After his 15 day intensive training camp in the US of A, it was with great pleasure that we welcomed back Dykstra. It was also great so see Bull back from his official enforced holiday.
Whilst this game never seemed to reach the level of intense competition that I had expected, I have come to the conclusion that the only reason that the Dodgers seemed so relaxed was because they had it under control from the get go.
Dykstra on the hill, and with the bat, really showed the value of his trip. The ball was coming off Quinny’s bat as if shot from a cannon. Shaun Fahy continued to rack up the hits. Earl was happy to put the ball into play and advance runners. After blowing off the cobwebs, Bull got amongst the hitters late in the game. Placement is the name of the game for Puss. Jack and Dan were both conscious of the game situation and hit accordingly. Crackers put down another fantastic bunt early that allowed us to extend the lead, and was fantastic behind the dish again. Both Rouser and Chilly did all that was asked of them when they were bought into the game.
A very strong performance from the Dodgers leading to a 3-9 win.
Next week its Bonbeach at home.
See ya on the Diamond
Jeeba
A3 - Berwick 13 def. DIngley Gold 4.
In a game that was played in great spirit, we took on Bear's Dingley Gold team and after a slow start, we came away with a 13-4 win. Sean Howe again, had a brilliant game with the bat and the ball, pitching 6 innings, only allowing 2 runs, had 3 safe hits and hit in 2 runs. His brother, Mark then relieved Sean for the last 3 innings, striking out 5 of the DIngley bats. The team batted really well with hits spread across the whole team. Hilly had a good game behind the dish and also getting 2 hits and singles to Cam B, Dick, Andy, Ben, Cam R and Shae.
The team has a new bunt-master with Rene Peulen putting down 2 extremely well executed running bunts that bedazzled Dingley fielders for 2 hits.
Special mention to Andy Hemmes, who had an exceptional game at first base with the glove picking some pretty ordinary throwing out of the dirt and stretching to his maximum reach. Catching foul balls off the fence and scooping up a ball that bounced 8 foot in front him, then realising the ball was in his glove, the grin of amazement was priceless.
Keep up the good work boys, today was a great team effort all round, well done to all.
A4 - Berwick 21 def. Dingley Gold 6.
We hosted Dingley Blue in overcast conditions on Saturday. I made an analogy to the team pre match about a baseball that was dug up by a schoolboy in our outfield and given back to Bruce Cusack by the boy. This seemed to switch a few lights and we were ready to go. Brian “Beefa” Lees strode to the mound to start proceedings and took control immediately. With Dingley cashing in on infield errors early they added 3 unearned runs in the first. I asked the team to bat right through the order, and to my surprise they did. Twice in fact to post 12 runs and effectively crush Dingley’s spirit. With 3 hits (3 RBI0 to Slammin’ Sam O’Conner Terry Van Iersel and 3 Hits (4 RBI) and 2 Hits (4 RBI) to Shunter we managed to keep the runs flowing right through the 2 hours. Paul Chinnock caught a beauty again as well as picking up a couple of hits and scoring 3 times. Fortunately Paul Chinnock and TV avoided injury from falling over running the bases but Big Brett Antoine copped a very nasty one on the elbow late in the game and has a nasty injury that we all hope come good sooner rather later. We coasted to a 21 – 6 victory and hopefully our season is back on track. Next Week Bonbeach
Till then – see you on the diamond.
Roger Greene.
Womens - Berwick
Under 16 - Berwick
Under 14 - Berwick 19 def. Boneo 1.
The Dodgers were on a road trip this week with a depleted team. Hayden wood still out with broken arm, Ryan Lowe out due to schooling, Nick Hill on holiday and then Billy went and broke his hand during the week!! Seven players and a tough road trip down to Boneo. Boneo Braves placed 5 th were going to be tough with two blanks in our line up.
Hughesy scored and suggested we go with a no.4 blank and no.9 blank. I agreed and the team worked around our blanks quite well,
Top 1 st Dodgers score 5 runs with thw two blanks being used. Lead off Mat McLardy singled, Oliver Dunn singled, Lachlan Beasley hit an in the park home run, Alex Clark singled and Steve Hughes got on. Catcher Brad Kmet then drove them both in with a triple before and was LOB by Will and the Blank.
Bottom 1 st Clarky got to work with a new pitching plan for the team working with Brad Kmet. 12 pitches two strikeouts.
Top 2 nd top of the order again, Mat singles off DBA pitcher Jye Nelson again, Dunn forces error and hits Mat in. Clarky singles scoring Dunn, Steve singles scoring Clarky, Brad Kmet muff flies to score Steve, and Will grounded out. Dodgers going hard each dig and scoring another 4 runs. Score 9-0.
Bottom 2 nd Clarky this time 13 pitches two strikeouts thanks to a dazzling play by Lachy playing the hot corner.
Top 3 rd Dodgers start with one out at the top again. Mat singles again, steals again, Dunn walks and steals, Lachy Doubles and scores them both. Clarky walks and Steve muff flies a hard line drive, Brad doubles and Will flies out.
Bottom 3 rd 9 pitches two strikeouts and a groundout to Mat at second base. Clarky goes perfect for three innings!
Top 4 th Dodgers score another 5 runs, Mat singles, Dunn muff flies a hard line drive, Lach singles, Clarky walks, Steve reached base on error, Brad singled to right side again and Will got HPB for the blank to sit us back down.
Bottom 4 th Steve Hughes on the hill. Braves score one run due to Dodgers lack of intensity in field and on mound. Oliver Dunn on to relief Steve in the inning to close it out. Score 19-1.
Top 5 th Dodgers score another 3 runs but time runs out for them to count, Mat walked, and Steve singled.
Wow what an effort by Alex Clark on the mound. Well done to Dodgers boys for pulling through a tough situation and taking the game on hard. Well done Mat being that handy fill in going 4 from 4 with a walk scoring 5 runs as a lead off, Brad Kmet going 4 for 4 with a triple, two doubles and a single collecting 5 RBI’s on the way. Lachy hitting in 6 RBI’s and Steve hitting in 5 RBI’s. Thank you to Boneo Braves also for helping us out in the field also, a great club building a future down there, 16 players in under 14’s was great to see for them!
