Geelong Vs Preston Match Preview. Plus Preround Division 1,2 and Women's.
Interview with Sean Arnott Geelong Baseball Club. Direct Link here.
Interview with Stuart Chinn, Preston Baseball Club. Direct Link Here.
Preston come into their 3rd game of the season looking to extend their presence in Division 1. After 2 seasons without play-off action in the top grade the Pirates have collected a few new players and started their season with 2 wins. Travis Bass is the likely starter for the home team according to manager Stuart Chinn. Preston has also added shortstop Jordan Ley who has come over from Waverley and new import, hitter, 1st baseman and part time pitcher Andrew Smiley .
The Baycats are likely to start right-hander James Wood and have Trent Evins to call on in relief if the Pirates’ bats fire up like they have done in the past 2 weeks. Geelong has also got Kell’i Zablan to come in and pitch, in the middle innings or close out the game. Troy Snarey and Cameron Gibbons have also been hitting for the Baycats so will be the ones to watch in the box.
Cheltenham, who amassed 13 hits last week to outhit Upwey (10) in their loss, have Curnow, Ben Leslie, Holding and Calill in form at the plate. The Rustlers will be ready to capitalise on their hitting form, whilst looking for their first win when they host Melbourne this Saturday. Meanwhile the Demons (1-1) will be buoyed (despite their loss to Blackburn last week) by the fact that they had 7 of their starting 9 collect hits. Steele Ratcliffe pitched 5.1 innings, which should make it easier for the bullpen, which included Nathan Aron for 2 economical innings. The Demons should also be looking forward to the return of their pitching ace Andy Mann.
Blackburn had Tierney, Bookluck and Bertrand with 2 hits apiece last week in their win against Melbourne. The Orioles will also be buoyed by last week’s return of their marquee pitcher Adam Bright who threw 3 innings in the win. Doncaster will be waiting and raring to go as they look to their pitching staff lead by Luke Westphal who kept Waverley to a 4 hit shut out.
On Sunday Newport will be looking for a way to slow down Essendon when they travel to Boeing Reserve, after 2 heavy losses to Preston and Geelong. Essendon starter Michael Formisano threw well last week so expect the ball to go to him. The Bombers also had plenty of run support as Davies and Larkin collected 3 hits each in their win against Willy.
The Demons weren’t the only team who had 7 of the starting 9 get hits as Upwey had Nick Rice, Josh Hendricks, and Lewis in form with the bat. Howell went 7 innings on the mound last week for the Tigers before he handed the ball to Rice. With no mid-week games as yet, it is likely that Luke will be the starter when the Upwey team travel to Waverley. The Wildcats will be looking for their first win after a couple of close games. Waverley were beaten in a tight game against Doncaster last week after the Dragons strung 3 hits together in the 3rd to score the only 2 runs for the game. With economical pitching shared between Kennedy, Darcy and Pappanicalaou the Wildcats at home this weekend can’t be that far off.
Sandringham will travel to other side of the bay to face Williamstown after being shutout by Preston last week. Meanwhile, the Wolves look confident of holding their own in Division 1 this season after a first round win against Geelong and a loss to Essendon. Andrew Russell brings more Division 1 experience harbourside this season alongside coach Dean Marnell as well as Michael and Darren Pollock who have added to the team of the last 2 years. Russell started on the mound for the Wolves last week and also hit a 2 run blast against the Bombers. Additionally, Ryan Camov seems to have had no trouble making the jump to Division 1 as he has been hitting and taking his turn on the hill for the Wolves.
In Division 2
All Division 2 games will be played at 3.30 on Sunday this week.
Moorabbin are likely to start their import Musson, but after Josh Mulherin pitched brilliantly and lead off with the bat last week he might push for the start. The Panthers will try to take their season tally to 2 from 3 when they go to Bonbeach.
Berwick will be looking to make it 3 in a row and build on their work over several seasons when their young side visits Malvern who are 1 and 1.
Fitzroy are yet to register a win but will be looking to open their account whilst being eyed by St Kilda who are also winless. Danny King started for the Lions last week and went 5 innings so expect to see him with Wilson and Cowley in the pen.
Meanwhile the match of the round in Division 2 is Springvale at Sunshine. The undefeated Lions look to continue their form after their grand final berth last season and the Eagles, who are also 2-0, will be looking to capitalise on a good start to make it 3 in a row.
Port Melbourne is likely to start their import Desmeott when they travel to Werribee with both teams on 1-1. Meanwhile, the Rogers and Holland brothers look to continue their form with the bat and in the battery for the Mariners. A second win for both teams would set a good foundation for the season ahead, whilst 2 and 1 looks a lot different for the loser.
Women’s Division 1
In women’s Division 1 Doncaster take on Essendon after the Dragons accounted for Footscray 6-3 last weekend then suffered a 5-3 loss to Springvale during the week. Belinda Cannington is the one to watch as she lead off for the Dragons on Saturday and got 3 hits.
Additionally Essendon will be looking to separate themselves from the pack after their midweek draw with Footscray. The Bombers have had some close games so far this season and sit 2nd on 2-2.
Footscray will be confident of getting their 2nd win after 2 draws when they travel to Werribee.
Springvale who remain undefeated after 4 games travel to Malvern to complete the Saturday games for the round of matches and Werribee play Essendon at MBP on Thursday night at 6.30pm.
Report by Cam Gleeson
@valiantcam
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