Fitzroy 8 defeated Essendon 1
The Fine Fellows of Fitzroy have extended their winning streak to five and kept their finals hopes alive with a comprehensive win over the reigning premieres.
A lead-off single from Tom Wilson to start the game set the tone and when Tom Dicker took Gareth Formisano deep with a three-run shot the Lions were on the board and had their tails up early.
Fitzroy continued to mount pressure adding another run in the third, two in the fourth and two more in the seventh but the story of the day was the pitching performance from Josh Tols.
Tols would need just 90 pitches to throw a complete game, striking out 14 on his way to a two-hit, one-run shut out. The run was the first conceded by Tols this season in 42.2 innings of work.
Preston 5 defeated Sandringham 1
A dominant performance on the mound from Preston’s new non-national Japanese’s pitcher Yuta Watanabe led Preston to a 5-1 win over Sandringham. Watanabe pitched eight innings, striking out ten batters while just allowing four hits, three walks and one run.
Starter Reed Mason struggled for the Royals in the second inning, allowing five runs after conceding eight hits, one sacrifice fly and a walk.
Brandon Stenhouse was strong in relief for the away side, striking out five and allowing just three hits and a walk in four innings of work.
Melbourne 6 defeated Blackburn 2
Melbourne claimed a 6-2 win over Blackburn on Sunday as they look to hold on to top spot in the East.
Eight Melbourne batters received hits, with Mitch Ayres and Scott Moore collecting two apiece.
Andy Mann was credited with the win, striking out two while surrendering two runs, eight hits and a walk in seven and a third innings of work. For Blackburn, starter Scott Mitchinson struck out three but received the loss after allowing four runs and seven hits.
Blackburn committed two errors on the day, in contrast to Melbourne who didn’t commit an error.
Moorabbin 8 defeated Cheltenham 7
No Game Summary Provided.
Newport 7 defeated Geelong 5
No Game Summary Provided
Waverley 7 defeated Springvale 3
No Game Summary Provided
Mid-week RESULTS
The Moorabbin Panthers visit to the Sandringham Royals at Tulip Street on Tuesday evening saw a trio of Royals pitchers "shut-out" the opposition in nine innings.
Young Jackson Boyd started for the Royals and in four innings allowed just 2 hits and 0 runs, striking out two Panthers and walking one. Sam Street followed, and in three innings of relief struck out six Panthers, allowing 0 hits and 0 runs from nine batters.
Branden Stenhouse closed the eighth and ninth inning, allowing just 1 hit and 0 runs. In contrast Grant Irving pitched the whole game [ 8 innings ] for the Panthers, giving up 8 hits, striking out 7 Royals and walking two, but allowing one run in the first which won the game for the Royals.
Moorabbin Panthers 0R 3H 2E Sandringham Royals 1R 8H 2E
After much consideration Baseball Victoria took the decision earlier this week to change the schedule for the Summer Season to provide the best possible opportunity for our grassroots members to attend the Australian Baseball League finals over the weekend of 10 -12 February 2017 to support the Melbourne Aces.
While not unprecedented, this decision was not taken lightly and was done so in the context of the significant advances achieved this season with the integration of Melbourne Aces into the total baseball product available across the whole of sport in Victoria.
This year the Melbourne Aces finished as the minor premiers, broke both attendance and financial records and importantly the Melbourne Aces provided many new opportunities for the baseball community to participate and benefit from the Melbourne Aces as an integral aspect of our sport.
This season, 25 Victorian players were selected to represent the Aces which is more than any other season. Over 18 clubs bought club packages throughout the season which resulted in 1,000+ members attending Aces games with another 600+ juniors participating directly through the Bendigo Buddies. With a focus on giving back to the Baseball Community the Melbourne Aces visited eight clubs and ran very successful clinics.
The decision to reschedule and cancel games was taken after it was confirmed the Melbourne Aces would host the finals series and importantly a discounted ticket price for Victorian Baseball Members was confirmed.
However in the last 24 hours since announcing what was intended to be a positive reinforcement of the Melbourne Aces based upon the significant uplift in local support the team has achieved this season, the overwhelming response from Club Presidents and Committees has been to proceed with the round as originally scheduled.
Given this clear message Baseball Victoria confirms this round will now proceed as originally published.
For members of the Victorian baseball Community who are able to attend the series, the discounted ticket offer is still available by clicking here and entering the promotion code “ABLCSBV”.
A successful and well attended final series will play a key role in our sport’s ability to Gain, Train and Retain and raise the profile of our sport in order to access funding the whole of sport will ultimately benefit from.
Good luck to the teams playing club games over the weekend of 10-12 February and to the Melbourne Aces.
Regards,
Ashley Blair General Manger – Baseball Victoria
WHEN: Saturday 4 February & Sunday 11 February, 9AM - 11AM.
WHERE: Springvale Baseball Club
Pakenham 13 defeated Footscray 3
No game summary provided
St Kilda 12 defeated Chelsea 6
Mulgrave 11 defeated Ormond Glenhuntly 4
A typical game plan again proved successful for the unbeaten Rebels in Bonbeach. After trading runs for most of the first four innings, the deep Mulgrave squad pushed across three markers each in the fifth and sixth to eventually down the Hunters, 11-4.
Caleb Poole and Nick Thompson paced the Rebels with three knocks each.
Mulgrave starter Mat Young struggled through six, but did enough to earn the victory. Liam Richardson was much better on the bump, ceding nothing in three frames.
Original report supplied by Nick Thompson of the Mulgrave Baseball Club
Sunshine 5 defeated Berwick 4
Werribee 11 defeated Bonbeach 1
No game summary provided
Williamstown 16 defeated Malvern 11
No game summary provided
Ballarat 13 defeated Port Melbourne 7
No game summary provided
Mid-Week Results
0 Springvale def by Moorabbin 7
Dominant performances on the mound led to Moorabbin limiting Springvale to just the three hits, claiming a 7-0 win.
Leading Moorabbin’s pitching was starter Trev Coughey, who allowed just the one hit and struck out six batters across six innings of work. While relievers Ryan Phillips and Rick Wheelers conceded two hits between them to close the door with just over an innings work each.
At the plate for the Panthers, Rick Wheeler finished with three hits and Nick Oshea collected two.
1 Newport def by Essendon 3
Essendon defeated Newport 3-1 on Life Members’ Day at Boeing Reserve, with the Rams only run coming off Gareth Formisano in the second inning.
For Newport, Jimmy Jensen went the distance, conceding just six hits across eight innings of work.
Dean McIntyre, Tim Sullivan and Josh Davies registered two hits apiece for the home side.
Essendon takes on Fitzroy this coming Sunday in what is shaping up to be a vital game for final aspirations.
0 Preston def by Fitzroy 10
Despite the 10-0 score line, the Preston bats fired early with five of their six hits for the game coming in the first two innings, with the Pirates unable to plate a run.
A three run second kick started the day for the fine fellows who were held reasonably quiet after that. Fitzroy extended their lead with six runs in the eighth to bring the contest to a close early.
On the hill, Brock Pawley threw 7.0, conceding six hits and no earned runs while Carl Wilson pitched a perfect 1-2-3 eighth inning in relief.
With the bats it was Tom Dicker who once again led the way with three base knocks, only a home run short of hitting for the cycle while Alex Turlea and Reese Gregory finished with two hits apiece.
2 Cheltenham def by Melbourne 11
A six-run fifth inning led Melbourne to a 11-2 win over Cheltenham at Surrey Park on Sunday.
Melbourne had the lead early after scoring three runs in the second off a two-run double by Mitch Ayres and an Alex Hondromatidis sacrifice fly.
The home side were busy in the fifth, driving in six runs with RBI doubles to Adam Burton and Nathan Aron along with a two-run double from Mitch Ayres.
Ben Leslie scored Cheltenham’s only run with a solo shot in the sixth.
For Melbourne, Ayres finished with four RBIs on three hits. On the mound, Andy Mann struck out nine and allowed two earned runs, six hits and a walk across seven innings.
1 Geelong def Sandringham 0
In spite of being out hit 4-7, Geelong held on to claim a narrow 1-0 defeat over Sandringham as the Royals hosted their annual “Pink” fund raising day for Breast Cancer.
A lead-off walk in the sixth followed by two sacrifice bunts and a fielder’s choice drove in the only run of the day.
Jackson Boyd started for Sandringham against a strong Baycats line-up, allowing just three hits and striking out five batters to keep Geelong scoreless. In relief, Reed Mason struck out two and walked one in 5.1 innings of work.
For the Baycats, Rudy Jaramillo struck out two and allowed two hits in three innings after entering in relief for Cameron Forbes.
7 Blackburn def by Waverley 4
No summary provided.
Baseball Australia is proud to announce the coaching staff that will lead Team Australia at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Team Australia’s coaching staff is littered with decades of Major League Baseball experience, and is one of the most experienced coaching staff at the World Baseball Classic.
Jon Deeble – Manager
One of the highest profile figures in Australian Baseball, Deeble leads Australia for the fourth time at the World Baseball Classic. Deeble took Australia to a Silver Medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics as well as overseeing the Australian team that defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks at the 2014 MLB Opening Series. Deeble spent 2016 as heavily involved as ever in national team programs, with the World Baseball Classic Qualifier, the Honkbalweek tournament in The Netherlands as well as a coach of the Silver medal winning U23 World Cup team.
Tony Harris - 3rd Base Coach
Another long-time member of the national team setup, Tony Harris returns for his fourth World Baseball Classic. Harris’ roles have varied in his 17 years involved with the national team, including On-Field Coordinator at three World Cups. Harris was an integral part of the National Team setup in 2016, having coached at the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier, 2016 Honkbalweek and the 2016 ABL All-Star Game. Harris also lead the U23 World Cup team to a silver medal at the 2016 World Cup in Mexico.
Michael Collins - 1st Base Coach
At 32 years of age, Canberra Cavalry manager Michael Collins has gained experience beyond his years in various roles with the Australian National Team and in US Minor League Baseball. Having reached AAA-level as a player in 2009, Collins was immediately touted as a manager, and took control of his first Minor League team as a 27 year old. Collins lead the Canberra Cavalry to the 2012/13 ABL Championship as well as a historic title in the 2013 Asia Series.
Craig Shipley - Bench Coach
After making his MLB debut in 1988, Craig Shipley has become one of the most influential and well-known figures in Australian baseball. Shipley currently is based in the US and holds the prestigious role of Special Assistant to the GM at the Arizona Diamondbacks, a role that Shipley has held for four years. Shipley was an assistant coach at the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and his experience will be vital in Team Australia’s pursuit for a second round berth.
Graeme Lloyd - Bullpen Coach
A two-time World Series winner with the New York Yankees, Graeme Lloyd will make his third appearance as a coach at the World Baseball Classic. A member of the 2004 silver medal winning Athens Olympic baseball team, Lloyd has spent time at the highest level both as a player and a coach and continues his time with the Australian National Team following the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in February 2016.
Phil Dale - Pitching Coach
After starring as a player in the Australian Baseball League, Phil Dale returns to Team Australia as the Pitching Coach. Dale began his tenure as Pitching Coach at the 1999 Intercontinental Cup, where Australia claimed the Gold Medal. Since then, Dale has been the Pitching Coach at the last three World Baseball Classic’s, as well as the silver medal winning 2004 Olympic baseball team.
Kevin Jordan - Hitting Coach
After serving as the Hitting Coach for Australia’s 2016 Honkbalweek campaign in The Netherlands, Kevin Jordan will make his return to Australia’s coaching staff for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Jordan was a feature in the Philadelphia Phillies infield for six years after making his debut in 1995 and has spent time as a hitting coach in the Phillies organisation. Jordan was a part of Jon Deeble’s staff at the 2016 ABL All-Star game and the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier, and is a career .258 hitter in the MLB.
Andrew Graham - Assistant Coach
The newest member of Team Australia’s coaching staff for the World Baseball Classic is NSW native Andrew Graham. Graham spent four seasons in the Detroit Tigers Minor League system where he reached AAA level. Graham also played for the Sydney Blue Sox between 2010-2012. Graham has had significant experience playing on the international stage, with three consecutive World Cup appearances between 2005 and 2009, as well as playing for Australia at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Australia will travel to South Korea on the 24 February for a pre-tournament camp, before taking on Japan, China and Cuba in Round 1 of the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo beginning on March 6.
Pakenham 7 defeat St Kilda 6
Ormond Glenhuntly 20 defeat Chelsea 1