Match Reports
Seniors Round 16
10 February 2008
FIRSTS 10 defeated Ormond 3
After facing games against the top two sides in the previous weeks there was a danger in our away fixture against Ormond that we may suffer from a bit of a let down. This potential mental issue was compounded by the mine field that doubles as an infield at Ormond (seriously this ground is as close to unplayable as I have seen).
In any event any of these fears were quickly allayed in the first innings when the Hoppy juggernaut singled up the middle to start the game, Pete hit, Adam’s sacrifice fly picked up Hoppy, Leon and Kimbo hit and all of sudden we are 3 nil up.
Rowan Johnstone took the start and when he struck out the lead off it was his 22nd consecutive out against Ormond. All streaks must end though, although in a somewhat bizarre way – with 2 strikes on the hitter Johnno threw a wicked deuce, which hit the bevel on the front of the plate and bounced 10 feet over Pete’s head.
Whilst we continued to look dangerous with the bat we couldn’t tack in and Ormond run in the 3rd made it 3 to 1. However like all good sides we lifted when it mattered and a put a two spot up in the 4th to stretch it to 5 – 1. Ormond again came back and put 2 more onto their scoreline in the 4th.
But as hard as they were trying to get back into the game we were always able to counter attack and when Boo lead off the 6th with a solo home run over the right field fence you could sense they knew they were fighting an unwinable battle.
Rowan left after 5 strong innings and was replaced by Adrian Race who worked 2 scoreless innings and then Andrew Jones came in to do the 8th and 9th, also scoreless, and I must say he threw the ball damn hard.
Our pitching is in great shape as we head towards a now probable finals campaign (particularly when we still have Molly and Lucas in the mix as well) and the healthy little rivalry between all the staff is very good to see.
Offensively Hoppy and Boo picked up 3 a piece to lead a hit parade that saw all the starters get at least one and Leon led the ribbies with 3.
With Mulgrave going down last Sunday a win this week will all but assure us of post season action, also a little extra spice (as if we needed it) is that fact that Moorabbin is the only team we are yet to beat this season and there is no way we are going to let any team sweep us.
See you all at the Tigerdome on Sunday.
Upwey 300 202 201 10 runs 17 hits
Ormond 001 200 000 3 runs 10 hits
Hits : Hopcraft, Simmons 3; Schroeders, Helleren, Rice L, Groener 2; Kimberley, Oxworth, Unland N 1
RBI’s : Rice L 3; Helleren, Simmons 2; Schroeders, Kimberley, Oxworth 1
Pitching : Johnstone 5 IP 3 runs 2 Eruns 6 hits 2BB 7K’s
Rice A 2 IP 0 runs 0 Eruns 4 hits 0 BB 2K’s
Jones 2 IP 0 runs 0 Eruns 0 hits 0 BB 2K’s
SECONDS 19 defeated Ormond 0
The boys continued there good form on the weekend with another convincing win over Ormond. After a bit of a slow start with the bats, runs finally came on the board.
Molly took to the hill knowing he had big shoes to fill after Rowan's "Perfect Game" last time against them, he held them scoreless and hitless through the first 3 digs.
The 3rd also saw the bats come to life with the regular bats of Swanno, Cheesy, Jono and Lewy showing off as well as everyone else going in on the hit parade the scoreline started to blow out. As we entered the 4th Molly finally gave up the first hit for the game but didn't let him get past 1st base shutting down the inning.
Lucas then came to the hill with a lot of runs up his sleeve and again continued to throw well finishing out the game without giving an inch to the opposition. The final score didn't quite show what the boys could do as they did leave a lot of baserunners on. But it was a good confidence boost heading into the last week.
With one week left to go before the finals the boys are up against Morabbin and with a win will see them take out the minor premiership.
THIRDS 25 defeated ormond 6
There was a good crowd at home on Sunday for the thirds last home and away game prior to the finals. Lots of laughter from the crowd during the game proved once again that this team puts on an entertaining game. Well all the mums think so at any rate.
3 up, 3 down for Ormond Glenhuntly in the top of the first so no score board pressure on the Tigers as we come up to bat. We started with Ricey on the mound pitching to Ashie, Jordie at first, Yoda at second, Sean at third, Andy ( getting married VERY soon but will be available for the finals) at short and the outfielders being Chris, Willo and Wozza. Lee was warming the bench but came in later in the game. Our first batting dig ended up being long and fruitful as the whole team batted through twice to score 14 runs. Everybody got a hit in one way or another and our batting dig set the tone for most of the game.
Unfortunately for Ormond they had difficulty getting runs on the board and it was not until the fourth, scoring 1, and the fifth innings, scoring 5, that they put some hits together and got some runs on the board.
Offensively we scored 4 runs in the second and fourth innings and 3 in the bottom of the fifth to end the game as 25 to 6 winners. Sean was the batting star of the day hitting a double and three singles from his 5 at bats. Chris and Andy hit three singles. Ricey, Jordie, Wozza, Ashie, and Yoda all got 2 singles while Lee and Willo got a single each. Defensively we played pretty well, however, we were not under a lot of pressure. Ashie pitched a couple of digs as we all start to gear up for the finals.
We stay in third spot on the ladder one game behind Fitzroy in second who play top of the ladder Mulgrave next Sunday. The outcome of that game will determine if we can go to second, provided that we do our part and beat Moorabbin at Moorabbin next Sunday.
Thanks to Sue Ann for scoring, Trudi and Sue in the canteen and all the spectators, including the Hair wedding party for coming down to the game. Thanks also to everybody involved with the Trivia night on Saturday night as it was a great night with lots of laughs. All the best from the Scribe.
FOURTHS 7 lost to Ormond 15
FIFTHS 2 lost to Cheltenham 8
This week we tackled Cheltenham who we had played twice so far this season with one win a piece. Both games have been very tight and even in the game we lost it was a low scoring game.
The game on Sunday was no different, overall it was a very tight contest played for seven innings and even though our opponents lead for the whole game we never fell that we where not in with a chance to steal the win.
Our fielding was good overall and a lot better than last week with only a couple of small mistakes but none that cost us to much.
Unfortunately in this grade you need to be able to perform offensively and be able to put 10 runs on the board to win a game and this is what we failed to do. Their pitchers dominated our hitters way too much with too many strike outs going in the book for us
Some good point to be taken from days game where.
- Chad Webster pitched well though four innings in a solid performance
- We actually got a caught stealing with your truly throw out a runner at second. (It does not happen often so it needs to be celebrated!)
- David Simonton running a mile and a half to take a fly ball in the left centre alley.
- A second mention for David who fielded a ball out at centre and with a magnificent throw to the plate cut down a runner trying to score.
Hitting
Two hits to Mark Gottschling with singles to Chad Webster , Leggy and Tim Watson (db) & Tim Annett.
The forty year old fat rookie.
WOMENS 16 defeated Port Melbourne 4