Springvale women’s coach Mick Wearne signals for a runner at third base to hold off, while his charges celebrate at home plate during the Lions 10-0 win over Doncaster.By Paul Pickering
ANOTHER week, another pair of shut-outs for the Springvale Lions.
The Lions pride hosted men’s and women’s Baseball Victoria action on the weekend, with both teams recording authoritative wins to extend their unbeaten streaks.
Springvale’s Division Three men punished cellar-dwelling Footscray 14-0, while the Division One women confirmed their premiership favouritism by defeating last year’s runner-up Doncaster 10-0.
Lions phenomenon Glenn Richards provided an indication of Springvale’s pitching supremacy, throwing 12 strike-outs in his five innings on Sunday, while his opposite number struggled with his range to concede a series of walks.
While playing coach Ben Bartlett was satisfied to take the points, he was quick to note the Lions had just eight hits for the match.
“That’s something we can work on, I think, getting the guys to concentrate on making contact a bit more,” he said.
Few could fault Bartlett’s own performance at the plate, as he registered another three hits to continue a stellar season with the bat.
Meanwhile, relief pitcher Rob Hogan added two more knocks to his season’s tally, while Matthew Greene and Rob Novotny struck the other significant blows.
The Springvale women looked set for a dogfight early on with Doncaster, but broke free with a middle-innings barrage to ensure the return of head coach Mick Wearne was a successful one.
Ella Hollien was again at her best, denying Doncaster’s hitters with some first-class pitching.
The ladies will now travel to Port Melbourne in search of their ninth-straight win this Saturday, while the men host Berwick at K.H. Wearne Field on Sunday.
