Mulgrave 13, Ormond Glenhuntly 1
Runs are fun! A silly baseball saying, certainly, but that doesn’t make it any less true. In their über-successful season so far, the Rebels usually have had little trouble scoring, tallying 102 runs, six more than Pakenham, their nearest competitor.
Sunday was a similar story. They plated four in the first, one in the second, six in the third and—after surrendering a lone run in the bottom of the fourth—they scored two more in the sixth to invoke a mercy-rule shortened seven inning contest.
Matthew Young pitched well for the victors, throwing six solid innings before being relieved by Stuart Phillips.
The win pushes Mulgrave to 8-0-1 on the season—their only blemish a home tie with St Kilda. The Hunters dropped to sixth, one point ahead of the Saints.
Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club
Chelsea 12, Research 10
The Roadrunners had them right where they wanted. Leading 6-0 after one and 8-0 after two, Research seemed in complete control of what would have been a huge win against a team one rung above them on the ladder.
But that’s why they play nine innings.
The Dolphins scored six of their own in the fifth to narrow the deficit to two, only to see the Roadrunners respond with a couple of their own in bottom half of the sixth.
After eight complete: Research 10, Chelsea 6.
In the ninth, the Dolphins erupted for six runs to take the lead. They closed out their improbable victory with a scoreless bottom half.
A swing game in the standings, Chelsea now have a four point lead on Research.
Pakenham 12, St Kilda 2
Bolstered by strong hitting and aided considerably by the Saints poor fielding, the Pumas won their road contest at Tom O’Halloran Field going away, 12-2.
Club coach Brett Elliott started for St Kilda and mostly pitched well, succumbing to some long innings—notably the fifth—due to easy misplays by his fielders.
Pakenham tallied single runs in every inning save the fifth. The Saints runs came in the fifth and sixth.
The Pumas remain just a point behind the Rebels but have played one additional game.
Footscray had a bye this weekend.
Runs are fun! A silly baseball saying, certainly, but that doesn’t make it any less true. In their über-successful season so far, the Rebels usually have had little trouble scoring, tallying 102 runs, six more than Pakenham, their nearest competitor.
Sunday was a similar story. They plated four in the first, one in the second, six in the third and—after surrendering a lone run in the bottom of the fourth—they scored two more in the sixth to invoke a mercy-rule shortened seven inning contest.
Matthew Young pitched well for the victors, throwing six solid innings before being relieved by Stuart Phillips.
The win pushes Mulgrave to 8-0-1 on the season—their only blemish a home tie with St Kilda. The Hunters dropped to sixth, one point ahead of the Saints.
Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club
Chelsea 12, Research 10
The Roadrunners had them right where they wanted. Leading 6-0 after one and 8-0 after two, Research seemed in complete control of what would have been a huge win against a team one rung above them on the ladder.
But that’s why they play nine innings.
The Dolphins scored six of their own in the fifth to narrow the deficit to two, only to see the Roadrunners respond with a couple of their own in bottom half of the sixth.
After eight complete: Research 10, Chelsea 6.
In the ninth, the Dolphins erupted for six runs to take the lead. They closed out their improbable victory with a scoreless bottom half.
A swing game in the standings, Chelsea now have a four point lead on Research.
Pakenham 12, St Kilda 2
Bolstered by strong hitting and aided considerably by the Saints poor fielding, the Pumas won their road contest at Tom O’Halloran Field going away, 12-2.
Club coach Brett Elliott started for St Kilda and mostly pitched well, succumbing to some long innings—notably the fifth—due to easy misplays by his fielders.
Pakenham tallied single runs in every inning save the fifth. The Saints runs came in the fifth and sixth.
The Pumas remain just a point behind the Rebels but have played one additional game.
Footscray had a bye this weekend.
Ballarat 4, Upwey Ferntree Gully 1
If they still entertained hopes of playing finals, the Brewers had to win this game. And prevail they did at home, 4-1, to improve their record to 4-8 on the season. The loss leaves the Tigers just one rung above Ballart on the ladder.
Moorabbin 7, Werribee 2
Though they started slowly, the Panthers used two big innings to record a huge road win. Four runs in the fifth and another three in the sixth were all Moorabbin needed to stay atop the standings with an über-impressive 10-2 mark.
Tallying single runs in the second and sixth, the Giants swung the bats well in a losing effort. Wade Balzer, Evan McPherson, and Simon Riches all had two hits while Oliver Box, Daine Gregory, and Reece Haywood all contributed a knock apiece. Balzer and Gregory recorded the lone RBI.
Fitzroy 12, Malvern 1
Scoring early and often, the Lions plated runs in all six innings, including two in third, four in the fourth and three in the fifth. The only run they allowed came in to the top of the fifth.
Among their 12 hits, Luke McLean had three, Taylor Eichhorst, Alex Turlea, and Thomas Wilson all pounded out two each. Brock Pawley and Turlea had the doubles and Eichhorst blasted the game’s lone home run.
For the visitors, Chris Godrey, Geoffrey Holland, Peter Kerr-Chapman and Stephen Lawrence supplied the four hits.
Port Melbourne 6, Bonbeach 5
Though he struggled late, Mariners fireballer Will Musson was excellent when he had to be, striking out 14 batters in a complete game victory.
His teammates gave him a comfortable lead early, tallying thrice in both the second and fourth innings to lead 6-0 after six. The Bluejays continued to grind out at bats, however, and scratched across one run in the seventh before erupting for four in the eighth.
Into the ninth, down by a run, Matty Prior led off with a hit before Adam Major and Mitchell Sheldon-Collins struck out. Jon Bannister and Dayle Selleck then rattled off a pair of hits to load the bases, before Musson got Andy Webber to induce a pop fly to seal it.
The Mariners swatted 11 hits, led by Lindsay Webb’s three and two knocks each from Anthony White and Musson. All three also had doubles and Musson led the team with two RBI.
Bonbeach used four pitchers—Bannister, Prior, Ben Donald and Sheldon-Collins—who all threw two innings each.
Original report supplied by Matty Prior of Bonbeach Baseball Club
Williamstown 9, Berwick City 5
Continuing their hot-hitting ways, the host Wolves scored two runs each in the second and third, another three in the fourth and two in the fifth to topple the Cougars, 9-5.
Berwick City plated their runs in the fifth (three), sixth (one) and seventh (one) to make a game of it.
Williamstown’s offense was led by Scott Meager who went 3-5 for two runs scored, a double, a home run and two runs batted in. Justin Gourlay also had two hits for the victors. He also knocked in four runs.
Geelong 9, Doncaster 3
Buoyed by 16 hits—five of which went for extra bases—the host Baycats downed the Dragons, 9-3. The hit parade’s grand marshal was Mark Rigby who went 3-5 with two doubles, a run and a RBI. Matthew Zablan also had three hits (all singles) and scored twice. Other Baycats with two hits: Rohan Brashar, Christopher Durston, Cameron Gibbons, and Rudy Jaramillo. Gibbons also knocked in four runs.
Across the diamond, Rhys Aldenhoven and Michael Mazzocato contributed four of the Dragons seven hits.
With the loss, Doncaster falls to 3-8-1 (fifth place in their division) while Geelong sits top-of-the-ladder with a 9-2-1 mark, one game ahead of Essendon in the other division.
Blackburn 8, Sandringham 1
Deuces were wild in the Orioles win on Sunday. Blackburn scored two runs in the second, third, fifth and sixth to bring home the victory. The lone marker for the Royals came in the top of the ninth courtesy of Nicholas Dunn knocking in pinch hitter Cameron Beaumont. Marko Lezaic had two of Sandringham’s eight knocks.
Blackburn, meanwhile, pounded out 17 hits, including four from David Dicker and three each from Jimmy Bent, Ryan Berg, and David Tierney. Steven Bookluck contributed the game’s only home run.
Essendon 10, Waverley 0
In a dominant performance from start to mercy-rule shortened finish, the Bombers whitewashed the Wildcats, 10-0. Essendon plated five runs in the second, one in the fourth, another in the sixth, and three more in the last of the seventh to provide the winning margin.
Tom Dicker led Essendon with three hits (including two doubles) and two runs batted in while Dean and Scott McIntyre each had two hits. Ditto for Michael Formisano, who also led the team with three RBI.
Cheltenham 9, Newport 4
In a tilt between two teams trying to establish their identities nearly halfway through the campaign, the Rustlers downed the Rams, 9-4. Visiting Cheltenham scored in the top of the first but then ceded two in the bottom of the frame. The exact same scenario played out in the third. Trailing 4-1 in the fifth, the Rustles tallied twice then followed that up with three in the seventh and two in the eighth to make it 9-4.
The victory evens their record at 6-6 while the Rams fall to 5-6 with the loss.
Melbourne 8, Preston 1
With yet another win, the visiting Demons solidified their spot atop the ladder with a sterling 10-1-1 mark, a full 2.5 games ahead of Blackburn. The Pirates now sit at 4-8, a half-game ahead of Sunshine in the battle to stay out of the cellar.
Springvale 2, Sunshine 1
Easily the most well-pitched game of the weekend saw the Lions eke past the Eagles, 2-1. After trading single runs in the first, blanks were de rigueur until Springvale plated what would turn out to be the winning run in the top of the fifth. The victory improves the Lions record to 3-9 while the Eagles are now 3-8.
Buoyed by 16 hits—five of which went for extra bases—the host Baycats downed the Dragons, 9-3. The hit parade’s grand marshal was Mark Rigby who went 3-5 with two doubles, a run and a RBI. Matthew Zablan also had three hits (all singles) and scored twice. Other Baycats with two hits: Rohan Brashar, Christopher Durston, Cameron Gibbons, and Rudy Jaramillo. Gibbons also knocked in four runs.
Across the diamond, Rhys Aldenhoven and Michael Mazzocato contributed four of the Dragons seven hits.
With the loss, Doncaster falls to 3-8-1 (fifth place in their division) while Geelong sits top-of-the-ladder with a 9-2-1 mark, one game ahead of Essendon in the other division.
Blackburn 8, Sandringham 1
Deuces were wild in the Orioles win on Sunday. Blackburn scored two runs in the second, third, fifth and sixth to bring home the victory. The lone marker for the Royals came in the top of the ninth courtesy of Nicholas Dunn knocking in pinch hitter Cameron Beaumont. Marko Lezaic had two of Sandringham’s eight knocks.
Blackburn, meanwhile, pounded out 17 hits, including four from David Dicker and three each from Jimmy Bent, Ryan Berg, and David Tierney. Steven Bookluck contributed the game’s only home run.
Essendon 10, Waverley 0
In a dominant performance from start to mercy-rule shortened finish, the Bombers whitewashed the Wildcats, 10-0. Essendon plated five runs in the second, one in the fourth, another in the sixth, and three more in the last of the seventh to provide the winning margin.
Tom Dicker led Essendon with three hits (including two doubles) and two runs batted in while Dean and Scott McIntyre each had two hits. Ditto for Michael Formisano, who also led the team with three RBI.
Cheltenham 9, Newport 4
In a tilt between two teams trying to establish their identities nearly halfway through the campaign, the Rustlers downed the Rams, 9-4. Visiting Cheltenham scored in the top of the first but then ceded two in the bottom of the frame. The exact same scenario played out in the third. Trailing 4-1 in the fifth, the Rustles tallied twice then followed that up with three in the seventh and two in the eighth to make it 9-4.
The victory evens their record at 6-6 while the Rams fall to 5-6 with the loss.
Melbourne 8, Preston 1
With yet another win, the visiting Demons solidified their spot atop the ladder with a sterling 10-1-1 mark, a full 2.5 games ahead of Blackburn. The Pirates now sit at 4-8, a half-game ahead of Sunshine in the battle to stay out of the cellar.
Springvale 2, Sunshine 1
Easily the most well-pitched game of the weekend saw the Lions eke past the Eagles, 2-1. After trading single runs in the first, blanks were de rigueur until Springvale plated what would turn out to be the winning run in the top of the fifth. The victory improves the Lions record to 3-9 while the Eagles are now 3-8.
Fitzroy and Geelong hosted this week’s Under 12 members of the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy. The Under 14s played last week. All previous iterations of the weekly wraps are also available.
Geelong Baycats 10, Southern Mariners (A) 9
Dramatic walk-off home runs are not just reserved for major leaguers. Baycats cleanup hitter Jordan Peoples provided ample evidence of that as his two run shot to right field—his second of the game—capped off a thrilling four run rally in the bottom of the last to give Geelong a scintillating victory.
Of all the Charter games so far this was easily the most exciting. The Baycats opened the scoring by tallying three times in the bottom of the first. Undaunted, the Mariners fought back, plating six in the top of the second to enjoy their own three run cushion.
Geelong then scored once in the second but it could have been much worse. Southern turned a slick 5-4-3 double play to limit the damage. Both teams then traded runs in the third before the exhilarating final frame. Leading 8-6, the Mariners added an insurance marker in the top of the fourth but it was simply not enough to withstand Peoples’ heroics.
The young Baycat finished with five runs batted in and was joined in the mutli-hit parade by Jordan Baumann (three) and Cooper Rickond (two). For the Mariners, they were led by Angus Newman (three), Tyler Ellis (two) and the dynamic duo from St Kilda: Ferris Salka (two) and Millar Kuhl, who the hit the ball hard all day.
On the mound, Hudson Canter started and Cooper Tipping got the win for Geelong. Luke Anson, Salka, Charlie Pierson and Jordan Doughty threw for the Mariners.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 12, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 3
One thing both Eastern Athletics teams have done very well over the first two weekends of Little League play has been to score early. And often. True to form, the A’s plated five runs in the top of the first and then added single runs in the second and third before exploding for another five in the final inning, the fourth. The D’Backs hit well also, scoring a single run in the first and two in the third.
Jack Romanin started and threw 38 pitches for the winning side; he was followed first by Ryan Othen and then Ethan Scalzo. For the D’Backs it was Billy Kolyniuk, Denizel Pelle-Lopeti and Cuttor Harris doing the dealing.
Zac Clorman caught the first three innings and Josh Dawson was behind the dish for the final frame. James Richardson and Blake Mitchell handled the catching duties for the Northern side.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 11, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 8
Three games and three wins for the Eastern Athletics (Green) team. But it didn’t come easy. Plating their traditional five runs in the top of the first, the A’s did something unusual: they allowed their opponent to immediately respond. Answer the call they did as the D’Backs scored three of their own to make it a game.
Eastern then tacked on a marker in the second while holding Northern scoreless. More fireworks followed in the last inning when both teams plated five runs apiece.
Sam Skinner started for the home team, pitching the first two innings. He was relieved by Lachlan Davis. The former threw 51 pitches and the latter 36. Mitch Nolan caught the entire game for the D’Backs.
Across the diamond, Finn Weichard started before giving way to Kynan Jones, Sam Pritchard, and Ewan Jones.
The loss dropped the Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) squad to 0-3 early in the season.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Geelong Baycats 2
Seeing their brethren lose in such heartbreaking fashion provided the Southern Mariners (B side) all the motivation they needed to thump the Geelong Baycats, 8-2. The Mariners started fast, scoring four times in the first to take the early lead. After two scoreless innings for the home side, they upped their lead to six by scoring a couple in the top of the third. After the Baycats answered with two of their own, the Mariners effectively put the game away with an additional two markers.
Starring on the hill were a sextet of Southerners: Tom Connolly, Tyler Ellis, Josh Tribe, Matt Kaplan, James Lynch, and Lachlan Smith.
Cooper Rickard, Brayden Barker, and Peoples took the mound for the Baycats.
Geelong only mustered three total hits while the Mariners had six, led by Tyler Ellis’ two knocks.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 10, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 2
In the Eastern Athletics second victory over the Northern Diamondbacks squad, victory wasn’t assured until the very last. This one was never in doubt. The A’s scored three times in the first, once in the second, added another in the third and put up a resounding five in the fifth to take a 10-0 lead in to the bottom of the last. The D’Backs showed some impressive moxie to score twice in the fifth to provide the final margin.
Tyler Evans started for the victors, throwing 52 pitches in a winning performance. Nick Parton, Zac Danes, and Hudson Priamo also took the mound for the A’s. For the D’Backs it was Zac Corman, Campbell Hutton and Josh Dawson on the hill.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 16, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9
There are pitching duels and then there is what broke out in Fitzroy on Saturday morning. Twenty-five runs in four innings. Two hundred and four pitches from eight different hurlers. And two exhausted third base coaches. In the end, it was the A’s victorious, 16-9, completing the four game weekend sweep of the Diamondbacks from the north.
Eastern scored five in the first, three in the second, and five more in the third before topping up their total to 16 with three in the fourth. Northern only scored in two innings but made them count, plating five in the second and four in the fourth.
For posterity the pitchers for the D’Backs were Mace Poole, Band Leuga, Wartky Miller and Jaycob Pascuzzi. The A’s sent Blake Mitchell, Kecky Ronalds-Greatbatch, Will Stone and James Richardson to the hill.
Here is how the comp stands after two rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10393&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0#ladder.
The Under 14s are scheduled to take the field again next Saturday. Check back here for a full report of all six games.
Geelong Baycats 10, Southern Mariners (A) 9
Dramatic walk-off home runs are not just reserved for major leaguers. Baycats cleanup hitter Jordan Peoples provided ample evidence of that as his two run shot to right field—his second of the game—capped off a thrilling four run rally in the bottom of the last to give Geelong a scintillating victory.
Of all the Charter games so far this was easily the most exciting. The Baycats opened the scoring by tallying three times in the bottom of the first. Undaunted, the Mariners fought back, plating six in the top of the second to enjoy their own three run cushion.
Geelong then scored once in the second but it could have been much worse. Southern turned a slick 5-4-3 double play to limit the damage. Both teams then traded runs in the third before the exhilarating final frame. Leading 8-6, the Mariners added an insurance marker in the top of the fourth but it was simply not enough to withstand Peoples’ heroics.
The young Baycat finished with five runs batted in and was joined in the mutli-hit parade by Jordan Baumann (three) and Cooper Rickond (two). For the Mariners, they were led by Angus Newman (three), Tyler Ellis (two) and the dynamic duo from St Kilda: Ferris Salka (two) and Millar Kuhl, who the hit the ball hard all day.
On the mound, Hudson Canter started and Cooper Tipping got the win for Geelong. Luke Anson, Salka, Charlie Pierson and Jordan Doughty threw for the Mariners.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 12, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 3
One thing both Eastern Athletics teams have done very well over the first two weekends of Little League play has been to score early. And often. True to form, the A’s plated five runs in the top of the first and then added single runs in the second and third before exploding for another five in the final inning, the fourth. The D’Backs hit well also, scoring a single run in the first and two in the third.
Jack Romanin started and threw 38 pitches for the winning side; he was followed first by Ryan Othen and then Ethan Scalzo. For the D’Backs it was Billy Kolyniuk, Denizel Pelle-Lopeti and Cuttor Harris doing the dealing.
Zac Clorman caught the first three innings and Josh Dawson was behind the dish for the final frame. James Richardson and Blake Mitchell handled the catching duties for the Northern side.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 11, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 8
Three games and three wins for the Eastern Athletics (Green) team. But it didn’t come easy. Plating their traditional five runs in the top of the first, the A’s did something unusual: they allowed their opponent to immediately respond. Answer the call they did as the D’Backs scored three of their own to make it a game.
Eastern then tacked on a marker in the second while holding Northern scoreless. More fireworks followed in the last inning when both teams plated five runs apiece.
Sam Skinner started for the home team, pitching the first two innings. He was relieved by Lachlan Davis. The former threw 51 pitches and the latter 36. Mitch Nolan caught the entire game for the D’Backs.
Across the diamond, Finn Weichard started before giving way to Kynan Jones, Sam Pritchard, and Ewan Jones.
The loss dropped the Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) squad to 0-3 early in the season.
Southern Mariners (B) 8, Geelong Baycats 2
Seeing their brethren lose in such heartbreaking fashion provided the Southern Mariners (B side) all the motivation they needed to thump the Geelong Baycats, 8-2. The Mariners started fast, scoring four times in the first to take the early lead. After two scoreless innings for the home side, they upped their lead to six by scoring a couple in the top of the third. After the Baycats answered with two of their own, the Mariners effectively put the game away with an additional two markers.
Starring on the hill were a sextet of Southerners: Tom Connolly, Tyler Ellis, Josh Tribe, Matt Kaplan, James Lynch, and Lachlan Smith.
Cooper Rickard, Brayden Barker, and Peoples took the mound for the Baycats.
Geelong only mustered three total hits while the Mariners had six, led by Tyler Ellis’ two knocks.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 10, Northern Diamondbacks (Green) 2
In the Eastern Athletics second victory over the Northern Diamondbacks squad, victory wasn’t assured until the very last. This one was never in doubt. The A’s scored three times in the first, once in the second, added another in the third and put up a resounding five in the fifth to take a 10-0 lead in to the bottom of the last. The D’Backs showed some impressive moxie to score twice in the fifth to provide the final margin.
Tyler Evans started for the victors, throwing 52 pitches in a winning performance. Nick Parton, Zac Danes, and Hudson Priamo also took the mound for the A’s. For the D’Backs it was Zac Corman, Campbell Hutton and Josh Dawson on the hill.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 16, Northern Diamondbacks (Orange) 9
There are pitching duels and then there is what broke out in Fitzroy on Saturday morning. Twenty-five runs in four innings. Two hundred and four pitches from eight different hurlers. And two exhausted third base coaches. In the end, it was the A’s victorious, 16-9, completing the four game weekend sweep of the Diamondbacks from the north.
Eastern scored five in the first, three in the second, and five more in the third before topping up their total to 16 with three in the fourth. Northern only scored in two innings but made them count, plating five in the second and four in the fourth.
For posterity the pitchers for the D’Backs were Mace Poole, Band Leuga, Wartky Miller and Jaycob Pascuzzi. The A’s sent Blake Mitchell, Kecky Ronalds-Greatbatch, Will Stone and James Richardson to the hill.
Here is how the comp stands after two rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10393&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0#ladder.
The Under 14s are scheduled to take the field again next Saturday. Check back here for a full report of all six games.
Like every baseball game, Jennie Moloney’s remarkable journey began with a first pitch.
The year was 1976 and Jennie had decided to take up scoring for the Williamstown Baseball Club.
Turns out she was a hit. And she has been scoring Wolves baseball ever since.
But she was too talented to stay just on the club level. Soon the Australian National League—forerunner to the today’s Australian Baseball League—came calling and she kept the book (both at home and on the road) for the Melbourne Monarchs from 1992 to 1996.
In 1996 she rose to Level 2 accreditation for the Victorian Baseball Association Scorers and attained Level 3 the next year. The Claxton Shield National Tournament had her as a scorer in 1999. And with the Summer Olympics on the horizon, she started on her path to world-wide renown, gaining International Baseball Federation accreditation in 2000, just in time to score games for the IBAF Intercontinental Cup and, of course, the Sydney Olympics.
After scoring at the IBAF World Cup in Taiwan in 2001, Jennie embarked on her biggest year yet. In 2002, she achievedCouncil of Australian Baseball Scorers (CABS) Level 5 scoring accreditation and began her stint as the Scoring Director for Baseball Victoria, which she held for five years. She also was the official scorer for the Under 18 National Championships and the Claxton Shield, while somehow also finding the time to score the International Women’s Championships.
Seventeen years after that first pitch, Williamstown bestowed upon her the highest honour: Life Membership.
Not one to rest on her laurels, she then worked as the official scorer for the Under 18 AAA National Championships from 2003-06.
More official scorer duties were well-earned: Chibe Lotte Marines v. Australia series (2006); Claxton Shield (2007, 2009, and 2010); Under 16 AA National Championships (2009 and 2010); Australia v. Chinese Taipei (2009); and the Under 18 AAA National Championship (2010).
Closer to home, Jennie has been an official scorer for the Melbourne Aces from 2010 and has scored each ABL All-Star Game from 2012 to 2015.
But it’s on the international stage where she’s truly hit a grand slam.
After first participating in a qualifying tournament in Taiwan, she followed up her Olympics in Sydney by getting invited back again eight years later to Beijing. Four years after her second Olympic Games, she scored at the Under 18 AAA World Championships in Korea in 2012; at the University Games in Gwungju (Korea) in 2015; and she just finished scoring the Gold Medal game at the IBAF Premier 12 tournament in Tokyo.
If all that wasn’t enough, she was also named joint scorer for the Williamstown Baseball Club’s ‘Team of the Century’ in 2008 and honoured as the 2013 Australian Baseball Federation’s Official of the Year in 2013.
Thirty-nine years and counting, Jennie shows no signs of slowing down. She is one of the most highly credentialed scorers in Australian history. And Victorian baseball is lucky to have her.
For those interested in getting involved in a fantastic pastime, scorers are always needed through Victoria. Please contact Michele Winther for more information.
Four positions remain on the Under 16 girls baseball team representing Victoria. Please see the attached PDF for more information.
Like every baseball game, Jennie Moloney’s remarkable journey began with a first pitch.
The year was 1976 and Jennie had decided to take up scoring for the Williamstown Baseball Club.
Turns out she was a hit. And she has been scoring Wolves baseball ever since.
But she was too talented to stay just on the club level. Soon the Australian National League—forerunner to the today’s Australian Baseball League—came calling and she kept the book (both at home and on the road) for the Melbourne Monarchs from 1992 to 1996.
In 1996 she rose to Level 2 accreditation for the Victorian Baseball Association Scorers and attained Level 3 the next year. The Claxton Shield National Tournament had her as a scorer in 1999. And with the Summer Olympics on the horizon, she started on her path to world-wide renown, gaining International Baseball Federation accreditation in 2000, just in time to score games for the IBAF Intercontinental Cup and, of course, the Sydney Olympics.
After scoring at the IBAF World Cup in Taiwan in 2001, Jennie embarked on her biggest year yet. In 2002, she achievedCouncil of Australian Baseball Scorers (CABS) Level 5 scoring accreditation and began her stint as the Scoring Director for Baseball Victoria, which she held for five years. She also was the official scorer for the Under 18 National Championships and the Claxton Shield, while somehow also finding the time to score the International Women’s Championships.
Seventeen years after that first pitch, Williamstown bestowed upon her the highest honour: Life Membership.
Not one to rest on her laurels, she then worked as the official scorer for the Under 18 AAA National Championships from 2003-06.
More official scorer duties were well-earned: Chibe Lotte Marines v. Australia series (2006); Claxton Shield (2007, 2009, and 2010); Under 16 AA National Championships (2009 and 2010); Australia v. Chinese Taipei (2009); and the Under 18 AAA National Championship (2010).
Closer to home, Jennie has been an official scorer for the Melbourne Aces from 2010 and has scored each ABL All-Star Game from 2012 to 2015.
But it’s on the international stage where she’s truly hit a grand slam.
After first participating in a qualifying tournament in Taiwan, she followed up her Olympics in Sydney by getting invited back again eight years later to Beijing. Four years after her second Olympic Games, she scored at the Under 18 AAA World Championships in Korea in 2012; at the University Games in Gwungju (Korea) in 2015; and she just finished scoring the Gold Medal game at the IBAF Premier 12 tournament in Tokyo.
If all that wasn’t enough, she was also named joint scorer for the Williamstown Baseball Club’s ‘Team of the Century’ in 2008 and honoured as the 2013 Australian Baseball Federation’s Official of the Year in 2013.
Thirty-nine years and counting, Jennie shows no signs of slowing down. She is one of the most highly credentialed scorers in Australian history. And Victorian baseball is lucky to have her.
For those interested in getting involved in a fantastic pastime, scorers are always needed through Victoria. Please contact Michele Winther for more information.
The Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy made its debut on Saturday, 7 November, with four games featuring Under 14s taking the field. Last week it was the Under 12s turn. Now the 14s are back playing, with these contests held at Blackburn (A’s v. D’Backs) and Moorabbin (Baycats and Mariners).
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 9, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 6
Hitting, not pitching, ruled the day at Billabong Reserve in Blackburn. Both teams scored early and often as the hurlers were no match for superior batting. The D’Backs began the barnburner with three runs in the top of the first. Undaunted, the A’s answered right back, plating three of their own to tie the game after one.
Northern then scored two in the second and one in the third to go up 6-3. But the A’s were relentless, striking back for two in the their half of the third before holding their opponent scoreless in the fourth and tallying four times in the bottom half to win the game 9-6.
Jason Kane started for the A’s, throwing 47 pitches, before giving way to Koetsu Sakamoto who threw 28. Across the diamond, Yoshiki Sutherland began the game and Harun Pelta finished it off for the Northern Diamondbacks Blue squad.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 10, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 5
Resilience and fortitude featured prominently in the A’s victory on Saturday morning. They scored three times in the first but then lost the lead two innings later by surrendering five runs. Undaunted, they immediately struck back, plating five of their own in the bottom of the third before adding two more for good measure in the fourth to secure an impressive 10-5 win.
Finn O’Connor, Riley Light, and Mitchell Homfrey managed all the pitching for the A’s while Harvey Hadlow and Cody Dertell threw for the D’Backs.
At the plate Zach Kallis went 1 for 2 with a double, a run scored and two RBI and teammate Adam Tsardakis also contributed a two bagger. Jonah Hope added a hit and run scored to the Diamondbacks totals.
The A’s eight hits included four doubles, including catcher Damon Hill who went 2 for 2 with three runs scored, three batted in and two stolen bases.
Stellar defense was also on display for Eastern in the fourth when they turned a rare 1-3-5 double play.
Geelong Baycats 11, Southern Mariners (A) 1
Five run innings are normally a prelude to success. So they were again in the second week of games for the elite Under 14s in Victoria. The Baycats—playing away against the Mariners in Moorabbin—busted open a scoreless game by scoring five times in both the second and fourth to easily defeat Southern, 10-1. Buoyed by pitchers Kobe Greenhalgh and Connor Hickey, the Baycats pounded out 12 hits and reached base four times via the walk.
Hickey, who also starred at shortstop, contributed at the plate with two knocks. Jarryd Wood and Eugene Gay also had two hits.
For the Mariners, Dante Caruso pitched well, striking out two in his only inning of work. He also had one of Southern’s three hits.
Josh Smith, Max McLauchlin, and Riley Soutar also took the mound for the Mariners.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 3
A great day for the A’s and tough one for the D’Backs came to a head in this tilt, won by Eastern, 7-3.
Similar to previous iterations, the A’s scored first, tallying thrice in the first and two in the second to take a 5-1 lead into the third. Following up their run from the previous inning, the D’Backs scored twice to halve the deficit to 5-3.
It didn’t matter. The Gold team added insurance markers in both the fourth and fifth frames to provide the winning margin.
Reese Longstaff and Zack Busch ably handled the pitching duties for the A’s, with the former starting and throwing the first two innings and the latter tossing the last three, two of which were scoreless.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 6, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 3
Following up their impressive win earlier in the day, the Eastern Athletics (Green) squad scored early and often (five runs in the first two innings) to cruise to a sweep of the two Diamondback teams.
Leading the way was Nick Cleland who pitched three scoreless innings while also contributing a hit, run scored, and RBI in his only plate appearance. Will Richardson and Damon Hill also pitched well for the A’s.
Hill also starred at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a two-run home run, ground rule double and three RBI out of the three-hole. Finn O’Connor, Charlie Collins, and Cleland joined Hill as their doubles hitters. In total the A’s finished with eight hits.
Across the diamond, Nick Pascuzzi, Keenan Spence, and Aaron Robson took the hill for the Diamondbacks. Spence connected for a two-bagger and James Billing paced Northern with two hits and a run scored.
Two stellar defensive plays—a perfectly executed 1-3-4-1 run down in the fifth by the D’Backs and a 2-5 caught stealing by the A’s in the third—were among the game’s highlights.
Geelong Baycats 5, Southern Mariners (B) 4
Two clubs won all six meetings of the Under 14s this weekend: the Eastern Athletics and Geelong Baycats. That feat was accomplished when the Baycats eked past the Mariners, 4-3, in Moorabbin.
The Mariners got off to the start they wanted, leading 4-1 after two. But Geelong stormed back and scored three in the third and one in the fourth to complete the weekend sweep.
Nick Hau (53 pitches) got the win for the Baycats and Jarryd Wood (28) finished off the game. Eugene Gay called an excellent game behind the plate.
For the Mariners, it was Jed Woodger (five strikeouts), Mitchell Shane, and Josh Ashen on the hill with Malcolm Elliott catching.
Woodger and Elliot also homered for the Mariners. Ditto for the A’s Angus McNee.
Here is how the comp stands after two rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10392&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0##ladder.
Next week it’s the Under 12s turn to again take the field! Check back here for a full report of all six games.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 9, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 6
Hitting, not pitching, ruled the day at Billabong Reserve in Blackburn. Both teams scored early and often as the hurlers were no match for superior batting. The D’Backs began the barnburner with three runs in the top of the first. Undaunted, the A’s answered right back, plating three of their own to tie the game after one.
Northern then scored two in the second and one in the third to go up 6-3. But the A’s were relentless, striking back for two in the their half of the third before holding their opponent scoreless in the fourth and tallying four times in the bottom half to win the game 9-6.
Jason Kane started for the A’s, throwing 47 pitches, before giving way to Koetsu Sakamoto who threw 28. Across the diamond, Yoshiki Sutherland began the game and Harun Pelta finished it off for the Northern Diamondbacks Blue squad.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 10, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 5
Resilience and fortitude featured prominently in the A’s victory on Saturday morning. They scored three times in the first but then lost the lead two innings later by surrendering five runs. Undaunted, they immediately struck back, plating five of their own in the bottom of the third before adding two more for good measure in the fourth to secure an impressive 10-5 win.
Finn O’Connor, Riley Light, and Mitchell Homfrey managed all the pitching for the A’s while Harvey Hadlow and Cody Dertell threw for the D’Backs.
At the plate Zach Kallis went 1 for 2 with a double, a run scored and two RBI and teammate Adam Tsardakis also contributed a two bagger. Jonah Hope added a hit and run scored to the Diamondbacks totals.
The A’s eight hits included four doubles, including catcher Damon Hill who went 2 for 2 with three runs scored, three batted in and two stolen bases.
Stellar defense was also on display for Eastern in the fourth when they turned a rare 1-3-5 double play.
Geelong Baycats 11, Southern Mariners (A) 1
Five run innings are normally a prelude to success. So they were again in the second week of games for the elite Under 14s in Victoria. The Baycats—playing away against the Mariners in Moorabbin—busted open a scoreless game by scoring five times in both the second and fourth to easily defeat Southern, 10-1. Buoyed by pitchers Kobe Greenhalgh and Connor Hickey, the Baycats pounded out 12 hits and reached base four times via the walk.
Hickey, who also starred at shortstop, contributed at the plate with two knocks. Jarryd Wood and Eugene Gay also had two hits.
For the Mariners, Dante Caruso pitched well, striking out two in his only inning of work. He also had one of Southern’s three hits.
Josh Smith, Max McLauchlin, and Riley Soutar also took the mound for the Mariners.
Eastern Athletics (Gold) 7, Northern Diamondbacks (Red) 3
A great day for the A’s and tough one for the D’Backs came to a head in this tilt, won by Eastern, 7-3.
Similar to previous iterations, the A’s scored first, tallying thrice in the first and two in the second to take a 5-1 lead into the third. Following up their run from the previous inning, the D’Backs scored twice to halve the deficit to 5-3.
It didn’t matter. The Gold team added insurance markers in both the fourth and fifth frames to provide the winning margin.
Reese Longstaff and Zack Busch ably handled the pitching duties for the A’s, with the former starting and throwing the first two innings and the latter tossing the last three, two of which were scoreless.
Eastern Athletics (Green) 6, Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) 3
Following up their impressive win earlier in the day, the Eastern Athletics (Green) squad scored early and often (five runs in the first two innings) to cruise to a sweep of the two Diamondback teams.
Leading the way was Nick Cleland who pitched three scoreless innings while also contributing a hit, run scored, and RBI in his only plate appearance. Will Richardson and Damon Hill also pitched well for the A’s.
Hill also starred at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a two-run home run, ground rule double and three RBI out of the three-hole. Finn O’Connor, Charlie Collins, and Cleland joined Hill as their doubles hitters. In total the A’s finished with eight hits.
Across the diamond, Nick Pascuzzi, Keenan Spence, and Aaron Robson took the hill for the Diamondbacks. Spence connected for a two-bagger and James Billing paced Northern with two hits and a run scored.
Two stellar defensive plays—a perfectly executed 1-3-4-1 run down in the fifth by the D’Backs and a 2-5 caught stealing by the A’s in the third—were among the game’s highlights.
Geelong Baycats 5, Southern Mariners (B) 4
Two clubs won all six meetings of the Under 14s this weekend: the Eastern Athletics and Geelong Baycats. That feat was accomplished when the Baycats eked past the Mariners, 4-3, in Moorabbin.
The Mariners got off to the start they wanted, leading 4-1 after two. But Geelong stormed back and scored three in the third and one in the fourth to complete the weekend sweep.
Nick Hau (53 pitches) got the win for the Baycats and Jarryd Wood (28) finished off the game. Eugene Gay called an excellent game behind the plate.
For the Mariners, it was Jed Woodger (five strikeouts), Mitchell Shane, and Josh Ashen on the hill with Malcolm Elliott catching.
Woodger and Elliot also homered for the Mariners. Ditto for the A’s Angus McNee.
Here is how the comp stands after two rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10392&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0##ladder.
Next week it’s the Under 12s turn to again take the field! Check back here for a full report of all six games.