Lions lag in fifth after loss

By Gavin Staindl
AFTER Springvale’s 7-8 loss to Bonbeach on Sunday, its third loss in four games, the hapless Lions are now in limbo.
The untimely division two loss at Wearne Reserve keeps the Lions in fifth position but they face a do-or-die match next week against Berwick.
Springvale had a chance to jump into the top four with a win over Bonbeach but a costly start to the match gave the Bluejays an early lead.
Springvale starter Brad Hertzler threw one and a third innings on Saturday and gave up seven runs as Springvale fell 0-7 behind through two innings.
Relief pitcher Miles Barnden revived hope of a Springvale rally, throwing a shut-out through six innings, but the Springy batters could not find the tying run through the final two innings.
On the back of big losses against Melbourne and Sunshine, the Lions now face a critical game next week against Berwick City to remain in touch with the top four.
Hertzler is line for the start on Saturday but questions are quickly mounting over his form.
The Melbourne Aces signed the American professional in November last year but in that time he has spent the majority of games in the Aces dug-out.
His limited game time is now proving costly for the Lions.
“Overseas he (Hertzler) pitches everyday, but since he has been here he has only thrown about 15 innings.
“He has suffered from not enough throwing.
“He is meant to be an American pro-baseballer and he couldn’t get out of two innings of division two baseball in Victoria,” Wearne said
The Can-Am pro-carded an ERA of 5.01 over 46 innings in the US last year so Wearne knows he can throw a baseball.
“He just needs more work if he is to return to his best,” Wearne said
While the Springvale Pumas had a bye, the women’s division one Springvale Lions had their match washed out.
They were scheduled to play Geelong but the downpour the night before left the ground at the Geelong Baseball Centre unplayable.