Interview with Colin Penny of Essendon Baseball Club. Can't see the link? Then click here.
Footscray went to Essendon to open up the new year and to test out the Bomber’s form from late 2014. Essendon were 3rd, four games ahead of the Bulldogs. With only three games left after this one Footscray needed to win to consolidate their spot in the four whilst Essendon confirmed their status as a contender and a real threat to the undefeated Springvale.
Starting line-up for Footscray- Sandoval 4, L McLellan 6, Tanaka 1, A McLellan 2, Hamilton 3, Kappler 5, Cedelland 7, Napier 8, Mifsud 9.
Essendon- Gell 6, Deeble 7, Pedersen 9, A Kelly 1, Page 4, Foura 8, Gibson 2, Collins 5, French 3.
Top 1st- A Kelly of Essendon started with a strikeout then Lisa Mclellan worked the count before she hit to centre left for a stand up double. Tanaka walked to the empty base with one out then the Bulldog runners got a good jump on a double steal. Kelly soaked it up and got another swinging then Hamilton scored two with a single up the middle. The innings ended when Hamilton stretched for 3rd and got tagged out after Kappler hit to centre.
Bottom 1st- Gell started by drawing a walk then advanced two bases on a pass ball. Pedersen got on after an infield error to score her then A Kelly hit to left to make it 1st and 3rd occupied for the Bombers. Page dropped one into right to score Pedersen and Mifsud made a great 9 to 3 to get Foura and A Kelly scored on that play. Gibson punched one into right to score Page and make it 4 runs for Essendon. Collins joined in and hit to left but Tanaka finished it with a strikeout with two on.
Top 2nd- Kelly was on target and looked dangerous when she struck out the side in order.
Bottom 2nd- Back at the top of the Bombers batting order and Gell hit to left to lead off then stole 2nd. Deeble hit hard up the middle to score her, then Pedersen lobbed one into centre right and A Kelly tripled to score the two runs. Page then joined in the hit fest and scored another. Sandoval made a good catch at 2nd for the first out. Tanaka kept The Bulldogs spirits up with a strikeout to make it two down. The innings ended with a flyball to right.
Top 3rd- L McLellan and Tanaka started it off with a hit each then advanced on a pass ball. However, Kelly soaked it up and showed her class when she doubled off at 3rd after a comebacker catch to make it two out. Hamilton singled to score Tanaka but again Kelly was too good and sent her side to the dugout with another K.
Bottom 3rd- Cedelland came in to pitch for Tanaka of Footscray. French started it off with a long double over the left fielder’s head then she scored on a hit from Deeble after Gell had earlier grounded out and advanced her to 3rd. Kelly continued to stamp her influence on the game when she scored Deeble with a long double to centre with two out. Tanaka made another good out from short to end the dig.
Top 4th – Napier and Sandoval hit to keep the Bulldogs fire alight but Kelly was in control and got three contact outs.
Bottom 4th- Foura walked for the Bombers then stole 2nd and Gibson worked a pass to the vacant base. Essendon took the double steal and Garafolo batted in one with a hit to right. French did the same and the game started to blow out. Gell bot HBP and M Kelly came into the game for Deeble, she batted in one run on a ground out. Pedersen got HBP and loaded the bases, which really ramped up the pressure on Footscray. Two more scored on an error at home plate then Page got HBP to load them up again. A pop up got the second out then Garofolo singled to centre to score two more. French hit again and the top of the order was up but it ended there after a groundout.
Footscray refused to lay down when Tanaka started with a long double to the left field fence. Gell took the hill from Kelly after a dominant performance from the young Essendon star. A McLellan got on after an error but Gell showed real class and struck out the side.
Footscray showed some good form with the bat and were well led by Tanaka and A McLellan but Essendon led by Kelly were too strong.
Score Footscray 3, Essendon 18.