Springvale’s Kellie Manzie-Novotny swings through a pitch at K.H. Wearne Field.
By Paul Pickering
SPRINGVALE has made an ominous return to top form in Baseball Victoria women’s Division One on Saturday, punishing second-placed Werribee in a supreme display at Keysborough’s K.H. Wearne Field.
Lions assistant coach Simone Wearne described the 10-0 whitewash as Springvale’s most impressive performance of the season, eliminating the frustration of some unconvincing wins in recent weeks.
The Lions batters attacked Werribee’s 16-year-old pitcher Emma Pastowski from the outset, landing some lusty blows in the opening innings to intimidate the promising young tyro.
After Springvale had opened up a 4-0 lead in the first term, pitcher Vic Brown never looked threatened in a seven-innings stint at the mound.
Brown also contributed with the bat, adding valuable hitting power to the ever-reliable top three of Shae Lillywhite, Kellie Manzie-Novotny and Siobhan Taylor.
In men’s Division Three action on Sunday, Springvale braved wet and gusty conditions at Port Melbourne to record a comfortable 6-2 win.
Playing coach Ben Bartlett managed four hits in a handy day at the plate, while Miles Barnden provided the highlight of the match in launching a solo homer over the right-field fence in the fourth inning.
Barnden also gave some useful relief to star pitcher Glen Richards, repeatedly baffling the Port Melbourne batters with his untouchable knuckleball in final three innings.
With Springvale’s men’s and women’s teams undefeated in five outings this summer, the Lions remain the benchmark in both competitions.
