BASEBALL VICTORIA – Woman’s Division 1 Grand Final
IN AN absolute nail-biter, Springvale Lions women’s baseball team took home the greatest glory with a 12-11 grand final victory over Doncaster.
With the likes of manager Shae Lillywhite and Jade Hough smashing in RBIs, Springvale got away to a whopping 10-3 lead at the bottom of the third before Doncaster showed why it was a grand finalist as it clawed back into the match.
Australian Baseball Hall of Fame member Simone Wearne took the mound for Springvale in the fifth innings and immediately had a pitching impact – as she earned quick double-plays in consecutive innings.
Doncaster had the last at-bats in the top of the eighth innings as it tried to hunt down the Lions’ five-run lead. An error let two of the five needed through before Doncaster struck again, but the cool head of Hough prevailed as she made the final out to give Springvale the victory.
In the Division 2 semi-final, Springvale defeated Sunshine 10-4 before conceding the pennant to Waverley.
Springvale’s men are also grand final bound after defeating Sunshine to advance and face Moorabbin in the best-of-three series starting Wednesday.
