Springvale’s Rob Hogan did a valiant job on the mound in his side’s 4-8 loss to Berwick on Saturday. 60046 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Gavin Staindl
DIMINISHING pitching stocks has become a central concern for Springvale Lions coach Mick Wearne as his side was out-thrown and outplayed by an impressive Berwick Cougars at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Saturday.
With American import Brad Hertzler and starter Scott Baillie both complaining of sore arms, Wearne was forced to start veteran Rob Hogan in the 8-4 Division Two loss to the Cougars.
Springvale was at a disadvantage from the start as Neil Cavanaugh pulled out with a sore back 10 minutes before game time leaving only eight Lions to take the field. Fortunately for the visitors Hogan was able to cater for the unexpected loss.
The long-time stalwart at Springvale battled valiantly allowing only one run through five and two-thirds of an innings and contributed to Springvale’s 2-1 lead heading into the sixth.
Since arriving in Australia, Hertzler, who is a typical relief pitcher, has spent most of his time in starting roles so Wearne decided to give his import a chance to throw at the end of the match in the hope he would return to form.
The move proved to be costly for the Lions as Hertzler, who replaced Hogan, gave up two runs and the lead.
Miles Barnden was introduced at the expense of Hertzler but he could not slow the run flow as the Cougars belted seven runs from the last three innings to record an 8-4 home victory.
With cut-throat games against Preston next week and Mulgrave two weeks later, Wearne is anxious about the availability and durability of his pitchers.
“We really need to find a way to get our pitchers throwing better,” Wearne said. “It was an advantage to get five and two-thirds of an innings out of Hoges (Hogan) but when your import pitcher is only throwing one innings and we’ve got our other guys with sore arms it does make it hard,” he said.
It wasn’t all gloomy for Springvale baseball on Saturday as the Springvale Pumas upset league-leaders Doncaster in the women’s Division One clash at Wearne Reserve.
Springvale entered the top-of-the-table clash not expecting to walk away with points but a few errant pitches gave the Pumas a 4-3 walk off victory.
After blowing a 3-0 lead, Doncaster wrestled back momentum to level the match in the seventh innings at 3-3. But Springvale soon found itself back on top as Doncaster’s Amy McCann walked loaded bases then walked the final batter to literally give the Pumas a walk-off win.
Simone Wearne pitched the opening five shut-out innings before handing the reigns over to Japanese import Risa Nakashima. The injured Nakashima gave up three runs and lasted only two innings before Wearne, who was battling an arm injury herself, resumed on the hill to clinch the win.
Wearne and Nakashima join a long list of players on the Springvale roster, including Australian representative Shae Lillywhite, who are playing injured.
“The question is who isn’t injured,” Simone Wearne said. “I said to the girls after the game if we can win when we are down and out and don’t have much of a chance imagine what we can do when we are all fit and all guns are firing … that gave the girls a bit of confidence I think,” she said.
The other Springvale Division One side, the Lions, also enjoyed a 26-6 victory over Geelong at Geelong.
