Cheltenham 8, Sunshine 3
One big inning was all it took for the Rustlers to hand the Eagles another tough defeat. Pitching dominated early with no runs crossing the plate through the first three innings. Each side tallied one marker in the fourth and then visiting Cheltenham plated one in the fifth to take a lead they would not relinquish.
The big blow came in the eighth, however, as the Rustlers had five cross the plate. They added an insurance run in the ninth before the Eagles plated two of their own in the bottom half to provide the winning five-run margin.
Geelong 3, Blackburn 0
As it has so often this season, pitching carried the day for the Baycats. In whitewashing the visiting Orioles, 3-0, Geelong improved their record to 10-2-1 on the season, a game ahead of Essendon. With the loss, Blackburn fell to 8-5, good for second place in their division behind Melbourne.
The Baycats scored one run in the third and then two in the seventh. The Orioles did have their chances, collecting seven hits (all singles) scattered throughout. Ryan Berg and Luke Cartwright each had two knocks for Blackburn.
Essendon 7, Melbourne 2
In a highly anticipated matchup between perennial powers it was the host Bombers who won this battle, 7-2.
Starting fast, Essendon scored twice in the first and then after ceding a run in the sixth exploded for four in the bottom half to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The two teams then traded single markers in the eighth to provide the final margin.
The Demons only managed five hits on the day (two from Robert Hondromatidis, including a double) while Rhys De Highden and Scott Moore also contributed two baggers to the cause.
For the victors Sam Moon starred, going 3-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Andy Radevski, Peter Stokes, Tim Sullivan, and Brett Tamburrino also had multiple knocks for the Bombers.
Preston 2, Waverley 1
In a well-pitched, well-played game, the Pirates edged the visiting Wildcats, 2-1. With the win, Preston upped their mark to 5-8, matching Waverley’s record.
Despite the dearth of runs, Waverley batted well, recording six hits including a double by Jamie Papanicolaou. Tyler Dale had the lone run batted in.
Sandringham 2, Doncaster 1
One thing that can always be said about the Dragons is that they never stop competing. Sunday’s game was a great example as they battled the Royals to the last, ultimately falling 2-1 on the road.
Marcel D’Avoine and Nicolaas Unland led Doncaster with two hits each, including an RBI by Unland. Five others—Rhys Aldenhoven, Scott Carr, Justin Lawrence, Callum Lethborg, and Michael Mazzocato—also contributed a hit apiece.
For the victors, no one had multiple hits but four players did add single knocks to the box score. More importantly, Jordan Barnett and Nicholas Macleod (as a pinch runner) crossed the plate for the Royals.
Springvale 7, Newport 1
Implementing to perfection the ideal road strategy—get an early lead, score in multiple innings and immediately answer a run with more runs—the Lions mauled the Rams, 7-1.
Starring for Springvale were Glenn Mascoll (4-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI), Sammy Drummond (3-5 with two runs), and Matthew Hayle (2-4).
Across the diamond Gabriel Sandersius was the only Ram with multiple knocks. In total, Newport did bang out seven hits, including Sandersius’ double. Samuel Fraser knocked in the ever present Sandersius with Newport’s only run.
One big inning was all it took for the Rustlers to hand the Eagles another tough defeat. Pitching dominated early with no runs crossing the plate through the first three innings. Each side tallied one marker in the fourth and then visiting Cheltenham plated one in the fifth to take a lead they would not relinquish.
The big blow came in the eighth, however, as the Rustlers had five cross the plate. They added an insurance run in the ninth before the Eagles plated two of their own in the bottom half to provide the winning five-run margin.
Geelong 3, Blackburn 0
As it has so often this season, pitching carried the day for the Baycats. In whitewashing the visiting Orioles, 3-0, Geelong improved their record to 10-2-1 on the season, a game ahead of Essendon. With the loss, Blackburn fell to 8-5, good for second place in their division behind Melbourne.
The Baycats scored one run in the third and then two in the seventh. The Orioles did have their chances, collecting seven hits (all singles) scattered throughout. Ryan Berg and Luke Cartwright each had two knocks for Blackburn.
Essendon 7, Melbourne 2
In a highly anticipated matchup between perennial powers it was the host Bombers who won this battle, 7-2.
Starting fast, Essendon scored twice in the first and then after ceding a run in the sixth exploded for four in the bottom half to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The two teams then traded single markers in the eighth to provide the final margin.
The Demons only managed five hits on the day (two from Robert Hondromatidis, including a double) while Rhys De Highden and Scott Moore also contributed two baggers to the cause.
For the victors Sam Moon starred, going 3-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Andy Radevski, Peter Stokes, Tim Sullivan, and Brett Tamburrino also had multiple knocks for the Bombers.
Preston 2, Waverley 1
In a well-pitched, well-played game, the Pirates edged the visiting Wildcats, 2-1. With the win, Preston upped their mark to 5-8, matching Waverley’s record.
Despite the dearth of runs, Waverley batted well, recording six hits including a double by Jamie Papanicolaou. Tyler Dale had the lone run batted in.
Sandringham 2, Doncaster 1
One thing that can always be said about the Dragons is that they never stop competing. Sunday’s game was a great example as they battled the Royals to the last, ultimately falling 2-1 on the road.
Marcel D’Avoine and Nicolaas Unland led Doncaster with two hits each, including an RBI by Unland. Five others—Rhys Aldenhoven, Scott Carr, Justin Lawrence, Callum Lethborg, and Michael Mazzocato—also contributed a hit apiece.
For the victors, no one had multiple hits but four players did add single knocks to the box score. More importantly, Jordan Barnett and Nicholas Macleod (as a pinch runner) crossed the plate for the Royals.
Springvale 7, Newport 1
Implementing to perfection the ideal road strategy—get an early lead, score in multiple innings and immediately answer a run with more runs—the Lions mauled the Rams, 7-1.
Starring for Springvale were Glenn Mascoll (4-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI), Sammy Drummond (3-5 with two runs), and Matthew Hayle (2-4).
Across the diamond Gabriel Sandersius was the only Ram with multiple knocks. In total, Newport did bang out seven hits, including Sandersius’ double. Samuel Fraser knocked in the ever present Sandersius with Newport’s only run.