Right: ShaeLillywhite had an active weekend with theSpringvale Lions. After pitching a 10-0 shut-out on Saturday with the Division One female side,Lillywhite was good for two hits on Sunday as the Division Two men’s side beatMoorabbin 4-1. 74905
By Gavin Staindl
THE Springvale Lions are celebrating after all eight senior Springvale teams recorded wins over the weekend.
Springvale’s three men’s, three women’s and two masters’ teams combined for wins, making it the first time this season the Lions have pulled off the clean sweep.
While the men’s seconds and thirds recorded wins over Moorabbin it was the Division Two firsts that provided the highlight.
Needing a victory to return to a winning record, Springvale, behind Scott Baillie, secured a 4-1 home victory over the Moorabbin Panthers on Sunday.
Once again, Baillie went the distance, pitching the whole match and only a solo-home run in the fourth innings prevented the veteran pitcher claiming another shut-out.
“We’ve been very lucky,” Springvale coach Mick Wearne said.
“We have these fairly mature guys throwing complete games which help a lot.”
At home plate Rob Hogan continued his hot streak, hitting in three of Springvale’s four runs while Shae Lillywhite and Dominic Ramos got two hits each.
“When we have our best team on the field there is no reason why we can’t be competitive,” Wearne said.
“We’ve got a few guys back and that’s why we’ve won our last few games.”
But as much as the men try, they can’t match the Springvale women.
The Lions extended their incredible streak to remain undefeated in all three grades on Saturday.
After hitting the winning run last week against Doncaster, Cat Rowe was back at it, going 4-4 as she led the Lions to a 10-0 rout of Port Melbourne.
The versatile Shae Lillywhite, the same Lillywhite that got on base twice in the men’s game against Moorabbin, was unstoppable in her unusual role as pitcher – pitching out the game and allowing no runs.
Rounding out the weekend were the masters who both hung on for victories.
Wearne says the wins are a testament to the culture and work ethic of the friendly folk at Wearne Reserve.
“It’s a good program, good coaching and there are always people here to help out … and support everyone,” Wearne said.
