The 2021/22 VSBL Division 4 season opened on a rainy weekend, although nine games still managed to go ahead as Upwey Ferntree Gully, Waverley, Bonbeach, Pakenham, Sandringham, St Kilda, Essendon, and Research Lower Plenty all started off with wins.
View full season fixtures, results, and ladders HERE and read recaps below.
Division 4 East
Upwey Ferntree Gully Black 9 v Malvern Braves 7
The Tigers started strong with five runs in the first and stayed in front for the rest of the game, although Malvern battle back to come within one.
Upwey Ferntree Gully led 6-1 going into the bottom of the second, but Malvern scored four to make it a one-run ballgame. Luckily for the Tigers, they put together a three-run third and held off the Braves, allowing two runs but hanging on for the win.
The Tigers look to go 2-for-2 at home v Waverley Red while the Braves play Monash Uni at home.
Waverley Wildcats 8 v Monash Uni Farmers 6
Waverley had a 3-0 lead in the middle of the second, but a six-run effort by Monash shifted the game in the Farmers' favour. The Wildcats pulled together to put up five more in the third to ensure the win.
Monash had seven hits compared to three for Waverley, but errors on both sides helped runners get on base.
Despite the loss, Ashley Aylen managed 12 first pitch strikes and two strikeouts for the Farmers, while Jack Makeham struck out one in an inning of work.
Division 4 South
Mornington Red 2 v Bonbeach White 18
The Bluejays came away with a double-digit victory after dominating offensively.
Mornington's two runs came at the start of the game, and then it was all Bonbeach with the bats. David Morris, Hayden Booker, James Gillam, Rebecca Heenan, Sebastian Hindson, Glen Jones, and Adam Major all contributed in the high-scoring game.
The Bonbeach lineup will look to do more of the same after scoring in all four innings - five in the first, seven in the second, and three in both the third and the fourth. The Bluejays next game is at Sandringham while Mornington Red heads to St Kilda.
Mornington Black 5 v Pakenham White 12
The Pumas had the upper hand in this matchup, giving up just three in the first and two in the second while taking care of things offensively.
Pakenham White has a chance to make it two in a row at home v Bonbeach Blue on Sunday while Mornington Black hosts Chelsea.
Sandringham Royals 15 v Mulgrave Rebels 0
Sandringham's offense put on a promising display to start the season with contributions up and down the lineup from Owen Cogar, Deakin Mitchell, Hunter Richardson, Iain Richardson, Taryn Richardson, and Todd Wavish.
The Royals put up four in the first, seven in the second, and a final four in the third, an effort they will look to repeat at home v Bonbeach White this coming weekend.
Meanwhile, Mulgrave heads to the Pumas' home ground to take on Pakenham Black.
Chelsea Dolphins 0 v Bonbeach Blue 16
Bonbeach Blue racked up the runs in this high-scoring matchup, cruising to a big win like the other Bonbeach side, picking up where the club left off after winning the Div 4 South final last year.
Bonbeach Blue is on the road at Pakenham White and Chelsea heads to Mornington Black in the next round.
St Kilda Saints 9 v Pakenham Black 2
The Saints wasted no time getting on the board, scoring six in the first inning followed by three in the second.
The Pumas got two back but it wasn't enough, and now they'll turn their attention to matchup with Mulgrave at home. The Saints host Mornington Red for round two.
Division 4 North West
Essendon Bombers 9 v North Western Titans 1
Essendon piled on the runs to come away with the win, scoring two in the first and seven in the second.
The Titans only run came in the bottom of the second as Michael Sullivan and Mitchell Miller kept things under control on the mound.
Jarrod Liersen had two hits and three RBIs while Miller knocked in two and Calen Porter also brought a runner around to score.
North Western's Jarrod Johns had six first pitch strikes and three strikeouts in two innings.
Essendon Bombers head to Melbourne Red this weekend as the Titans hit the road to take on Mitchell Majors.
Research Lower Plenty 14 v Melbourne Red 6
Research Lower Plenty piled on the pressure early and didn't let up, scoring three runs in the first and five in the second. By the time the third inning was complete, Research led 14-2.
The Demons added four in the final frame but it wasn't enough to make up the deficit.
Now, Melbourne Red prepares to host Essendon Bombers while Research plays Essendon Spitfires on the road.