By Gavin Staindl
SPRINGVALE was toppled by one run in the Division One women’s baseball grand final against close rivals Berwick/Springvale at a packed and pristine Wearne Reserve.
Springvale lost 8-7 and had it not been for a devastating six run first innings, Springvale could have walked away with a comfortable win.
Basking in perfect conditions, the match that was postponed from last fortnight hit off unexpectedly with Lions starter Vic Brown giving up six runs in the first innings in front of an excited crowd.
Trying to work with a tight strike zone was only one of Brown’s problems as her defence failed to convert on opportunities to force an out.
Lion’s coach Mick Wearne said the opening 15 minutes had dictated the direction of play for the day.
“We were behind the eight-ball straight away. It is pretty hard to lose games when you get out to a six-run lead,” Wearne said.
Facing one of the greatest pitchers in the world in Japanese starter Risa Nakashima, Wearne had predicted pre-game that run production would be a battle.
“We will have to play our best to get a few hits,” Wearne said two weeks ago after the Cougars beat Doncaster to advance to the grand final.
After clawing back the lead with runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings, the Lions had a chance to tie the game in the seventh innings but could not manage to advance the runner at third base.
With one out and runners at first and third, Lions batter Krystal Pike struckout to remove the chance of a sacrifice play.
With two out 17-year-old Nicole Garner popped up and was caught out at second base by Jess Lees to end the game.
The loss is the Lions’ third grand final loss in the last six years but Wearne was surprised at how well the Lions played and especially, how effectively they responded to the first innings setback.
“We out-hit them but our hits were spread out while they bunched all their hits up.
“Risa gave up only one walk for the day… but we made good contact and everyone got among the hits,” Wearne said.
Kai Matsumoto had two hits and hit in four runs while Siobhan Taylor and Nicole Garner also had good contact with the bat.
Berwick/Springvale had to beat Malvern and minor premier Doncaster to advance to the grand final and the final win is even remarkable given it is their first year in the competition.
After several Springvale players late last year left to create a women’s team in Berwick, Berwick/Springvale was formed purely to boost the competition in the main division of women’s baseball.
“The only negative of that move was that the quality of Springvale would be harmed… Everything has been vindicated. We had both teams in a grand final and we were the second best team by only one run,” Wearne said.
Wearne, who has been involved in baseball in the area for 50 years was coaching against his daughter, Simone, who was player coach of the Cougars.
THEY took a while to get moving but the Springvale men finished off the season in style by beating Port Melbourne 7-5 after a five-run ninth inning turned the match upside down.
Springvale rallied from a 2-4 deficit early in the final inning to pour on five runs that would see off any challenge Port Melbourne could muster.
In the final match of the season, the Lions hit the road to Longstaff Field looking to continue on their winning ways.
The 14-12 Lions, who are 8-3 in the second half of the season, hit in a run early and held a 1-0 lead until the seventh inning where pitcher Scott Bailie gave up four runs.
Until this moment Bailie had controlled the game and according to coach and ninth inning reliever Glen Richards, Bailie deserved the win.
“He was in control all day and kept them guessing,” Richards said.
Richards replaced Bailie in the ninth innings where it took only eight pitchers to force the three outs and seal the win.
The blue-collared Lions missed out on finals by six points but can be proud that their finishing position of fifth overall may be a sign of things to come next season.
