VSBL Finals have seen four of the top teams in Division 2 go head-to-head in fierce competitions as everyone wants the same thing: a hard-earned premiership title to cap off a sweet season. Cheltenham, Newport, Werribee and Doncaster are leaving it all out on the field as they try to make it past the semi finals, while the finalists for the seconds, thirds and fourths have been decided.
Division Two 1sts – Semi Finals Game 1 (Thursday, February 28th)
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Doncaster Dragons
10 3
The Rustlers finished atop the ladder with an exceptional record of 21 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. Cheltenham carried their undefeated record into round 23, when Doncaster pulled away with a surprise 7-5 win. The Dragons went on to win the next game as well with a walk-off 6-5 victory, securing the series win and exposing some of Cheltenham’s weak spots.
Fast forward to game 1 of the semi finals, and Cheltenham returned to their undeniably fine form as they bounced back from an early 3-0 deficit to overpower Doncaster with a convincing win. The Dragons, led by Club Coach Callum Lethborg and Assistant Coach David Medlin, know they have what it takes to beat Cheltenham, and they’ll have to lay it all out on the line for Saturday’s game.
Newport Rams vs. Werribee Giants
2 0
This was always going to be a close battle, as these Western rivals faced off once more. During the regular season, Werribee won 2 of their 3 meetings, but the Rams buckled down and got the job done on Thursday night. Despite a great 8-inning pitching performance from Josh Lee, Werribee’s offense wasn’t able to produce the same results against Riley Barr and the rest of the Rams.
The game was intense and tight going into the bottom of the 5th with still no score on the board. That’s when Newport broke through with a huge double stretched into a triple by Justin Gil. The score was 1-0 going into the bottom of the 6th, when the Rams struck again, adding another run to extend their lead.
Despite hits from Wade and Ryan Balzer, Werribee found themselves unable to produce much-needed runs as Newport claimed the first victory. The Giants host Saturday’s 2PM game, and if a third game is necessary that will be played at Newport on Sunday at 2 PM.
Photo: Newport Rams - Facebook
Photo: Werribee Giants Baseball Club - Facebook
Division Two Reserves – Semi Finals (Sunday, February 24th)
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams
5 2
This was a close and highly competitive game as the Rustlers and Rams went head-to-head with a 2-2 tie at the end of the 7th inning. It was in the 8th inning that Cheltenham broke through to secure the victory and move on to the Grand Final. Regardless of the final score, the Newport team had a fantastic season and they're happy with all the memories they made.
Cheltenham finished the regular season with 16 wins and 1 loss, so they'll prove to be some tough competition for Werribee in the big game on Sunday, March 3rd.
Werribee Giants vs. Williamstown Wolves
4 0
The Giants had an impressive outing on Sunday, shutting out the Wolves on their way to the Grand Final. Back in round 13, Werribee beat Williamstown 8-0, but Williamstown took the second game 7-5. The semi was always going to be a tough test for both sides, but ultimately the second-place Giants prevailed. Now they'll turn their attention to Cheltenham for the chance to bring home a highly-anticipated premiership flag!
Division Two Thirds - Semi Finals (Sunday, February 24th)
Newport Rams vs. Springvale Lions
11 13
Both teams battled valiantly, but Springvale came back to win it and earn another shot at the premiership title. The Rams started off early, securing an 8-3 lead in the 3rd inning, but it didn't last long. The Lions managed 9 runs in the 5th inning, a painful series of mistakes for the Rams that they tried to recover from but ultimately couldn't. Nevertheless, Newport had a great season in which the team bond was apparent, and they'll be ready to regroup and get back at it next season.
The Lions move on to play Malvern next week in what should be a fast-paced, competitive Grand Final. In the opening round of the season, Springvale won 16-6, and they also took the second game 5-3. Malvern turned things around for the third game, winning 5-2, so anything could happen in the final game!
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Malvern Braves
2 7
Third-place Malvern managed to upset second-place Cheltenham with a strong performance. The Braves wasted no time, with Ryan Othen getting on base with the first pitch of the game. Steve Dean drove him in two batters later, and then Stuart Holland knocked in another run for a handy 2-0 lead.
This advantage gave starting pitcher Josh Brown the room he needed to easily shut down the Rustlers. Tom Copping scored in the 2nd inning on a hit from Brown, and the Braves were feeling good with a 3-0 lead. This carried on in the 3rd as a lead-off hit from Dean, a walk from Holland and a wild throw put runners in scoring position. Lachie Ducket stepped up and hit a huge double to score the 4th run.
In the bottom of the 3rd the Rustlers stepped up their game and started the inning with a single to right. A sacrifice bunt, wild pitch and a balk brought home Cheltenham's first run of the game, and the second soon followed with a big double to left through the cones.
With a score of 4-2, the Braves were feeling the pressure after failing to score Paul Gladman following his lead-off triple. Malvern buckled down with a solid inning in defense to get things back on track. By the time the top of the 5th rolled around, Dean picked up his third hit in as many as bats, coming around to score on another hit from Duckett. In the bottom frame of the inning, a key strikeout ensured the Braves maintained their lead.
Coach Dean managed his fourth hit of the game in the top of the 6th, driving in two runs to make the score 7-2. Although Cheltenham tried to bounce back and had a chance with a muffed fly ball, the Braves kept the defense on the ground and their eyes on an impending victory.
The Braves batters were retired quietly in the final inning, and the Rustlers put a few runners on with1 out. Gladman made a stunning catch in left to get the second out, while a ground ball to second base secured the final out of the game. Malvern will hope for a repeat performance as they host Springvale, a team they lost 2 out of 3 games to this regular season.
Division Two Fourths - Semi Finals (Sunday, February 24th)
Williamstown Wolves vs. Mulgrave Rebels
13 3
Last year's champions will have another shot at Grand Final Glory after a convincing win over fourth-place Mulgrave. Williamstown were the likely winners having won six more games than Mulgrave, although the Rebels did pull off
a spectacular 8-7 win over the ladder leaders in round 17. The Wolves had won the previous meeting 24-1.
Now, Williamstown moves on as they are hot on the heels of back-to-back premierships. The only thing standing in their way is fierce rival Cheltenham, who they have beat in two out of three games this season.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams
22 7
The Rustlers made a big statement in their huge semi final win over Newport, thanks to a fast and furious lineup and strong pitching that kept the Rams from scoring more runs. Tallying their highest run total thus far this season, Cheltenham will be feeling pretty good heading into Sunday's Grand Final vs. reigning premiers Williamstown!
Division Two Reserves – Semi Finals (Sunday, February 24th)
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams
5 2
This was a close and highly competitive game as the Rustlers and Rams went head-to-head with a 2-2 tie at the end of the 7th inning. It was in the 8th inning that Cheltenham broke through to secure the victory and move on to the Grand Final. Regardless of the final score, the Newport team had a fantastic season and they're happy with all the memories they made.
Cheltenham finished the regular season with 16 wins and 1 loss, so they'll prove to be some tough competition for Werribee in the big game on Sunday, March 3rd.
Werribee Giants vs. Williamstown Wolves
4 0
The Giants had an impressive outing on Sunday, shutting out the Wolves on their way to the Grand Final. Back in round 13, Werribee beat Williamstown 8-0, but Williamstown took the second game 7-5. The semi was always going to be a tough test for both sides, but ultimately the second-place Giants prevailed. Now they'll turn their attention to Cheltenham for the chance to bring home a highly-anticipated premiership flag!
Division Two Thirds - Semi Finals (Sunday, February 24th)
Newport Rams vs. Springvale Lions
11 13
Both teams battled valiantly, but Springvale came back to win it and earn another shot at the premiership title. The Rams started off early, securing an 8-3 lead in the 3rd inning, but it didn't last long. The Lions managed 9 runs in the 5th inning, a painful series of mistakes for the Rams that they tried to recover from but ultimately couldn't. Nevertheless, Newport had a great season in which the team bond was apparent, and they'll be ready to regroup and get back at it next season.
The Lions move on to play Malvern next week in what should be a fast-paced, competitive Grand Final. In the opening round of the season, Springvale won 16-6, and they also took the second game 5-3. Malvern turned things around for the third game, winning 5-2, so anything could happen in the final game!
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Malvern Braves
2 7
Third-place Malvern managed to upset second-place Cheltenham with a strong performance. The Braves wasted no time, with Ryan Othen getting on base with the first pitch of the game. Steve Dean drove him in two batters later, and then Stuart Holland knocked in another run for a handy 2-0 lead.
This advantage gave starting pitcher Josh Brown the room he needed to easily shut down the Rustlers. Tom Copping scored in the 2nd inning on a hit from Brown, and the Braves were feeling good with a 3-0 lead. This carried on in the 3rd as a lead-off hit from Dean, a walk from Holland and a wild throw put runners in scoring position. Lachie Ducket stepped up and hit a huge double to score the 4th run.
In the bottom of the 3rd the Rustlers stepped up their game and started the inning with a single to right. A sacrifice bunt, wild pitch and a balk brought home Cheltenham's first run of the game, and the second soon followed with a big double to left through the cones.
With a score of 4-2, the Braves were feeling the pressure after failing to score Paul Gladman following his lead-off triple. Malvern buckled down with a solid inning in defense to get things back on track. By the time the top of the 5th rolled around, Dean picked up his third hit in as many as bats, coming around to score on another hit from Duckett. In the bottom frame of the inning, a key strikeout ensured the Braves maintained their lead.
Coach Dean managed his fourth hit of the game in the top of the 6th, driving in two runs to make the score 7-2. Although Cheltenham tried to bounce back and had a chance with a muffed fly ball, the Braves kept the defense on the ground and their eyes on an impending victory.
The Braves batters were retired quietly in the final inning, and the Rustlers put a few runners on with1 out. Gladman made a stunning catch in left to get the second out, while a ground ball to second base secured the final out of the game. Malvern will hope for a repeat performance as they host Springvale, a team they lost 2 out of 3 games to this regular season.
Division Two Fourths - Semi Finals (Sunday, February 24th)
Williamstown Wolves vs. Mulgrave Rebels
13 3
Last year's champions will have another shot at Grand Final Glory after a convincing win over fourth-place Mulgrave. Williamstown were the likely winners having won six more games than Mulgrave, although the Rebels did pull off
a spectacular 8-7 win over the ladder leaders in round 17. The Wolves had won the previous meeting 24-1.
Now, Williamstown moves on as they are hot on the heels of back-to-back premierships. The only thing standing in their way is fierce rival Cheltenham, who they have beat in two out of three games this season.
Cheltenham Rustlers vs. Newport Rams
22 7
The Rustlers made a big statement in their huge semi final win over Newport, thanks to a fast and furious lineup and strong pitching that kept the Rams from scoring more runs. Tallying their highest run total thus far this season, Cheltenham will be feeling pretty good heading into Sunday's Grand Final vs. reigning premiers Williamstown!