Cougars mould a win

By Gavin Staindl
A CAREER first walk-off single to a fill-in player gave the Berwick Cougars a thrilling 2-1 win over Waverley Wildcats at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Sunday.
Pinch-hitter Ryan Shane said his legs were like jelly after he hit the winning run to top off the two-run ninth inning rally in a game that was dominated by pitchers.
Only hours earlier Shane was cooling down after featuring in the under 18s match and Berwick’s reserve win over Waverley, but a shoulder injury to firsts starter Mark Surtees forced him to leave midway through the match, opening the door for Shane’s third game of the day.
After a pitching duel between the two starters yielded no runs through seven innings, Shane watched as Waverley broke the 0-0 deadlock in the eighth innings.
But an RBI single to Berwick’s Shaun Fahy and the ensuing game-winner from Shane in the bottom of the ninth sent the Cougars into wild celebrations as they entered the three-week break only two games outside the four.
While Shane was the game winner it has to be said pitcher Nick Veale was the hero after allowing no runs through seven and a half innings.
Veale gave up only three hits and struck out seven but failed to record the win which went to closer Josh Leite.
Apart from hitting the lead-off single in the ninth, Leite can lay claim to an important part of the win.
After loading the bases with none out in the eighth, Leite gave up only one run as he forced a double play before striking out the final batter.
“It was a pretty critical innings,” coach Wayne Porter said.
“If we had given up two runs in that inning it would have been a different story but after giving up one run and getting the lead-off run in the ninth I was confident we could get him home and get the win.”
While baseball cheer turned into Christmas beers, Shane still couldn’t believe the day he had just experienced.
“It was sick, the best feeling,” Shane said.
“I hate Waverley and I just wanted to smash that last ball.
“My legs are still jelly that’s why I’m sitting down but you can’t describe the feelings now, it’s just awesome.”