Author: Joel Mackenzie
No game summary provided.
With the wind blowing out for the first time in years at the Ramdome, hitters could have been excused for thinking they would be stepping to the plate with an advantage. For the first eight innings that wasn't the case as a non-national pitching duel was the story of this game. Newport's Jimmy Jenson struck-out 8, walked 2 and allowed 7 hits while Sandringham's Reed Mason struck-out 10, walked 2 and allowed just 2 hits. The game took a turn in an epic ninth when relievers were brought into the game. After surviving a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth, Sandringham was able to put on six 6 and restrict the visiting Rams to just to one and take the points in their season opener.
With the wind blowing out to left-field it was a real pitching dual through the first five frames until a pitching change saw Essendon break the game open. For the defending champs, Gareth Formisano and Luke Abels were outstanding on the hill, holding the Pirates scoreless, while Edward Kline-Marantelli showed his potential with a solid offensive and defensive game.
No game summary provided.
A towering home run from Adam Burton set Melbourne up in a game where they were never really headed. Burton also had 4 RBIs in a game where he just continued to get it done at the plate. Alex Hondo chipped in with three base knocks and a diving catch that saw him get a little too up close and personal with the left field hoarding. Division 1 debutants Adam Pahos and Xander Barling showed they belonged in the top grade, with Barling singling in his first Division 1 at-bat and Pahos with 3.1 scoreless innings of relief work.
Andy Mann came into the game and close out the win for Melbourne, while youngsters Rhys DeHighden and Oliver McMahon played solid defence and made quality contributions at the plate.
The Lions return to Division-1 didn't go all to plan. After conceding a four-spot in the first, kick started by RBI singles from Geelong's Rudy Jaramillo and Lachlan Medew, a solo shot from Tom Dicker kept the Lions within striking distance but they were never able to make inroads.
Chris Webb for reached base three times for the Baycats as Jaramillo would go on to pick up the Win on the back of ten strikeouts through his five innings of work.
A gutsy 114 pitch outing from Brock Pawley wouldn't be enough as 14 strike-outs and 10 runners LOB would come back to haunt Fitzroy. Two hits each from Dicker (HR, double) and Ryan Mitchell (single, double) were the best for the Lions.