In wet and less than ideal conditions, the Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers fell to the visiting Fitzroy Lions in a close game dominated by pitchers 2-0. In a game that had already been moved from the scheduled Merri Park in Northcote due to an unplayable field, the Tigers were unable to capitalize on a second inning zero out, bases load situation which ended up being the last time they seriously threatened the Lions defense.
Taking advantage of a Danny King single in followed by a Tom Dicker RBI single in the third inning, the Lions took a lead they would not surrender, managing to manufacture another run in the fourth inning to pad their lead, whilst riding a scoreless four plus inning start from their Japanese import who handed the ball of to Fitzroy stalwart Brock Pawley, who threw the final five innings whilst slamming the gate shut on the Tiger offense.
To their credit, Upwey pitchers Wes de Jong and Jarrod Turner found key outs when they needed them, repeatedly escaping situations with multiple runners on base without allowing more to cross the plate. De Jong in particular was more than up to the challenge of helping his own cause, making an incredibly athletic barehanded throw to catcher Jordan Elliott to nab a would-be run from scoring in a play that wouldn’t look out of place in the Major League playoffs currently taking place in America.
Sadly though, despite their Houdini-esque efforts of escaping jams, the Upwey bats were not able to manage a score in support of the terrific efforts on the mound and were quietened when it mattered most.
In other Tiger results, the Upwey second, thirds, fourths, fifths men’s teams as well as the Lady Tigers all recorded hard-fought wins, with the men’s sixths unfortunately falling to a strong Blackburn outfit in testing conditions at Billabong Park, with the highlight being the travelling Lady Tigers coming out on top in a high scoring affair at St. Kilda.
On the road to Tom O’Halloran field on the shores of Albert Park lake, the Upwey ladies scored early and often whilst making plays when it counted to ensure they were on the winning side of a 13-9 result. This improves their record to 2-0 and ensures they currently sit on top of the Women’s Metro South ladder as they look ahead to next week.
Over at the Tiger Dome, the seconds applied continued pressure on a hard throwing Fitzroy starter to back a phenomenal start from Tiger veteran Sean Meldrum who spun an economical five innings before handing the ball to returning Josh Yung who slammed the door shut to wrap up the teams second win of the year. A freak injury to young gun catcher Pat Gawith was the only thing that could dampen the teams’ spirits as they continued to showcase why they are the team to beat in the new season.
On the back field, the Tiger thirds and fourths combined effective pitching with timely hitting and smart baserunning to run out winner in their respective games, both also improving to 2-0 on the season.
The women’s team are at home next week to what should be a strong Springvale outfit, whilst the men’s firsts and seconds hosting last years Division 2 premier Newport, with the thirds and fourths on the road to Newport to face a club that won premierships in every senior grade in the 2022/23 season in what should be an absolute barnburner of a weekend of baseball.
