Match Reports
Seniors Round 17
17 February 2008
FIRSTS 6 def Moorabbin 4
Confidence is an amazing thing in sport. As a psychologist if you could find the tap to turn confidence on then you would become the most sought after person in all of sport.
Prior to Xmas faced with a 3 run deficit going into the 7th inning and facing one of the leagues premier pitchers there is no way we would have got up. But such is the confidence the group is playing with their was an inherent belief on the bench that we would come over the top of the visitors. Nothing has changed with any of our individual ability to play the game - simply we believe we can win and let me tell you that intangible is worth it’s weight in gold.
Facing Moorabbin’s Josh Mulherin we got on the board in the 3rd with a one spot but the visitors came straight back at us in their half of the 4th with 3 and then after shutting us out tacked on 1 in the 5th to make the score 4 to 1.
Whilst we were getting runners on we couldn’t get that clutch hit, despite a number of line drives that just needed to be a few feet either side of the fielder for us to be in business.
Andrew Jones worked a good 4 and two thirds, conceding just the one earned run on 5 hits and striking out 4. Whilst not at his very best Jonesy still worked hard enough to keep us in the contest. That is the sign of a good pitcher, one who when they don’t have all their best pitches working can still grind away and make tough outs.
Adrian Rice took over and worked a scoreless 3 and a third conceding just 3 scattered hits to keep the screws on the visitors. The role Adrian is filling for us the set up man has been critical and will be even more important come finals time.
Into the home half of the 7th, still down 4 –1 and the Panthers send their lefty ace Andrew Dewar to the hill. With 1 out Boo drives a ball over the right fielders head for a ground rule double. Scotties right side ground ball moved Boo to 3rd and Oxies ball into the left centre alley picked up Boo. 4 –2. Nick walked to bring up guess who? Yep Hoppy and a fierce drive down the first base line that ultimately finished up in the corner and the good guys have tied it up with Nick scoreing all the way from first.
After Adrian set down Moorabbin in the 8th Scotty led of our half with a base hit then stole 2nd. Swanno pinch hitting just missed getting Scotty to 3rd with a good shot into right field. Nick singled and then took second with some good heads up running. To bring up with 1 out - Hoppy. Hit to left field 2 runs. We lead 6-4.
Rowan Johnstone came out of the pen to close the game out without the visitors looking to even get a runner on let alone score.
Great win – finals not 100% assured but pretty close and the carrot if we beat Mulgrave and Fitzroy beat Sandy of second spot.
Keep Winning !!!!!!
Moorabbin 000 310 000 4 runs 8 hits
Upwey 001 000 32X 6 runs 10 hits
Hits : Hopcraft, Groner, Oxworth 2; Rice L, Kimberley, Simmons, Unland 1
RBI’s : Hopcraft 3
Pitching :
Jones 4.2 IP 4 runs 1 Erun 5 hits 2 BB 4 K’s
Rice A 3.1 IP 0 runs 0 Erun 3 hits 0 BB 0 K’s
Johnstone 1.0 IP 0 runs 0 Erun 0 hits 0 BB 0K’s
SECONDS 13 def Moorabbin 2
The boys finished the season on a high by beating a depleated Moorabbin. It took a couple of innings to get started but when they did there was no looking back. Swanno was the stand out with the bat smahing 2 doubles along with Luke legging out a tripple and the boys continued to take extra bases pushing long singles into doubles. Molly went again for the tiges and continued to throw well keeping the offense off guard all day.
A couple of defensive mistakes early kept the game close until the bats came alive. It was good to see that the boys have some things to work on defensively and offensively heading into the business end of the season. The win kept the boys in top spot and will see them host the first final next week.
With the minor premiership being wrapped up the boys now look toward next week where they will be up against the outfit of Fitzroy hoping to get a win and a place in this year's grand final.
THIRDS 22 def Moorabbin 3
The home and away season came to an end for the Thirds on Sunday but joy of joys we continue on and will play in the finals. Don’t put those fold away chairs back in the garage just yet as hopefully we have three games to go! It was hot at Moorabbin on Sunday and the cool sea breeze was nowhere to be found. Plenty of shade under the trees for the cheer squad and there was to be plenty of excitement for them to get up and cheer. Sue Ann faced a dilemma, how do I barrack for my brother ( Moorabbin outfielder) and yet cheer on Wozza. In the finish she was going to be a winner no matter which side won.
Grant lead the way with a very positive attitude as lead off batter and whacked the first pitch for a double to right field. Alas, he ended up being left on base as we went side away leaving him stranded. Defensively we started with Ashie pitching to Sean, Chris at first, Yoda at second, Ricey at third, Jordie at short stop and the outfielders being Wilko, Scott and Wozza. 4 up 3 down for the Panthers. Second dig and Jordie collected his first hit pitched ball but he was shortly gasping for air as Ashie hit one deep to centre field and Jordie scored from first base. Sean later scored Ashie as we went side away after scoring 2 runs. The panthers also scored in the second but just one, pity it was an unearned run though.
The third dig saw a lot of action from our bats. Scott got to bat three times as the Tigers batted through the complete line up a couple of times and we put 14 runs on the board. Eight successive hits to the outfield combined with a walk kept the runs piling up, then an error, then whack Ashie puts one over the fence at right field to get 3 RBI’s. We had 15 batters go to the plate before the Panthers got the second out but it had to stop some time. With plenty of runs in the bag we went side away. Bottom 3 and 3 up 3 down for the Panthers.
Top 4 and a real change as our first 2 batters go out, however the Tigers were not to be denied as again we strung good hits together and scored 5 more runs. Bottom 4 and 4 up 3 down for the Panthers. Top 5 and Jordie collects his second hit pitched ball for the game. He must have had a target on his back as 5 of the 6 pickoffs to first for the Panthers were when Jordie was at first. His uniform really did need a good wash after the game to get all the red dust out. Bottom 5 and Ricey comes to the mound and the Panthers score 2 runs to give them a bit of excitement before the umpire calls game with the score at 22 to 3.
We had several batting stars this week with Ashie getting a homer, a double and a single. Yoda got 4 hits, a double and three singles, Sean got a double and 2 singles, Wilko a double and a single, Scott and Wozza got 2 singles each, with Jordie and Chris getting single base hits. What about Ricey you ask,? Well, his batting performance included a rare strike out and believe me that does not happen often. Defensively there was some red in our side of the book and hopefully we will have no more of that this season. Ashie picked up 4 strike outs and the outfield picked up 4 catches as well.
Now onto the finals. Unfortunately, the master plan did not quite come off as Fitzroy beat top of the ladder Mulgrave 7 to 6 so we stay in third spot and will play Bonbeach next week. We have beaten them twice this season but they will still be smarting from our recent come from behind win against them. The game may be at home but we will have to wait until Baseball Victoria release finals details. Two wins will get us into the grand final and with three wins we take the premiership flag. You beaudy!!
Our firsts have a game against Mulgrave at home next Saturday to finish their home and away season. Currently they are in third spot one game clear of fourth being Fitzroy. Congratulations to the seconds who finished on top of the ladder and will play Fitzroy next Sunday. The fourths just missed out by one point from finishing fourth. Until next Sunday all the best from the Scribe.
FOURTHS 4 lost to Moorabbin 15
FIFTHS 2 lost to Blackburn A 33
WOMEN 6 lost to Springvale 7