FINALS.
A1 -
A2 -
A3 -
A4 - Elimination Final - Berwick 15 lost to Dandenong Gold 25.
In blustery and wet conditions we arrived at Dandenong determined to carry last weeks good form into the finals series. The team started positively and we posted 2 runs but left 3 on which would start a trend for the following innings. Cam Smith started for us and Dandenong immediately tested our defence and broke through with 2 runs and none out. The umpire then deemed that an Angels batter had batted out of the box which sparked much debate and a protest from the Dandenong bench as the batter and the manager were subsequently ejected from the game. This seemed to steel the Angels resolve and they added another 3 runs to lead 5 – 2 after 1 dig. The game then became a tug of war as we slowly pegged them back in a long slow slog. “Lil Mick Leembruggen” succumbed to a hamstring strain and Craig Taylor jumped into the breach and performed admirably, as we slowly reeled the Angels in. Crucial doubles to Cam and “Beefa“ Lees got us up to tie it at 15 runs apiece in the top of the 6 th inning. It was then that the extended playing conditions impacted on us. After 3 changes in the line up to keep us fresh to the finish both Steve Price with a walk and Brett Antoine with a hit to rightfield kept us alive, but once again we could not score them and the Angels put it to us scoring freely. ‘Beefa' tried hard to save it but Dandenong had us and eventually mercied us in 7 innings winning 25 – 15.
The Dodgers gave it everything but we just came up short on the day. I would like to thank Deb Barnett for scoring for us this season it is greatly appreciated by the team and me personally. I would also like to thank the Dodgers faithful who braved the terrible conditions to cheer the boys on. It has been possibly the toughest year coaching the 17 players that we fielded this season and I hope the old warhorses and the new boys all have another crack next season. Special thanks to PK and Brucey for being a sounding board for me over the years I appreciate your loyalty and support.
Roger Greene
Under 16 -
Under 14 - Grand Final - Berwick 14 def. Dingley 3.
Winners!!!!!!!! What a game... What a season.... What a CHAMPION TEAM.......
With being the home team we were up to field first. Off to the mould with Matthew Chilcott, who has pitched outstanding all year and today was no exception, he was on fire once again. Dingley off to a good start with their first batter hitting a 2 base hit to left field, Chilly was not happy with that, so he struck out the next batter, a dropped catch from our team getting their second on base, Dingley scoring the first run, next was a hit straight to Hayden, throwing it straight to Samuel Drane who was on 1st base, getting their 2nd out. Then to shut them down was another strike out from Chilly, giving them 1 run scored for the 1st at bat for Dingley. Up to bat for us was Ethan Laurie who has been a great lead off hitter every time he starts, with being patient at the plate giving him a walk, then a quick steal to 2nd base. A dropped third strike got David Mulhall to 1st base, and on the throw to try and get him out, Ethan getting to 3rd base, so now we have 2 on base, with Chilly up to bat, unlucky at the plate, to strike out. Jesse Gavin up next, who has already hit 4 Home runs against this pitcher for Dingley, and their coach calling there pitcher to deliberately walk him to 1st base, but that's when it all turned green for Dingley, with Woody up to bat next, (who has also hit home runs this year), Woody hit it to short stop, then with a wild throw to 1st base, getting him to 2nd base and David and Jesse scoring, already our total up to 3 runs and only 1 out. Jake Bone up to bat next, still on fire with that bat, hit a 1 base hit to right field, letting Daniel score off the hit. Hayden Thomas up next to bat, and smashed it to centre field getting Jake to score. A couple of stolen bases to Hayden, getting him to 3rd base, and a wild pitch from their pitcher, scoring us another run. Samuel Drane, with getting a walk to 1st base, and a hit from Dean McCort getting Samuel home, scoring us 7 runs in the first inning. Chilly to the mound , with a bit of a shaky start this time, a hit to centre field from their 1st batter, the next 2 getting walked, with a wild throw scoring them 2 runs. Their 1st out was a runner caught trying to steal, in a run down play between, Jesse, Hayden and a final play by Ethan tagging the runner. Next out was a hit straight to Samuel Drane, who just had to touch his base. To finish the inning in style was a strike out by Chilly, only letting them score 2 runs, bringing their total to 3 so far. Our turn to bat again, bring up Daniel Durdin, with a hit straight to their pitcher, throwing him out at first base. with Mitch and Matt, being very patient at the plate both getting a walk, Paul getting hit by a pitch, also getting him on base, so now the bases are loaded. Ethan up to bat again, also getting a walk, which gives us another run scored, but bases still loaded. Dingley not happy with all the walks, changing their pitcher, David up to bat, popped the ball up which an Infield Fly was called and the batter is out, so now, 2 out and bases still loaded, Chilly up to bat, with a mishit, hitting it to the first baseman who at first fumbled the ball but with a quick recovery, picking it up and getting Chilly out, making 3 out and the run not scoring. So the total so far is Dingley 3, Berwick 8. Chilly back on the mound for his final inning, with Sam catching a fly ball, and another strike out from Chilly, then a pick up from Jesse at short stop, throwing it straight to Sam getting 3 up 3 down. Nice way to finish Chilly, great season mate. Well done. Bringing Jesse up to bat first, not getting walked this time, but hitting a safe hit to right field, then some aggressive running to get him to 3rd base. Daniel Wood, getting a walk to 1st base, then Hayden also getting a walk, again with the bases loaded, with Sam Drane up to bat hitting an awesome 2 base hit to left field, scoring 2 runs, then a walk for Chris, with Dean McCort, hitting a great hit to left field, scoring 2 runs, a hit from Daniel Durdin scoring us another run, then with a couple of strike outs, making our 3rd out, but another 6 runs. Up to the mound next for us was Jesse with the first batter getting a walk then attempting to steal, with a perfect throw from Daniel Wood to 2nd base, getting the runner out. A walk to the next batter, then to finish the game, was 2 strike outs from Jesse, shutting them down, with leaving them with 0 runs scored in the inning. TIME AND GAME called. With giving us another win for the last time this season, giving us a score of 14 to 3. It was an outstanding effort by all the boys and coach Shaun, you have all played as a team through the whole season, and you all deserve to win the season being Undefeated all year. A huge thank you to all the supporters that came to cheer us on, it does help to get us over the line. Thank you to all the parents and anyone else i forgot. It has been AWESOME!!!!!!! Well done. That's it from Gill for the novels that i have been writing(sorry about that, get carried away).
Again Well done U/14's Berwick Dodgers.
Under 12 - Preliminary Final - Berwick 4 lost to Mornington 15.
What a great season we had, from losing 22-2 in our first game against Dandenong (4th place finish) to finishing 2nd on the ladder with the double chance was a huge achievement and all the players and parents should be happy with the results we all saw in the kids. A young and inexperienced Dodgers side, turned into a mighty force. Especially when we faced Dandenong for the 2nd time in the season beating them 11-4! Bad luck against Mornington in the semi final guys. Now you have all played and experienced finals Baseball, some in their very first season. Should be very proud of yourselves!
Just a few comments about each player.
Lachlan Beasley, went from hating pitching to loving it in one game, starting pitcher every game for maximum 3 innings. throwing 9 strikeouts in 2 games. Good agressive hitter aswell. 2nd season of Baseball WOW! Huge potential
Brad Kmet, brilliant catcher and all round player. Natural athlete, relief pitcher for whole season. Great hitter. All the best in under 14's. Keep working hard and you will go far.
Steve Hughes, first basemen and huge hitter. Huge potential and a great kid, only 10 yrs old
Ryan Kirby, 2nd Baseman and 2nd Catcher. Hardest working 10yr old I have coached, never missed a training. Great kid, and improved a great deal throughout the season. Well done mate.
Tyler Cattle, shortstop and a suprise relief pitcher. Improved at shortstop this season, and in his confidence as a baseballer. Keep going mate and working hard.
Rydge Hogan, only 8yrs old and a natural player, good hitter and can play anywhere. Was 3rd basemen this year. Will be great to see what this kid can do in the future.
Liam "Maddog" Madden, no.2 2nd basemen, huge improvement this season, only 8 also. Great kid and got some talent. Hope to see him become a great player.
Nathan Price, big boy who can hit the ball hard. Keep at it mate, keep enjoying the game and the results will follow bud.
Harrison Geaves, just needs to concentrate! Good skills and a good swing. Keep at it.
Jess Bertram, first season, improved throughout the season. Keep enjoying the game.
Vince Liberati, Brilliant centre fielder, natural player with a great personality. Started leading off halfway through the season. Did a great job. This kid can play, great hitter. Huge potential.
Jerrie "Queeny" Liberati, had lots of fun this season, got wheels too. Keep enjoying the game.
Thank you to all the parents throughout the season for helping your kids achieve and enjoy the game of baseball while making some great friends. Thank you to Hoges and Hughesy, did a great job backing me up all season week in week out. Taught me alot through the season. Margo (scorer) was great to have you there every week. Thank you very much for your support!
And thank you to all who came down to our finals!
Good luck in your future baseball careers!
Dan
