Rustlers take two: Bombers sink Sandy
Kingsley Collins, Saturday, 27 February 2010 Geelong made the trek to Cheltenham but came away empty-handed as the Rustlers took both of the double-header: Essendon dispensed with Sandringham and Doncaster won a pitcher-dominated contest over Malvern, while Blackburn made a late charge at Newport, the Tigers smacked Bonbeach and Waverley whitewashed Sunshine.....
“I know nothing with any certainty,” said Vincent van Gogh, “but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
Although hacking off one’s ear might tend to impair judgment, old Vinny could easily have been talking about the next fortnight of State League baseball – which is still to deliver a degree of certainty to either satisfy or thwart the hopes and aspirations of several clubs.
So let’s evoke a few images for those people who dare to envisage where the coming weeks might place them on baseball’s ever-changing canvas.
With two games to come – against Essendon and Sandringham – Waverley is by no means certain of securing the minor premiership and a crack at the fourth-placed side in the first week of finals. Finishing order is not at all clear, with the top five clubs playing off against each other over the coming fortnight.
Currently second – and just a win ahead of Blackburn – Essendon has games against Blackburn, Waverley, Sandringham and Geelong. Blackburn has Essendon, Malvern and Sandringham twice. Geelong – still fourth after two losses to Cheltenham on Sunday – has to meet Sandringham, Sunshine, Bonbeach and Essendon.
In fifth placing – and two wins adrift of Geelong – Sandringham has the challenging draw, with two games against Blackburn and others against Geelong, Essendon and Waverley.
The Wednesday night meeting between Geelong and Sandringham – this week – is a crucial match-up. A Baycats victory would effectively guarantee a finals berth, while a Royals win would extend the drama into next weekend.
In sixth placing, Cheltenham has just two games to play and is out of finals contention – despite beating the Baycats twice on Sunday.
There is also considerable interest – and uncertainty - at the bottom of the table. Malvern needs one win – from three games – to be reasonably confident of remaining in Division One. However, Bonbeach has four to come and may yet be able do some damage in the fortnight ahead – with games against Newport, Cheltenham, Geelong and Sunshine.
Although Sunshine will remain at the bottom of the table whatever happens over the next fortnight, we can be confident that this proud club will be keen to finish its season on a positive note.
CHELTENHAM 11 defeated GEELONG 3
The Rustlers out-hit Geelong thirteen to six, but were along the way assisted by the visitors getting some tough breaks in defence and making a couple of throwing errors.
“I don’t recall us making too many bad errors,” said Geelong Manager Nathan Holmes. “We made some throwing mistakes and probably had a couple of bad hops. It was that combined with not making good pitches when we were ahead of the hitters that hurt us.”
Cheltenham opened scoring with one in the first but the Baycats hit back with two in the top of the second – the only time that they would have a lead as the Rustlers replied with three, followed by another five in the middle innings and two in the eighth.
While Geelong starter Lindsay Webb was taken for nine runs – on eight hits and two passes - over five innings of work, only four were earned as the Baycats gifted a couple and the Rustlers continued to hit the ball hard and often.
“They really took it to us today,” Holmes said. “They were a much different and more confident team to when we last played them.”
Stuart Barnes and Brad Egan were both solid for the visitors in tossing two innings each, but the damage had been done.
In amassing thirteen hits, Cheltenham was well served by Nick Rossell (two hits, two RBIs), Nathan Jones (two, with an RBI), Hayden Dingle two, Paul Weichard two, Brett Curnow two, Paul Rutgers and Daniel Mack, who both drove in a couple of their side’s runs.
For their part, the Cheltenham pitchers were well supported in defence, with Kable Hogben tossing five innings for four hits, two passes and two earned runs. Tom Ellis was outstanding to mop up by conceding two hits and a solitary walk over four innings of work.
“I thought that their pitchers were both very good,” Holmes said. “Kable got behind on occasions but he was able to come back with some quality pitches when he needed to.”
CHELTENHAM 7 defeated GEELONG 6
Despite out-hitting the home side eighteen to ten, the Baycats were not able to fully capitalise on their opportunities in a tight contest.
Starting the game in aggressive manner and no doubt keen to atone for the earlier loss, Geelong were on fire early to hold a 6-1 lead after a fourth innings when they plated five on a flurry of hits. But the strong Cheltenham offence was up to the task by catching up with Baycats starter Ben Knuth with a five-spot in the sixth and holding on for a narrow win.
Knuth had been superb over the first five and a stand-out on the hill in the second of the double-header. After Cheltenham starter Andrew Gribbin conceded the early runs, Blake Cunningham was effective in holding the Baycats in the later innings.
“We were in control until the sixth,” said Geelong Manager Nathan Holmes. “Then it all came unstuck pretty quickly. They hit the ball for extra bases and converted their chances – something that we couldn’t do after that one big innings.”
Eighteen hits to ten would usually be more than enough to win a game at this level, but the Baycats were not able to take full advantage of contributions by Kyle Edlich (four hits), Cameron Lyons (two, with three RBIs), Mitch Miller (two and one), Stuart Forbes two, Nathan Holmes two, Ross Wilson two and Matt Ryan (home run and three RBIs).
With two hits and a couple of RBIs, Nick Rossell completed a great day for the Rustlers, who were also well served in offence by Hayden Dingle (two hits) and a number of others contributing in scoring situations.
“We might have had more hits overall,” Holmes said, “but eight or nine of them were in one innings. The Cheltenham offence was more timely and its hits came in key situations.”
Sixth-placed Cheltenham has moved to fifteen wins and a draw – with two to play - while the Baycats have four games to secure a finals berth.
“That’s the first time - for a few games - that we’ve been pushed," Holmes said. “Maybe we were looking too far ahead – at finishing order – rather than approaching each game on its merits.”
“We just need to reassess where we’re at.”
Cheltenham is away to Bonbeach on Sunday, while Geelong meets Sandringham on Wednesday (Altona, late) before a home game to Sunshine on Sunday.
ESSENDON 8 defeated SANDRINGHAM 3
The Royals plated two in the first of what was a tight contest until a break-out that saw the home side hit through the order and blast six runs in the bottom of six.
Casey Jones was super-efficient over seven innings of work, while Royals ace Matt Blackmore never seemed quite at ease in his six innings on the hill.
Sandy opened hostilities in the first, with a lead-off walk, a Brendan Horne double and a Stuart Adam single scoring two. It took the Bombers until the third to deliver their first and - after five - scores were tied at 2-2 as Jones and Blackmore exerted their authority.
But it all turned pear-shaped for the Royals in the bottom of six. Tristen McDonald singled, Jarryd Rogers landed on base through an error and Russell Spear laid down a safety bunt to load the bases. Aaron Sayers singled up the middle for two, Dean McIntyre hit safely for another couple and scored on brother Scott’s single into rightfield. Just for good measure, Tim Sullivan doubled and then motored home on a Josh Davies bleeder to stretch the lead to six.
Although Grant Irving closed out the last couple with no further damage, the Bombers had quality options in support of Jones, who had been dominant after the first. While Sandy scrambled one back in the eight – off Ross Hipke – Spear conceded a couple of passes before closing out the last and denying the visitors the chance of posting an important win.
“We didn’t change our approach or anything like that after they scored the first couple,” said Essendon Assistant Coach Phil Allen.
“We know that Blackmore is a class act and we kept trying to be aggressive, to get ourselves into hitting situations and not give him a chance to use the splitter as a weapon.”
“Casey was solid enough after a pretty shaky start,” Allen said. “That’s a real reflection on his competitive spirit. And Ross and Russell backed him to the hilt.”
“Our pitching is in good shape.”
Blackmore, Adam and Horne were dangerous with the bat for Sandringham, while Tim Sullivan was the standout for Essendon in going four from four (with a walk).
“Sullivan has been great for us lately,” Allen said, “but we were solid right through the order today.”
“Sayers shows a lot of maturity and was terrific with a clutch hit. He plays well above his years and is one of the kids really coming along at the club.”
Essendon meets Blackburn on Wednesday (Altona, early) and is away to Waverley on Sunday while Sandringham faces another acid test against Geelong on Wednesday (Altona, late) and is away to Blackburn on Sunday.
DONCASTER 3 defeated MALVERN 0
Although there was not a great deal riding on the result of the game, this developed into a remarkable pitchers' duel that produced an outcome in an hour and forty minutes.
Rhys Aldenhoven delivered a two-hit pearler over nine for the Dragons, while Brendan Ratcliffe's complete-game outing required just seventy-nine pitches as the Dragons converted in a timely manner.
A breakdown of their individual stats is an accurate reflection of the pitching dominance and explains the speed with which the nine innings were completed. Aldenhoven threw 94 pitches, conceded a solitary walk and struck out ten while Ratcliffe gave up ten hits and one HPB (no walks), with 66 of his pitches being strikes.
“Both pitchers were outstanding today,” said Doncaster Manager Stephen Black. “Rhys was just really confident in his manner and approach. It was probably the best game he’s thrown for us.”
Doncaster’s runs all came in singles – in the second, then the seventh and the ninth. Two of them were on sacrifice fly balls.
“We challenged with the bat all day,” Black said. “We had plenty more runners on base and we made the hits when we needed to.”
“Slade Squire, Jamie Lethborg and Scott Carr all had two hits for us.”
The Doncaster hierarchy was buoyed by the performance of seventeen year-old catcher Leigh Bertrand, who headed an errorless Doncaster defence.
“He caught an excellent game,” Black said, “and he laid down a key bunt when we needed it.”
“It was his best game so far in Division One.”
While Malvern appears reasonably likely to remain in Division One, another win would make that a certainty. At twelve and eighteen – with a draw – Doncaster has much to be pleased with in its season.
“It’s all good,” Black said. “We’re moving forward.”
“The next couple of weeks are about pride for us. We want to finish on strong.”
Malvern is away to Sunshine on Thursday (Altona, early) and away to Geelong on Sunday. Doncaster has a break midweek before its home clash with Upwey on Saturday (1.00 PM start).
BLACKBURN 8 defeated NEWPORT 3
The Orioles came off a couple of losses with a hard-fought win at the stadium to strengthen their position in the top four.
It was 0-0 after five before the Orioles launched a serious assault on Rams reliever Craig Malthouse to plate six runs in the seventh after Griffen Weir had held the potent Orioles offence through the first five.
“He was very good for them,” said Blackburn Manager Dominick Ruggiero, “but our bloke wasn’t too bad either!”
Blackburn starter Adam Bright threw seven scoreless innings of work and the professional was basically untouched by a Newport offence that was missing Matthew Lawman and Chris Bramwell and faced a 0-8 deficit heading into the last.
“Brighty was lights-out,” Ruggiero said of his ace, who will be heading back to the United States after some paperwork is tidied up.
“He just wears his heart on his sleeve for the black and red. He usually wouldn’t be asked – or expected – to throw any more than forty pitches. But he’s been giving us ninety or more in recent games.”
While Orioles reliever Ryan Phillips had a few issues in closing out the ninth, the game was well in hand.
Subdued early, the Orioles’ offence came to life with the Rams pitching change.
“We got a bunch of hits and took the ball the opposite way off him (Malthouse),” said Ruggiero.
“It was really tight until then and it just shows that there is no such thing as an easy game in Division One.”
David Tierney was a standout with three hits for Blackburn, while Chris Hodkinson, Ryan Booth, Ben Utting and Sean Pascoe all collected two.’
“Bumpstead crushed the ball all day,” Ruggiero said. “The only downside to our game was that Hopcraft broke his hand and might miss a couple.”
In other news from the Burnerdome, Ruggiero clarified the playing status of Brendan Wilson, who is steadily rehabbing after serious injury.
“He’s been playing a bit of outfield but probably won’t pitch this season,” Ruggiero said. “He’ll play winter baseball.”
The Rams are away to Bonbeach on Thursday (Altona, late) and at home to Malvern on Sunday, while Blackburn meets Essendon on Wednesday (Altona, early) and is at home to Sandringham on Sunday.
WAVERLEY 16 defeated SUNSHINE 0
The Wildcats flexed their considerable offensive muscle after a low-scoring couple of weeks in a game that reflected the competitive difference between the league leader and a club that - despite its best efforts- has been in the cellar for most of the season.
Smacking eleven runs in the first and another three in the second, the Wildcats mercifully wrapped it up in seven after amassing twenty-one hits.
Playing his last game for the club before heading back to professional duties, James Beresford led the charge with a four from four outing (including a home run, a couple of walks and two RBIs).
Andrew Russell continued his stellar season with three hits (including a home run and five RBIs), Anthony Reinke collected three knocks, Josh Hendricks included a round-tripper in his two hits for three RBIs, while Wearne, Gassner, Bonaddio and Karlsen all had two hits.
While Sunshine lefty Stuart Clayton spun some off-speed magic last time the clubs met, hopes of a replication of that effort were dashed very early on as the Wildcats posted ten hits for the double-digit score in the opening stanza. Sticking to his task, Clayton managed to go the distance against enormous odds.
“Our guys swung the bats pretty well,” said Waverley Manager Phil Dale. “We had trouble with their guy last time, so it was good to see us making the adjustments.”
“Sixteen hits in the first two innings is not bad going.”
Not conceding a walk between them over the truncated contest, Waverley’s three pitchers were outstanding to collectively scatter three hits. Adam Blackley whiffed eight over his three innings of work, Donavon Hendricks was in control in the middle and Brett Flemming closed out a hitless last two.
“It was an opportunity for us to tune up for the big games coming up,” Dale said. “The game was done after the first, so it was good to give our throwers a bit of an outing.”
“That’s all behind us now. We’ll be preparing for a big game against Essendon on Sunday. We lose Beresford this week but everyone else is fine and ready to go.”
Sunshine has a home game to Malvern on Thursday (Altona, early) before making the trip to Geelong on Sunday. With its midweekers finished, Waverley will host Essendon on Sunday in a game that will go a long way towards deciding the minor premier.
UPWEY FTG 12 defeated BONBEACH 0
With Malvern dropping its game to Doncaster, this was an opportunity for the Jays to bridge the gap between sides at the bottom of the table. But the Tigers were never headed in posting an impressive result.
All of the Upwey offence had at least one hit, while their three-pronged pitching staff had a no-hitter going into the last innings.
Lucas Unland went four innings (four strike outs), Adrian Rice threw the fifth and sixth (two strikeouts) and Sean Meldrum finished off for the Tigers, who led throughout and wrapped it up in seven.
“We were very good across the board,” said Upwey Manager Mitch Ayres. “Our pitchers were great and to give up just one hit – in the last innings – was a really dominant effort.”
“All of our lineup had at least one hit. Leon Rice had two extra base hits and five RBIs for us and Brad Harman had three RBIs,” said Ayres, who himself led the way in offence by hitting in three of his side’s runs.
Ben Donald threw five for Bonbeach and Matt Bucci finished the last two, as both struggled to contain the Tiger offence.
“We also picked up a few walks,” Ayres said. “We lost a few runners on base, but that can happen when you’re playing an aggressive offensive game.”
“I’m very pleased with what has been a successful year for us in Division One. We’re still a chance of finishing in sixth or seventh – depending on other results.”
Upwey is away to Doncaster on Saturday (Deep Creek, 1.00 PM start), while Bonbeach meets Newport on Thursday (Altona, late) before hosting Cheltenham on Sunday.
DIVISION TWO
The Division two competition promises to go right to the wire, with the only real certainties being that Werribee will finish on top, Fitzroy will finish second and Footscray will finish in last placing.
Mulgrave thrashed Moorabbin but neither can make the play-offs, Berwick had what was – for them – an important win over Ormond at the bottom of the table, Springvale easily accounted for Footscray, Fitzroy shook off third-placed Melbourne in a tight one (report below), Preston showed some improved form to get past Port Melbourne, Werribee was too strong for a developing Waverley outfit and – in the game of the round – St Kilda snuck home over Skinny’s Wolves after leading 9-2 (report below).
While the first two placing are set in stone, Melbourne – third – is still not assured of a finals berth with games to come against Williamstown and Waverley. Williamstown has the Demons and Footscray to come, while St Kilda – which is fifth and a game behind Willy – has Waverley, Werribee and Ormond to play. The only other chance – at huge odds – is Springvale, which would have to win both games (against Preston and Port Melbourne) but would need both Williamstown and St Kilda to fall under a bus.
ST KILDA 9 defeated WILLIAMSTOWN 7
St Kilda kept its finals hopes alive by downing the Wolves in a contest that finished in drizzle and fading light.
The Sainters gained an early break to lead 5-2 after Michael Dunn’s three RBI double. Dunn followed this up with a two-out bleeder that scored another two in the seventh before an Adam Franks hit stretched it to 9-2.
Loading the bases with two out in the seventh, Williamstown hit back as Ben Burke’s hard-hit grounder found a way through Stuart Cox, resulting in three runs crossing the plate – the third barely ahead of the third out as Burke was caught in a run-down play.
The Wolves plated two more in the eighth and had bags loaded with one out – with the score at 9-7 – but Scott Harris got out of a jam with a broken bat grounder to Cox, who rolled the double play.
Saints threatened in the eighth and ninth but were unable to score off Jason Lester (three innings for three runs), who had relieved Ryan Camov after six innings of work (for six runs).
Still not done, Williamstown landed their lead-off on base in the bottom of nine – through an error. A walk and a sac bunt gave the Wolves the tying run at second with one out. Justin Charles popped up to Cox, Mason walked to load the bases but Harris induced another pop-up taken comfortably by Keiper at first base.
In a big-hearted outing for his club, Harris threw the complete game for St Kilda – with the wind blowing out - to concede just four earned runs and pick up what may yet be a crucial win in the context of the season.
FITZROY 8 MELBOURNE 6
Fitzroy celebrated their 120th anniversary on Friday night with 210 people attending a memorable gala dinner and the festivities continued on Saturday with a narrow two-run win against traditional rival Melbourne.
Cool and overcast conditions could not keep a large crowd away from this big match. Brock Pawley (pictured) started on the mound for the home team while junior Campbell Wiggins took the pill for the Demons.
Fitzroy were first to trouble the scorers when they plated four in the fourth on the back of hits to King, Huryn, Linehan and Edwards. Melbourne answered with one of their own in the fifth - thanks to an error and an Andy Mann base hit. The Lions posted a fifth run in their half of the innings when Joel Arnott scored after stealing second and third.
The game lifted a notch in the sixth when a two-out, two-strike double for Melbourne scored two runs to draw it back to 5-3.
Campbell Wiggins gave way to his brother Jonathon, who kept Fitzroy quiet heading into the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, Wiggins walked the first two hitters and was replaced on the mound by first baseman Andy Mann. Head Coach John Edwards greeted the first pitch he saw from the reliever by planting it into Northcote Secondary College and giving the home team an 8-3 lead going into the last.
Victoria White star of the recent Under 18 Nationals Errol Whinnen replaced Pawley on the mound to finish off the last but landed in trouble as Melbourne mounted a late challenge loading the bases with none out. This brought Edwards in from right field to close out the game and deliver Fitzroy a deserved 8-6 victory.
"Melbourne were tough today,” Fitzroy Head Coach John Edwards said. “They really worked hard in the batter’s box and fought off a lot of good pitches. They were solid in defence and showed some great arms in the outfield. Their young guys can really pitch."
"We are happy to come away with the win and secure second place on the ladder heading into the finals,” Edwards said.
"It’s possible we will meet again in the first round of the finals, so today’s game should give both teams an idea of what to expect."
"I thought Brock did a good job for us. He didn't have his best stuff but he battled through eight hard innings with out much support in the field,” Edwards said.
"We hit the ball really well. We executed the situations the way we wanted to and we ran the bases hard."
"The game was a big step forward for us as we head into a run for the championship."
DIVISION THREE
The top four in finishing order is Chelsea, Blackburn, Melton and Essendon Red, with finals to start next weekend.
Division Three finals are played under the Page system. Club officials and players are asked to familiarise themselves with the finals Playing Conditions (page 23 onwards).
DIVISION FOUR
The top four in finishing order is Chelsea, Blackburn B, Cheltenham and Carrum Downs, with finals to start next weekend.
Division Four finals are played under the Page system. Club officials and players are asked to familiarise themselves with the finals Playing Conditions (page 23 onwards).
WOMEN’S BASEBALL
Another “Super Saturday” of women’s baseball Grand Finals will be held at Malvern Baseball Club during Saturday 6 March. Times will be posted early this week, with Division Three to be played as the early game, Division Two in the middle of the day and Division One to cap off the women’s season.
With Springvale/Berwick winning the DIVISION ONE Preliminary Final, Werribee the DIVISION TWO Preliminary Final and Footscray emerging a narrow winner in DIVISION THREE, the Grand Final games are as follow:
DIVISION THREE: Melbourne A vs Footscray, 10.00 AM start
DIVISION TWO: Doncaster vs Werribee, 1.00 PM start
DIVISION ONE: Springvale vs Springvale/Berwick, 4.00 PM start
All women’s Grand Finals are of seven innings duration. Division One has no time limit. Divisions Two and Three have a two and a half hour time limit. Club officials and players are asked to familiarise themselves with the finals Playing Conditions (page 23 onwards).
Aside from the above-mentioned Women’s Grand Finals to be played next Saturday, junior finals are under way and senior finals will start next weekend in the following divisions – Division One seconds, thirds and fourths, Division two seconds, thirds and fourths, Division Three and Division Four.
Division One and Division Two Reserves are played over nine innings (no time limit). All other lower grade men’s finals are played over seven innings, with no time limit.
Club officials and players are asked to familiarise themselves with the finals Playing Conditions (page 23 onwards). The annual Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival is scheduled to be held in Geelong over the three days 9, 10 and 11 April. Team entry will close in a fortnight.
Competitions are being offered in 35 plus and 45 plus age groupings.
Followers of what has been Australia’s only dedicated baseball radio programme (on Casey Radio 3 SER) will; have been disappointed by the “no show” of Baseball Radio National over the past three Fridays.
Supporters of Baseball Radio – or simply baseball people who want to see the sport developing a greater media profile – are invited to join discussions currently taking place on the Baseball Forum to offer input and suggestions on ways to maintain and develop the Baseball Radio service.
- MAINSTREAM MEDIA COVERAGE
Victorian baseball supporters may have noted the prominent television reporting (7 Network, 28 February) of the recent signing – by the Texas Rangers - of sixteen year-old New South Wales catcher Guy Edmonds.
While we of course wish the young man all the very best in his professional career, we have to wonder why the Victorian media would pick up on such a baseball story “out of the blue”, as it would seem. Is it possible, just possible, that the mainstream media is starting to express some interest in the sport as the new Australian baseball League becomes closer to fruition? Let’s hope so.
- AND GOOD LUCK … errr….DUSTIN
Readers might have noticed in the ABF news a story about Australian players suiting up for the Brockton Rox (Canada/American Independent League). Although it’s only a very brief mention, it’s great to see that Aussie players – such as our own “Dustin” Wearne - have already become household names!
- AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE
The new league is expected to be fully operational and to start playing by late October/early November this year. While we may have heard precious little – in the past few weeks - about how things are going, we can rest assured that the powers that be are working hard on building the base for the new league.
Just last week, state winners of the “Name Your Team” competition were announced, with one lucky person in Adelaide snagging the trip for two to the MLB All-Star game later this year. Team names, colours and branding will be announced in coming weeks, exciting announcements about the league are also expected to be made.
For a list of the “Name Your Team” winners, go to the ACES WEBSITE.
- AUSTRALIAN PROVINCIAL TRIALS
Trials for the Victorian side to contest the Australian Provincial Championships are in progress. Players interested in playing in the Championships – which will be held at the Geelong Baseball Centre from 3-10 April 2010 – should express their interest as soon as possible. More information. Baseball Victoria has named its two squads - Victoria Blue and Victoria White - for the National Women's Championship to be held during April this year. More information.
Victoria has entered a side in the Under 23 Invitational Tournament that will be held at Blacktown Olympic Park from 2-5 April. Trials began on 20 February.
Does your club have a story that it would like covered? Is there a club or a personal milestone coming up or is there some news, achievement or insight that you would like to share with the Victorian baseball community? If so, please do not hesitate to contact us (kcollins@iprimus.com.au, telephone 03 53329202 or 0488 735297)
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