After last years tight and close fought preliminary final victory against Bonbeach at Bi Centennial Park the Dodgers were expecting another tough game, and after struggling early in the year down there in previous seasons we were determined to get off to a solid start and thats exactly what we did. A hard hit double by JJ O'Conner was followed by a 2 run homer by Glen Ferret Mascoll and then another run on an Adam Silva single giving us the perfect start. Glen Mascoll got a rare start and although a little wayward managed to close out the Blue Jays through the first 2 innings, the Dodgers piled on another 5 runs in the 2nd on hits to O'Conner Scott Wearne and Ryan Berg and then another 3 on an Adam Silva bomb in the 4th gave the Dodgers what appeared to be a match winning lead. With Glen Richards now on the hill and dominating the result looked a formality and although a solo home run in the 5th innings stirred the Bluejays no one could have foreseen what was to unfold over the next innings with first Bonbeach scoring 8 to get within 2 and then the Dodgers replying with 7 of their own in what could best be described as some very ugly baseball. Scott Wearne came in to tidy up and closed out the last 4 for just 1 more run and the Dodgers ran out easy winners in the end 18 - 10. the best of the hitters were Glen Mascoll with 2 HR and 5 RBI and Adam Silva with 3 hits including 1 HR and 6RBI and 2 hits including a HR to Alex DaSilva.
A2 - Berwick 13 def. Bonbeach 7.
The Dodgy Bros A2 team ventured to mild and windy Bonbeach with the intention of continuing their unbeaten start to the season. With the wind blowing heavy to left field, a few boys were keen to launch something high and long. With the team manager unavailable, and Puss O'Connor a late withdrawal due to his daughter going into labour (hope everything went OK Puss) there was a late rejig of the lineup with a number of the young fellas getting a start.
Dodgers off to a solid start with Mick & Quinny getting hits but neither could get aross the plate. Sean Howe started on the hill and struggled to consistently find the zone, walking three amongst two hits to give up two runs. Top 2nd and with the first two batters giving up easy outs, Chilli fought out walk which stirred the Dodgers, with hits to Howe, Quinn and Fahy, scoring three. But again, we couldn't contain the Bluejays, giving up another 3 runs, with the rot ending following a pitching change to Mick. With both teams scoring in the 3rd, the scoreline was starting to looking concerning, down 7-4.
The game then saw a drastic change. In the top of the 4th, following a walk to Rouzer and hits to Jesse & Crackers, Bull entered the game with bases loaded and two out. A high deep ball to centre right scored 3 runs to tie it up. After sitting the bluejays down in order, the dodgers ran away with it in the 5th, scoring another six runs on the back of hits to Fahy, Jesse, Crackers, Bull (another 2 RBI's), Jack Speirs (coming into the game with a double) and Mick. Mick closed it out with no addition to the score for a 13-7 win.
The boys are showing some great fighting spirit, coming from behind the last two games. We need to start right from the top and capitiliase on our base runners early in the game. 2 hits to Mick, Quinny, Fahy, Jesse, Crackers, Sean & Bull (5 RBI's) with another hit to Jack.
Footnote to the Team Manager: The First Baseman this week was 'solid', making a nice fly in tough conditions and a number of good stretches picking up some crap out of the dirt. Combined with two hits, although nothing special ;-), with one RBI, a more positive contribution was made compared to previous weeks. Your search for a replacement first baseman may well continue, however it should be clear that the improved performance was not due the the scathing public attack made in last weeks report, but more so, the inspirational words from the acting team manager pre game. Hopefully your time away was to a attend a player management and 'inspiring others through mutual respect' conference somewhere in the Caribbean.
A3 - Berwick 21 def. Bonbeach 11.
On a beautiful autumn afternoon, the boys took on Bonbeach and after a slow start defensively, we came away with a 21-11 win. Daniel Betreen pitched the whole game for us and did extremely well, only giving up 2 earned runs. Some errors and mental errors from the field did not help Dans cause , but the team got their heads back into the game and supported Dan well for the remainder of the game. A solid batting contribution from the whole team and stand-outs from Ryan, Hilly and Andrew hitting in 11 R.B.I's between the 3 of them. Hits going to Ryan with 4, Mark 3, Dick, Andrew, Campbell & Daniel with 2 and singles going to Hilly, Junior little legs and to 1st game rookie Cam Ross.
Well done boys and keep the momentum going.
BB
A4 - Berwick 23 def. Bonbeach 3.
This week we hosted Bonbeach at “Cyril” in absolutely perfect conditions. After our poor defensive performance the week prior, I was stunned to witness what would become our best effort in recent memory. Bonbeach who have been struggling for numbers, were a man short so the guys were asked if someone would like to fill in for Bonbeach. Hats off to Marty “McFly” Kmet who would figure in Bonbeach's best. Sam O'Connor started and again shut out the opposition in the first. With Porno and Sammy on base “Boom Recruit” Rob Hogan (returning after his motor cycle accident) and “Big Leftie” Hughes set about mauling the under powered Bonbeach defence. Our first innings went for 40 minutes allowed 5 hits, 13runs off 64 pitches from 2 throwers. With the game all but over we continued on to complete only 3 innings. With the pitching honours split between Sam O'Connor and Rob Hogan.
Final score Bonbeach 3 Berwick 23. Our hitting saw “Porno Chinnock” pick up 4 including a triple “Slammin Sammy” 2 doubles and a triple, Brad Hughes 3 hits and 2 hits to “Beefa”. Special thanks to “Cammo” Boucher for his help at the ground and behind the jump. We travel to Frankston next week to renew aquaintences.
Till then – see you on the diamond.
Roger Greene.
Womens - Berwick 15 def. Carrum Downs 0.
The first game of the year saw us already missing a few players, but we got 9 on the field, and faced off against Carrum Downs in their first game in the women's comp for many years. Shae was great on the mound, throwing all strikes, striking out 6 and not giving up a run. Some great plays in the infield by Sabrina at second base, and some good work behind the plate by Kristol. Best of the hitters were Shae and Simone with three each and Gab with two. Well done to the Carrum Downs girls who played hard and will no doubt continue improving every week. Also special mention to Gill (DT) who was injured but still took the field so we had 9 – and to Marg who came into the game so that Gill could take a break.
Next week we take on Doncaster @ Moorabbin ( 12pm start). Get down and support the girls.
Under 16 - Berwick 12 def. Frankston 1.
After the previous weeks forfeit, the team travelled to Frankston to take on the Tomatoes and came away with a convincing 12 - 1 win. Jesse Gavin started the game and did very well for his 3 innings, not allowing any runs to be scored but stuck out 4 Frankston bats. Chilly then came on to finish the game. In the batting, young Nathan Price had a great game with 3 hits, scoring 2 runs and 1 R.B.I. Other hits went to Lachy and Joel with 2 and singles to Craig, Chris, Jade, Ethan and David.
Under 14 - Berwick 5 def. Dandenong 3.
On a cold but beautiful morning the Dodgers were ready to go against friendly rivals Dandenong Angels. Top 1 st Dodgers Starter Alex “Clarky” Clark shut down first three hitters with plays to Lachlan Beasley at shortstop, and some good range by Steve Hughes at first base. Bottom 2 nd Dodgers top 3 hitters got sat down. Top 2 nd quickly came and Clarky worked hard using Oliver Dunn at second base getting two ground balls and picking up a strikeout also. Bottom 2 nd and the game was racing through, Dodgers go 1, 2, 3 again with groundballs and a strikeout. Top 3 rd and Clarky in his last inning conceded no runs. Well done mate and it was only 9.30am ! Bottom 3 rd Dodgers go 1, 2, and 3 again! Hitting the ball only to the infield. Top 4 th saw Steve Hughes on the bump, two plays from Hayden Wood at 3 rd base, one play was a running bunt from a left hand hitter and Woody covered it beautifully! Bottom 4 th and the scores are still two goose eggs (0-0) Bottom 4 th Angels relief pitcher came on we put the pressure on big time with aggressive running when on base, with 2 out we got sat down with bases loaded. Top 5 th and Angels score 3 runs with Steve Hughes not getting that final out. Oliver Dunn came in to close it out and he got us out of the inning, great job young man. Bottom 5 th with 6,7,8 hitters up we were two out going into the 8 th hitter Nick Hill. Nick got walked then something incredible happened, the new boy in baseball just took the game on with two out and with two pitches he was at 3 rd base! Suppose we could call it a delayed steal!! Billy Allan then got HPB. No.10 Hitter William Day then came up to bat and it was up to him, Dodgers down 3-0 and he pulled a double to right field scoring Nick and moving Billy to 3 rd base. Runners on second and third with two out and Dodges were at the top of the order Oliver Dunn. Dunny got walked then it was bases loaded with shortstop Lachlan Beasley up to bat. He drove a good pitch to centre field to score Will and Billy! Dodgers tied 3-3 all. With runners on second and third with Clarky up to bat, bang, a line shot over centre field scores two runs, then Clarky tried for a triple but was thrown out heading back to second base. Runs score and Dodgers up 5-3 thanks to our hard working bottom order who made it happen!! Top 6 th and time was running out for Angels, if we shut them down this inning it was game over. Oliver Dunn had 6, 7, 8 to pitch to and first batter got a hit, and then stole. Runners on 2nd base none out. Then Alex Clark at 3 rd base made a good fading line shot catch and chased the runner down and tagged him!! 2 out and Dunny struck out the hitter!! Dodgers win 5-3 in a great game. Was a very good team effort to comeback and win a great game of baseball by both teams.
Dan
Under 12 - Berwick 19 def. Boneo 0.
This week we headed off to Boneo, we had 9 players this week with a sick one also on the bench just in case. We started off with the bats and some nice strikes been thrown by Boneo we were definitely hot with the bat, with going through the 10 batters there was 4 nice hits, which included a double from Marchy, single from Rydge, a single from Richo and a triple from Jordan, with 7 runs being scored. Pitching for us this week was Liam (maddog) Madden with a fantastic 3 innings only pitching to 10 batters for the whole 3 innings, giving up 0 hits, got 8 strike outs and only pitched 32 pitches. Outstanding effort from Maddog this week. Our next at bat we continued with the great hitting with getting 8 hits, which included a home run from Marchy, a single from Rydge,Jake Dibben, Maddi Singleton,James Cowardmarshall, and doubles from Richo, Hope Gavin and Blake Vasilik. Liam (Richo) Richardson finished our pitching off for us who also got 3 strike outs and only 1 hit. Great effort from Richo to finish it in style also. Our last few at bats continued our fantastic batting with a home run from Rydge and a few singles from Marchy, Blake, Maddog,Richo and Jordan. So all up for a game of 4 innings, we had 2 home runs, 1 triple, 4 doubles and 11 singles, so great effort team, every single player got a safe hit. Special mention to Richo for getting 5 RBI's and as i mentioned before, Maddog for his great pitching performance, and also Rydge for catching the whole game. Well done team, you should be very proud of your efforts this week.
