Essendon 1, Cheltenham 0
A bottom of the first run was all the Bombers needed in this titanic battle between league heavyweights. That’s how good Essendon’s pitching staff was on Sunday. While their hurlers only allowed two knocks (singles each from Paul Rutgers and Dylan Trevorah), the Bombers pounded eighth hits, including two from Liam Bedford and a triple—the game’s only extra-base hit—from MVP candidate Tom Dicker.
The top-of-the-table finish means Essendon (19-6-1) opens up a three game series with their conference’s second place team, Geelong, tonight at 7.30 at Melbourne Ballpark. Games 2 and 3 will be played at the Bombers and Baycats grounds, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
The Rustlers (14-9-1) finished second in their conference so they take on Melbourne at Preston Ballpark this evening. First pitch is also slated for 7.30.
Geelong 15, Springvale 6
A seven run fifth after the Lions plated three in their away half was the difference in a ballgame that was more competitive than the score indicated. Multiple runs in the first (three) and sixth (four) buoyed the Baycats win.
Springvale had three players—Lucas Anderson, Freddy Flores and Glenn Mascoll—record multiple hits and Matthew Hayle added a double and three RBI.
Across the diamond, Cameron Gibbons, Liam Spence and Matthew Zablan all had three knocks, with the latter pacing Geelong with two doubles and five runs driven in.
The Baycats (16-9-1) face the Bombers tonight in semifinal action while the Lions season comes to a close with an 11-15 record.
Newport 10, Waverley 0
The second shutout of the day was of the mercy rule variety. Four runs in the first, one in the second, four more in the fourth and a single consequential marker in the seventh provided the winning margin.
The Wildcats hits (all singles) came from Harvey Chinn, Ryan Dale, Tyler Dale and Chase Hodkinson. The Rams, meanwhile, had four players—Heath Black, Mathew Lawman, Dean Malthouse and Zac Seipolt—record multiple knocks, with Lawman slugging a double and Black knocking in three.
The win moved Newport (9-16) out of relegation contention, while Waverley (12-13-1) finished fourth in their conference, behind stalwarts Melbourne, Cheltenham and Blackburn.
Sandringham 2, Melbourne 0
Single runs in the fifth and eighth were just enough for the Royals to end their season on a winning note.
The Sandringham staff was brilliant all day, ceding only two hits (both doubles) in nine sterling innings.
Their bats came alive too, with three players (Anton Cevec, Declan Ferguson and Joshua Meyer) recording multiple knocks, Jordan Barnett adding a double (Ferguson had one too) and Meyer responsible for the lone RBI.
Despite the defeat, the Demons (19-5-2) finished on top of their ladder and will play Cheltenham in a three game series beginning tonight.
The big win netted the Royals (11-15-1) a third place finish after an up-and-down campaign.
Blackburn 9, Preston 2
In the last game for both teams this season, the Orioles started fast and finished stronger, tallying thrice in the first and another three teams in the ninth to bookend an impressive win.
Blackburn also added two runs in the fifth and one in eighth. Both the Pirates runs came in the last half of the middle frame.
The Preston hitters accounted for seven hits, but none went for extra bases. Shogo Gokita and Mitchell Legge scored the Pirates two runs.
Ryan Berg, Jacob Evans and Jarryd Rogers each had two hits and Ross Hunter slugged a double and had two RBI. The other runs were produced by Berg (two), Evans and Blake Hodgson.
Blackburn (15-11) finishes a fine season in third place, behind conference leaders Melbourne and Cheltenham. Preston (9-16-1) finished fourth in their conference, trailing Essendon, Geelong and Sandringham.
Doncaster 1, Sunshine 0
In a battle to avoid possible relegation to Division 2 next season, the Dragons eked past a motivated Eagles squad in a tense, riveting tilt.
Scott Carr had the game’s lone RBI and Marcel D’Avoine and Billy Findlay contributed two hits apiece. The latter also had a double.
Doncaster’s victory leaves them at 7-16-2 on the season while the loss pushes Sunshine to a disappointing 7-18 mark.
A bottom of the first run was all the Bombers needed in this titanic battle between league heavyweights. That’s how good Essendon’s pitching staff was on Sunday. While their hurlers only allowed two knocks (singles each from Paul Rutgers and Dylan Trevorah), the Bombers pounded eighth hits, including two from Liam Bedford and a triple—the game’s only extra-base hit—from MVP candidate Tom Dicker.
The top-of-the-table finish means Essendon (19-6-1) opens up a three game series with their conference’s second place team, Geelong, tonight at 7.30 at Melbourne Ballpark. Games 2 and 3 will be played at the Bombers and Baycats grounds, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
The Rustlers (14-9-1) finished second in their conference so they take on Melbourne at Preston Ballpark this evening. First pitch is also slated for 7.30.
Geelong 15, Springvale 6
A seven run fifth after the Lions plated three in their away half was the difference in a ballgame that was more competitive than the score indicated. Multiple runs in the first (three) and sixth (four) buoyed the Baycats win.
Springvale had three players—Lucas Anderson, Freddy Flores and Glenn Mascoll—record multiple hits and Matthew Hayle added a double and three RBI.
Across the diamond, Cameron Gibbons, Liam Spence and Matthew Zablan all had three knocks, with the latter pacing Geelong with two doubles and five runs driven in.
The Baycats (16-9-1) face the Bombers tonight in semifinal action while the Lions season comes to a close with an 11-15 record.
Newport 10, Waverley 0
The second shutout of the day was of the mercy rule variety. Four runs in the first, one in the second, four more in the fourth and a single consequential marker in the seventh provided the winning margin.
The Wildcats hits (all singles) came from Harvey Chinn, Ryan Dale, Tyler Dale and Chase Hodkinson. The Rams, meanwhile, had four players—Heath Black, Mathew Lawman, Dean Malthouse and Zac Seipolt—record multiple knocks, with Lawman slugging a double and Black knocking in three.
The win moved Newport (9-16) out of relegation contention, while Waverley (12-13-1) finished fourth in their conference, behind stalwarts Melbourne, Cheltenham and Blackburn.
Sandringham 2, Melbourne 0
Single runs in the fifth and eighth were just enough for the Royals to end their season on a winning note.
The Sandringham staff was brilliant all day, ceding only two hits (both doubles) in nine sterling innings.
Their bats came alive too, with three players (Anton Cevec, Declan Ferguson and Joshua Meyer) recording multiple knocks, Jordan Barnett adding a double (Ferguson had one too) and Meyer responsible for the lone RBI.
Despite the defeat, the Demons (19-5-2) finished on top of their ladder and will play Cheltenham in a three game series beginning tonight.
The big win netted the Royals (11-15-1) a third place finish after an up-and-down campaign.
Blackburn 9, Preston 2
In the last game for both teams this season, the Orioles started fast and finished stronger, tallying thrice in the first and another three teams in the ninth to bookend an impressive win.
Blackburn also added two runs in the fifth and one in eighth. Both the Pirates runs came in the last half of the middle frame.
The Preston hitters accounted for seven hits, but none went for extra bases. Shogo Gokita and Mitchell Legge scored the Pirates two runs.
Ryan Berg, Jacob Evans and Jarryd Rogers each had two hits and Ross Hunter slugged a double and had two RBI. The other runs were produced by Berg (two), Evans and Blake Hodgson.
Blackburn (15-11) finishes a fine season in third place, behind conference leaders Melbourne and Cheltenham. Preston (9-16-1) finished fourth in their conference, trailing Essendon, Geelong and Sandringham.
Doncaster 1, Sunshine 0
In a battle to avoid possible relegation to Division 2 next season, the Dragons eked past a motivated Eagles squad in a tense, riveting tilt.
Scott Carr had the game’s lone RBI and Marcel D’Avoine and Billy Findlay contributed two hits apiece. The latter also had a double.
Doncaster’s victory leaves them at 7-16-2 on the season while the loss pushes Sunshine to a disappointing 7-18 mark.