Baseball Victoria, Author at Baseball Victoria

Exciting games were the norm as all six contests were hard fought and dramatic in the latest iteration of the Under 14s contingent in the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy.

Geelong Baycats 6, Eastern Athletics (Green) 3

Excellent pitching from the Geelong triumvirate of Kobe Greenhalgh, Connor Hickey and Jarrod Wood buoyed the Baycats to a big win. The trio shut down the A’s on just 88 pitches. Tom Renouf caught the entire game for Geelong.

The Baycats scored once in the first, added another in the second and three in the third before tacking on an insurance marker in the sixth to greatly improve their chances of victory.

The A’s, who scored twice in the second and once in the fifth, played a sterling game with Riley Licht (40 pitches), Josh Battles (30) and Charlie Collins (52) taking the mound. Damon Hill and Kye Stehr split the catching duties.

The win put the Baycats at 7-2 heading into their second tilt; the A’s (Green) side fell back to .500 with a 3-3-2 mark.

Southern Mariners (A) 3, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 2

Slow and steady . . . the Southern Mariners followed that mantra to a T. In the second, third and fourth inning they scored one run, allowing them to withstand the D’Backs two-run third and win a nailbiter.

Jai Cebular (47 pitches) and Cam Zimmerman (31) were excellent on the hill and Malcolm Elliot caught the entire game.

Across the diamond, Adam Tsadakis did the same behind the dish with Bailey Marcola (65) and Julius Crino (14) handling the pitching duties.

The win gets the A team back up to .500 with a 3-3 mark while the D’Backs Red team falls to 0-5-1.

Southern Mariners (B) 4, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 3

One big inning was all the Southern Mariners B side needed to come away with a huge win.

Down 1-0 after a half-inning and 2-0 heading to bat in the third, the Mariners exploded for four runs in their half of the inning to take the lead for good. Though they ceded a single marker in the fifth, the four runs were enough for the victory.

Jacob Bald started and pitched well, hurling 68 pitches for the Mariners. Max McLaughlan (five) and Marcus Graham (21) closed the win out. Mack Turley caught the entire game.

For the D’Backs it was Nick Pascutti (61) and Mason Lundi (14) on the bump and Phareel Peni behind the plate.

The D’Backs Blue (0-7-1) are still looking for their first win while the Mariners victory ups their mark to 4-2.

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 8, Geelong Baycats 2

More than any other so far this campaign, this game showed why this A’s squad is the gold standard for the Junior League Charter Academy. They scored early and often, plating three in the first and four in the second to take to take a commanding 7-0 lead.

And their pitching was stellar. Starter Henry Hayman threw 4.1 innings, allowing only four hits and two earned runs while striking out three on 64 pitches. Dan Anderson (12 pitches) closed the game out with a strong two-thirds of an inning when he struck out one. Harvey Mitchell Hill caught the entire game for the A’s.

At the dish, Zachary Busch paced Eastern with two hits while leadoff hitter James Keam and Reece Longstaff added one apiece.

The defense was stellar too with a 4-3 double play on a line drive ended the Baycats fourth-inning rally.

In a losing effort, many Baycats hit the ball well. Travis Duxson, Tom Renouf, Nick Hau and Max Shaw-Vaalepu all had knocks. And all-everything Jarryd Wood supplied all his team’s runs with a two run homer in the fourth.

Connor Hughes (75) started the game and threw three innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits and three walks. He also struck out a trio of batters. Angus McNee (24) finished the game, walking two and allowing a run in one inning of work.

Eugene Gay and Shaw-Vaalepu split the catching duties.

Now 7-1, the Gold team is alone atop the ladder. Geelong falls to 7-3 with the loss.

Southern Mariners (B) 8, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 4

All four Southern Mariners squads (both the Under 12 and Under 14s) have shown a remarkable amount of resilience this season.

This game was a masterclass based on that thesis.

Down 1-0 after a half-inning and 4-2 after the top of the second, the Mariners came back with five runs in the last of the third before shutting down the D’Backs in the top of the fourth to secure the victory.

Mariners Joel Ausen (43 pitches), Shelby Roberts (15) and Matt West (two) did well on the mound and Cade Johnson performed admirably behind the plate.

For the D’Backs, Oscar Tashradort (52) and Nathan Smith (34) took the hill and Warun Peljah caught the entire game.

The win gave them a weekend sweep of the D’Backs and improved their record to 5-2 on the year while the opposing Red squad remained winless at 0-6-1.

Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 6, Southern Mariners (A) 5

What a game! Desperate for their first victory of the season, the D’Backs scratched and clawed—and then held on for dear life—before finally claiming a 6-5 triumph.

The D’Backs got off to a great start, scoring a run in the top of the first. The Mariners A team, however, answered right back. After a scoreless second, the Blue squad plated two in the third, only to see the Mariners once again answer back with a single run.

Three runs in the fourth gave the D’Backs a 6-2 advantage—and they would need every last run as the never-say-die Mariners scored three in the bottom of the fourth to nearly even the contest.

The winning D’Backs staff was anchored by Harvey Hadlon (25 pitches) and also featured hurlers Jonah Hope (21), Trenell Hutchins (20) and closer Yoshiki Sutherland (21). Zach Kallis and Julius Crinc performed the catching duties.

For the Mariners, Rhys Fairweather (70) and Blake Holding (34) did the pitching and Chris Neilson caught the whole contest.

The split of games on the weekend leave the Southern Mariners (A) team a game below .500 with a 3-4 mark while the D’Backs (Blue) are now 1-7-1 on the season.

Here is how the comp stands after the fifth round: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10392&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0#ladder. Next week the Under 12s are back in action. Check back here for a full report of all six games.

Geelong Baycats 6, Eastern Athletics (Green) 3

The Baycats scored once in the first, added another in the second and three in the third before tacking on an insurance marker in the sixth to greatly improve their chances of victory.

The win put the Baycats at 7-2 heading into their second tilt; the A’s (Green) side fell back to .500 with a 3-3-2 mark.

Southern Mariners (A) 3, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 2

Jai Cebular (47 pitches) and Cam Zimmerman (31) were excellent on the hill and Malcolm Elliot caught the entire game.

Across the diamond, Adam Tsadakis did the same behind the dish with Bailey Marcola (65) and Julius Crino (14) handling the pitching duties.

The win gets the A team back up to .500 with a 3-3 mark while the D’Backs Red team falls to 0-5-1.

Southern Mariners (B) 4, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 3

One big inning was all the Southern Mariners B side needed to come away with a huge win.

Jacob Bald started and pitched well, hurling 68 pitches for the Mariners. Max McLaughlan (five) and Marcus Graham (21) closed the win out. Mack Turley caught the entire game.

For the D’Backs it was Nick Pascutti (61) and Mason Lundi (14) on the bump and Phareel Peni behind the plate.

The D’Backs Blue (0-7-1) are still looking for their first win while the Mariners victory ups their mark to 4-2.

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 8, Geelong Baycats 2

At the dish, Zachary Busch paced Eastern with two hits while leadoff hitter James Keam and Reece Longstaff added one apiece.

The defense was stellar too with a 4-3 double play on a line drive ended the Baycats fourth-inning rally.

Eugene Gay and Shaw-Vaalepu split the catching duties.

Now 7-1, the Gold team is alone atop the ladder. Geelong falls to 7-3 with the loss.

Southern Mariners (B) 8, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 4

All four Southern Mariners squads (both the Under 12 and Under 14s) have shown a remarkable amount of resilience this season.

This game was a masterclass based on that thesis.

Mariners Joel Ausen (43 pitches), Shelby Roberts (15) and Matt West (two) did well on the mound and Cade Johnson performed admirably behind the plate.

For the D’Backs, Oscar Tashradort (52) and Nathan Smith (34) took the hill and Warun Peljah caught the entire game.

The win gave them a weekend sweep of the D’Backs and improved their record to 5-2 on the year while the opposing Red squad remained winless at 0-6-1.

Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 6, Southern Mariners (A) 5

What a game! Desperate for their first victory of the season, the D’Backs scratched and clawed—and then held on for dear life—before finally claiming a 6-5 triumph.

Three runs in the fourth gave the D’Backs a 6-2 advantage—and they would need every last run as the never-say-die Mariners scored three in the bottom of the fourth to nearly even the contest.

For the Mariners, Rhys Fairweather (70) and Blake Holding (34) did the pitching and Chris Neilson caught the whole contest.

The split of games on the weekend leave the Southern Mariners (A) team a game below .500 with a 3-4 mark while the D’Backs (Blue) are now 1-7-1 on the season.

Doncaster 4, Footscray 3

In a great game worthy of the postseason, the Dragons eked past the Bulldogs, 4-3, to advance to Saturday’s preliminary final against the Bombers.

Footscray’s season ends with a 4-12 mark while Doncaster improves their record to 9-8 with the win.

Springvale 16, Essendon 6

All year long the Lions have dominated, winning 14 of their 15 regular season games.

Saturday was no different.

They scored twice in the first and traded runs in the third before the Bombers exploded for four runs in the fourth, putting them ahead of the Bombers, 6-4. Undaunted, the Lions roared back, plating one in the fourth, another eight in the fifth and three more in the sixth to finish off the game.

With the victory, Springvale (15-1) will host the Grand Final on Saturday 5 March. It will be either a rematch with Essendon (9-7) or a clash with resurgent Doncaster.

The Bombers host the Dragons this coming Saturday at noon in the preliminary final.

In a great game worthy of the postseason, the Dragons eked past the Bulldogs, 4-3, to advance to Saturday’s preliminary final against the Bombers.

Footscray’s season ends with a 4-12 mark while Doncaster improves their record to 9-8 with the win.

Springvale 16, Essendon 6

All year long the Lions have dominated, winning 14 of their 15 regular season games.

Saturday was no different.

With the victory, Springvale (15-1) will host the Grand Final on Saturday 5 March. It will be either a rematch with Essendon (9-7) or a clash with resurgent Doncaster.

The Bombers host the Dragons this coming Saturday at noon in the preliminary final.

Research 11, Ormond Glenhuntly 2

Hitting, hitting, hitting. If the Roadrunners had a team philosophy, that adage would undoubtedly figure prominently. And in their semifinal tilt on Sunday, hit is exactly what they did.

Research scored once in the first, three in the second, five in the fourth, once in the fifth and a cherry-on-top marker in the eighth to provide the final margin.

The Hunters got their single runs in the third and fifth frames.

Ormond Glenhuntly’s season ends with an 8-12 record while Research (8-9) continues on their quest for a premiership when they travel to Mulgrave to compete in the preliminary final on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Pakenham 11, Mulgrave 8

Three games. Three Pakenham losses. All by an average of eight runs and no games were closer than four.

But that is why they play the game.

Despite being down 3-0 after five, the Pumas pounced in the sixth, scoring three runs before adding four more in the seventh, three in the eighth and an insurance marker in the ninth.

The Rebels parried Pakenham’s thrust by scoring three in the sixth to go back up 6-3 but couldn’t muster any runs in the seventh and only single markers in the eighth and ninth innings while the Pumas continued to pummel the baseball.

The loss was the first of the year for Mulgrave (their near-perfect 16-0-1 record’s only blemish a tie to St Kilda), but it does not end their season.

While Pakenham is now poised to host the Grand Final on Sunday 6 March, Mulgrave heads home to host the white-hot Roadrunners from Research. First pitch is this coming Sunday at 2 p.m.

Hitting, hitting, hitting. If the Roadrunners had a team philosophy, that adage would undoubtedly figure prominently. And in their semifinal tilt on Sunday, hit is exactly what they did.

Research scored once in the first, three in the second, five in the fourth, once in the fifth and a cherry-on-top marker in the eighth to provide the final margin.

The Hunters got their single runs in the third and fifth frames.

Pakenham 11, Mulgrave 8

Three games. Three Pakenham losses. All by an average of eight runs and no games were closer than four.

But that is why they play the game.

Despite being down 3-0 after five, the Pumas pounced in the sixth, scoring three runs before adding four more in the seventh, three in the eighth and an insurance marker in the ninth.

The loss was the first of the year for Mulgrave (their near-perfect 16-0-1 record’s only blemish a tie to St Kilda), but it does not end their season.

While Pakenham is now poised to host the Grand Final on Sunday 6 March, Mulgrave heads home to host the white-hot Roadrunners from Research. First pitch is this coming Sunday at 2 p.m.

Ballarat 11, Port Melbourne 8

A big six-run fourth was the difference in a very exciting tilt between two teams who had higher hopes when the season began.

The Brewers scored twice in the second before getting those six runs in the fourth. After the Mariners tallied five times in the fifth, Ballarat came right back with two in the bottom half to cushion their lead.

Port Melbourne scored once in seventh and another in the eighth to pull within two. On this day, though, the Brewers would not be denied a victory. They scored one final time in the eighth and shut them out in the ninth to earn the well-fought win.

The Mariners were led at the plate by all-everything Will Musson who went 2-3 with a run and an RBI. Seven other players contributed one single apiece and Justin Lake paced the team with two RBI. Aaron Petri crossed the place twice for Port Melbourne.

Across the diamond the hitting parade was led by Leigh Ashmore and Hamish Burrows, who both contributed three singles. George Davidson, Ethan Etheridge, David Haehl and Ricky Howell each had two hits, including Davidson’s two doubles. Howell had a three-bagger and Davidson and Ashmore both knocked in three runs.

The win upped Ballarat’s mark to 12-14-1 on the season while the loss dropped Port Melbourne to last place with a 6-20 record.

Bonbeach 8, Williamstown 3

Another six-run inning proved crucial in a Division 2 tilt when the Bluejays had that many players cross the plate in the second home frame.

The Wolves roared back with three in the fifth but Bonbeach was too much after that, scoring two insurance runs in the seventh and keeping Williamstown off the scoreboard the rest of the game.

The Bluejays were led by Mitchell Sheldon-Collins (2-3 with two runs and an RBI) and Andrew Webber (2-4 with a run and a double). Adam Major also had a two-bagger and drove in one and Brendan Kelly had two RBI.

The Wolves had four players record two hits each (all singles) and Scott Meager and Kile Rogers had the two runs batted in.

Bonbeach finished the year in a tie for seventh with Berwick City, both with identical 10-17 records. Williamstown was fifth with a 13-14 mark.

Malvern 6, Berwick City 3

Needing a win and a Port Melbourne loss to stay out of the cellar, the Braves played a fantastic game and downed a determined Cougars side, 6-3.

Down 1-0 after half an inning, they tallied three times in the first only to see Berwick City score twice in the third to tie the game. There it stayed until the Braves erupted for three in the seventh to finish the scoring.

Scott Ashton, Geoffrey Holland and Simon Willox each had two hits for the victors. Geoffrey Holland had a triple and two RBI to lead the team.

Malvern (7-20) finished a half-game ahead of Port Melbourne for second-to-last and Berwick City (10-17) tied with Bonbeach for seventh.

Moorabbin 11, Upwey Ferntree Gully 2

In an intriguing tilt between two finals-bound teams, the top-of-the-table Panthers used a formidable five-inning surge to down a proud Tigers team, 11-2.

Moorabbin scored three times in the third, once in the fourth, twice each in fifth and sixth and added three runs in the seventh to bury Upwey. The Tigers only managed single markers in the sixth and eighth innings.

Nicholas Rice and Jarrod Turner had the lone RBI for Upwey with Turner the only Tiger to have more than one hit.

Across the diamond, three players—Nick O’Shea, Ben Laux and Andrew Katz—had more than one knock with Laux and Brendan Wilson registering doubles. Ricky Wheeler had three runs batted in and Laux had four.

The win, Moorabbin’s 23^rd of the season in just 26 games, gives them plenty of momentum as they ready to face fourth place Upwey (15-12) in a best-of-three series beginning tomorrow night at Melbourne Ballpark. First pitch is 7.30 p.m.

Werribee 2, Fitzroy 0

A scheduling quirk also facilitated a preview of the other semifinal matchup on the season’s final day.

Though there was little to play for save the purity of the game, this remarkable contest went 12 innings before a run crossed the plate.

In the top of the final frame, Reece Haywood came through with the team’s lone RBI. He had one of the Giants six hits, scattered throughout the dozen innings. Matthew Howe and Jonathon Lowe scored the team’s runs.

For the side that fell just short in this scintillating game, Danny King and Brock Pawley both had two hits and Luke McLean added a double.

John Muchan paced the Lions with two sacrifice bunts.

First pitch is scheduled for 7.30 tomorrow night at Preston Ballpark as Werribee (21-5-1) and Fitzroy (15-10-1) go toe-to-toe in a best-of-three series.

A big six-run fourth was the difference in a very exciting tilt between two teams who had higher hopes when the season began.

The win upped Ballarat’s mark to 12-14-1 on the season while the loss dropped Port Melbourne to last place with a 6-20 record.

Bonbeach 8, Williamstown 3

Another six-run inning proved crucial in a Division 2 tilt when the Bluejays had that many players cross the plate in the second home frame.

The Wolves roared back with three in the fifth but Bonbeach was too much after that, scoring two insurance runs in the seventh and keeping Williamstown off the scoreboard the rest of the game.

The Wolves had four players record two hits each (all singles) and Scott Meager and Kile Rogers had the two runs batted in.

Bonbeach finished the year in a tie for seventh with Berwick City, both with identical 10-17 records. Williamstown was fifth with a 13-14 mark.

Malvern 6, Berwick City 3

Needing a win and a Port Melbourne loss to stay out of the cellar, the Braves played a fantastic game and downed a determined Cougars side, 6-3.

Scott Ashton, Geoffrey Holland and Simon Willox each had two hits for the victors. Geoffrey Holland had a triple and two RBI to lead the team.

Malvern (7-20) finished a half-game ahead of Port Melbourne for second-to-last and Berwick City (10-17) tied with Bonbeach for seventh.

Moorabbin 11, Upwey Ferntree Gully 2

In an intriguing tilt between two finals-bound teams, the top-of-the-table Panthers used a formidable five-inning surge to down a proud Tigers team, 11-2.

Nicholas Rice and Jarrod Turner had the lone RBI for Upwey with Turner the only Tiger to have more than one hit.

Werribee 2, Fitzroy 0

A scheduling quirk also facilitated a preview of the other semifinal matchup on the season’s final day.

Though there was little to play for save the purity of the game, this remarkable contest went 12 innings before a run crossed the plate.

For the side that fell just short in this scintillating game, Danny King and Brock Pawley both had two hits and Luke McLean added a double.

John Muchan paced the Lions with two sacrifice bunts.

First pitch is scheduled for 7.30 tomorrow night at Preston Ballpark as Werribee (21-5-1) and Fitzroy (15-10-1) go toe-to-toe in a best-of-three series.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

Baseball Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, Simone Wearne, as Manager of the National Women’s Team – The Emeralds.

Arguably one of the best female ball players this country has produced, the eleven times Australian representative retired from elite competition in 2008, after ten years of State and National representative baseball. Simone was a member of the Women’s National team from 2001 to 2008 competing in 4 World Series and 3 World Cups, resulting in her 2012 induction into the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame – the only female to ever receive the honour.

With years of playing success under her belt, Wearne provides leadership and stability both on and off the field. A true mentor to all female players of the game, Simone understands what it takes to be successful on the diamond but also knows the sense of pride that can only come from playing for your country.

“It’s a huge honour for me as a coach, to be given the opportunity to lead the Women’s National Team for another year and compete at the World Cup”, said Wearne. “The Women’s program has developed some really talented players over the years, and the caliber of the ones coming through the ranks now, makes me excited to think what the future holds for Australian Women’s Baseball”.

With focus now on the Emeralds preparations for the VIII WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup, which will take place September 3 to 11, in Gijang City, South Korea, Baseball Australia is confident that under the helm of Wearne, The Emeralds will continue the success of past World Cup campaigns.

“The knowledge and experience that Simone brings to the table, will be integral to the success of the Women’s Team at the WBSC Women’s World Cup”, Baseball Australia’s Head of High Performance Glenn Williams.

The seventh edition of the Women’s World Cup will see the number of countries competing expanded, from the eight who took part at Miyazaki, Japan two years ago, to twelve for 2016 event. Tournament hosts, South Korea make their return to the competition along with current World Cup Champions Japan, United States, Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, The Netherlands and Australia.

Baseball Australia wishes to congratulate Simone on her appointment.

Simone's Coaching and Support staff will be announced in the coming months along with the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Schedule.

Baseball Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, Simone Wearne, as Manager of the National Women’s Team – The Emeralds.

Baseball Australia wishes to congratulate Simone on her appointment.

Simone's Coaching and Support staff will be announced in the coming months along with the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Schedule.

Premiership Coach Commits to Research Lower Plenty Baseball Club

After the Clubs 60^th anniversary season and a year that saw the Research Lower Plenty Baseball Club capture both the MWBL A Grade and A Reserve Premierships.The Research Lower Plenty Baseball Club is proud to announce that Thomas Dicker has been appointed as the Club Coach for Seasons 2016 and 2017. Thomas has been instrumental in leading the club to its most successful period and will be working towards capturing back to back A Grade premierships, a feat the Club has never achieved.

Given a large proportion of the baseball community is still participating in the Summer League, Thomas has announced that winter basic- preseason training will begin from Wednesday the 9^th of March

Training will start at 6pm, continuing from the 9^th of March each Wednesday at Glenauburn Park, Lower Plenty through till the start of the MWBL season.

Thomas has also scheduled a Practice game for Saturday 2nd April, starting from 10am.The Research Lower Plenty Baseball club currently has 5 x senior teams and 4 x junior teams scheduled to participate in the upcoming season.

If you are interested in playing this season please visit the clubs website www.research.baseball.com.au for further information and contact details.

The Club currently has both Senior coaching and playing position vacancy’s for those interested please don’t hesitate to contact any of the clubs key personal.

Both the A’s and Mariners were undefeated on the weekend in the latest iteration of the Under 12s contingent in the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy.

Southern Mariners (A) 8, Geelong Baycats 5

Resilience, experience and chutzpah: All were on display in equal measure as the host Southern Mariners (A) team rallied from a mid-game 5-0 deficit to score eight runs in the last three innings and record the victory.

The Mariners scored two in the bottom of the third, added a couple more in the fourth before sealing the game with a four-run fifth.

Five pitchers took the hill for Southern, throwing a combined 80 pitches. Across the diamond, just three hurlers (85 pitches) threw for Geelong.

The win boosted the Mariners record to 6-2 on the season. The Baycats, meanwhile, fell to 3-6.

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 13, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9

The A’s (Gold) started fast, blanking the D’Backs (Orange) in the top of the first and then scoring four times in their home half. They ceded two runs in the second but then came right back to score five of their own, taking a 9-2 lead.

Northern kept coming, scoring twice in the third only to see Eastern score four more runs. Resilient though the D’Backs were—they scored four more in the top of the fourth—they could never catch the A’s, falling by four runs.

The A’s were led on the mound by starter Bronson Neave (16 pitches), followed by Austin Neave (57) and James Jones (29).

Sam Skinner (57) and Lachlan Davis (50) handled the pitching duties for the D’Backs.

The Gold’s win put them at 5-3 on the season while the Orange team dropped to 2-5.

Eastern Athletics (Green) 10, Northern Diamondback (Green) 3

This one was over early with the A’s (Green) team putting up five in the first, two in the second, one in the third and two in the fourth to win going away, 10-3.

Nick Parton (61 pitches) was stellar on the mound for the first three innings before he was replaced by Kobi Lyon (18). Austin Thorne and Zac Dawes split the catching duties.

For the D’Backs, Zac Gorman started and threw 62 pitches before leaving the mound for Denzel Pelelometi (19) and Joel Prpic (19). Joshua Dawson caught the entire game.

The win put the A’s in a first way tie with the Southern Mariners (A) team with identical 6-2 records. The Green team fell to 1-6.

Southern Mariners (B) 8. Geelong Baycats 7

Undoubtedly inspired by their brethren in the first game of the doubleheader, the Mariners (B) side put together a scintillating come back of their own, trailing 3-0 early they rallied for four in the second to the take the lead, then lost it in the third (trailed 6-5) and were down 7-5 in the bottom of the last when with two outs they scored three runs on a double and an error by the Baycats’ center fielder.

What made it even sweeter for the Mariners was who hit that winning two-bagger: Tyler Ellis. It’s the same Ellis who started the game but didn’t record an out, giving up three earned runs after loading the bases on a hit and three walks before departing for reliever Josh Tribe.

Ellis (20 pitches), Tribe (29), Joel Poole (23) and Cooper Williamson (37) handled the duties on the mound.

At the plate, Tribe, Ellis, Matt Kaplan, Tahj Russell and Flynn Lhuede all had hits while Joel Poole had two knocks.

Hudson Carter of the Baycats had three hits, Cooper Tipping two and Jordan Baumann, Josh Smith and Maxton Sherry one apiece.

Carter (46 pitches) and Hayden Peoples (53) threw for the Baycats and Harper Rickard caught the entire game.

The loss drops the Baycats to 3-7 and ups the Mariners B side to 5-3.

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 6

What a cracker of a game! Down three in the bottom of the last, the A’s (Gold) team scored four to win in a walk-off, 7-6.

The D’Backs started well, scoring one in the first and led 2-1 heading to the bottom of the second.

They let in three runs but responded with five of their own to lead 6-3 after three. That was the three-run deficit when the Gold capped their heroics in the last of the fourth.

Ethan Scalzo (58 pitches) started before giving way to Lachlan O’Connor who entered in the second and only threw 29 pitches.

Connor Sahbeci (64) and Campbell Hutton (14) handled the pitching duties for the D’Backs.

With the two victories, Gold is now in third place with a 6-3 record. Struggling so far this season, Green is now 1-7 on the season.

Eastern Athletics (Green) 13, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9

It wasn’t pretty, but the A’s came away with their fourth victory of the weekend by hitting extremely well all game.

Down 2-0 after a half inning, they scored five in their half of the first. Fully keeping the momentum, the Green team shut down Orange in the second and then scored five more runs to lead 10-2 after two.

Undaunted, the D’Backs tallied four of their own to close the gap but would get no closer. The A’s scored three in the bottom of the third and though they gave up three more in top of the fourth, the result was never really in doubt.

The A’s Charlie O’Connell caught the whole game for Kynan Jones (62 pitches), Tyler Evans (18) and Austin Thorne (16).

Adam Jirik (18), Mace Poole (19) and Jaycob Pascuzzi (52) threw to Jimin Lee for the D’Backs.

The win puts the A’s Green team one-half game ahead of the Southern Mariners (A) team for top-of-the-ladder status. The Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) falls to 2-6 on the season.

Here is how the comp stands after the fifth round: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10393&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0#ladder. Next week the Under 14s are back in action. Check back here for a full report of all six games.