The Panthers are on a mission and will look to keep up the momentum on Saturday against Waverley, while the Lions will look for a win vs. Doncaster.
Melbourne Demons 8 v Doncaster Dragons 7
A very close result between Melbourne and Doncaster on Saturday, the final result favouring the Demons as they came through with the 8-7 win. Ladder-leaders Melbourne are playing Mulgrave this weekend, while Doncaster is visiting Springvale.
Mulgrave Rebels v Waverley Wildcats
Waverley forfeited Saturday's game against Mulgrave.
Women's Division 3 South
Pakenham Pumas Black 3 v Berwick City Cougars 18
Pakenham Black are without a win in their first three games after suffering a heavy 18-3 defeat against Berwick City Cougars. The Pumas will try again against Bonbeach Blue this weekend while the Cougars have a bye.
Bonbeach Bluejays Blue 5 v Cheltenham Rustlers 8
In this top-of-the-table clash, each team were on two wins apiece heading into this matchup but it was Cheltenham that kept the wins coming through with an 8-5 win. The Rustlers will look to keep on rolling through round four when they play Bonbeach White while Bonbeach Blue faces Pakenham Black next.
Pakenham Pumas White 13 v Bonbeach Bluejays White 8
A game in which each dig provided plenty of runs ended in a 13-8 win for Pakenham White.
The Pumas scored six and seven runs in the first and second innings respectively as Bonbeach White managed five and three in the same number of innings. Pakenham White hosts Sandringham on Saturday and Bonbeach White has a game against Cheltenham.
Sandringham Royals v BYE
Women's Division 3 West
Fitzroy Lions 21 v Geelong Baycats White 2
Fitzroy ran away with this game, securing a massive 21-2 win for their first of the season. The Lions are feeling confident after such a strong showing, a spirit they will hope to maintain heading into their big game against Sunshine this weekend. Geelong White has a bye before facing Sunshine in round five.
Sunshine Eagles 26 v Geelong Baycats Blue 9
Geelong Blue had their first loss of the year, going down to Sunshine 26-9.
The Eagles got out to a 10-run lead at the end of their second inning but another 14 runs from the fourth and fifth innings saw the lead continue to grow without much response, except the Baycats did score seven of their own in the bottom of the fifth.
Melissa Duxson started on the mound for Geelong Blue, seeing improvement from previous weeks while her relief Nyah O’Brien was on the mound for 2 ½ innings and kept the strong hitting side to their lowest inning total of two in the third.
The fielding efforts from Geelong Blue were something they commended themselves on, with the outfield holding runners up with long throws and the infield being able to prevent the runners from getting to their respective bases via the tag, of which Duxson had three playing third base.
North Western Titans v BYE
Springvale Lions 7 v Essendon Bombers 6
The grand-final rematch lived up to expectations as Springvale were behind by one heading into their last inning of the game.
However, the Lions spoiled the Bombers party as they found a way to see two runs cross the plate and overtake their opponents on the ladder after Round 3.
It was head coach Shae Lillywhite with a bases-clearing double that sent the Lions dugout into raptures.
Springvale remain without a loss this season while the reigning premiers slipped to third. Essendon prepares to host Doncaster while Springvale hosts Footscray in round four.
Doncaster Dragons 14 v Footscray Bulldogs 12
A hard-fought, high-scoring game between these two winless sides in 2019 ultimately produced a win for the away side with Doncaster beating Footscray 14-12.
The Bulldogs would be rueing a missed opportunity to snatch their first win of the season while the Dragons won their first game of the year. Footscray faces Springvale and Doncaster visits Essendon this Saturday.
Women's Division 2
Fitzroy Lions 5 v Footscray Bulldogs 12
The Lions had an early advantage over the Bulldogs early on, leading 4-0 heading into the bottom of the second.
But a combined 12-run effort in the second and third innings allowed Footscray to overcome to deficit and win 12-5 for their second victory of the season..
Springvale Lions 27 v Essendon Bombers 2
Springvale Lions are 3-0 after Round 3 after a blistering 27-2 win over Essendon on the weekend. The Lions turn their attention to Footscray for round four while Essendon will search for their first victory against Doncaster.
Wheelers Hill Warriors 3 v Doncaster Dragons 7
Doncaster Dragons were able to go 3-0 to start the season after a 7-3 win over Wheelers Hill Warriors. The Warriors are looking ahead to another chance at victory this weekend as they play Fitzroy while the Dragons will try and extend their winning streak to four.
Women's Division 3 East
Springvale Lions 7 v Moorabbin Panthers 16
Moorabbin has won back-to-back games after a convincing 16-7 victory over Springvale who slumped to a 0-2 start. The Panthers are on a mission and will look to keep up the momentum on Saturday against Waverley, while the Lions will look for a win vs. Doncaster.
Melbourne Demons 8 v Doncaster Dragons 7
A very close result between Melbourne and Doncaster on Saturday, the final result favouring the Demons as they came through with the 8-7 win. Ladder-leaders Melbourne are playing Mulgrave this weekend, while Doncaster is visiting Springvale.
Mulgrave Rebels v Waverley Wildcats
Waverley forfeited Saturday's game against Mulgrave.
Women's Division 3 South
Pakenham Pumas Black 3 v Berwick City Cougars 18
Pakenham Black are without a win in their first three games after suffering a heavy 18-3 defeat against Berwick City Cougars. The Pumas will try again against Bonbeach Blue this weekend while the Cougars have a bye.
Bonbeach Bluejays Blue 5 v Cheltenham Rustlers 8
In this top-of-the-table clash, each team were on two wins apiece heading into this matchup but it was Cheltenham that kept the wins coming through with an 8-5 win. The Rustlers will look to keep on rolling through round four when they play Bonbeach White while Bonbeach Blue faces Pakenham Black next.
Pakenham Pumas White 13 v Bonbeach Bluejays White 8
A game in which each dig provided plenty of runs ended in a 13-8 win for Pakenham White.
The Pumas scored six and seven runs in the first and second innings respectively as Bonbeach White managed five and three in the same number of innings. Pakenham White hosts Sandringham on Saturday and Bonbeach White has a game against Cheltenham.
Sandringham Royals v BYE
Women's Division 3 West
Fitzroy Lions 21 v Geelong Baycats White 2
Fitzroy ran away with this game, securing a massive 21-2 win for their first of the season. The Lions are feeling confident after such a strong showing, a spirit they will hope to maintain heading into their big game against Sunshine this weekend. Geelong White has a bye before facing Sunshine in round five.
Sunshine Eagles 26 v Geelong Baycats Blue 9
Geelong Blue had their first loss of the year, going down to Sunshine 26-9.
The Eagles got out to a 10-run lead at the end of their second inning but another 14 runs from the fourth and fifth innings saw the lead continue to grow without much response, except the Baycats did score seven of their own in the bottom of the fifth.
Melissa Duxson started on the mound for Geelong Blue, seeing improvement from previous weeks while her relief Nyah O’Brien was on the mound for 2 ½ innings and kept the strong hitting side to their lowest inning total of two in the third.
The fielding efforts from Geelong Blue were something they commended themselves on, with the outfield holding runners up with long throws and the infield being able to prevent the runners from getting to their respective bases via the tag, of which Duxson had three playing third base.
North Western Titans v BYE