Ormond

Ben Bartlett has been crucial to his team’s results this season. With a hitting average of close to .300 and an ERA of 6.23, Springvale will look to Bartlett in their quest for a top four finish. 39669 Picture: Donna Oates

By Gavin Staindl
SPRINGVALE’S Division Two men’s team has capped off a progressive first half of the season by beating Ormond/Glen Huntley 12-2 at K. H. Wearne Reserve.
Springvale hit out in the fourth innings stringing together four hits to knock in seven runs and kill off any hope Ormond had of capturing a fourth win. Scott Baillie opened the pitching for the Lions and through the five innings, gave up only one walk and three hits.
“Over the last few weeks he has been throwing a lot of strikes,” coach Glen Richards said.
Baillie now improves to 3-3 with an earned run average of 2.3, only relief pitcher Rob Hogan has a better ERA for the Lions.
Hogan, who improved to an ERA of 1.2 after taking the ball from Baillie, closed out the match and ensured Springvale remain in close contest with the middle of the Division Two table.
Springvale will now have a three-week break in which time Richards hopes his team can consolidate on good performances.
“(When we come back) we need to be more aggressive and better at situational hitting … the second half of the year should be better,” Richards said.
THE Lions’ counterparts, the Division One women’s side also enjoyed a strong showing by smashing Werribee 18-0 at K. H. Wearne Reserve.
Ella Holien pitched four innings and got the win while Nicole Garner pitched the close in her first outing with the ball in Division One.
But it was the hitting that impressed coach Mick Wearne the most. “Everyone got in the hits … if we hit like that every week we’ll win every game,” Wearne said. The Lions are now re-assessing their pre-season goal to only make finals and instead are looking to take out the top two spots. With five rounds remaining the team that has played in the past five grand finals is in line to take out second position and, if it were to secure a top two finish, would get a shot at the double chance come finals time.