Another solid performance against a team with a sniff of September action helped cut the number of finals aspirants to just 5 with 2 teams locked away and the Dodgers although currently safely in 3rd spot having the toughest of draws fighting against Dandenong who play the 3 bottom teams and Dingley with the bye this week and then a crunch game against the Dodgers, fortunately our future is in our own hands and we look forward to the challenge. Scoring runs early and often took the pressure of our defence and although it was a little shaky held the rustlers to just 7 with the bats alive for the day the Dodgers managed to pile on 17 in 7 innings to run out easy winners Best hitters were Rob Hogan with 3 including 1 home run, Scott Wearne, M ick Wearne, Matt Greene, Matt Pallant and Glen Richards with 2 and 1 each to Glen Mascoll and JJ O'Conner
A2 - Berwick 4 lost to Cheltenham White10.
In what could prove to be a costly loss ,the undermanned reserves stretched to the limit by unavailability fought bravely against tough opposition but went down Sean Howe started but had trouble containing the powerful Cheltenham hitters and Dan Betreen did a great job in relief but wasn't supported well enough to get on top Our hitters started well scoring 4 in the 1st 2 innings but couldnt go on with the job, this leaves us a little vulnerable in over the next few weeks we remain on target to sneak into the finals4th spot but with a couple of easier games to come and the bulk of the team to return
A3 - Berwick 10 def. Cheltenham White 4.
The boys took on the league leaders today and played a sensational game coming away with a 10-4 win. Andrew Peulen pitched a tremendous game for the whole 9 innings striking out 9 batters and was ably backed up by Shae "The Sponge" Lillywhite with 6 plays for 6 outs for the game. Our bats came alive with Brad and Quinny getting 3 hits each, Bull with 2 hits and singles going to Gibbo Jnr, Shae, Gebba and Tooly.
IT'S OFFICIAL - Gibbo Jnr has overtaken the old man and now leads the "Team Gibbo" batting challenge. Be very afraid, Symbol.
A4 - Berwick
We travelled to Farm Rd. to take on a young Rustlers outfit on a sunny but chilly Saturday afternoon. Starting pitcher Simone Wearne had to be coaxed onto the mound after the events of the previous game against Frankston, but took total control sitting on a nice lead from the top of the first. Backed up by some unorthodox but effective defence. Beef and TV once again held the offence together knocking in runs at will with a little help from the “Pop – up Queen”. Marty Kmed turned a nice double play and Steve “Bulldog” Price stole 3 rd with some heady baserunning. But a great 2 run rip down the line from”CT” sealed the deal. The score reverted back to a comfortable 7-5 win. The team has struggled this year for consistency, but I feel that it is starting to click into place. Next game we take on Dandy Blue in a battle to hold 4 th spot.
Till then – see you on the diamond.
Roger Greene
Under 16 - Berwick 1 lost to Frankston 4.
The boys had a do or die game against Frankston today and the winner to play off in the finals, but unfortuneately came up short losing 4-1. Adam Silva starting the game and in his 3 innings, struck out 8 frankston batters and only giving up 2 runs. Craig Barnett relieved and did a good job with 3 strike outs, again only giving up 1 hit and 2 runs. The hits were few and far between, with only 4 hits for the game, going to Sam Beasley and Craig Barnett with 2 hits each.
You boys should be very proud of your achievements this season, with the experienced players doing very well and the beginners improving each week. Well done.
Under 14 - Berwick 19 def. Frankston 5.
What a freezing cold day it was for baseball today, but it didn't stop Berwick def Frankston with another win, making us undefeated for the season, now the finals left. Daniel Wood being our lead off pitcher for the game, with 3 strike outs straight up, obviously Woody doesn't feel the cold, or he just wanted to get back to the dugout. With Samuel Drane being our lead off hitter(welcome back) getting a walk to 1st base, a dropped catch for Jake Bone to get on base, Hayden Thomas being HPB, hits from Daniel Durdin and Dean McCort scoring us 5 runs in the 1st. Back out to the cold Woody but again not for long, 1st out was a hit to Woody, throwing the ball to Jake on 1st base, next out was a catch to Daniel Durdin then another strike out for Woody. Back to the dugout for another bat, Matthew Clydesdale with a few swings just missing getting a strike out, a walk for Chilly, a dropped 3rd strike for Jesse, but Chilly being alert ran home and scored. Ethan Laurie up to bat but got caught making him the 2nd out, then touched the bag at 2nd base to get Jesse out, making the 3rd out. 1 more inning for Woody to pitch, but again not out there for long, a couple of safe hits to Frankston , then 2 strike outs for Woody. Another hit from Frankston, but this time it went straight to Jake Bone on 1st base making the 3rd out. But Frankston scoring a run. Making the score 6 to 1. David Mulhall hit a safe hit to left field, Chris Denny being patient at the plate with a walk, an error from Frankston, a few wild pitches, scoring us another 3 runs then a nice hit from Daniel Wood through the cones in right field, a few more wild pitches from Frankston scoring us a total of 7 runs bringing our total to 13. Ethan Laurie's turn for a pitch starting off with a strike out. A couple of hits. A great throw from Dean McCort playing catcher throwing out a runner trying to steal, making the 2nd out. Another strike out to Ethan shutting them down to 2 runs, bringing their total to 3. Jesse Gavin up to bat, hitting a 2 base hit to centre field, then a 2 base hit to left field from Ethan Laurie, David Mulhall being caught, making the 1st out, a walk to Chris Denny, hits from Jake Bone, Hayden Thomas, then another 2 base hit from Woody, a safe hit from Daniel Durdin, scoring us 6 runs bringing our score to 19. Ethan back out to pitch with them scoring 2 more runs, a strike out and an out at 1st base, making 2 out, Jake Bone come in to pitch, finishing the game with a strike out. Scoring 2 runs and time and game called leaving the game 19 to 5. Awesome game from Daniel Wood today with 3 innings pitched, with 6 balls and 26 strikes, so only 32 pitches, 2 huge hits, and some great fielding, well done Woody. Awesome game by all of the team So that means that we play Dingley at Berwick on the 9th of August, being the first final, so if you want to come and Cheer for us that would be great. Fingers crossed everyone.
Under 12 - Berwick
A crunch game for the youngest of Dodgers this week as a win would give them the double chance and a loss could see them finish fourth on the ladder. A freezing day on the back diamond at Berwick made it difficult but it did not dampen the spirits, even when a few players were sick. The last home and away game of the season showed just how much the players have improved in their skills and confidence as a baseball player. Everybody played as a team this week. Standouts; Great game to Brad Kmet gun all round player, played shortstop sick and did a great job on the mound relieving. Starting pitcher Lachlan Beasley who has progressed a great amount in just his second season and held the Mornington Pirates to 2 runs in 3 innings. Ryan Kirby a great game behind the dish. Puts is body on the line every week, has improved a great deal. Great game Steve Hughes, a very promising future for the big slugger. Vince Liberati, another great game leading off and filling in at 2nd base, also very promising player. Liam "maddog" Madden, great effort to play sick. Rydge Hogan, a big name to live up to, already a gun at just 8yrs old also had a good game.
Dodgers won 5-2 in a solid all round game, displaying in every aspect of the game how much we have progressed. Well Done to the u12's of 2008! Have come a very long way throughout the season, all players should be proud of their efforts this season and now to enjoy the upcoming finals baseball. Thank you to all parents who have supported the team throughout the season, without your encouragement and support we would not have been successful.
Thank you
Hope to see you at Cheltenham!
Yours in Baseball
Dan
