The long trip down the road to Mornington, was both rewarding and educational on so many fronts.
We started in the top of the first with hits and a walk and a sac fly that resulted in 2 runs being scored. In the bottom of the inning, Bull on the hill to Crackers gave us 3 Pirates up and 3 Pirates down. The top of the second was just like the first, really positive batting, really positive base running, good situation hitting which again resulted in another 2 runs crossing the plate. Bull on the hill to Crackers gave us 3 Pirates up 3 Pirates down.
The top of the third and the Dodgers lead 4-0. First pitch, first Dodger out. Second pitch, second Dodger out. Third pitch ball, fourth pitch foul, fifth pitch third Dodger out. In the bottom of the inning a Pirate crosses home plate to score a run of the unearned variety. Dodgers lead 4-1 after 3 completed innings.
The top of the forth goes pretty much like the third, 3 up and 3 down in less than 10 pitches. The Pirate hitters are still struggling to cope with Bull, who was now throwing to Jessie, and the score remains 4-1.
The manager has a few words about patience and pitch selection before the start of the 5 th inning, resulting in another Dodger crossing the plate, the result of a Ben “little little legs” Rosewall perfectly struck shot to the right side allowing the runner on third base to score. Dodger lead extended to 5-1. Bull continued his fine work with Jessie not giving the Pirates the opportunity to score.
The sixth inning saw some Dodgers left on base and the Pirates shut down. The top of 7 and Dodgers push another run across the plate. Time is called before the bottom of the inning begins, the score reverting to 5-1 in favour of the dodgers.
The most important lesson we have to take out of this game is that we must continue to play positive baseball throughout the game. We must be positive for the batter in the box whilst we await our turn to bat. We must stay involved in the game at all times. When we in the field, when we are waiting to bat, when we are coaching a base and when we are sitting on the bench.
Next week it’s Boneo at home.
Until then
See you on the Diamond
Jeeba
A3 - Berwick 11 def. Mornington 0.
The boys took on a very under-manned Pirates team, played in good spirit, we came away with a 11-0 win. There were many high-lights in the game. Sneaky base stealer, Rene "The Master" Peulen got the first hit for the game and then got picked off at 1st. Then he was 1st base coaching the next innings, showing the runners how not to get picked off. Sean Howe had complete control on the mound, being a good coach with player management, I told Sean that he would come off after the 3rd inning to rest him for next week. I was told in no uncertain terms "I'm not coming off, I've got a no-hitter going". In a 7 inning game, Sean got to 6-1/3 inning when a Mornington bat hit a chinker into centre field. Amongst the laughter from all the other players, time was called and was immediately replaced by the coach who finished the game. Lucas Lydall earned the rite to collect the money after the game, due to being "K"ed by gun Mornington pitcher E.J. Tobias. Did I tell you how good the coach played today in his half game, 3 hits, 3 stolen bases, scored 3 runs, 2 put-outs, 1 RBI and nearly got hit in the head. Other hits went to Hilly and Quinny with 2 and singles to Dick, Sean, Rene "Picked off" Peulen and Andrew Hemmes, who hit an in-ground home run for the 11th run but didn't count because the 10th run was scored, "Time and Game" hahahaha.
The official Hilly-Cam B base stealing count at the end off todays game sees Hilly ahead on the season, 3-1.
A4 - Berwick 1 lost to Mornington 18.
We hosted the Pirates. Beef and Johnno pitched their best but once again. But with hits to PK, Glenn, Sammy and “Mr Determination” Craig Taylor scattered through the 2 hours we fell well short with the final score Mornington 18 Berwick 1. Brucey Cusack stood in for 3 digs catching and aquitted himself well but it was a sorry tale of woe as once again our defence was lamentable. We must show up with more endeavour by next week for Dingley Blue
Till then – see you on the diamond.
Roger Greene.
Womens - Berwick
Under 16 - Berwick 14 def. Boneo 1.
The boys took the long road trip down to Rosebud to take on Boneo and took the game, winning 14-0. Some excellent long hitting was the order of the day, led by David Mulhall with 2 home runs and Jesse hitting a Grand Slam home run also. With 13 hits for the game, the Dodgers hits spread out between Woody and Scott with 3 each, Craig and Turtle with 2 and singles to Jesse, Joel and Nathan. In the pitching, Scott took control of the game for 3 innings, including 6 strike-outs and then the Woodman came on, in his debut outing for the season, got 5 strike-outs in 2 innings.
Under 14 - Berwick 8 def. Cheltenham White 3.
A home game on the main diamond this week for the Under 14 Dodgers, with having a couple players out and only 8 players at game time (Nick Arriving late due to School sport) it was going to be a tough game vs. the Rustlers who beat us in the first round.
Top 1 st Alex Clark on the bump, Rustlers score one earned run and one unearned run off a rare error by Lachlan Beasley at shortstop. Down 2-0.
Bottom 1 st Mat McLardy filling in and he lined out on the first pitch, one pitch later Vince Liberati doubled to right field for his first hit with the Dodgers this season (2 nd game). Lachy then doubled to right centre field, Clarky got on striking out, Ryan “Roo” Lowe singled. Dodgers up 3-2.
Top 2 nd Clarky strikes out two, walks two, then Mat at second base gets the ground out.
Bottom 2nd Harrison Geaves filling in, strikes out. Nick Hill arrives at game in time and walks, Mat singles to left field, Vince walks, Lachy flies out, Clarky then singles with two out to centre field, sent Mat from second to score, fielder hosed him and Mat caught in rundown, interference then called. Dodgers score two runs, up 5-2.
Top 3 rd Clarky faces 3,4,5 in the order, two strike outs using the circle change, no.5 hitter walks, gets around to third base, then attempts to score on a wild pitch, Brad Kmet lunges after the runner and gets a diving tag to save the run and get the third out. Well done Brad.
Bottom 3 rd Dodgers sat down grounding out.
Top 4 th Lachy on the hill to relief, only his second appearance this season. First pitch hit to right field, then strikes two out and Roo gets the ground out at first base. Rustlers score on wild pitch. Score is 5-3.
Bottom 4 th and Rustlers reliever in, Nick strikes out then little lefty lead off Mat does the running bunt down third base line for a hit, then steals second and third. WOW. Vince goes down swinging and then Lachy clutch doubles to score Mat, Clarky then doubles, Roo singles again and Brad lines one up the middle, Dodgers get a rally and score three, up 8-3 with some breathing room now.
Top 5 th Lachy faces lead off hitter and he doubles, then later scores on a ground ball to third basemen Will Day who fumbled it then span around and hosed the runner out at first in a smoking hot play. Mat also gets two ground outs.
Time and game called Dodgers win it 8-3. Great game, solid team showing how strong we are with four players out, Dodgers have a good run home into finals to try and stay in second spot for a double chance.
Thank you to Harrison who came down to help us out and keep 9 players on the field.
