Lions at a loss to explain scoreless day

By Gavin Staindl
A TOTAL of 17 strike-outs was behind Springvale’s second straight Division Two loss and its first shut-out defeat in nearly a year.
Springvale was rendered powerless as St Kilda pitcher Michael Lessig threw nine shut-out innings in his side’s 4-0 win at Tom O’Halloran Field.
The star American import also gave up only the one hit coming in the ninth innings as Springvale dropped to fifth on the ladder after consecutive losses.
Melbourne Aces pitcher and Springvale starter Brad Hertzler threw nine innings and according to Lions coach Mick Wearne his outing was worthy of a win.
“If you had said to me at the start of the game we would give up four runs I would have thought we would be in with a pretty good chance of winning,” Wearne said.
But for the first time since 6 February last year, the Lions batters could not manufacture a run.
The scoreless day was a bit too much for big-hitting Lucas Price who was ejected in the sixth innings after disputing a call and kicking dust in the direction of the umpire.
Price, who was playing in his first game back since last year, is expected to miss at least two games through suspension.
The suspension coupled with the omission of Rob Novotny may hurt the Lions, who need to win at least two of their next three games to stay in touch with the top four.
Over the next three games Springvale will play Sunshine, Bonbeach and Berwick all who are either a game in front or a game behind the fifth-placed Lions.
While the Springvale Lions Division One women’s team had a bye, the Pumas enjoyed a comfortable 11-0 victory over Geelong in their first game back from the Christmas break.
As Lions’ coach and starting pitcher Simone Wearne said, her team was never going to lose against the cellar-dwellers.
The travelling Lions had not played for five weeks so as expected they were a bit sluggish but Wearne is nevertheless pleased to get the shut-out win.
“We didn’t hit the ball that well but we got the shut-out which was good,” Wearne said.
With only three more games left in the season for the third-placed Puma’s the race is on to secure a top two finish and a double chance come finals time.
Standing in their way will be Doncaster and the Lions both of whom the Puma’s will play in the coming month.