St Kilda Baseball Club crowned the first-ever Rake by the Lake Home Run Derby Champion last Wednesday, with Melbourne Aces star Jack Barrie taking out the title.
Despite the hot conditions, Barrie smashed 37 home runs on the day, which saw a total of 109 home runs sail over the fence at Tom O'Halloran Field.
After Barrie cruised through qualifying as the #2 seed and overcame Williamstown's Daniel Chircop in the quarters, things really started heating up. Barrie and fellow Melbourne Aces alum Darryl George went head to head in the semi-final, as Barrie set the pace with 14 home runs and George followed with six in the first minute, eventually falling just short with 12 bombs of his own.
Williamstown's Justin Gourlay faced off against Barrie in the final, recording four quick dingers to start before finishing with a total of eight home runs, a few shy of Barrie's cracking 14 home runs in the last round.
"All competitors did an awesome job in intense heat and intense competition," St Kilda Secretary Simon Leicht said. "St Kilda Baseball Club couldn't have been prouder of these 14 competitors to be on our first-ever Rake by the Lake field - hopefully we see them back next year! Thank you to our sponsors Ausport and Sleeping Duck for their support, and all the spectators, kids, and supporters who came down and braved the heat to cheer everyone on."
