Guild sends clear message to premiership rivals
GEELONG Baseball Association’s Round 14 was highlighted by another successful Go Pink for Cancer Day and by a strong playing performance from Guild, which continues to set the pace in the race towards A Grade finals.
GUILD 7 NEWPORT 2
Building on its late season form, Guild, for the second week running, delivered a clear message to another legitimate contender for premiership honours.
Boasting a dangerous offence proven capable of heavy scoring, the Rams were starved of opportunities by Egan, who was backed by impeccable defence as he conceded a solitary run over six before handing the pill to Jarryd Wood to close out the game.
While Aaron Green (three hits and two RBIs) and Jayde Thorne (three hits) were standouts with the bat for Newport, they enjoyed minimal support as their club played catch-up all game after the Lions surged to a six-zip lead after five — compliments largely of defensive blunders that yielded three unearned runs for the home club despite solid outings on the hill by Thorne and reliever David Asp.
LARA 14 MOUNTIES 4
Scoring through its early in- nings, Mounties appeared well in the hunt until Lara exploded with four in the fourth and a gamebreaking seven-spot in the fifth to deliver the home club a welcome and much-needed win in what has been a tough season.
While the Mounts played errorless defence, their pitchers struggled for control against an experienced Lara offence still strong on pitch selection and cap- able of converting scoring opportunities.
Between them issuing nine walks and six HPBs, Mounties starter Gavin Smith and reliever George Davidson were put to the sword by a Wildcats outfit that included Cameron Forbes (two hits and three RBIs), Dan Anson (one and three), Ross Wilson (one and three) and Jarrod Fraim (one and two).
BELLARINE 16 COLAC 2
While only the eternal optimist would have predicted an upset in this game — especially on the Bears’ home patch — Colac managed its resources well to contain its opponent early days before something of a blowout through the later innings.
Of five hurlers used by the Braves, starter Alex Lewis was impressive over three and was among his side’s best hitters, although the quality of his club’s pitching and the depth of the Bellarine offence were always going to pose difficulties.
DEAKIN 8 SAINTS 3
For what is always a fabulous occasion — the Go Pink for Cancer Day that is so generously supported by the Geelong baseball and broader communities — host club Saints would have dearly loved to enjoy playing success at the highest level, especially for a game that was ultraimportant in the context of the season.
Not to be, however, as Deakin gained an early break and did irreparable damage with a six-spot in the fifth that effectively placed the game beyond reach as starter Andrew Brady (two innings) and reliever Chris Webb (six) held the Saints offence to limited pickings, with all of its three runs deemed unearned.
While Saints starter Josh Lee (two hits and an RBI) and manager Charles Thompson (two hits) did their best to spark an East Belmont offence that matched Deakin on hitting, the visitors were far better able to convert.