 Over 100 years of Dragon's Baseball!
Sunday, 2 November 2008 The 1s defeat Werribee, 2s win in a forfeit and 3s pile on the runs to win fourth in a row. Division 1 Doncaster 12 def Werribee 7
WER 1 0 4 0 0 0 2 7
DON 2 2 0 5 2 1 X 12
Disappointed with their loss against Springvale last week, the Dragons bounced back with a solid win against the Werribee Giants at Deep Creek on Saturday.
Ailsa Davidson started on the mound and despite some strong pitching, some errors in the field allowed the Giants to get on the board in the first and third, to lead 5-4 after three innings.
For the Dragons, a two-out, two-RBI single to Layla Busbridge started the Dragons scoring in the first, with two more added in the second thanks too some great team batting.
Davidson and the team regrouped in the field to shut Werribee out in the top of the fourth, and then piled on five runs in the bottom half to lead 9-5.
Kathy Welsh relieved Davidson in the fifth inning and began her outing by throwing two consecutive scoreless innings. The Dragons would add another two in the fifth and one in the sixth following some some big hitting by Amy McCann and Erin Collins.
In the seventh, Werribee added two late runs but it was not enough to knock of their more fancied opponents, with the Dragons taking the game 12-7.
Davidson, the Bendigo Bank Player of the Game, was solid on the mound with only one of the five runs scored whilst she was pitching being earned. Welsh was also strong across three innings allowing four hits whilst striking out three.
With the bat, McCann was a stand out collecting three hits, including a single, double and triple, with three runs and two RBIs. Busbridge and Collins picked up two hits and two RBIs a piece, whilst Samantha Hamilton knocked in two and stole two bases. Offensive mentions also to teenage sensations Courtney Foura and Bronwyn Gell who hit a triple and double respectively to the fence in the second inning.
In the absence of two 1s regulars in Hough and Pope, Foura and Cecilia McIntosh made their 1s debut and both performed outstandingly under the new pressure.
Coach Samantha Hamilton was pleased with the win despite missing players.
"After last week's lack of energy, it was great to see the girls bounce back with such a better mental approach," she said adding, "We have had some tough matches against them (Werribee), and they beat us last season, so we never take their games lightly."
"We just need to again improve on our hitting with runners in scoring position, and we also need to be tighter in the field, as today's lapses will mean game over against some of the stronger sides in the league."
Next up is Doncaster's fourth straight home game against the Malvern Braves.
Division 2 Doncaster def Werribee Forfeit
N/A.
Division 3 Doncaster def Moorabbin 21-2
Well it was a game of firsts for the Donny 3s chicks as we played Moorabbin. It was the first time Belinda Cannington pitched senior ball, it was the first time Trish Dennis hit an "in-the-park" home run, the first time Belinda Dealy played this summer, the first time Violet was (relatively) quiet during warm-up, and the first time that Tania, Nancy and Fiona have played together in the same line-up in a very, VERY long time!
Following a mix-up with the fixture (all 3 women's teams were scheduled to play at home), and ring-in's who when then rung back following the Werribee forfeit of the 2's game, we finally got the game underway with Belinda on the mound at Moorabbin. She pitched the whole game brilliantly - it is hard to believe this girl is only 14 years of age as she looked totally in control and at ease on the mound. Well done Bel. A total of 8 K2s for her debut effort.
Base stealing was once again excellent - but pitch selection not so great. We are returning to old habits of swinging at those high ones - I guess everyone is just so keen to get their hacks in but we need to stay disciplined in the batter's box at all times.
Defensively in the infield we made a few extra errors than normal. In the outfield however Trish Dennis took a fabulous fly at left field (run Forest, run!).
On the batting side of things another superb day out. Singles to Bannan, Cannington, Curwood, Wakefield, Jury, Curwood, Duncan & Dennis. Double to Curwood, triple to Jury and the whopper line drive to RF that saw Trish finish where she started.
We won 21 to 2 which should place us on the top of the ladder (who knows really with the problems Baseball Victoria have been experiencing with the SMS score system!) - all I'm sure of it's 4 from 4 which is already beating hubby's winter coaching record (nar nar).
Thanks to Elijah once again who not only provided the left over Halloween lollies but also his excellent bat boy skills.
Thank you to Keren's Mum who scored (a hard job when the coach keeps asking for the pitch count every 5 minutes).
Alana McMahon once again showed her devotion to the side by limping herself all the way to Moorabbin to help with the base coaching - thanks Alana!
And thank you to our 4 supporters (the fan base is on the increase!) - Keren's folks and Belinda C's folks....aaarrrhhhh the joys of having youngsters in your side!
Next week we play Malvern away.
Fiona Jury
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