SYDNEY, NSW – Overcoming an early deficit and a slow start in their first game of the World Baseball Classic Qualifier, Team Australia’s Southern Thunder took down the Philippines 11-1 in seven innings on Thursday night at Blue Sox Stadium in Sydney.
Aussie shortstop and Minnesota Twins minor leaguer James Beresford led the offensive charge with four hits in the game, driving in three runs for the home side. Participating in his third WBCevent, the 27-year-old native of Victoria helped to back a solid six-inning start from Canberra’s Steve Kent. The left-handed Atlanta Braves farmhand allowed one run on four hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.
“Kent was outstanding tonight,” Aussie manager Jon Deeble said. “That first inning he really battled, and he started changing speeds in the third or fourth inning. He was dominant today and Beresford really swung the bat well, as did Logan Wade [who doubled twice in the matchup]. We had some hard hits…it was a good all-around effort.”
The underdog Philippines squad took a lead in the opening frame of the matchup, with third baseman Brady Conlan driving in the team’s only run of the game in the first, bringing Twins farmhand – and Beresford’s teammate for the last three seasons – Eric Farris around after he led off the game with an infield single for the visitors.
“That was a really tough ballclub,” Deeble said. “The score did not indicate how good they are. They’ve got some good arms and an athletic infield. It is going to be a tough tournament and tomorrow is another day.”
Team Australia came back with a run in the bottom half of the first, went ahead with one in the second and added two in the fifth, before ending the game with a seven-run seventh and sealing the deal with a 10-run lead and international game-ending rules taking effect.
“It was a tough way to end it because we played a pretty solid game,” Philippines skipper Tim Hulett said. “We made some mistakes early but they didn’t fold because of them, and we were in the ballgame. [Visiting starter J.R.] Bunda did a fantastic job. He was a little bit of an unknown for us but…he was really competing well.”
Added Beresford: “Don’t let that score fool you. They’ve actually got some guys on that team who can really play. We blew it open a little bit at the end but we’re not looking at that as a 10-run win. It was kind of a three or four-run game for most of the game.”
Philippines righty Bunda went 2 1/3 innings before leaving the game after straining his throwing elbow. The right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits, walking two and striking out one. The visiting squad followed with five different relievers, including big-league southpaw Clay Rapada, whose WBC Qualifier appearance marks the end of his playing career.
“It was nice to come out here; the experience to me is priceless,” Rapada said. “Our nation has it tough coming out here, not being in season. I was impressed with how our guys battled…I gave them what I had tonight. I have to tip my cap to these guys; they’ve got a good squad.”
Australian first baseman Stefan Welch had three RBI in the matchup, and former big leaguer Trent Oeltjen drove in two of his own. Veteran major league hurler Peter Moylan threw the seventh inning and struck out the side.
“Team Australia is a very good team,” Hulett said. “There were no weaknesses in the lineup. There was not one guy where you felt like, okay, we can get by this guy. They all swung the bat well, they played the game the right way, it was very impressive.”
With the win, the Southern Thunder will match up against South Africa on Friday night, following the battle between winless squads New Zealand and the Philippines during the day.
“It’s always hard to come out in these competition games; the first game is really important,” Beresford said. “All the boys knew that from the get-go and we put some good at-bats together to start, and obviously Steve Kent had an outstanding game, which got us off to a good start. Now we prepare for tomorrow and hopefully put another good performance up there.”
To keep up to date with the latest Southern Thunder information make sure you follow Team Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Story and Photo Credit to Alexis Brudnicki
Baseball Victoria is happy to announce the 2016 State Winter Championship dates and venues.
We are looking forward to working with each association and making each tournament a huge success.
Official release is below. If you have any further questions feel free to contact the office on (03) 9645 8000.
With Team Australia’s first game of the World Baseball Classic Qualifier just hours away, a call to arms has been issued from the team to the Australian Baseball community and newcomers, to come out to Blacktown and paint the town green and gold.
The Southern Thunder will line up against the Philippines on Diamond 1 at Blacktown International Sportspark at 7.30pm (local time) tonight as tournament favourites, boasting 26 of the 28 man roster having played in the Minor Leagues or higher.
“We have already proven that when we are at our best, we can match it with any given side in the world on any day” Team Australia Manager Jon Deeble said. “We know we can win, but we know we’ll have to be at our best to do it.”
Tournaments on home soil are few and far between for Team Australia, so to have the Qualifiers in our own backyard gives Aussie Fans the chance to catch the best of the best baseball talent in our country.
So let’s meet your Team Australia
PITCHERS
Travis Blackley
Peter Moylan
Ryan Rowland-Smith
Ryan Searle
Matt Williams
Justin Erasmus
Sam Gibbons
Wayne Lundgren
Todd Van Steensel
Josh Tols
Matt Timms
Steven Kent
Steven Chambers
Warwick Saupold
CATCHERS
Allan De San Miguel
Trent D'Antonio
Robbie Perkins
INFIELD
Mitch Nilsson
James Beresford
Brad Harman
Luke Hughes
Stefan Welch
Logan Wade
OUTFIELD
Mitch Denning
Trent Oeltjen
Aaron Whitefield
David Sutherland
Tickets are still available here or they can be purchased at the gate.
Team Australia's WBCQ schedule
To stay up to date with the latest Team Australia news head to our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Baseball enthusiasts interested in helping increase women’s participation in the sport are invited to nominate for a new “Women and Girls Working Group” announced at Baseball Victoria’s Annual General Meeting last night.
Both men and women are eligible to be part of the new group, which aims to address a steady decline in participation numbers and team entries for female baseball players.
Applications will be assessed based on the individual’s capability, commitment, and enthusiasm to work collaboratively to improve participation of women and girls’ baseball in Victoria. Final membership numbers will be based on quality of applicants.
In addition to addressing the decrease in females playing baseball, the group will review outcomes from the Women’s and Girls Forum last April and provide recommendations. It also will work on formulating a pathway that trains and develops our female participants and keeps them playing baseball.
“This working group will play an important role in formulating how Baseball Victoria and its members can address the issues in women’s and girls’ baseball,” General Manager Ashley Blair said.
“It will also help formulate the strategies and structures to be put in place to increase female participants and ensure the future success of female baseball players in this state.”
The group’s primary objectives include:
Meeting on a bi-monthly basis, the group will be chaired by Baseball Victoria Board Director Sonia Heath and include Women’s Program Officer Bronwyn Gell; four key members from the Women and Girls Forum; a standing open invitation to the president and general manager of Baseball Victoria and consultation from the broader forum if needed.
“This new group represents an exciting new chapter for women’s baseball in Victoria and I look forward to being part of a team committed to driving participation in women’s sport,” Sonia Heath said.
Selected individuals will have the necessary skills and expertise required to achieve the group’s objectives; are available to attend all scheduled meetings and willing to consult broadly and be appropriately informed on all agenda items; will uphold confidentiality standards and will display no member-based representation or bias.
Any and all issues and progress updates and recommendations will be made from the group to the Baseball Victoria board.
Please send all nominations to Baseball Victoria General Manager Ashley Blair. All applications will be reviewed and assessed by Sonia Heath and Blair.
The deadline for submitting an application is close of business on Friday 4 March 2016.
Photo courtesy of Springvale Baseball Club.
Stirring comebacks, valiant efforts that fell just short and home runs highlighted last weekend’s slate of six games between the Under 14s in the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Northern Diamondback (Blue) 2
A killer start by the Eastern A’s (Gold) team made for quick work of the host D’Backs. Eastern scored five runs in the top of the first and then added two more in the third. Though Northern tallied two of their own in the bottom half of that last inning it was not enough.
James Koam was brilliant on the mound for the A’s, throwing 65 pitches. Teammate Harvey Mitchelhill mopped up with the final seven pitches. Damon Hill and Jordyn Cavanagh split the catching duties.
For the D’Backs it was Trannel Hutchins and Bailey Marcola, each throwing exactly 44 pitches, all to backstop Julius Crino.
The victory was the A’s fifth in six games; D’Backs Blue drops to 0-6.
Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 5, Eastern Athletics (Green) 5
Off all the Junior League Charter games played so far, this one involved the best comeback. Unfortunately it was one run too few to garner the D’Backs (Red) team their first victory.
Still their five run fifth was impressive in its own right and it ensured that they did not start the campaign with their fourth straight defeat.
Zach Busch pitched magically for the Eastern A’s side, throwing 58 pitches in four frames. Charlie Collins struggled in his one inning of relief.
Across the diamond, Nathan Smith pitched into the third and was relieved by Aaron Rodgers.
The stirring inning improved the D’Backs record to 0-3-1 on the season while the A’s now sit at 3-2-1 after six games.
Geelong Baycats 7, Southern Mariners (A) 4
Five runs in the first were key to Geelong’s victory. Adding insurance markers in the third and fourth also proved decisive as the Mariners fought back to score once in the third and three times in the fourth.
Home runs from both sides—Jarryd Wood (one of his two hits) went deep for the Baycats and Dante Caruso did likewise for the Mariners—highlighted a hitting clinic. Thomas Renouf also had two knocks and both Eugene Gay and Connor Hickey had a hit apiece for Geelong.
Marcus Graham had the lone other base hit for the Southern side.
The Baycats were led on the mound by Angus McNee (one earned run in three innings on 57 pitches), Ethan Tipping and Will Brennan.
Wood caught the whole game.
For the Mariners it was Joel Anson (32 pitches) and Josh Smith (19) on the mound and Malcolm Elliott and Cade Johnston on the mound.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 9, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 5
The A’s (Gold) recorded their sixth win in seven games thanks to dominant innings (the second and third) when they scored five and four runs, respectively. Though they also ceded four in the second and one in the third, their total was more than enough to ensure victory.
Damon Hill, Dan Anderson and Koetsu Sakamoto all pitched very well and Harvey Mitchell-Hill was excellent behind the plate.
The D’Backs (Red) squad had Oskar Teschendorff and Nick Pascuzzi on the mound and Harun Pelja behind the dish.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 9, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 9
In an exhilarating contest, the Green A’s and Blue D’Backs fought to an über-competitive 9-9 draw. With the tie, the A’s are now 3-2-2 and the D’Backs are 0-6-1.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Geelong Baycats 7
Four runs in each of the first two innings proved just enough for the Southern Mariners (B) side to eke out a one-run win against a strong Geelong Baycats team.
Similar to the D’Backs Red come-from-behind effort, the Baycats scored all their runs in the bottom half of the last inning, but it was not enough.
A triumvirate of hurlers—Malcolm Elliot (43 pitches, including four strikeouts and no earned runs), Josh Ashen (33) and Chris Neilson (13)—pitched the Mariners to victory; Cam Zimmerman caught the entire game.
For Geelong it was Kobe Greenhalgh (67) and Jarryd Wood (25) on the hill with Thomas Renouf and Eugene Gay sharing the catching duties. Wood struck out all six batters he faced.
At the plate, Ashen and Zimmerman each had a hit for the Mariners while Neilson had two; for the Baycats it was Connor Hickey, Angus McNee and Greenhalgh who contributed the knocks.
Here is how the comp stands after the fourth 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.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Northern Diamondback (Blue) 2
A killer start by the Eastern A’s (Gold) team made for quick work of the host D’Backs. Eastern scored five runs in the top of the first and then added two more in the third. Though Northern tallied two of their own in the bottom half of that last inning it was not enough.
James Koam was brilliant on the mound for the A’s, throwing 65 pitches. Teammate Harvey Mitchelhill mopped up with the final seven pitches. Damon Hill and Jordyn Cavanagh split the catching duties.
For the D’Backs it was Trannel Hutchins and Bailey Marcola, each throwing exactly 44 pitches, all to backstop Julius Crino.
The victory was the A’s fifth in six games; D’Backs Blue drops to 0-6.
Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 5, Eastern Athletics (Green) 5
Off all the Junior League Charter games played so far, this one involved the best comeback. Unfortunately it was one run too few to garner the D’Backs (Red) team their first victory.
Still their five run fifth was impressive in its own right and it ensured that they did not start the campaign with their fourth straight defeat.
Zach Busch pitched magically for the Eastern A’s side, throwing 58 pitches in four frames. Charlie Collins struggled in his one inning of relief.
Across the diamond, Nathan Smith pitched into the third and was relieved by Aaron Rodgers.
The stirring inning improved the D’Backs record to 0-3-1 on the season while the A’s now sit at 3-2-1 after six games.
Geelong Baycats 7, Southern Mariners (A) 4
Five runs in the first were key to Geelong’s victory. Adding insurance markers in the third and fourth also proved decisive as the Mariners fought back to score once in the third and three times in the fourth.
Home runs from both sides—Jarryd Wood (one of his two hits) went deep for the Baycats and Dante Caruso did likewise for the Mariners—highlighted a hitting clinic. Thomas Renouf also had two knocks and both Eugene Gay and Connor Hickey had a hit apiece for Geelong.
Marcus Graham had the lone other base hit for the Southern side.
The Baycats were led on the mound by Angus McNee (one earned run in three innings on 57 pitches), Ethan Tipping and Will Brennan.
Wood caught the whole game.
For the Mariners it was Joel Anson (32 pitches) and Josh Smith (19) on the mound and Malcolm Elliott and Cade Johnston on the mound.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 9, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 5
The A’s (Gold) recorded their sixth win in seven games thanks to dominant innings (the second and third) when they scored five and four runs, respectively. Though they also ceded four in the second and one in the third, their total was more than enough to ensure victory.
Damon Hill, Dan Anderson and Koetsu Sakamoto all pitched very well and Harvey Mitchell-Hill was excellent behind the plate.
The D’Backs (Red) squad had Oskar Teschendorff and Nick Pascuzzi on the mound and Harun Pelja behind the dish.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 9, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 9
In an exhilarating contest, the Green A’s and Blue D’Backs fought to an über-competitive 9-9 draw. With the tie, the A’s are now 3-2-2 and the D’Backs are 0-6-1.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Geelong Baycats 7
Four runs in each of the first two innings proved just enough for the Southern Mariners (B) side to eke out a one-run win against a strong Geelong Baycats team.
Similar to the D’Backs Red come-from-behind effort, the Baycats scored all their runs in the bottom half of the last inning, but it was not enough.
A triumvirate of hurlers—Malcolm Elliot (43 pitches, including four strikeouts and no earned runs), Josh Ashen (33) and Chris Neilson (13)—pitched the Mariners to victory; Cam Zimmerman caught the entire game.
For Geelong it was Kobe Greenhalgh (67) and Jarryd Wood (25) on the hill with Thomas Renouf and Eugene Gay sharing the catching duties. Wood struck out all six batters he faced.
At the plate, Ashen and Zimmerman each had a hit for the Mariners while Neilson had two; for the Baycats it was Connor Hickey, Angus McNee and Greenhalgh who contributed the knocks.
Here is how the comp stands after the fourth 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.
Springvale 8, Doncaster 1
The Lions continued their dominant season, winning their 13th game against only one loss, with an 8-1 triumph over the host Dragons.
Jade Hough paced Springvale with two doubles (among her three hits) and both Sinead Flanigan and Shae Lillywhite had two knocks apiece. Both Lillywhite’s hits were triples (a rare feat) and both she and Flanigan knocked in two runs.
The Lions Simone Wearne and Victoria Brown combined to allow just eight hits while striking out four.
Doncaster was led by Erin Peterson’s three hits and Josephine Pope’s two singles. Both Belinda Cannington and Vanessa Clifford had doubles and Madeline Davis knocked in the sole run for the Dragons.
Essendon 10, Malvern 0
Three runs in the first, four in the second, one in the fifth and two in the sixth were more than enough for the Bombers to whitewash the Braves, 10-0.
Ursula Howard had a single and double in three trips for Malvern and Rose Burnfield registered the other hit, also a double.
To the victors go the spoils: 14 hits (interestingly none for extra bases), the parade led by Georgia Page’s three knocks. Bronwyn Gell, Abbey Kelly, Vibeke Pedersen and Leslie Anglin all had multiple hits as well. Thanks to two walks, Gell was the only Bomber to get on base all four plate appearances.
Footscray had the weekend off.
The Lions continued their dominant season, winning their 13th game against only one loss, with an 8-1 triumph over the host Dragons.
Jade Hough paced Springvale with two doubles (among her three hits) and both Sinead Flanigan and Shae Lillywhite had two knocks apiece. Both Lillywhite’s hits were triples (a rare feat) and both she and Flanigan knocked in two runs.
The Lions Simone Wearne and Victoria Brown combined to allow just eight hits while striking out four.
Doncaster was led by Erin Peterson’s three hits and Josephine Pope’s two singles. Both Belinda Cannington and Vanessa Clifford had doubles and Madeline Davis knocked in the sole run for the Dragons.
Essendon 10, Malvern 0
Three runs in the first, four in the second, one in the fifth and two in the sixth were more than enough for the Bombers to whitewash the Braves, 10-0.
Ursula Howard had a single and double in three trips for Malvern and Rose Burnfield registered the other hit, also a double.
To the victors go the spoils: 14 hits (interestingly none for extra bases), the parade led by Georgia Page’s three knocks. Bronwyn Gell, Abbey Kelly, Vibeke Pedersen and Leslie Anglin all had multiple hits as well. Thanks to two walks, Gell was the only Bomber to get on base all four plate appearances.
Footscray had the weekend off.
Mulgrave 20, Ormond Glenhuntly 10
Cover your eyes pitchers: this game was not for anyone who consistently toes-the-rubber.
Thirty runs in seven innings. The Rebels alone had 20 hits, including five from Nicholas Thompson and three each courtesy of Ben Hardman, Caleb Poole and Weekly Wrap contributor Lincoln Ladds.
Poole scored four times, Thompson knocked in that many, and Hardman went deep and drove in five.
Mulgrave was up 5-2 after one, 9-2 after three, 15-4 after four, 17-6 after six and scored twice after Ormond tallied four in the seventh to evoke the mercy rule.
With the victory, Mulgrave stays unbeaten, with their only blemish a tie to St Kilda in the season’s fourth week.
Pakenham 10, St Kilda 9
Considering the Saints lost their backstop (and beating heart of the team) Robby Lewis in the first inning after a nasty foul tip severely bruised his jaw, their performance was remarkable. Down 4-0 early, they rallied with six in the second, highlighted by a two-run double by Bryan Livett, Lewis’ replacement.
After both teams traded single runs in the third, the Pumas tied the contest with two in the bottom of the fourth.
There it remained until the über-dramatic ninth. St Kilda scored twice but some defensive miscues in the bottom half marred an epic 160 pitch performance by club coach Brett Elliott.
Research 10, Chelsea 3
Good pitching and robust hitting propelled the Roadrunners to a huge road win. Research had five players—Riley Cleeve, Ashley Grove, Steve Hulmes, Sam Mather and Mark Willmore—record multiple hits, with Mather contributing two doubles.
Footscray had a bye.
Cover your eyes pitchers: this game was not for anyone who consistently toes-the-rubber.
Thirty runs in seven innings. The Rebels alone had 20 hits, including five from Nicholas Thompson and three each courtesy of Ben Hardman, Caleb Poole and Weekly Wrap contributor Lincoln Ladds.
Poole scored four times, Thompson knocked in that many, and Hardman went deep and drove in five.
Mulgrave was up 5-2 after one, 9-2 after three, 15-4 after four, 17-6 after six and scored twice after Ormond tallied four in the seventh to evoke the mercy rule.
With the victory, Mulgrave stays unbeaten, with their only blemish a tie to St Kilda in the season’s fourth week.
Pakenham 10, St Kilda 9
Considering the Saints lost their backstop (and beating heart of the team) Robby Lewis in the first inning after a nasty foul tip severely bruised his jaw, their performance was remarkable. Down 4-0 early, they rallied with six in the second, highlighted by a two-run double by Bryan Livett, Lewis’ replacement.
After both teams traded single runs in the third, the Pumas tied the contest with two in the bottom of the fourth.
There it remained until the über-dramatic ninth. St Kilda scored twice but some defensive miscues in the bottom half marred an epic 160 pitch performance by club coach Brett Elliott.
Research 10, Chelsea 3
Good pitching and robust hitting propelled the Roadrunners to a huge road win. Research had five players—Riley Cleeve, Ashley Grove, Steve Hulmes, Sam Mather and Mark Willmore—record multiple hits, with Mather contributing two doubles.
Footscray had a bye.
Moorabbin 11, Berwick City 4
The visiting Panthers started strong and finished with equal force, tallying six runs in the first frame and then adding three more in the eighth and two in the ninth to close out the resounding win.
Cain Bumpstead starred for the victors, tallying three hits (including a double) and knocking in four. Seven more Panthers also contributed one hit each, with Ryan Phillips recording a double and Franco Vanderka plating two runs.
The home team scored their runs in third (one) and then had three Cougars cross the plate in the bottom of the ninth.
Upwey Ferntree Gully 5, Malvern 4
A 2-1 Braves lead entering the seventh was easily forgotten after six runs crossed the plate in that crucial frame.
Malvern initially added to their lead by plating two, but the Tigers pounced back immediately, scoring four runs to take a lead they would not relinquish.
Jarrod Turner paced the winning side with two hits and teammate Chris Williams had a couple RBI. Dylan Archer, Jordan Elliott and Peter Schroeders knocked in the other runs for Upwey, who did not record an extra base hit.
Malvern had three doubles and both Steven Carota and Robert Mescher contributed two hits each. Christopher Wall and Gavin Woolger both knocked in two runs.
Williamstown 7, Fitzroy 6
A patient, methodical approach netted the Wolves a 5-0 advantage heading into the top of the sixth. It was then that the Lions pounced, tallying twice before adding a single run in the seventh and three more in the top of the ninth to tie the game at six.
The last at bat, though, proved crucial as Williamstown walked off with a single run in the bottom of the ninth.
Justin Gourlay led the Wolves pack with three hits, including a double and two RBI. Braxton Conroy, Aaron Green, Scott Meager and Staci Rogers each contributed two knocks to the winning cause. Both of Conroy’s hits were doubles.
Fitzroy was led by Taylor Eichhorst’s four singles and two hits—including a home run and three runs batted in—for Alex Turlea.
Ballarat 8, Bonbeach 6
A wild game ended with an eerie calmness—and three consecutive scoreless innings. The contest started that way too but quickly escalated in the second when the Brewers scored twice (answered with one by the Bluejays), then two more in the third and one in the fourth before Bonbeach tied the game at five with four in the fourth.
A blank fifth frame begat a three run sixth for the Brewers but just one sole tally for the Bluejays, establishing the final margin.
Ballarat was led by Leigh Ashmore (3-5 with a run) and two hits each by David Haehl, Ricky Howell, Matthew Jones and Scott Kerr. Hamish Burrows and Howell both had doubles and Haehl knocked one out of the park. Burrows led the team with two runs batted in.
Multiple hit days were had by John Halse, Brenden Kelly, Mathew Prior and Andrew Webber. Kelly had two doubles and Prior contributed two of the six RBI.
Werribee 4, Port Melbourne 1
In an extremely well-pitched game, it was the batting of the Giants Jose Ruiz that made all the difference. His two hits included a double and the only two runs batted, which were key to Werribee’s win. Other single knocks were supplied by Wade Balzer (double), John Curnow, Daine Gregory and Reece Haywood.
Across the diamond, the Mariners only two hits were courtesy of Nicholas Coy’s double and a single by Matthew Parker.
The visiting Panthers started strong and finished with equal force, tallying six runs in the first frame and then adding three more in the eighth and two in the ninth to close out the resounding win.
Cain Bumpstead starred for the victors, tallying three hits (including a double) and knocking in four. Seven more Panthers also contributed one hit each, with Ryan Phillips recording a double and Franco Vanderka plating two runs.
The home team scored their runs in third (one) and then had three Cougars cross the plate in the bottom of the ninth.
Upwey Ferntree Gully 5, Malvern 4
A 2-1 Braves lead entering the seventh was easily forgotten after six runs crossed the plate in that crucial frame.
Malvern initially added to their lead by plating two, but the Tigers pounced back immediately, scoring four runs to take a lead they would not relinquish.
Jarrod Turner paced the winning side with two hits and teammate Chris Williams had a couple RBI. Dylan Archer, Jordan Elliott and Peter Schroeders knocked in the other runs for Upwey, who did not record an extra base hit.
Malvern had three doubles and both Steven Carota and Robert Mescher contributed two hits each. Christopher Wall and Gavin Woolger both knocked in two runs.
Williamstown 7, Fitzroy 6
A patient, methodical approach netted the Wolves a 5-0 advantage heading into the top of the sixth. It was then that the Lions pounced, tallying twice before adding a single run in the seventh and three more in the top of the ninth to tie the game at six.
The last at bat, though, proved crucial as Williamstown walked off with a single run in the bottom of the ninth.
Justin Gourlay led the Wolves pack with three hits, including a double and two RBI. Braxton Conroy, Aaron Green, Scott Meager and Staci Rogers each contributed two knocks to the winning cause. Both of Conroy’s hits were doubles.
Fitzroy was led by Taylor Eichhorst’s four singles and two hits—including a home run and three runs batted in—for Alex Turlea.
Ballarat 8, Bonbeach 6
A wild game ended with an eerie calmness—and three consecutive scoreless innings. The contest started that way too but quickly escalated in the second when the Brewers scored twice (answered with one by the Bluejays), then two more in the third and one in the fourth before Bonbeach tied the game at five with four in the fourth.
A blank fifth frame begat a three run sixth for the Brewers but just one sole tally for the Bluejays, establishing the final margin.
Ballarat was led by Leigh Ashmore (3-5 with a run) and two hits each by David Haehl, Ricky Howell, Matthew Jones and Scott Kerr. Hamish Burrows and Howell both had doubles and Haehl knocked one out of the park. Burrows led the team with two runs batted in.
Multiple hit days were had by John Halse, Brenden Kelly, Mathew Prior and Andrew Webber. Kelly had two doubles and Prior contributed two of the six RBI.
Werribee 4, Port Melbourne 1
In an extremely well-pitched game, it was the batting of the Giants Jose Ruiz that made all the difference. His two hits included a double and the only two runs batted, which were key to Werribee’s win. Other single knocks were supplied by Wade Balzer (double), John Curnow, Daine Gregory and Reece Haywood.
Across the diamond, the Mariners only two hits were courtesy of Nicholas Coy’s double and a single by Matthew Parker.