Werribee Giant vs Fitzroy Lions at Fitzroy, October 26th 2014
Score by Innings
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
Werribee
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
1
1
6
12
Fitzroy
3
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
4
8
Interview with Justin Charles Werribee Baseball Club. Direct Link here.
Starting lineup for Werribee Giants- Simon Riches LF, Wade Balzar SS, Oliver Box Catcher, John Curnow DH, Jonathan Lowe 2b, Ryan Balzar CF, Evan McPherson LF, Matthew Howe 3b, Michael Howe 1b, Wes DeJong Pitcher.
Fitzroy- Tom Wilson Catcher, Blair Cowley CF, Alex Turlea 2B, Luke McLean LF, Carl Wilson 1b, Heath Pendlebury DH, Danny King SS, John Muchon RF, Callum Stevens 3b, Jack Freeth Pitcher.
In the top of the 1st Jack Freeth was throwing straight and true when the Giants got 2 runners on. Box got the 1st of his 2 hits for the day and there was an early error. It didn’t add up to anything though as the Werribee runners were foiled by the first of many 6-4-3 double plays by the Fitzroy defence. Alex Turlea was the key, playing 2nd for the Lions and dealing all day with good footwork and a quick release throw that caught many runners at 1st.
Bottom of the 1st and the Lions went quietly as Wes DeJohn, whilst not looking to overpower the batters, was throwing spots and sat the batters down in order.
Top of the 2nd and Jonathon Lowe’s day was just beginning as he got the 1st of 4 hits when he singled to left. Freeth had too much at this stage and ended the innings with a strikeout to leave Lowe stranded.
Bottom of the 2nd and the Lions were ready to go. Although DeJong was still throwing spots, the Fitzroy batters were very aggressive. Carl Wilson beat out an infield single, Heath Pendlebury did the same and Danny King had an RBI hit to centre. DeJong to his credit steadied and closed out the innings after a strikeout and 2 popups leaving Tom Wilson on base after he had earlier doubled to right. Fitzroy then led 3-0.
In the top of the 3rd Turlea again showed his footwork and strength when he was the centre of a 6-4-3 double play to end the dig after 2 walks. Werribee were down and Freeth wasn’t missing by much on the hill for Fitzroy when he walked the batters so the game was very much in the balance.
In the bottom of the 3rd Luke McLean collected the 1st of his 2 hits when he singled to left, but DeJong had gained control of his curve ball and the experienced Oliver Box, in the dish, took advantage getting the next 3 batters to pop up.
Top 4 and Lowe made an announcement with a double to centre then Ryan Balzar pushed him to 3rd with a single to right. The Lions did it again with a 4-3 double play but it was enough to push Lowe across the plate and open the Giants account. The score was then Werribee 1, Fitzroy 3.
Bottom 4- 3 Lion's batters put the ball in play but went down in order.
Top 5, after 2 errors and a walk Jonathan Lowe was taking control when he got his 3rd hit of the day with a single to left. The Giants got 2 across but to Freeth’s credit he steadied and left the bases loaded when he forced a fly out to left. The game was then tied at 3 all.
Bottom 5 and Turlea continued his influence on the game when he doubled to centre. Luke McLean then followed to swap spots with him after a double to left. DeJong was working hard though and forced 3 ground balls to leave McLean on base. Fitzroy nudged ahead at 4-3.
Top 6, Freeth gave way on the hill for Danny King and Fitzroy turned yet another 6-4-3 double play. King was inspired and ended it with a strikeout.
Bottom 6 and DeJong sat down the batters in order adding 2 strikeouts to his tally of 3 for the day. Wes left the mound after an impressive performance. He threw 56 strikes and only 14 balls for 2 earned runs.
Top 7 and Ryan Balzer singled but King steadied on the mound for the Lions. 3 contact outs left Balzer on base.
Bottom 7 and Curnow took the hill after being DH. He walked 1 as he found his zone then with 2 ground balls and fly sat down the next 3 in order.
Top 8 and DeJong was not content with just his pitching performance. Wes came into the game at left field and led off with a single to the same position. After Box got his 2nd hit DeJong scored and the Giants lead for the 1st time, 4-5.
Curnow sat the batters down in order in the next innings. The sealer came when Lowe hit a solo home run in the top of the 9th giving the Giants some insurance. Wade Balzer came on to close it out and the Giants got the win.
The outstanding efforts were from DeJohn, who pitched with great accuracy over 6 innings and got a hit as well.
Alex Turlea was outstanding in the field for Fitzroy, as he was central to 4 double plays around 2nd base. Alex pitched the last innings, doubled and scored a run as well.
Werribee had 4 runs scored against them early in the game and it was the accuracy of their pitching that got them back into the game and over the line. The 3 pitchers threw 117 pitches for 86 strikes and 1 walk, forcing the batters to swing early in every count.
A great display of variation and persistence.
In other Division 2 games Moorabbin were chased down by Malvern after leading 8-1 but the Panthers scored a couple of late runs off Malvern's import to win 11-9. Sunshine kept their undefeated run going when they beat Berwick City 11-1. St.Kilda nearly got their 1st win but fell to Springvale 2-1 and Bonbeach beat Port Melbourne 6-2.
In Division 1 Preston are 4 from 4 after defeating Williamstown 11-1 on the back of an Andrew Smiley no hitter. Newport made it 2 in a row when they beat Sandringham 5-0, Upwey lost 5-6 to Melbourne, Essendon accounted for Geelong 6-1 and Doncaster are still having trouble scoring as they went down 11-1 to Cheltenham. Waverley lost to Blackburn 10-0.
Hope to see you around the grounds.
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