The 2018/19 VSBL season has reached its exciting conclusion with the senior women's finals getting underway this past weekend. Teams are vying for a spot in the Grand Finals, which will take place on Super Saturday (March 9th) at Cheltenham Baseball Club. Good luck to all our players, teams and clubs in their final games!
Division 1 Semi Finals
Doncaster Dragons vs. Footscray Bulldogs
9 3
The Dragons are feeling fine after dashing the Bulldogs’ playoff hopes with a determined win in the semi finals. Doncaster is on a bit of a roll, winning three of their last four with their sights set on another victory in the upcoming preliminary final at Essendon. If Doncaster advances to the Grand Final, they will have the chance to snap Springvale’s premiership streak and bring home the Dragons’ first championship since 2011/12.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
18 1
The Lions have proved nearly impossible to beat all season long, with just two losses over 19 games, and this pattern continued as the Bombers struggled to keep up with Springvale’s unstoppable lineup. Led by standout players like Gabby Bevan, Anna Kimbrell, Shae Lillywhite and many other contributors who have been consistent all season long, Springvale leaped out to a 4-1 lead by the top of the 3rd, and it all went downhill for Essendon from there. By the end of the inning, Springvale was leading 15-1. Although it was a disappointing result for Essendon, they will have another shot in the preliminary final against Doncaster, a team they’ve beaten five out of six games this season.
Photo: Springvale Lions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/springvalelions/photos/a.544791465589360/2034574753277683/?type=3&theater
Division 2 Semi Finals
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Essendon Bombers
7 2
Last season’s reigning premiers, and the fourth-place team overall, missed out on their chance for back-to-back championship titles as they fell to the third-place Footscray reserves. The Bombers had won their last meeting the week before in round 16 with a final score of 8-6, but the Bulldogs came back stronger in the semis to earn a ticket to the preliminary final. Footscray will head to Doncaster this weekend for a chance to go through all the way to the Grand Final.
Doncaster Dragons vs. Springvale Lions
4 21
After close competition between these two teams all season long, with Doncaster taking the win in two of their victories, along with one Springvale win and a draw, the Lions came out ready to give it their all. Springvale prevailed with an exceptional performance as they shut down many of Doncaster’s scoring opportunities while capitalising on plenty of their own. Despite the loss, Doncaster will have one more chance to get in the Grand Final as they host Footscray this Saturday at noon.
Division 3 Semi Finals
Doncaster/Melbourne vs. Cheltenham Rustlers
15 2
The fourth-place Rustlers fell to the third-place team in disappointing fashion, but they went home knowing they had a great season regardless with an impressive 11-5 record. Doncaster/Melbourne was simply stronger on the day, both with pitching and batting. They’ll battle it out with Werribee/Footscray this weekend to see who gets to play Wheelers Hill in the Grand Final.
Wheelers Hill Warriors vs. Werribee/Footscray
15 3
The new and highly competitive Warriors team was a force to be reckoned with at Saturday’s preliminary final as they kept their undefeated strike alive. Having finished the regular season with 14 wins and 1 draw, Wheelers Hill has proven to be the toughest team to beat. On the heels of their convincing victory that saw them rack up 10 or more runs for the 13th time this season, the Warriors have secured a home advantage for the Grand Final. It’s been a fantastic result for Wheelers Hill in their first year, and they’ll surely be looking to finish on a high note and secure the premiership. Meanwhile, Werribee/Footscray will get a second chance against the Doncaster/Melbourne team in the semi final.
Doncaster Dragons vs. Footscray Bulldogs
9 3
The Dragons are feeling fine after dashing the Bulldogs’ playoff hopes with a determined win in the semi finals. Doncaster is on a bit of a roll, winning three of their last four with their sights set on another victory in the upcoming preliminary final at Essendon. If Doncaster advances to the Grand Final, they will have the chance to snap Springvale’s premiership streak and bring home the Dragons’ first championship since 2011/12.
Springvale Lions vs. Essendon Bombers
18 1
The Lions have proved nearly impossible to beat all season long, with just two losses over 19 games, and this pattern continued as the Bombers struggled to keep up with Springvale’s unstoppable lineup. Led by standout players like Gabby Bevan, Anna Kimbrell, Shae Lillywhite and many other contributors who have been consistent all season long, Springvale leaped out to a 4-1 lead by the top of the 3rd, and it all went downhill for Essendon from there. By the end of the inning, Springvale was leading 15-1. Although it was a disappointing result for Essendon, they will have another shot in the preliminary final against Doncaster, a team they’ve beaten five out of six games this season.
Photo: Springvale Lions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/springvalelions/photos/a.544791465589360/2034574753277683/?type=3&theater
Division 2 Semi Finals
Footscray Bulldogs vs. Essendon Bombers
7 2
Last season’s reigning premiers, and the fourth-place team overall, missed out on their chance for back-to-back championship titles as they fell to the third-place Footscray reserves. The Bombers had won their last meeting the week before in round 16 with a final score of 8-6, but the Bulldogs came back stronger in the semis to earn a ticket to the preliminary final. Footscray will head to Doncaster this weekend for a chance to go through all the way to the Grand Final.
Doncaster Dragons vs. Springvale Lions
4 21
After close competition between these two teams all season long, with Doncaster taking the win in two of their victories, along with one Springvale win and a draw, the Lions came out ready to give it their all. Springvale prevailed with an exceptional performance as they shut down many of Doncaster’s scoring opportunities while capitalising on plenty of their own. Despite the loss, Doncaster will have one more chance to get in the Grand Final as they host Footscray this Saturday at noon.
Division 3 Semi Finals
Doncaster/Melbourne vs. Cheltenham Rustlers
15 2
The fourth-place Rustlers fell to the third-place team in disappointing fashion, but they went home knowing they had a great season regardless with an impressive 11-5 record. Doncaster/Melbourne was simply stronger on the day, both with pitching and batting. They’ll battle it out with Werribee/Footscray this weekend to see who gets to play Wheelers Hill in the Grand Final.
Wheelers Hill Warriors vs. Werribee/Footscray
15 3
The new and highly competitive Warriors team was a force to be reckoned with at Saturday’s preliminary final as they kept their undefeated strike alive. Having finished the regular season with 14 wins and 1 draw, Wheelers Hill has proven to be the toughest team to beat. On the heels of their convincing victory that saw them rack up 10 or more runs for the 13th time this season, the Warriors have secured a home advantage for the Grand Final. It’s been a fantastic result for Wheelers Hill in their first year, and they’ll surely be looking to finish on a high note and secure the premiership. Meanwhile, Werribee/Footscray will get a second chance against the Doncaster/Melbourne team in the semi final.