Springvale’s Matthew Greene made an impact with bat and ball in the Lions’ 15-3 victory over Port Melbourne on Sunday.By Amy Taylor
AFTER a shaky start, the ladder-leading Springvale Lions recovered to take the points against Port Melbourne in Baseball Victoria Division Three men’s action on Sunday.
Returning home to K.H. Wearne Field for their first appearance in 2008, the Lions shook off an early challenge from the third-placed Mariners to strengthen their grip on the division’s top spot.
Starting pitcher Glen Richards struggled to find form early in the win, sending a runner home on a walk and throwing three wild pitches to leave a stiff task ahead for the Lions.
Springvale’s batters stepped up to the plate, though, knocking out five hits for four runs in the first inning to take command of the game.
To playing coach Ben Bartlett’s relief, Richards settled, letting only one more run escape in the following five innings.
“Glen Richards is taking 10-12 balls a game, he is keeping the other teams to low scores,” Bartlett said.
The Lions batters continued their unrelenting form to amass 15 hits for 15 runs by the end of the fourth dig.
And despite being unable to score in the final two innings, the win was already set in concrete for the defending divisional champions. A surprise appearance for Springvale came through relief pitcher Matthew Greene, who conceded just two hits and one run in his two innings at the mound to ensure an early finish.
The leading hitters for the day, with three each, were Greene, Andrew Peulan and Matthew Pallant, while Richards and Bartlett both connected twice for the afternoon. The Lions, now at 11-1 for the season, will meet seventh-placed Chelsea at Edithvale Road Reserve this Sunday.
Continuing their brilliant run into the second half of the season, Bartlett put the impressive margins down to “keeping their eye on the ball” and generally not worrying about the final margin.
“We generally just shut them down,” he said. “So far so good.
“As long as you get a win on the board, it doesn’t matter (about the final scores).”
As Star went to press, Springvale’s Division One women were preparing to take on Werribee at Altona’s Melbourne Ball Park on Wednesday night.
The ladies will return home to play Port Melbourne at K.H. Wearne Field from 3.30pm this Saturday.
