In front of a good crowd at Bicentennial Park, the Dodgers got off to a great start closing down the Bluejays in the first after they threatened to open the scoring. Dodgers lead off hitter, Scott Wearne, got the team off to the ideal start hitting a solo home run to give Berwick a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers defence remained solid for the next 2 innings and although unable to score in the 2nd another lead off home run in the 3rd to Scott gave the Dodgers a little breathing space, neither team scored again until the 8th when Bonbeach finally managed to string a couple of hits together and scored one, but the Dodgers answered with one more in their half of the innings and managed to close out the Bluejays in the 9th to secure a place in next weeks grand final. In the end Scott Wearne threw the complete 9 innings giving up just 5 hits and hit 2 home runs and with a couple of hits to Adam Bonnaddio and Glen Richards and a hit from Luke Farrelley, the Dodgers were the better team on the day and deserved the win in what was a great game of baseball.
A2 - Berwick 7 def. Dingley 1.
Although struggling against Dingley through out the year, the Dodgers went into the game full of confidence and fielding their strongest line up of the year, starting pitcher Rob Hogan was strong through 7 innings allowing just the 1 run and with the offence strong throughout the day, the Dodgers were comfortable winners and deserved their spot in next weeks grand final at Cheltenham.
A3 - Berwick
A4 - Berwick
Bonbeach on Saturday. We felt after our finish last week we would perform better and take the prize this week. Everything seemed on track as both teams raced through 3 scoreless innings. The Tomatoes scored 3 to our 1 in the 4 th . and the chase was on. 1 hit each to Roy and Willy and 2 tripples to Porno Chinnock was all we could muster as the Tomatoes closed us down for the last time this season. Final score Frankston 11 Berwick 5. Our lack of hitting again became our archilles heel. Shayne Hunter was again a solid performer all game throwing over a hundred for the second week in a row, Paul Cinnock's fly ball catching and hitting was outstanding and Steve Johson finished off a stellar season with a rock solid performance behind the plate. We presented Shunters MVP award and Julie De Jongs flowers after the match, great job. I would personally like to thank PK and Brucey for their support and always putting the team first, many thanks. And to all others who assisted with umpiring, scoring, helping with the grounds or just supporting, I and the team appreciate your efforts to keep this great game going. Good luck this week to A1 and A2 teams, go get ‘em guys.
Till next time – see you on the diamond.
Roger Greene.
Womens - Berwick
FINALS WEEK 1.
A1 - Berwick 5 lost to Cheltenham 15.
After a great start to the game with the Dodgers hitters jumping on the Cheltenham starter and racing to a 5 - 0 lead after 2 innings on a couple of rbi doubles to Adam Bonnadio, JJ O'Conner and Scott Wearne things were looking good, but as quickly as the offence dried up the Ruslers strong hitting line up found there way posting 6 runs in the 3rd and then continuing to score heavily over the next couple of innings to put the result beyond doubt. After 8 wins in a row aloss was probably due but the Dodgers are confident they can bounce back next week against Bonbeach in what looms as an exciting preliminary final.
A2 - Berwick 7 def. Frankston 2.
Frankston got of to a great start scoring 2 in the first and then holding the Dodgers to 0 but as the game went on starter Rob Hogan got stronger and managed to keep the Tomatoes strong hitting line up relatively quiet and although they did threaten on a couple of occassions they couldnt score again and with the Dodgers scoring most innings managed to pull away to a comfortable victory. This week the Dodgers will take on Dingley in what will be a difficult assignment but with a grand final berth on the line should be able to get up.
A3 - Berwick
A4 - Berwick
We travelled to Frankston to play 4 th placed Tomatoes at the patch as our ground was hosting our A2 team. The left field corner was shortened up to keep the large puddle there out of play. As we were the home team Shunter strode to the hill and started well. Both teams were on the board with a run a piece but at the top of the 2 nd the errors flowed and we trailed by 4 after 2. The game see sawed till the bottom of the 9 th when we went in down 11 – 14. As has been the team strength through the year, the late game replacements finished on fresher than the wilting tomatoes and we rallied with a rush tying it up with 2 out, bases loaded. Willy Carpenter couldn't manage to lob it over sEcond and we had a tie 14 a piece after 9 complete innings. The umpires to my surprise then called the game due to bad light. As “Beefa” Lees was obviously throwing some serious cheese, it was deemed unsafe to continue. Hits to Lil' Mick, Roy ,TV, Glenn and Willy, with Shunter 3 Beefa 2 and a double to Johnno and Triple to Porno Chinnock kept the scoreboard. Great defensive work from the rookie Glenn and Simonewearne backed up another superb job by Johnno behind the dish. It was decided that we would replay the game at Bonbeach the following week.
Womens - Berwick 10 def. Doncaster 6.
You little ripper, we won the Semi finals against Doncaster.... Being the away team we were up to bat 1st with Doncaster making a few errors to start with and some great hitting from Berwick we scored 4 runs straight away, we were on fire early. With having Shae returning home from Japan, she was our lead off pitcher, who started off great as usual. We made a few errors in the field which allowed them to get the lead, 6 to 4. Which made us more eager to win. Leanne Shane who is our 1st base woman, was suppose to be at a wedding, decided she was going to play(with a lot of taking to by fellow players) but could only play 1/2 a game, which we all really appreciate, then we had a return from injured Mel, which may have been a bit early as she hurt her knee again, but she got a great hit.(sorry Ben). After making few changes we got back in the game, with some great fielding from Jess, Simone, Cas. Great pitching from Simone, and catching from Kristol and then Shae. But it was definitely our hitting that got us over the line this week, with 3 hits to Gabby, a couple from Gill, Shae, Simone, Kristol, Jess, Mel got a great hit, Jolene hitting the ball hard, Olga played a great game. It is great to see all the new players go from getting grumpy with them selves for not getting a hit when they were in the batting box when we first started playing, to now getting grumpy when they do get a hit, score an RBI but they go out trying to make it to 1st base, these women have played their hearts out and had FANTASTIC time trying, they have all improved out of site, thanks to the help of Simone, Shae, Cas, Deb, Kristol, Jess and Gabby, and Mick the more experienced players. It is really great to play with such a good team and that is the difference, we play as a team and it makes all the difference. Well done ladies, it is a privilege to play baseball with you all.
BRING ON THE FINALS!!!!! BENDY STRAWS ALL ROUND NEXT WEEK AFTER THE GAME....... Thanks ladies, see you all at the prelims......P.S THANKS SHAE!!!!!
