WOMENS RD2: 2s fly flag for women

Round 2 was always going to be tough for the Dragons with 2 Grand Final replays from last season and other matches against last years finalists. 

And whilst the chicks only came away with 1 win, the 2s win against Chelsea, the 3 losses came at only a total loss of 6 runs between them. 

Womens Division 1 Doncaster vs Springvale (home)

In a rematch of the past 3 Division 1 Grand Finals, and a game that included 10 current and/or former Australian Women's team members, the Lions got the better of the Dragons 7-5, in a day highlighted by numerous missed opportunities for the home team.

Ailsa Davidson was strong on the mound for Doncaster through 6 innings only allowing 5 runs.  Davina Mann relieved Ailsa in the 7th and unfortunately was confronted with the top of the Springvale line up who took 2 runs quickly to take the lead.

With the bat, Jade Hough with two doubles, including one that one-hopped the left field fence, was a standout, along with 14 year old Bronwyn Gell, who in only her second senior Womens Summer match ever, displayed presence and confidence beyond her years, sending a pitch to the fence in left field for an RBI double late in the game.

With a total 10 runners left on base during the day, the lady Dragons failed to capitalise on many opportunities to score with some poor situational hitting.

1s Coach Sean Pascoe noted that much work needs to be done during the rest of the season if the team has aspirations of going one better than their runners up last season. "We have a lot to work on, its obvious.  We missed opportunities time and time again today and its not good enough against a team like Springvale." he said.

"We were not agressive enough with the bats today and we missed our chances.  And you do that against Springvale and they will make you pay.  The girls will have to work harder at training, I will make them, that's for sure!"

The 1s and 2s now head to Werribee next week for a east-west double header. 

Women’s 2^nd Nine – Match Report

Doncaster 15 v Chelsea 5

The first home game for the season saw Kathy Welsh (on loan from the 1^st nine) returning from injury to the mound, on a physiotherapist restricted 40 pitch limit. Kathy, along with newly recruited players Miki and Cecilia were a welcome addition to the team this week, against last year’s Division 2 Premiers Chelsea.  Although Chelsea had only 8 players, the game was never going to be easy with most players in the opposition team being seasoned, experienced baseballers.

Each of the 10 players in the Doncaster line-up contributed to the 10-run win over Chelsea.  Unlike last week, the team came out hitting and running bases well from the start, and we had only one less successful batting innings. There were some good plays in the field, particularly in the outfield, and as the team continues to develop over the season there will be further improvements such that I hope we will be a formidable offensive and defensive team!  Courtney Foura and Miki as relief pitchers performed well and, backed up by the field, kept Chelsea to only 5 runs for the game.

All round a great second game and an improvement on last week’s shaky start!   

Thanks to all the supporters who turned up to cheer us on and especially to those people who helped during pre-game warm-up or in setting up the diamond.  Thanks to Layla (Buzzy) for base coaching and providing guidance to the team in the dugout.

Womens Division 3 Doncaster V Waverley (away)

Keeping the lead throughout the game, the Doncaster girls were defeated 11-8 in the final dig.  Missing in action were regular catcher and coacho supremo Nancy Duncan plus pitchers Rossi and Michelle Sanders. 

Young Shelby Henning used all but a few of her allowed pitches and made every one of them count, retiring to short stop, allowing a very battered and bruised Emma Crivelli to take the mound in the unenviable task of keeping Waverley at bay following her excellent work behind the plate.  Unfortunately Emma’s broken thumb rehashed itself and it was difficult to keep Waverley from stealing.  Nevertheless, a successful pick off at first made Waverley think twice about their base leads.

Our new Mums to the game Patricia and Philippa, contributed by bringing a level of professionalism and eagerness which was displayed throughout warm-up and game time.  Well done ladies – it was a pleasure to coach you.

With 3 plays hit to second base and subsequent outs at first, Alana McMahon performed brilliantly in her role (even if she made the hack at first work hard at fishing the odd ball out of the dirt…) and assisted by leading the team’s pre-game warm-up.

Young Emily Sinclair played her role at right field and learnt a thing or two about running the bases.  Keep up the good work Emily.  Aimee Page took care of the outfield by playing a leadership role at centre field and helping out some of the newer players positioned either side of her.  Finally Hayley Quick added value with the bat and worked hard behind the dish as relief catcher.

Overall, there were minimal fielding and mental errors with stealing bases being the order of the day which was done efficiently by our girls in a friendly battle against Waverley.

-Fiona Jury

Womens Division 4 Doncaster vs Melton (Away)

Doncaster lost to Melton 14-15
 

Next week

Its an East-West battle against Werribee, the only other club with more than 2 teams, with the Doncaster 1s, 2s and 4s all playing the Giants.  The two clubs are certainly leaders in women's baseball with almost a third of the competition teams coming from the two clubs.  The 3s are at home to Upwey.