Lions downed

By Gavin Staindl
IT WAS a frustrating Sunday afternoon for the Springvale Lions’ offence as they were beaten at home 6-1 by the Werribee Giants in Division Two.
The Sunday game followed on from a depleting 8-1 loss to Fitzroy on Thursday night where the Springvale offence managed only five hits for the day.
The Sunday game against Werribee was better in terms of hitting, but errors in the field cost the Lions later in the game.
“The game started off close and we got a couple of hits early but crucial errors made the difference in the game,” pitcher Glen Richards said.
It was a frustrating time at-bat for the Lions with several well-struck balls finding the mitts of the outfield.
“In one innings we had two potential hits, one that was a well hit line drive to a stationary outfielder, the other was so well hit straight to the right outfielder that he was able to make a play on first base for the out,” Richards said.
Much to the resentment of starting pitcher, Richards, this was the type of unlucky day the Lions were having.
Richards pitched five innings and gave up three runs and even though Ben Bartlett came in as reliever and over four innings had an ERA of under one for the afternoon, the batting performance was not enough to catch the Giants.
Hitter Rob Novotny had another good game this week managing to get on base twice.
The Lions will look to get their second win when they play an evenly matched St. Kilda next week.
Meanwhile, Springvale’s Division One women steamrolled Port Melbourne on their way to a 10-0 romp at K. H. Wearne Reserve on Saturday.
In one of the most consistent performances of the season thus far, the Lions scored 10 runs over six innings before the mercy rule was called into effect.
Pitcher Vic Brown pitched the six shut-out innings and in doing so gave up only four walks and two hits. Along with Springvale’s first win next to her name, Brown also contributed with the bat, hitting in a runner.
RBIs were easy to come by for the Lions batting order as Shiobahn Taylor, Cat Rowe and Kelly Manzie all batted in runners.
Manzie also had the unique honour of scoring two RBIs immediately after returning from giving birth to her first son.
Japanese import Kei Matsumoto impressed her peers as she got on base three times while 16-year old Nicole Garner had two hits and also batted in a runner.
Step-in assistant coach, Mandi Avent, who also hit an RBI, said she was proud of her team’s performance.
“We gave up no errors and it was definitely one of our stand-out performances,” Avent said.
Avent and the Lions are now looking forward to next week’s match up against Springvale/Berwick.
“These guys are our friends and it should be an exciting game. It should be a good pitching duel,” Avent said.