Fill-in pitcher steps up for Lions

By Stuart Teather
The division three Lions remain undermanned without star pitcher Glen Richards, who is on state duty in the Claxton Shield, but had little difficulty disposing of Chelsea.
The Lions had to reach deep into their pitching stocks, with back-up Rob Hogan resting his arm before the masters series, so occasional thrower Mick Wearne stepped up to the plate. Wearne threw all seven innings for the Lions, and was impressive in conceding just one run.
Coach Ben Bartlett was full of praise for Wearne’s performance. “He usually throws a fair bit in the twos; if he plays in the ones he plays third base or second base. He throws very rarely, if at all,” Bartlett said.
“He was one of very few options we had left to go with, but obviously got the job done very easily.”
Springvale was on top all day, edging to a 5-1 lead by the fifth inning. The Lions then piled on more runs to help the side towards a 10-run mercy-rule finish by the seventh.
Bartlett said he was pleased his side was able to hit back so convincingly after the previous week’s loss.
“It was a massive improvement on the week before,’’ he said. “We didn’t do too much wrong with the bat and the defence as well; it was a pretty solid performance all round.
“It was a complete 180; we just did the right things at the right times — we hit cut-offs, made the right plays at the right time and when we got runners on, we scored.”
Meanwhile, rain stopped the women’s side from playing its Saturday match against Port Melbourne.
This weekend, the final round of games before the holiday break will be held, and both Springvale teams are playing away, with the women taking on Werribee and the men facing Port Melbourne.