Springy comes out swinging

By Paul Pickering
SPRINGVALE came out swinging in its grand final replay against Doncaster on Saturday, storming to a 12-5 victory in the Women’s Division One clash at Deep Creek Reserve.
The Lions jumped ahead by 10 runs midway through the fifth inning, only for the reigning premiers to salvage some respectability with three late scores.
Starting pitcher Vic Brown had a day out for the Lions, converting all four at-bats into hits and allowing just two earned runs from her four innings at the mound.
Kellie Manzie-Novotny stepped up to finish the job in three innings of relief, while another member of the Springvale bull-pen, Cat Row, contributed two hits to the visitors’ cause.
The win saw the Lions preserve an unbeaten record and top spot on the ladder.
Meanwhile, Springvale’s Division Three men survived a late scare to account for Chelsea 11-7 at home.
The Lions established a 6-2 advantage after six innings on Sunday, thanks largely to some power hitting from American David Hermes and miserly pitching from Glen Richards.
Mick Wearne replaced Richards on the hill in the seventh, but it was some costly fielding errors that allowed Chelsea to take the lead with five runs in the inning.
The Lions hit back emphatically in the eighth, scoring five of their own on a series of hits that was highlighted by a Matthew Greene triple.
Springvale’s record improved to 3-1 ahead of this Sunday’s’ top-of-the-table clash with Port Melbourne at home.
The lady Lions have a bye this weekend.