Another encouraging performance from the new look Dodgers, missing a couple of the more experienced players but seemingly with more depth than in past seasons and a new youthful enthusiasm. Whilst the Angels also had some new faces and were bouyed by their good first up win against the perrennial finalists. the Frankston Tomatoes. Dandenong managed to score one in the first with the help of some wayward pitching, but the Dodgers bounced back with one also to tie it up. A two run bomb in the second secured the lead for the Angels, however two more to the Dodgers in the second levelled the scores and after shutting down the Angels in the third the Dodgers added one more in the third and three more in the fourth to set up a comfortable buffer. Although the Angels scored two more unearned runs in the eighth they couldnt bridge the gap and the Dodgers ran out comfortable winners. The Dodgers pitching, although a little wayward early, managed to hold the Angels to five scattered hits for the day with the duties shared by Adam Bonaddio 2 1/3, JJ O conner 2 2/3 , Mick Wearne 2 2/3and Scott Wearne 1 shutout innings to finish it off.
The hitters for Berwick were JJ O conner with 3, Scott Wearne and Peter Higgins with 2 and Glen Mascoll, Adam Bonaddio and Alex Da Silva with 1.
A2 - Berwick 8 def. Dandenong 4.
The Dodger reserves managed to secure their first win for the year on the back of some great relief pitching from Ben Bartlett, backed by solid defence including a couple of timely double plays. Although the Dodgers managed only 7 hits for the game, they came at the right times and coupled with some good tough at bats and a couple of Angel errors produced more than enough runs.
Best hitters for the Dodgers were Tim Laird with 3 including a home run, 2 to Ben Bartlett and 1 each to Brad Mascoll and Craig Barnett.
A3 - Berwick 16 lost to Dandenong 17.
On a cold afternoon, the boys took on Dandenong in what ended up in a slug fest for both teams, but unfortuneately the game finished in the 7th due to bad light and we lost 16 - 17. Symbol had a great day in the field and with the bat with 4 hits and 2 R.B.I's. Other hits went to Andrew Hemmes with 3, the coach and Cam with 2 and singles to Dick, Will, Brad and Rene.
A4 - Berwick 15 def. Dandenong 12.
It was a pristine condition main diamond that greeted us at Kidd Rd, Dandenong for our season opener and we enjoyed a fine start with our bats blasting 4 runs in the first inning. With “Lil” Mick Leembruggen and last years B&F Roy “The Natural” Huke starting us off and maintaining the run momentum each at bat. These two were a standout amid a strong and consistant batting performance for the entire game. Defensively starter Simone Wearne overcame an early charge from the Angels and held sway on the hill tossing 72 strikes from her 84 total pitches. I conned “PK” into playing leftfield for me and he took the catch to seal the Angels fate as well as impressing with the bat. Craig Taylor also pulled off a great running fly (possibly the first A4 rightfield fly in a few years) to shut down the Angels as they rallied in the 4 th. dig. A great throw from catcher “Stevey” Johnson and a clutch catch at first by “Bulldog” Steve Price was another great play which we seemed to come up with when it really mattered which was the most pleasing aspect of our defensive effort. Final score Berwick 15 Dandenong 12.
Next week we have 3 out and 3 in so I can only hope that we can maintain our streak.
