Blackburn Orioles Baseball - Game Reports

6 November 2011

 Burners back in the winners circle as Hussey fans 10

The pitching staff of Hussey, Horan and Schumacher combine for a shutout and 17 strikeouts in a commanding performance

Once again we played away for the eighth time in nine games. This time we travelled out to Merri Park to take on the winless Fitzroy Lion's. But that counts for nothing in this league as anyone can beat anyone on any given Sunday. John Hussey , back to full duties, took the ball for the Burners after easing himself into the season in the first 6 rounds or so. John started the game off with 2 strikeouts as he sent a message early that this could be a long day for the home side. A momentary lapse saw the next two hitters reach on a HPB and a BB before fanning his third of the inning.

Youngster Errol Whinnen took to the mound for the Lions and struggled with control early, loading the bases in the first with two out but escaping unscathed. In the second, the Burners would draw first blood as Cooper singled and Bumpstead walked with 2 out, bringing Berg to the plate. Berg lined a ball to RF and the speedy Bumpstead was able to score from first. Whinnen's woes continued as he walked three in a row to gift the Burner's a third run for the inning and a 3-0 lead.

Hussey continued to mow a path through the Fitzroy line-up, not really giving them a sniff. Carl Wilson got Fitzroy's first hit in the second but that would lead to nothing and Hussey again sat the side down in order in the third striking out all three for 6 strike outs in 3 complete innings. We had a huge opportunity in the top of the third inning when Whiteford lead of the inning with a single to LF and Cooper drew a walk. Wilcock, with great leg speed laid down a drag bunt and beat it out to load the bases with none out and the top of the line-up due to the plate. But, Whinnen managed to strike out the next two hitters, leaving us reeling at what "should" have been. A passed ball allowed Whiteford to score and increase the lead by one, but that would be all the damge we would create.

Hussey would cruise into the sixth and complete his stint, amassing 10 strikeouts along the way in a dominant performance. He would be relieved by Josh Horan who threw the seventh and eighth innings, allowing a hit and a walk but no runs while striking out 4 to preserve the shutout after 8 complete. Blackburn import Nick Schumacher arrived just this week and although a little rusty not having thrown much after his Independant League season of 2011, it didn't show as he came in to throw the final inning and fanned the three hitters he faced for a combined shutout.

Nick will be the midweek starter vs Melbourne on Wednesday night at Altona.

Box Score

Hits:

C. Bumpstead 1BB, 1R ► R. Berg 2H, 2RBI, 1BB, 1R ►  G. Irving 2BB ► R. Hunter 2BB ►  Andrew Whiteford 1H, 1BB ► Brodie Cooper 1H, 1R, 1BB ►Chris Wilcock 1H

29 October 2011

  First loss for the season comes at the hands of the Baycats

With a number of players unavailable, the task was always going to be difficult against the formiddable Baycats of Geelong. Booth was again the standout with the bat.

The trip down to Geelong is always a tough one regardless of the team you put on the park. With a number of players (Dicker, Hunter, Bumpstead, Berg) missing for the clash, the task was made all the more difficult. The Baycats rolled out reigning two time league MVP and import Ben Knuth to try and keep us at bay.  For the first 3 innings, that's exactly what he did as the first 9 Orioles hitters were retired in order.

We would score one in the fourth when Brodie Cooper layed down a SAC bunt to move Wilcock over to second, before Booth singled him in with two out and gave us the lead 1-0.  The ballgame would essentially be decided in the bottom of the same inning as Geelong piled on 6 runs, even after Hussey managed to retire the lead off. A combination of lazy play and errors saw the Baycats earn just 3 of the 6, but the scorers were a little soft as all 6 should have been un-earned.

To our credit, we could have easily crumbled at that point being down 6-1 and Hussey almost exausted having thrown almost 40 pitches in the inning; but we managed 2 more runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to get within 2 runs. Once again the damage was done by Booth who launched a ball that would have cleared the wall in RCF if not for the wind and knocked in both runs in the sixth inning. It was in the seventh that the heaven's opened up and the rain came steady for about 20mins. When the rain subsided, the sun came out again but both teams had lost their momentum and the final two innings were played without any further addition on the score board.

Irving did a great job in relief as he threw 3 innings for just the 1 hit and a couple of free passes without giving up a run. Not a bad effort in losing our first game for the season considering we have played a full team just twice in 8 games. Hopefully next week we can make amends against the Lions on Sunday.

Box Score

Hits:

C. Wilcock 1H, 1R ► B. Cooper 1H, 1R ►  A. Tierney 1H, 1R ► R. Booth 2H, 3RBI ► G. Irving 1BB ► S. Pascoe 1H ►  

23 October 2011

  Orioles score steady against the Pirates

Booth has a day out with the bat as the Burners bury the Pirates 8-3

The Burner bats came to play before the last to buck the trend of the last 3 games. We headed out to Latrobe, where we have played more games than we have at home to take on Preston that we stole a game from two weeks back. The Pirates rolled out import Bubbie Buzachero who has been good since he landed on our shores. We went quietly in the first with the first three hitters retired in order. Ryan Booth lead off the second and sent a first pitch fastball sailing way over the wall in right field for a solo shot, which was his first of 3 for the day. Irving followed with a single up the middle off of the very next pitch and Ross Hunter was up next and hit a ground ball that stayed just inside the base at third for a double. With second and third and just one out, it was Scott Woolard that did the team job with a grounder to second that scored Irving and moved Hunter to third. Buzachewro was working fast, but a little too fast for umpire Ian Gavin's liking as he balked the American to score the third run of the inning and a 3-0 lead.

The Pirates hit back in the third and put up two of their own courtesy of a hit and a throwing error, to get within one run. We came again and scored another in the fourth inning when a series of wild pitches and pass balls gifted that run to give us a two run buffer. Dicker lead off the fifth with a liner into centre and Ryan Berg hit safely also to bring the red hot Booth to the plate. Booth's hard grounder through SS and 3B scored Dicker as Berg rolled into third. Andy Tierney's sac fly scored Berg and the game had opened up slightly with the score now 6-2. The Pirates came back again with a run in the seventh to stay in reach but another two runs would cross the plate for the visitors and the score was 8-3 with the Burners in full control.

Gerraty did another excellent job on the hill for the Burners, hurling 5 innings for just the two runs. Hussey was again in relief and upped his work rate with 4 strong innings for just 39 pitches, but gave up the third Preston run. Defensively, we were white hot - none more so than third sacker Grant Irving at 3B as he made three diving plays that were worthy of the Sports Centre Top 10. Andy Tierney was vintage at SS taking every opportunity and making plays that not many others could.

A solid win was what was needed and we certainly did that in this game. The games only get tougher from here on in and with some players missing through November, we are gonna have to scrap it out and fight for every win through that period. We face off against the Giants from Werribee on Wednesday night in the "midnight special" and so far have 5 wins and  draw from 6 starts with limited pitching.

Box Score

Hits:

D. Dicker 1H, 1HPB, 2R ► R. Berg 2H, 2R ►  A. Tierney 1H, 1SACF, 2RBI ► R. Booth 3H, 1R, 2RBI ► G. Irving 2H, 1RBI, 2R ► R. Hunter 1H, 1BB ►  R. Phillips 1BB ►

16 October 2011

  Burners get out of jail...again

After being down for most of the game against the impressive and newly promoted Melbourne, the Orioles score a bunch late to steal an improbable win

This years Blackburn team reminds me a lot of the team we fielded the season before last. A never say die attitude and playing until the final out. After being tied in the last inning in the mid-week game against Preston, the boys put up a 7 spot to take that one 13-6. This game would be no different as we played "backs-to-the-wall" baseball.

Andy Mann, who has been in blistering form for the visiting Demons, was once again set with the task of trying tame the opposition. Maelbourne haven't scored a lot of runs to date and rely havily on not giving up too many to stay in games. They are a tough outfit and led us for the majority of the game. After a scoreless first, Melbourne's latest recruit, Matt Blackmore drove a ball that was sucked out by the wind in LCF for a solo shot to make their intentions known. Following the HR, Melbourne would hit safely 3 times in a row to score their second for the inning and a 2-0 lead. The Demons would surge further ahead, scoring another run in the third to extend their lead to 3-0.

The Burners finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth, when David Dicker reached safely as the leadoff, and moved to second on a wild throw on the same play. The next two hitters couldn't get him over, and with two out Cain Bumpstead drove the ball into CF to reduce the deficit to 3-1.  Melbourne were quiet through the middle innings b ut continued to hit the ball well, but couldn't turn the hits into runs. Gerraty battled hard after giving up the 3 early runs and managed 5.1 innings of work before handing the ball to Ryan Phillips who finished off the sixth with no further damage. At that point, I flipped the ball to John Hussey who is coming back from a re-hab stint. John was excellent in keeping the Demon bats at bay for the seventh and eighth frame.

The eighth inning would be nothing short of bizarre.

Chris Wilcock led off the inning with a hard hit ball to SS, where Rhett Mitchell-Hill bobbled then threw the ball away to see us reach with none out. Mann was still on the mound for the visitors and still seemingly in control. Bumpstead attempted a bunt but was thrown out at 1B but moved the runner over. Berg drew a walk as the go ahead run came to the plate in the form of Andy Tierney, who hit a line drive into RCF to score the runner on second and moved Berg to 3B as we drew closer 3-2. With a sensational piece of base running, Tierney did not break stride and kept on running to second for a double as we now had second and third with 1 out and down by one. Two more walks saw the tying run cross the plate and when Ross Hunter hit a ball down the 3B line that was too hot to handle by third sacker Hanami, the lead had gone out to two runs for a 5-3 lead. Mann was finally relieved by Alex Hondo, the the train was already at full steam by this stage.

We weren't done yet. David Tierney was just down to "help out" but found himself getting the call up to the plate to try and put the nail in the coffin with two out. Well he certainly came up trumps as he drove a 3-2 change-up down the LF to score a further two runs. Chris Wilcock who was having his second at bat for the inning then clamy hit a hard grounder through the hole between SS and 3B to score Hunter and the seventh run of the inning to see us take an 8-3 lead into the last. Melbourne were down but not quite out, as they tacked on two more runs to bring the score back to 8-5. But Hussey was cool under the pressure and finished the game off for an excellent win to the home side.

Box Score

Hits:

C.Bumpstead 1H, 1BB, 1RBI ► R. Berg 1BB, 1R ►  A. Tierney 1H, 1RBI, 1R ► R. Booth 2BB, 1R ► G. Irving 2BB, 1RBI, 1R ► R. Hunter 1H, 1RBI, 1R ► C. Wilcock 1H, 2RBI, 1R ► D. Tierney 1H, 2RBI

9 October 2011

  Burners squander a 5 run lead to draw 9-9

After holding as much as a 5 run lead, Blackburn let Malvern back into the game and ran out of light after 10 innings, resulting in a draw.

This was a game that we let slip away. Matt Geratty again took the pill for the visiting Burners but was a little tender after a big outing in the opening round. He threw 3 innings and gave up 3 runs, with two coming off an Andrew McKenzie HR in the first innings for a 2-0 lead. We scored a run in the second when Ryan Booth walked, advanced to second and  scored after the Malvern third baseman threw the ball away. Malvern hit back in the third scoring again leaving us behind 3-1. The fourth inning saw the Burners scoring no less than 7 runs when Malvern starter Kile Rogers served up a pitch down the pipe to slugger Ryan Booth, who hit a laser beam over the wall at RF for a solo shot.  Rogers began having control issues and a combination of walks and hits saw him taken from the game. Chris Wall relieved for the home team and fared no better as he walked 2 accross the plate as well as a couple wild pitches that were charged to Rogers as his runners - all in all, 7 runs crossed the plate and the game seemed in control.

Malvern kept plugging away and got one back in the home half of the fifth with get em on, move em over, knock em in style baseball. Blackburn got that run back the very next inning when Booth got his second for the day with a liner into CF. That was followed by a Grant Irving double giving us second and third with 1 out. Ryan Phillips did his job hitting a high SAC fly to LF allowing Booth to score easily.

But it was the same inning where things unravelled for Blackburn as Malvern refused to lay down. Ryan Phillips had relieved Matt Gerraty in the fourth and looked in control not allowing a run in his first two innings. But a combination of 4 hits, a BB and a HPB would see Malvern plate 5 runs and sensationally tie the game in the sixth. The game looked destined for extra's as both teams struggled to get that elusive run to cross the plate. Grant Irving came in to pitch in the 7th and was stingy giving up just 2 hits while striking out 5. Malvern third baseman Simon Pole did a great job through the middle innings showing great control and poise to keep us scoreless. He then handed the ball to Malvern's import, Kevin Reese who threw for the first time and kept his ERA to zero with 3 innings of work.

The game was long and slow, and as the clock turned over to 7pm, the umpires decided we would not get in another full innings and called it, leaving reeling at not what could have been...but what should have been. On a positive note, all but one Blackburn hitter got at least one base knock, and we had another 6 or 7 line drives that ended up straight into fielders gloves. Pitching is a problem and our woes continued yesterday as we eagerly await the return of staff ace John Hussey.

We face off against newly promoted Preston in the late game at La Trobe University tomorrow night to try and right our wrongs.

Box Score

Hits:

C.Bumpstead 1H, 2BB ► R. Berg 1H,1BB ►  A. Tierney 1H, 2RBI ► R. Booth 2H (INC HR), 1RBI ► G. Irving 2H, 1RBI ► R. Hunter 1H, 1RBI ► R. Phillips 1RBI ► C. Wilcock 1H, 1BB ► A. Whiteford 1H

Dominick Ruggiero

9 October 2011

  Burners rue missed chances

This was game of missed opportunities. To be fair though, having lost Chris Wilcock and Chicko up to the 1s, our guys were not playing in their normal defensive positions. In the 1^st Scott and Lincoln were left stranded on base in scoring positions, while Malvern grafted a 1 run lead. The 2^nd went scoreless for both sides with Justin Castle taking a great fly at right field to end the innings. In the 3^rd Mitch and Brodie got on base and crossed the plate courtesy of a double by Justin Woolard. Scott broke up a potential DP at 2^nd to have Justin Woolard at 3^rd and Lincoln at 1^st. Sadly again scoring opportunities were lost when they were both left stranded on base.  Malvern were kept scoreless as a fly to Lincoln at centre closed out the innings with a 2 – 1 lead to the Burners. In the 4th our batters didn’t trouble the score book and a good infield DP from Brodie Cooper at SS to Jesse Gavin at 2^nd to Justin Woolard at 1^st closed out the innings. Batting in the 5^th was a repeat of the 4^th with Jesse Gavin replacing a gallant Gerald Kingston on the hill. Burners up 2-1

 The 6^th saw Lincoln get on base via a HPB to the head and with 2 strikes on him Justin Castle moved him to 3^rd with an excellent bunt. Matt Young then scored Lincoln to put us 3 -1 up. Matt however, was then left stranded at 2^nd Malvern came out swinging, scored 1 and had bases loaded before the 1^st out. A drive to left field scored 2 more and with runners on 1^st and 2^nd it took a DP by Scott who played his bag and then threw to 1^st to get the out and finish the innings. Burners down 5-3. Top of the 7^th saw Brodie, Justin Woolard and Scott get on base only to be left stranded as Malvern shut the bats down and closed out the innings. On the hill, Gerald Kingston threw 4 innings giving up 5hits and collecting 2 Ks. Jesse Gavin in his first outing for the 2nds threw 2 innings for 3 hits and 1 K. Runs scored Lincoln 2; Brodie 1; Hits Brodie 3; Scott Woolard 3; Matt Young 1(1RBI); Mitch Upton 1; Justin Woolard 1 (2RBIs). Defensively it was another good effort but sadly our offence let us down.- our bats hit we just couldn’t cross the plate.

Neil Woolard

2 October 2011

  Burners retain the Brendan Hopcraft Shield

Opening Day was basked in glorious sunshine (for the most part) as we took on the Upwey Tigers for the second annual Brendan Hopcraft Shield in front of a healthy crowd. The banners in the outfield read "Never Forget 16" and "Never Forget 17", the numbers worn by "Hoppy" for the respective clubs.

Matt Geratty was handed the ball on Opening Day for the Burners as he battled with the Tigers Sean Meldrum. It would be Upwey drawing first blood in their opening at bat, as Pete Schroeders doubled into left and was then advanced before being sacrificed home by Mitch Ayres and the early lead. It wouldn't last as Ryan Booth led off the top of the second with a double of his own and advanced on the bunt by Irving, before a deep fly ball to CF  from Ross Hunter saw Booth cruise home to tie the ball game at one run apiece.

Blackburn edged ahead in the third frame when Andy Tierney's lead-off line drive single, was followed by a walk to Booth with none out. Irving's double past the diving glove of Kieren Lewis at 3B saw Tierney score from second for 2-1 lead and pushed further ahead with a further 1 run in the top of the fifth when Ryan Berg scored on an Andy Tierney SAC fly to stretch the lead to 3-1.

Contaversey unfolded in the bottom of the 5th inning with the umpires losing their way momentarily. Schroeders reached on a single as the lead-off which brought Unland to the plate; Unland hit a towering, shot down the left field line that landed over the fence as the umpire raised both hands declaring the ball foul. After much protesting from Upwey coach Chris Harmen, the umpire unbelieveably changed his mind and reversed his decision declaring a home-run. I ran out to the umpire to argue the reversed decision but he would not change his mind (again) and the 2 runs stood, tying the game at 3 all. Most importantly, the umpire was right as the ball clearly curled around the pole and was a deserved HR to Unland. Mitch Ayres was up next and despatched the very first pitch tossed by Geratty deep over the wall at RF for a solo shot and once again the Tigers edged ahead 4-3.

Geratty was solid as he completed the 7th inning with a quick 3 up and 3 down; but after some 112 pitches it was time to bring some relief in the form of former Sandringham Royal Grant Irving.

The score remained unchanged until the top of the 8th when Irving led-off the inning and reached on an error, before Hunter singled into CF. David Dicker turned to scrifice the runners over, but missed the  the ball as Mitch Ayres fired to 1B to back pick the diving Hunter...the UFTG first baseman missed with the tag, but Hunter was still ruled out by the umpire even though on  bad angle and more than 60ft from the play. David Dicker then launched a triple into RCF, bringing Irving in from 2B and putting himself just 90ft away from home. A Sean Pascoe grounder to 3B scored Dicker and the lead flipped back to our advange 5-4. Irving made quick work of theTigers hitters in the 8th to shut down any chance of a resurgance.

Cain Bumpstead led off the 9th for the Burners with a solo blast over the wall at LF to give us some breathing room. Berg followed with a single before being scored from second by Booth's single into CF that took the score to 7-4 which would be the final score as Irving once again made light work of the Tigers hitters to close out the game for a hard fought win.

After the game, Tigers President Bob Ayres presented me with the Brendan Hopcraft Shield that will now proudly hang in the Blackburn clubhouse for another 12 months.

Box Score

Hits:

C.Bumpstead 2H (incHR), 1RB, 1RS ► R. Berg 2H,1BB ►  A. Tierney 1H, 1RBI, 1SAF ► R. Booth 1H, 1RBI, 1BB ► G. Irving 1H, 1RBI, 1SAB ► R. Hunter 2H, 1RBI, 1SAF ► D. Dicker 1H, 1RBI, 1BB ► S. Pascoe 1BB ► A. Whiteford 1BB

Dominick Ruggiero

2 October 2011

Burners get off to a great start vs the Tigers

Kingston & Cooper throw shut-out ball as Burners get off to a flyer

After a rain interrupted pre-season, the sun was shone brightly at Kings Park. Leah was established in the scorer’s box, Slugger commande, d , the dugout and sent the line-up out – With Gerard “G-Train” Kingston on the hill and Youngie (Matty Young) behind the dish, the scene was set for a great game. This game also saw the return of Ryan "Chiko" Phillips after a season at Berwick in 2010/11.

 Gerard continued his MVP form from last season and had a great day on the hill. He worked through 5.1 innings without giving up a run.  Brodie Cooper came into relieve, throwing 1.2 to close out the game and he too was stingy in not allowing a run to cross the plate. From the opening pitch of the game, the Burner bats were swinging away and bunts were being laid down which inturn put pressure on the Upwey defence.  Four runs crossed the plate over the 6 innings with RBI’s to Scott Woolard, Chicko, Justin Castle and Youngie. Chris Wilcox was the standout hitter of the day, going an impressive 4 hits from as many at-bats along with both Justin Woolard and Mitch Upton who collected 2 hits from their 3 trips.

Considering the team had hardly trained together, they managed to put together a very strong defensive effort which included 2 double plays for the day. Chicko's return at 1B was a huge advantage as his6'5" frame allowed him to make some plays that most others cannot.

It’s always nice to beat Upwey at Upwey and a good start for the season.

Neil Woolard (Woolie)

2011/2012 Summer League Season   

20 February 2011

 Orioles get it done in a tough fought game against the Dragons

The Dragons breathed some fire early at Deep Creek, but Gerraty held sway tossing 6+ innings to pickup another win. Greg Wiltshire made his long awaited comeback and Berka chipped in for the save.

It rained mid morning as the weather looked like it may play a part yet again. But the rain cleared just prior to the early game and the second game was played in pleasant conditions at arguably the most picturesque field in the State League. Matt Gerraty is riding a winning wave with his brilliant post Christmas form. He was again gven the start for the Burners and once again did a briliant job for the visitors. Scott Couling made the home sides intentions clear as he led off the game with a towering shot to right that just cleared the glove of Cain Bumpstead. Bertrand then tried a running bunt which went back to Gerraty who threw the ball away to give the Dragons first and third with none. Ken O'Malleys well hit ball to centre was easily deep enough and Couling strolled home to give the Dragons the first run of the game. Gerraty settled, retiring the Dragons in order in the second with a pair of strikeouts.

Doncaster import Nick Martin was on the bump for the home side as Cain Bumpstead hit lead-off in the absense of the newlywed, David Tierney. Bummy too led off with a base hit, a single and promptly stole second but we failed to capitalise and walked away empty handed. In the second inning, the Burner bats would fire when Sam Boone, back after a 2 week holiday in Sri Lanka (thanks largely to the Australian Immigration Dept.) led off the second with a base hit into centrefield. Ross Hunter then flared a fastball into centre bringing David Dicker to the plate. Dicker layed down a runing bunt that was perfectly placed inches inside the line and reached safely to load the bases with none out. The next hitter fanned to bring Bumpstead back to the plate with one out. A wild pitch would see Boone scurry home to tie the game at one apiece before Bummy hit a laser beam over the head of Carr at shortstop to score both Hunter and David Dicker that moved up on the earlier wild pitch. Bumpstead stole his second and third bases of the day as his single quickly became a triple. The umpire in the middle called a balk on Martin gifting the Burners a fourth for the innning to lead the game 4-1.

Gerraty was in cruise control and dealing through the middle part of the game in not allowing a single hit from the second to the sixth inning with just two  runners reaching base with free passes . A combination of good defence and Gerraty pounding the strikezone had us sitting in the box seat through six complete. The problem was that the Burner bats too cooled off as Martin found his groove and kept us quiet through the middle innings. With one out in the seventh, the Dragon bats woke up as Carr hit a double followed by a hit to shortstop by Ryan Lea. I decided that Gerraty had done his job for the day and went to the pen where Wiltshire was awaiting his call for his long awaited return. Greg was a little rusty throwing the first three pitches in the dirt before throwing a strike for the 3-1 count. Mazzacato hit the ball down the line at third that looked to be a foul, but the umpire saw it differently and the end result was a run scoring double to bring the score back to 4-2 and runners on second and third. This just fired up Wiltshire as he calmy struck out the next two hitters to contain the damage to a single run.

Andy Tierney still struggling with a hamstring he injured prior to C, hristmas, decided he could take no further part in the game with his swing severely affected by the injury. I looked up and down the bench with my two regular re-entry players unavailable due to injuries sustained in the early game. So the oldest guy  (by far) on the bench that just so happens to be the coach had no choice but to put on the gloves and stride to the p, late to lead off the top of the 8th, in the 3 hole no less. I flared a full count fastball into right centrefield for a flukey single to bring up Ryan Booth. Boothy's hard hit ball to shortstop looked to be a sure double, but the second baseman couldn't handle the feed as he had a freight train bearing down on him : ) Tom Dicker bunted the next pitch and once again I took off for third for what should have been an easy out. But third sacker Ryan Lea inexplicably tried to tag me rather than stand on the bag and the slide kicked the ball loose which saw everybody safe. Still sucking in the big ones, Doncster coach Steven Black called time to give me a much needed break! With the dangerous Sam Boone at the plate, Martin threw a pitch in the dirt allowing me to score easily for much needed fifth run and extend the lead by three runs and a 5-2 scoreline. We had an opportunity to turn the screws and put the game to bed but a couple of strikeouts and a flyball put an end to the threat and the score remained 5-3.

Wiltshire struck out the first two hitters in the bottom of the 8th and a groundball to Tommy Dicker at shortstop rounded out the 1-2-3 inning. Another promising start to the ninth for the visitors saw Bumpstead single into centre for his best afield third hit and then promptly swiped second base for his fourth stolen base of the afternoon. But a strikeout and 4-6-3 double play stopped us from adding a sixth run. Berka (the Big Moose, ) took the ball from Greg to try and preserve win number 22 for the Burners. The Big Moose breezed through the 9th striking out the first two hitters he faced and a groundball to Berg at third base finished off the game for a tough win 5 runs to 2. It was a brilliant display by the pitching staff led by Gerraty, as they gave up just four measly hits, with three of them coming in the seventh inning.

Thursday night sees us take on Essendon at La Trobe Uni at supper time (8:50pm). With just three games to play and four games ahead in first place means we will finish atop the Summer league ladder, but we may still have a say in shaping the final four as Essendon still has a chance of displacing Waverley as they sit tied in fourth. We take on Fitzroy next Saturday who has done a more than admiral job in staying in Div 1 for next season and sure to be tough. We then round out the regular season with a "we owe you one" game against Geelong after they stole the game from us earlier this year in the last inning.

Hits:

C.Bumpstead (3H, 2RBI, 4SB, 1RS), R. Booth (1H), S. Boone (1H, 1RS), R. Hunter (1H, 1RS), D. Dicker (1H, 1RS), D. Ruggiero (1H, 1RS)

Dominick Ruggiero

15 February 2011

 Rustler errors prove costly as the Orioles take out the mid-week clash 8-4

The Cheltenham Rustlers are a team that had the wood over the Burners last season, but the fortunes have been turned around slightly in 2010/11. Playing Chelt at their place is always a tough ask...especially when it's mid-week and a 6:15pm start!

With minimal preperation due to the early start, we got right into it from the get-go. Blake Cunningham is a quality pitcher and was handed the ball for the Rustlers to try and keep a lid on the bats. He cruised through the first frame issuing a two out BB but no runs scored. In the second frame things went pear shaped...not just for Cunningham but the Cheltenham defence as a whole. Ross Hunter led off the inning with a screaming double down the left field line to get things cracking. An error and a HPB filled the bases with none away. a further error, followed by a BB and a hit by Ryan Berg resulted in five runs that came in a blur. We scored another in the third, fifth and finished off with one in the seventh and final inning when Cain Bumpstead launched a ball deep to centrefield that was tracked by Cheltenham centre fielder Ben Leslie. He caught the ball just inside the fence, but hit the fence quite hard and the ball spilled out of his glove and over the wall for a spectacular HR.

Hussey was again masterful in a complete game performance and allowing just 4 runs for yet another win.

Dominick Ruggiero

12 February 2011

 Orioles get out-slugged by the Giants, but take the win all the same

The Earl Byrne led Giants made their intentions known early at Billabong Park on Saturday. With a host of players away, Werribee had nothing to lose and took it right up to the league leaders.

If you were taking ladder positions into account, this one would have looked like a whitewash for the Burners. But The Werribee Giants had other ideas on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Billabong Park. Matt Gerraty was again handed the ball following some quality starts in recent weeks and Wade Balzer welcomed him with a line drive into left field. Recently signed Devil Ray, Daryl George then despatched a line drive up the middle to give the Giants second and third with none. They advanced on a wild pitch and a scrifice fly scored Balzer, except for the fact George tagged at second but left way too early and was doubled off after the appeal from Burner SS, Andy Tierney for the double play and the run didn't score.

David Tierney led off the bottom half of the opener reaching on an error by Balzer at SS and was bunted over to second by Berg before swiping third base a pitch later. Brother Andrew's grounder to second base scored David for the 1-0 lead. The Giants would tie it up in the 4th scoring 1 run, but may have rued what could have been when they had bases loaded with one out. We hit back in the bottom half with two runs of our own. With one out, Ryan Booth lined a ball up the middle for his second of the day and promptly stoler second base. Tom Dicker followed with a line drive just inside the left field line for an RBI double. Tom Dicker then stole third base and scored on the wayward throw b y the catcher that wound up in left field. Holding a 3-1 lead and the game seemingly settling down, Werribee found another gear in the sixth frame with Gerraty visibly fatiguing. With one out, the next three hitters singled to load the bases for the visitors and in the process ended Gerraty's day. Adrian Berka was called in to the unenviable situation of no outs and the bases full.

Daryl George clearly came to the plate with a plan as he laced Berka's first pitch fastball into right centre scoring 2 and himself advancing to second when the throw missed the cut-off. Still nobody out, Olly Box hit a towering fly ball with two strikes on him, that scored the tagging Wade Balzer for the third run of the inning. Daryl George stole 3rd base and he himself scored when Ross Hunter's throw missed the intended target in Tom Dicker at third. Werribee had taken the lead for the second time in the game with the 5-3 advantage. I was confident we could also find another gear, but admittedly I was growing inpatient and was keen on getting the runs back immediately.

Chris Webb had done a great job on the mound for Werribee, keeping us off balance and feeding the Burner hitters a steady feast of straight changes. But he too tired giving up a single to Booth with one out and then serving a fastball up in the zone to Tom Dicker who despatched the ball some 350ft away over the wall in left field to tied the game at 5 runs a piece. That would spell the end of Webb's day and Pantellaraxo, who had played a full game in the seconds was called upon to try and stem the tide. He gave up a hit and then issued a free pass before coaxing Whiteford into the 1-6-3 DP - I thought the out call at 1B was dubious and went and argued my point with the umpire...to no avail of course and the inning was over with the game all tied up.

Berka retired the Giants in order in the 7th as I pleaded with my players to get something going - and get it going they did. Bumpstead drew a walk as did David Tierney with none away. Ryan Berg was up next and drove the ball deep to left centre to score both runners and break the deadlock and take the score to 7-5. Booth then singled into centre for his fourth of the day scoring Berg in the process. This brought about another pitching change for the Giants with Wade Balzer asked to take the ball. A balk, willd pitch and then a throwing error would see Booth also cross the plate and we were retired shortly after, but  not before scoring 4 runs and taking a 9-5 lead in the meantime. The Giants again were retired in order in the 8th and they looked spent. Bumpstead led off the bottom half of the 8th frame with a laser beam that looked like it would whizz by George at SS....but he dived and made an absolutely unbelievable dicing stop and quickly rose to his feet and despatched a bullet to 1B...Bumpstead is arguably the fastest runner in the league and beat the throw by a whisker - but it was an amazing play all the same and would have retired any other hitter in the league. Bumpstead wasted little time and swiped second base and advanced to third on Dave Tierney's single to centre. Berg's grounder scored the runner from third and advanced Tierney to second base and after stealing third base, scored on brother Andy's single to SS. Booth, having notched up 4 for the afternoon wasn't done yet as he lined a ball up the middle for his best afield fifth hit of the day and another RBI as Andy Tierney crossed the plate. By the time we had finished we had opened up the lead to 7 for a 12-5 scoreline.

I decided toi give Bumpstead some time on the hill to try and close it out for us in the last inning. Bummy gave up two hits and a walk to open up the inning and again a started to twitch as I didn't have another recognised pitcher on the field anywhere. When Balzer hit a fly ball foul for the first out, I breathed momentarily, but a free pass sent a run over the plate. An error saw a second run cross the plate and the score was now 12-7. Werribee would score a further run on a fielders choice before a strikeout would end the game and perhaps make the game a little closer than it may otherwise have been  finishing 12-8. The Giants actually outhit us 15-13. The problem was they struggled to capitalise in crucial situation and we pitched well and played excellent defence when threatened the most. All in all, and indifferent performance that resulted in 2 points for the home team with Booths 5 knocks the highlight.

We take on Cheltenham down at Farm Rd on Tuesday  night which will be a tough clash as always, followed by another away clash on Sunday at Doncaster. We need to keep winning and playing well as there is no such thing as a "gimme" in this competition.

Hits:

Dominick Ruggiero

8 February 2011

 Orioles stave of a much improved and determined Tigers outfit

A good crowd came out for the last midweek game at home vs the Upwey FTG Tigers. Upwey are much improved having won 7 of their previous 10 games.

Tigers skipper Mitch Ayres has his boys well drilled and whatever they may lack in depth and talent they more than make up with a dogged determination and confidence that sees them take it to every team they play. The visitors would score first in the second frame on two hits and a walk off of Adrian Berka who hadn't thrown for two weeks and could be excused for being slightly rusty and I was relying on our bats to carry us in this game to make up for that.

Sean "Molly" Meldrum was given the ball and handed the task of trying to cool the hot Burner bats. We would tie it up in the second inning scoring a run, but should have made more of the fact we had bases loaded an none out. But this great game of ours sometimes can be cruel and a hard hit ball to second by the fill in DH resulted in a 4-6-3 DP and just the one run. Upwey hit the front again in the fourth inning with three hits in a row to Barrett, Keys and Stuart Chinn for a 2-1 scoreline.

The Burner boys found second gear and responded immediately when Booth crushed a ball over the head of centrefielder Will Keys for a lead-off double. Ross Hunter then strode to the plate and blasted a 1-1 pitch over the wall in leftcentre to give us back the lead 3-2. That moonshot brought to an end Meldrums night and brought reliever Michael Vander Meer to the bump. Bumpstead didn't give him time to settle and smoked a line drive into centrefield for a single. A wild pitch moved him to second and he promptly stole third without drawing a throw with David Dicker at the plate. Dicker hit a ball high and long into leftcentre fild that landed just 6 or so feet from the fence scoring Bumpstead and providing us with a little breathing room and a 4-2 lead. We scored two more in the following inning on a hit, BB and an error to extend the lead to 4 runs.

Berka handed the ball to Hussey for the last two frames and he held the Tigers scoreless over the last two. We hit in the bottom of the 7th and scored another run taking our tally to 7 runs when the umpire called the game as time ran out. It was a good win against an inform side and the Tigers are virtually assured of staying in Division 1 which is a great effort by that club.

Hits:

R. Berg (1H,1BB,2R), R. Booth (2H), R. Hunter (3H, 4RBI, 1SAC), A. Whiteford (1H), C.Bumpstead (2H, 1RBI), D. Dicker (1H)

Dominick Ruggiero

6 February  2011

Burners do it tough at the "graveyard" and hold on in a nail biter 3-2

In my 30 years in this game, there isn't a place I like to play less than the "graveyard" at Newport. It seems to be a place where good teams go to die...albeit just for the day. Newport are always tough...none more than this game that went down to the wire

The headline may be a little harsh, but Newport is no fun. The howling gail that blows in from left centre field, coupled with an always dogged and competitive Rams outfit that have home field pride makes the task daunting...even for a team that had a win/loss of 17-3. With Hussey being rested for 7-10 days as a freshen up to what will hopefully be a post season appearance, Matt Gerraty was again handed the ball for the visitors. In fine form since returning after Christmas, Gerraty has been nothing short of brilliant on the mound for us and his confidence was high having come off the save against Waverley midweek.

Newport came out of the blocks firing, scoring 2 runs in the first inning with two out. Land singled followed by a David Phillips double to give the Rams second and third. Dean Malthouse was up next and seemed to stop the wind as he made contact and crushed a ball over the head of David Tierney in leftcentre field to score two and give the home side the early lead, 2-0. The Ram dome doesn't suit our big hitting as the ball just holds up in the wind and we failed to make the adjustments early. We cut the lead in half in the second courtesy of a couple of Newport errors. We tied it up in the fifth frame courtesy of some free passes and a bases loaded HPB to David Dicker. In the seventh we took the lead for the first time in the game. Bumpstead forced an error with his speed reaching base with one out. A passball saw him scoot up to second with David Dicker at the plate, who battled in the at bat and drove the ball to right centre that saw the speedy bumpstead cruise into home for the 3-2 lead.

Gerraty would settle in after the shaky start and not allow another run as he took the ball into the 9th inning for what looked like might be a complete game for him, but this is where the drama unfolded. Things got a little bit skewed and Matty was showing signs of fatigue, which is natural when you throw 8+ but I was hoping he could close it out.  Bramwell was hit with a curveball and then a single to Jordan Young gave the Rams two on and none out. A groundball would have killed the threat but we gave up another BB and Matt's day had come to an end after a great performance.

Keen to finish off Gerraty's great start and in a pressure cooker situation with none out, I decided to hand the ball to leftfielder and part time hurler, David Tierney to see if he could get us out of the impossible jam. Newport sent a pinch hitter to the plate in Dean Anglin, who hit a line drive to left that was handled by Andy Whiteford that had just been moved there from right field for the first out. Jordan Young was up next and hit a flyball to centrefield that was a little deeper and Bramwell, who was on third tagged. But Ryan Booth, after misjudging the swirling wind, caught the ball waist high and off balance and manged a bullit to the cut-off which stopped Bramwell in his tracks a few meters off the base at third. We now had two out and my nerves were at breaking point with Troy Malthouse up and the tieing run still at third base. Troy hit a ball to Tom Dicker at SS who calmly flipped the ball to Andy Tierney at second base and David "Eckersley" Tierney got himself a save and preserved the Burner win 3 runs to 2.

Hits:

D. Tierney (1H), R. Berg (1H), T. Dicker (1H), R. HBunter (1H), C.Bumpstead (1H, 1RBI), D. Dicker (1H, 2RBI, 1HPB)

Dominick Ruggiero

1 February  2011

 Orioles outlast Wildcats by the narrowest of margins 5-4

Waverley was almost back to full strength as we travelled out to Napier Park to take on our local rivals.

There was a decent crowd at Waverley to watch what was sure to be another close game between the two clubs. It would be the final meeting of the regular season betwwen the Wildcats and the Birds. Hussey took to the mound for the visiting Burners against a Waverley side that was almost back at full strength. He fgaced off against Aces catcher and sometimes pitcher, Grant Karlsen.

The Burners opened up the scoring in the second when Ryan Booth scored on David Dickers sacrifice fly to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. We would go down in order in the third frame but the fourth inning would see us go to swinging and put up 4 runs...it wasn't so much the amount but the way we scored them. Ryan Booth hit a ball into centrefield with one out to bring Sam Boone to the plate. Sam took a pitch right of the fat part of the bat and despatched well over the wall in leftfield for a two run shot and a 3 run lead. With two out, David Dicker drew a base on balls...now your truly was up next in the DH's spot as Tom Dicker was on his way from work.

I had already had one at bat and struck out, so it wasn't a tough decision to pinch hit the big hitting TD for me...even  having just slipped his gloves on and not having had a swing...well Tom had no intention to take the count deep and proceeded to crush a first pitch fastball over leftfield for another two run blast and took the score out to 5-0. Against most teams, a 5 run buffer is enough for us to hang on for a win. But Waverley are a classy outfit and they would come back and come back strong.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Wildcats put up 3 of their own. Mascoll and Russell reached on hits and then an untimely error loaded the bases with none away. Hussey walked one across the plate, followed by a grounder to score the second and a curve ball that hit the front of the plate to score a third and brought the scoreline back to 5-3. Waverley would make us very nervous as they scored another run two innings later when a leadoff walk, a Josh Hendricks double and another wild pitch brought the home side within one. With Adrian Berka unable to play, Matt Gerraty who has been in fine form went from starter to stopper as he flipped 2 sensational innings allowing just 1 hit and a free pass to preserve the lead and ultimately the win.

Dominick Ruggiero

29 January  2011

 Orioles beaten by the heat

Malvern was officially the hottest suburb in Melbourne this week as we were the only game in the state that was "heated out". We have now missed out on our fifth game of the season and the second against Malvern with the other being a rainout...The Braves have all the luck!

23 January  2011

 Orioles score 10 for the second time this weekend

Gerratty lights out as the Burners follow Saturday's 10-spot with a repeat performance on Sunday vs the Royals. Sunday also saw the return of injured SS Andy Tierney for his first game since mid December.

It'salways tough to follow up a big win like the one on Saturday. But the boys from the Burner Dome would have none of that and took advantage of  the second game at home for the weekend, a rarity this season. Matt Gerraty was handed the ball for his first start of the season with the big boys and having turned 21 just last week, showed maturity beyond his years with a sterling performance. Sandringham too had a game on Saturday and lost would be starter Grant Irving to injury during the loss to Upwey ...Manager Dan McGrath told me after the game that injuries to key players has ravaged the Royals line-up all season. Aces right armer and last years Claxton Shield Pitcher of the Year, Matt Blackmore was limited to DH duties with arm soreness as well. Matty Holmes was given the task of trying to contain a hot Burmner line-up which would havbe been a challenge for any pitcher.

The hitters made it known early that their intention was to continue the form of the p, revious day as Ryan Berg's one out double opened up proceedings and then subsequentally scored on Ryan Booth's single into CF and the score was quickly 1-0. Holmes held sway for a couple of innings and cruised into the 4th frame, still, just 1 run in arrears but he had done well , to get to that point. We would score two more in the 4th on two hits, but helped out by two errors from the shaky Sandrinham defence.

<, p>Whi, teford lead-off  the 5th with a double, while Bumpstead walked on 4 straight to bring Dave Tierney to the plate; Tierney connected right in the middle for a line drive into RF to score Whiteford easily from second base and moving Bumpstead around to third. Tierney was thrown out trying to steal second and when Berg drew a BB, I was ruing the steal I had just attempted. Berg moved to second on a WP followed soon after by Andy Tierney's sac fly that would score Bumpstead. Ryan Booth capped off a productive innings when his ground ball through the right side scored Berg to plate the third of the innings and the sixth of the day.

Gerraty was making light work of the Royals line-up and his biggest asset was pitching from infront all day. First pitch strikes were plentiful which allowed him to saty away from the fat part of the plate and coaxed the visitors to hit thee pitch he wanted them to hit. Matty allowed just 4 hits in his 6 innings of work, with 2BB and a HPB for a brilliant game winn ing performance. Andrian Berka came in to get some, work in the top of the 7th and was his usual self not allowing a hit and striking out two. We would complete the rout when a Ryan Berg double and singles to Andy Tierney and Ross Hunter and a couple of free passes helped the home side to four runs to make it 10-0 and the same scoreline as the previous days encounter. It was an excellent effort to sustain that level of play over the two days especially the hitters. Gtreat pitching performansces by both Hussey and Gerraty set the foundations and let the hitters go about the business of scoring runs.

Hits:

D. Tierney (1H, 2RBI), R. Berg (2H,1BB,1RBI), A. Tierney (2H,2RBI), R. Booth (2H,3RBI), S.Boone (1H, 1HPB,1SB), T. Dicker (1RBI), R. HBunter (1H), A. Whiteford (1H, 1HPB), C.Bumpstead (1BB, 1HPB)

Dominick Ruggiero

22 January  2011

 Burners play shut-out ball vs Waverley 10-0 at home

The Burner bats came to play...and with Hussey back in the groove the Wilcats didn't have a chance to breathe. 

The Wildcats were undermanned having almost half the starting line-up in Perth on Aces duty. But the team on the park was still competitive on paper and we were ready for another epic battle which has been the theme in the last 6 or so encounters between the two clubs. The visitors rolled out Donovan Hendricks who has been dominant against us in recent times. But the Burner boys had a different agenda Saturday and the intent was evident from the opening frame. Hussey got through the first unscathed and although he gave aup a single to Hodges, looked "on". Berg beat out a ball hit to SS with one out, followed by a pair of walks to Boone and Booth to load em up. Tom Dicker then hit a sac fly for a 1-0 lead. Hussey mowed a path through the Waverley line-up over the next 5 innings giving up just another 2 hits. Hussey threw some curve balls that were just down right nasty and had more than one Waverley hitter buckling at the knees.

We scored a further 2 runs in the second when Hendricks walked the first two hitters he faced in Bumpstead and David Dicker. Andy Whiteford then executed a perfect sac bunt for second and third with one out, to bring up Dave Tierney who then stroked a ball to right to score Bumpstead and Ryan Berg follwed suit with some great two strike hitting when his ball got through the right side to bring home Dicker for the 3rd run. The 3rd inning would bring the same result when Tom Dicker hit a towering shot to CF that looked like it would clear the wall, but it didn't quite have enough legs and hit the fence on the fly some 12 inches shy for a double.  Ross Hunter followed that up with  a blast that did infact clear the wall comfortably, this time at LF and a 5-0 scoreline after 3 complete. Hussey continued on his way keeping the visitors off balance for the most part, but just blowing them away in others as he fanned 10 Waverley hitters in a dominant display. He completed six shutout innings before handing the ball to David Tierney for what turned out to be the 7th and final frame. Dave faced just four hitters giving up one hit, just Waverley's fourth of the day but did not not allow a run in closing out the contest.

Hendricks put the clamps on over the next few innings and although we continued to hit him hard, we didn't string the hits together and the score remained at 5-0 until the bottom of the 7th. The Burner boys found their second gear and the signs were ominous when an error allowed Ryan Berg to get on as the lead-off and a free pass to Boone follwed. Ryan Booth then took a 2-1 fastball up the middle to knock in Berg and knocking Hendricks out of the game at the same time. Young left armer, John Kennedy came in to relieve, but was dealt with in the same manner as his predecessor  whenTom Dicker's second sac fly of the day brought home Boone for a 7-0 scoreline. Bumpstead walked to keep the inning alive and when David Dicker launched a ball just shy of the LF wall, Booth trotted home and the speedy Bumpstead motored home from first. to bring us within one of the mercy rule and an early shower. Andy Whiteford would do just that as he helped himself to a double to CF to score David Dicker for the 10th run as the umpire called "time and game"... Great win after a tight one the week before.

Hits:

D. Tierney (1H, 1RBI), R. Berg (3H, 1RBI), S.Boone (1H), R. Booth (1H, 1BB), T. Dicker (1H, 2RBI), R. Hunter (1H(HR), 2RBI), C.Bumpstead (2BB), D. Dicker (1H, 2RBI), A. Whiteford (2H, 1RBI)

17 January  2011

 Burners just, over the Tigers 2-1

First game back after the mid-season break results in a tough win by the narrowest of margins, but we'll take it...

Welcome back for 2011. Hope you all enjoyed a great festive season and that you are ready for the next 12 games or so that will hopefully see us march our way into the play-offs.

With the Dicker brothers, Tom and David missing for this clash we were already a little thin. Just to make things a little more difficult, we also lost Andy Tierney before a pitch was thrown when his hamstring didn't feel quite right during pre-game batting practice and we decided it would be best not to risk him. Adrian Berka went from relief pitcher to hitting first baseman to replace the injured Tierney. Adrian Rice was the starter for Upwey and as per usual when he pitches against Blackburn, put the brakes on what was a rampaging offence prior to the mid-season break. Giving up just 3 hits over the first 5 frames it looked like he had our measure... But John Hussey was throwing for the visitors and he aint no chump either.

Upwey opened up the scoring in the pitchers dual in the home half of the 5th when Jordan Elliot hit a ball hard into the gap at LCF for a lead-off double. Huss manged to fan the next hitter and then Stuart Chinn chimed in with a bloop single just over SS to give the Tigers second and third occupied with one out. A grounder to fill in third baseman Cain Bumpstead saw the runner hold at third and it looked as if we may escape unscathed. But John Hussey's nasty hammer (curveball) was his undoing as he dropped one a little short and the ball hit the front of the plate and rocketed over the backnet to hand Upwey the all important opening run and a 1-0 lead.

Sensing the real possibility of defeat, the Burners decided it was time to step it up a touch. Ryan Berg smoked a double to LF with one out, bringing Sam Boone to the plate. The ever reliable Boon laced a ball down the RF line, scoring Berg from second and swapping places as he kept rolling to second in a great piece of base running when the throw from the outfield missed the cut-off. Sam promptly stole third base with Ryan Booth at the plate who drew a walk. Ross Hunter who was on fire with the bat prior to Christmas then strode to the plate with a chance to give the visitors the lead with just one away. Ross got under one and popped it up into shallow centre field which saw the second baseman Matt Barrett make a pretty good play to make the catch. Boone saw Barrett off balance and tagged up and headed for home...the throw had to be perfect and it was as the catcher received the ball with Sam still a step or two away. Sam decided the only chance for him to score was to try and barrel the catcher to cause the spill.

What happened next was a little scary as Boone's shoulder connected flush with the chin of Upwey catcher Jordan Elliot; although he kept his mask on the contact was flush and knocked him out cold for some 5 seconds or more...but to his credit and something that resembled a movie scene, he miraculously held onto the ball for the double play and kept the score tied at one run apiece. I'd like to mention at this stage that the contact from Boone was well within the rules and spirit of the game. It's part of baseball and the hit was clean with no malice intended. The result was just pure bad luck.

Elliot received a nice couple of gashes to his chin from the mask and lay motionless for some time. An ambulance was called and the game was delayed for somer 30-40 mins as Elliot was instructed not to move and possibly risk further injury. The ambulance entered the arena and quickly established that serious injury had been avoided as the entire field breathed a collective sigh of relief. Elliot was able to stand up and in a nice gesture, walked from the field to an applause from the crowd and both participating teams.

The players had cooled down by this stage and it felt like we were about to start a mini three inning game to get a result. Andrew Jones who relieved Rice mid-way through the 5th threw a lead-off walk to Cain Bumpstead to open up the 7th frame,  which can easily lead to a triple with Cain's leg speed. Bummy is one of the, if not the fastest baserunner in the league and I decided to use that leg speed to try and get something going. Adrian Berka lay down the perfect bunt to move Bumpstead to second base. Stealing third was all I had on my mind and with a quick flash of the steal sign, Bummy was sliding into third base and in scoring position. Andrew Whiteford was at the plate as Upwey drew the infield in to cut off the go-ahead. I instructed Bummy to take a chance on an infield groundball as the spongy infield would slow the ball down enough for him to score. Whiteford hit a grounder to second and Bummy headed for home as the Tigers made a play at the plate...Safe! and the Burners took the lead for the first time in the game 2-1. Adrian Berka had already entered the game in the bottom of the sixth frame and he threw another four quality innings and shut the door on the Tigers not giving them so much as a sniff. Berka threw just 37 pitches and did not concede a hit as he struck out 5 to earn the win for the visitors.

In an amazing combined performance, Berka's 37 coupled with Hussey's 52 pitches over 5 innings meant that it took the pair just 89 to complete 9 innings...that is almost unheard of in baseball and the fact they were able to do that after a 4 week lay-off is incredible.

Next weekend will be a tough one as we have a double header weekend taking on arch nemesis Waverley on Saturday followed by Sandringham on the Sunday with both encounters to take place at the Burner Dome. With both Bright and Wiltshire missing it's going to put pressure on the remaining players to dig deep an try and come up with a couple of wins...but we are somwhat used to it having not had the servcies of either player since the start of the ABL season. We have a couple of outfielders ready to step up and chip in on the mound and I'm confident the bats will do enough to support their efforts.

Hits:

D. Tierney (1H), R. Berg (2H), S.Boone (1H, 1RBI, 1SB), R. Booth (1BB), C.Bumpstead (1BB, 1SB), A. Whiteford (1H, 1RBI), J. Berka (1H)

18 December  2010

 Orioles finish strong and top the table going into the break
 

After last weeks 9th inning capitulation, the Burners were keen to finish strong against a talented Rustlers outfit. At stake was top spot going into the Christmas break, but wins against Cheltenham are never easy. Proof of that is the fact the previous four encounters have resulted in one run ballgames.

The rain threatened to spoil yet another weekend of baseball as it belted down 30 mins before the 2nd IX game. The heavans opened up and the field was looking worse for wear; it was decided that the 2's game would be called off and we set about preparing the field for the main game. We managed to do that and thankfully the rains stayed away for the remainder of the day.

Cheltenham rolled out their recently acquired import, left armer Josh Rickards. Cheltenham were retired in order in the opener and in the equaliser, we manged to draw first blood when Ryan Booth drew a 2-out walk. Boone singled to right and Tom Dicker crushed a ball down the line in LF for a double, scoring Booth from second and a 1-0 lead. In the third we would break the game open slightly, again, clutching up with 2 outs.Boone collected his second of the day with a bloop single into CF and then promptly stole second base, encouraging Tom Dicker to follow his lead and he too singled into CF for his second hit of the day and scored Boone from second in the process. Bumpstead drew a walk and a pass ball saw both runners move up 90 feet to occupy second an third and set the table for Ross Hunter, who has been one of our hottest hitters in recent weeks. Rossi smoked a towering shot over the head of Rustlers giant and left fielder Matt Gourlay for a 2RBI double and edged the score out to 4-0.

Cheltenham could score 4 runs with a couple of whiffs of the bat and 4 runs just wasn't enough in my mind. The team resoponded with another 3 spot in the 5th frame as Tom Dicker led-off with a liner into LF, his third of the day.Bumpstead drew his second walk of the day as Ross Hunter's hot bat cooled off and he popped up foul to 1B for the first out. David Dicker was up next and after a frustrating couple of at bats, finally relaxed and launched a ball over the head of the left fielder that landed at the base of the fence for an RBI double scoring brother Tom and moving Bumpstead around to 3B. David Tierney is swinging himself back into form and he came up big with 2 out as he took the 0-1 offering into right CF to score both runners on second and third and a 7-0 scoreline.

Hussey was still strong as he pushed through five innings without giving up a run to the talented Rustler's line-up. But keeping the boys from Farm Rd to zero is something no-one has managed to do this season and unfortunately, the Burners would be no different. We quickly retired the first two hitters in the 6th inning, bringing Chelt's most dangerous hitter and skipper Hayden Dingle to the plate who drew a two out walk, presenting Matt Gourlay an opportunity to get something rolling. Well he did just that, putting a good swing on an 0-1 fastball and depositing it well over the wall in right CF to score two runs and give the Rustlers a sniff. Hussey would come out for the 7th frame but was approaching 100 pitches for the day. Although he walked a hitter and hit another, he manged to complete the frame without further damage, earning himself a well earned rest. Johnny handed the ball to Adrian Berka who has been nothing short of outstanding this season - Adrian is very stingy when it comes to giving up runs and this season has been no different. He worked the last two innings and extinguished any chance of a Rustler revival giving up just one hit and a walk over that time to preserve the win 7-2.

So at this stage of the season we really couldn't hope to be in a better position as we sit atop the Summer League ladder with a 13-3 record a game clear of Cheltenham. We have built a solid platform on which to build the remainder of the season thanks to the boys gelling amazingly well and the bats becoming more consistent on a weekly basis. Our pitching is the cornerstone of this unit and their week-in/week-out performance helps the hitters relax knowing that scoring a handful is usually enough. The result has been allot of runs while giving up very few. I am hoping that the break will give the boys a chance to rest their bodies and gear up for a strong second half and finish off the great job we have started.

To those that read my reports on a weekly basis, I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I've enjoyed writing them. I'd like to take , this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Ye, ar and most importantly urge you to be safe and enjoy the time spent with your families.

Our first game back is January 15, so come back then and read about what we hope to be another Burner win vs Upwey Ferntree Gully.

Hits:

D. Tierney (2H, 2RBI), S.Boone (3H), T. Dicker (3H (inc 2B), 2RBI), R. Hunter (2H (inc 2B), 2RBI), A. Whiteford (1BB), D. Dicker (1H (2B, 1RBI), C.Bumpstead (2BB)

Dominick Ruggiero

12 December  2010

 Burners blow a four run 9th inning lead

 All four Blackburn teams travelled down the Princes Hwy to Waurn Ponds for the Saturday clash with the Baycats.

Any which way you look at it, the Baycats are a tough assignment on any given day.  This game would be no different as Geelong rolled out import Ben Knuth who was up against the recently "lights out" John Hussey.The first 3 innings would see us go down virtually in order as Knuth kept our hitters off balance.With one dead in the 4th, Andy Tierney lined a ball into CF for a single. Knuth momentarily lost his way, walking Booth and Boone in sucession to load the bases. Ross Hunter strode to the dish having enjoyed some good form with the bat. Ross hit a 1-1 fastball and drove it into CF scoring Tierney and Booth and putting us ahead 2-0.

In the 7th, we looked like mounting another challenge and a big scoring innings looked promising when Tom Dicker drew the lead-off walk, followed by Ross Hunter's single (his third of the day) and Andy Whiteford drawing another walk to load the bases with none out. Geelong decided to draw the infield to cut off the run, but Cain Bumpstead hit the first pitch he saw, (a seed) into left field to bring home Dicker and Hunter and still none out.

A momentary lapse in concentration saw Whiteford get picked off at second base for the first out, followed by a 4-6-3 DP and what looked being a big inning was cut short adding just the two runs to make the score 4-0. The squandered opportunity would prove extremely costly later in the game. Hussey was in complete control as he rolled into the 9th having given up just 9 scattered hits while striking out 10. But as I mentioned earlier, Geelong don't really do "giving up" and they were going to give it all they had and see where it took them - we didn't really plan on helping them, but inevitably we didand fell asleep.

In the interest of not re-living the pain, Geelong scored 5 runs on 3 hits, a HPB and two errors to snatch an improbable victory and left us on the field stunned at the madness of the previous 10 minutes and puzzled as to how we let what looked to be a sure victory slip through our fingers at the final hurdle. But that's baseball and we did exactly the same thing to Geelong last season at Blackburn and to 3 other teams as well. It wasn't great being on the receiving end, but all credit must go to Geelong for playing the game out hard. To add insult to injury (literally), self proclaimed franchise player Andy Tierney, tore his hamstring that will see him sidelined for up to 8 weeks.

We have no time to feel sorry for ourselves as next week sees us go into the last game before the Christmas break vs our co-ladder leaders Cheltenham in what's sure to be a cracker of a game. The Rustler's had the wood over us last season and this years solo encounter, we came away with the 9-8 victory.

Hits:

D. Tierney (1H),  A.Tierney (1H), R. Hunter (3H, 2RBI), A. Whiteford (2BB), T. Dicker (1H), C.Bumpstead (2H, 2 RBI)