Lions pounce on slip ups

By Gavin Staindl
SPRINGVALE has capitalised on an error-ridden Melbourne performance to beat their division two opponents 13-4 at Surrey Park.
Melbourne had Springvale’s measure with the bat but 12 errors in the field gifted Springvale their sixth win since returning from the Christmas break.
Springvale pitcher Scott Bailie threw all nine innings and according to main pitcher Ben Bartlett, Bailie deserved the win.
“He threw good all day and did not falter,” Bartlett said.
Bailie was lucky to escape with the win after the 15 hits he gave up were mostly countered by a tight defence that prevented the home side from finding home base.
“It was a good defensive effort. Catcher Rob Novotny made good plays at home and we managed to get some double plays,” Bartlett said of the fielding performance.
Nevertheless Bailie had a game to remember. With two sacrifice bunts that lead to runs and a single, Bailie stood out in a game where hits were hard to come by.
Springvale only recorded seven hits with Tim Hanson’s double the best of them, but combined with the Melbourne errors, Springvale managed to work runners around the diamond.
However, Bartlett admitted that it was the fault of the Melbourne players that gave Springvale the win.
“It was more a case that they lost it rather then we won it. We still needed good bats to capitalise on their mistakes but when you have 12 errors in a game it makes it easier,” Bartlett said.
MEANWHILE, the Lions Division One women’s team is through to the grand final for the sixth straight time after they defeated rivals Doncaster in the semi-final 11-7 at Deep Creek Reserve.
After a three-run triple by Ella Holien locked the score at 6-6 in the sixth innings, Springvale’s Hannah Jack followed on and smacked a double that recorded two RBI’s as well as the go-ahead run for the Lions.
The Lions then reeled off four more runs over the remaining two innings to force Doncaster to knuckle it out the preliminary final for the sixth time in a row.
Springvale and Doncaster have enjoyed isolation over the past five years when it comes to control of the division one competition.
Ever since 2006, Springvale has met Doncaster in the semi-final where all six times Springvale has come up trumps and advanced to the grand final where on each occasion they have then met their rivals again.
Doncaster will this week meet Springvale/Berwick for the right to meet Springvale in the grand final.