Women’s Division One
Footscray vs Springvale at Melbourne Ball Park- Thursday 30th October 2014
Interview with Shae Lilywhite, direct link here.
In the top of the 1st Kelly Manzie-Novotny took the mound for Springvale and got the 1st 2 outs when she zoned in from the start. The game looked to be more of a contest when Abbey Mclellan then Kelly Jewes both singled to centre. However, Manzie-Novotny was too good and finished it with a strike out to strand both runners.
In the bottom of the 1st the undefeated Springvale provided some very good at bats. Kirsten Bezzina started for the Bulldogs and the Lions went after anything in the strike zone from the get-go. Shae Lilywhite lead off with an infield hit and Shevy Stephenson doubled to score 3 runs after an earlier 2 walks. To her credit though, Bezzina then settled under great pressure with the bases loaded. Kirsten threw a strike out and Lisa Mclellan worked a double play through 3rd base and home plate to finish off the innings. Springvale went into the dugout with 3 runs.
Top 2 and Manzie-Novotny had also settled in, throwing low and hard. Locked in by Stephenson in the dish she was hitting the glove with varying speed and movement. The battery got the hitters off balance so well that they combined to sit them down in order after only 5 pitches.
In the bottom of the 2nd Bezzina zoned in for Footscray after some heavy base traffic in the 1st. She struck out the 1st batter she faced. Shae Lilywhite battled it out with the young pitcher for an 8-pitch walk, and then Haugh showed a good eye to get another free pass. However Kirsten steadied and got 2 contact outs to leave the runners on base. At this point the pressure that Springvale had applied with their batting started to ease and Footscray looked like they might be a chance to get back into the game.
Top 3 and Manzie-Novotny was just getting started. She sat the batters down in order after 9 pitches.
Bottom 3 and Footscray received a boost when a well executed relay throw caught Shirlie Loon stretching a double to be tagged out a 3rd base. Vic Brown singled to centre but the Bulldogs withstood the pressure and after a fielder’s choice and strikeout the Lions went back in with no addition to the score.
Top 4 and if you thought that Manzie-Novotny was sharp before this she became even sharper with 3 contact outs.
Bottom 4. Risa Tanaka took the mound after Bezzina had recovered well from some pressure situations. Risa was also throwing hard and low so it looked like it might be a pitcher's duel at that point. Shae Lilywhite beat out another infield single, and then found a way to score after an error and a walk. The Lions were leading 4-0.
Top 5 and the Bulldogs got a runner on after an error. Manzie-Novotny steadied again though and left the score unchanged as they went into the bottom half of the frame.
Tanaka was looking sharp in the bottom of the 5th. Risa started by inducing a fly ball to centre then threw 2 strikeouts.
The innings were starting to run out for Footscray in the top of the 6th but there was a ray of hope when Tanaka drew a 7-pitch walk. It added up to nothing though as Manzie-Novotny was pitching with power and increased movement. She sat down the remaining batters in order.
In the bottom of the 6th Lillywhite got her 3rd hit of the night and was batted in by Haugh who singled to centre. Tanaka was still in control though and finished it with a strikeout to give her team one last chance to even the score.
Manzie-Novotny remained on the mound for the Lions and was throwing with great poise late in the game. Kelly closed it for a complete game shut out and Springvale took the win 5-0.
The best players for the winners were Manzie-Novotny for her pitching and Shae Lilywhite for solid work at shortstop and for also collecting 3 hits. For Footscray Risa Tanaka kept her team in the game throwing both hard and off-speed pitches with accuracy. Whilst Kirsten Bezzina pitched well after some early inaccuracy and got 1 hit.
Hits Springvale- Lilywhite 3, Haugh 1, Stephenson 1, Loon 1, Brown 1, Atkins 1. Total 8.
Footscray- Mclellan 1, Jewes 1, Bezzina 1. Total 3
Pitching- Springvale, Kelly Manzie-Novotny threw 7 innings striking out 7 walking one and allowing 3 hits.
Footscray pitcher Kirsten Bezzina- 3 innings struck out 3, gave up 3 runs and walked 5.
Risa Tanaka pitched the last 3 innings. gave up 2 runs allowing 4 hits and one walk.
Match report by Cam Gleeson
@valiantcam