It was a feeling of “been here, done this” this week for the Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers as they hosted the visiting Newport Rams in conditions that could be called unpleasant at best at Kings Park.
Battling through conditions much more recognised during the winter season, the Tigers faced off against a recently promoted Newport outfit that swept all senior men’s premierships last season in what could easily be described as the most complete season by a club in Baseball Victoria history.
Facing off against American import David Tongue, Upwey sent their ace Jarrod Turner to the mound in what quickly shaped up as a pitchers’ duel as two of the leagues best traded scoreless innings, with Turner finding his way out of a few jams while Tongue was rock solid for his part, utilising a mix of changing speeds and working ahead to ensure he kept his side in the game.
In what would become the turning point in the game, an out call on a heads up play from Wade McConnon was erroneously overturned, turning a potentially 2 out, 1 runner on situation into a 1 out, 2 on reality that quickly spiralled, as a mix of timely hits and another questionable call later in the inning saw 4 Newport runners cross the plate to open the scoring and stake the Rams to a 4-0 scoreline.
Not appearing at all flustered by the outburst the previous inning, Turner returned to the mound and quickly sat down the Rams in order, whilst Tongue fired another 0 to piece together 6 quality scoreless innings.
As both clubs went to their bullpens in the 7th innings, the Rams manufactured a 5th run of Wes de Jong, whilst Upwey were finally able to piece together hits with runners on to get on the scoreboard, putting up 2 in the 7th and 1 in the 8th to trail 5-3 going into the 9th inning.
It was a case of too little, too late however as Newport’s closer slammed the door shut, sealing a 5-3 win that sees the Tigers slip to 12th place on the ladder with a 1-2 record.
In other results, the Lady Tigers hosted Springvale and came out with a 13-8 win under cloudy skies in a game highlighted by strong offensive performances by both teams.
The win is the Lady Tigers third win for the year, which also sees them putting up 40 runs through their first 3 games in a showing that has done nothing short of boosting the confidence of players and coach, whilst sitting on top of the ladder with a 3-0 record.
In other men’s scores, the Upwey 2nds overcame veteran hurler David Asp and multiple rain delays to run out 4-3 winners in a game featuring plenty of solid defensive efforts and heads up base running. With 3 wins from 3 games, the Tigers sit in equal 1st with Waverley and Geelong.
The men’s 3rds and 4ths both posted wins at home against Newport to continue their strong starts to the season, with a great mix of young players and veterans overcoming a fast-finishing Newport squad.
Regional Metro Gold and Black teams also posted wins which keeps them firmly in the mix moving into the 3rd week of the season for the lower grades.
In junior results, the Upwey U/18 State, U/18 Metro, U/14 Metro South and U/12 Metro East all recorded wins on Sunday morning, with the U/16 Metro East side the only junior team to unfortunately record a loss.
Looking ahead, the Lady Tigers are on the road to Pakenham Black next Saturday in a game that will pit 1st v 7th, whilst the Tiger 1sts and 2nds are on the road to face the fast starting Blackburn outfit at Billabong Park on Sunday, with the 3rds and 4ths at home against the Orioles, Regional Metro East at home against Research Maroon and Regional Metro South on the road to Springvale in what is certainly an important game for the back-to-back premiers as they look to correct their slow start in the new season
