By Sean Talbot
In a back-and-forth game that saw multiple lead changes, 105 total plate appearances, 37 combined hits and 26 total runs, it was ultimately a new rule that sees games finished after three hours that bought an end to a thrilling 13-all tie between the Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers and the visiting Williamstown Wolves on Saturday afternoon at Kings Park, Upper Ferntree Gully.
Fans of offensive production got plenty to smile about, as runs were scored in seven of the nine innings played as every single hitter in both lineups recorded at least one safe hit, with Wade McConnon (four hits, three RBI) and Jordan Elliott (three hits, four RBI) the best for Upwey, whilst Sam Reale (four hits, two RBI) led the way for the Wolves.
The Tigers jumped out to a 7-4 lead after three innings, however the Wolves continued to peg the home side back through the middle innings to enter the 7th inning tied 7-7 before flexing their muscles and posting six runs to take a 13-7 lead. The Tigers were not willing to roll over and let the Wolves run away with the game, scoring two runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings each to tie the game 13-13 but were unable to push the winning run across before time expired and the game was called after nine complete innings.
Jarrod Turner took the start for Upwey and battled through five innings before Ryder Wilson (two innings) and Staci Rogers (two innings) provided support in the back half of the game. Williamstown ensured the right-handed trio worked hard all day whilst countering with Spencer Taack (three innings), Dennis Neal (five innings) and Braydon Bebee (one inning).
Despite the number of runs surrendered, the Tigers can take solace in their offensive output as the lineup settles and the team gets back to full strength, something they have not yet been this season.
The Tigers will be on the road to Malvern in Tuesday night’s midweek game before travelling to Sunshine to battle the Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
Hosting the Wolves in the early game, the Reserves were playing catch-up baseball all day as the Wolves scored in the first, third and sixth innings to run away eventual 6-3 winners.
With Upwey starting pitcher Pat Gawith being taken deep into counts up and down the Wolves lineup, the righty was unable to make it beyond the third inning before veteran Sean Meldrum was called upon to steady the ship, however the Wolves kept applying the pressure, scoring a game-breaking four runs to put the game on ice.
Despite having chances in most innings played, the Tigers were unable to capitalise on their opportunities when presented and found themselves bouncing out of scoring chances when they needed to convert to stay in the game. Left fielder Stuart Milz (two hits, two RBI) was the pick of the hitters for the home side as the normally potent lineup was held in check by Williamstown hurlers Daniel Chircop (three innings), Angus Coote (one inning) and Jai Nakazawa (two innings).
The loss sees the side slip to 4th on the ladder behind Geelong, Waverley and Blackburn as they look to rebound against ninth placed Sunshine this weekend in a game they will be looking to win to stay in the hunt of the top four.
Hosting the visiting Waverley Wildcats on Sunday afternoon, the Thirds were dealt their first loss of the season in brutal fashion as they found themselves on the wrong end of a 12-2 beatdown. Dan Smith took the start for Upwey and did a terrific job holding the Wildcats in check through 5 1/3 innings, however the visitors scored 12 runs across the final three innings to run away with the game and leaving Upwey without enough time to mount a comeback.
Normally a team that gets production up and down their offensive lineup, the Tigers unfortunately were not able to replicate that kind of form as all six team hits were recorded by the lineup’s 1-4 hitters, with coach Tarquin Booth (two hits, two RBI) the best on the day.
Despite the result being undoubtedly one the Tigers would not have expected, they maintain first place on the ladder and will look to rebound against fifth placed Moorabbin this coming weekend in a game that could provide an early finals preview for later in the year.
Hosting the Wildcats in the curtain raiser, the Fourths saw themselves walking away winners by the slimmest of margins as they held on for a 3-2 win in a game that saw just seven hits recorded between both teams.
With the evergreen Dom McGrath throwing a complete game for the hosts against his former club, the Tigers provided him all the run support he would need in the middle innings, as two in the second and one in the third proved to be all McGrath would need. With hits hard to come by, the Tigers leant on their speed as they ensured their stolen bases provided maximum impact, leading to all three runs scored on the day.
An unexpected highlight on the day saw former Claxton Shield member Grant Karlson in relief for the Wildcats, recording five strikeouts in his 1 2/3 inning appearance, however the Tigers had done enough to secure the points.
The win improves Upwey to 6-1 on the year, good enough for second place on the ladder as they sit a half game back from leader Blackburn (6-0) as they look forward to an acid test next weekend against fourth-placed Moorabbin.
Hosting Springvale on the Kings Park backfield, the Fifths were jumped at the off and were unfortunately outplayed by an experienced outfit as the visiting Lions ran away with the game, posting 15 runs to ensure the result was determined early as they looked to keep piling on. While on paper not a pretty score, the team can take the result in stride knowing that Springvale spun an undefeated season last year and ran away as Premiers, something they will no doubt be looking to emulate again in Season 2024/25.
Playing the backfield early game, the Sixths did their best to keep up with the visiting Lions, however they eventually succumbed to the visitors to the tune of an 11-6 scoreline, an incredibly competitive result against an experienced and veteran outfit.
The Fifths and Sixths will get the chance to rest and keep working hard as both teams will have the scheduled bye this weekend.
Playing in the Saturday early game, the Tigresses played their first home game for the season against Chelsea, the home field advantage coming in handy as the Tigresses were able to walk-off winners after a Jess McDonald RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning after Upwey surrendered a game-tying four runs in the top half of the inning.
Staff ace Chelsea Mosbey had the start for Upwey and was terrific, working four innings whilst keeping the Dolphins in check as she recorded a season-high six strikeouts before Caitlin Kiel handled the fifth inning.
Despite being outhit by Chelsea 9-4, the Tigresses used five walks, two HBP’s and 17 (yes, SEVENTEEN) stolen bases to keep runs crossing the plate and pressure applied to the Dolphins defense who had no answer for the home sides speed on the basepaths.
Utilising a 12-hitter batting order, coach Russell Jeffery would surely be thrilled with his charges offensive output as he received contributions from all of his hitters as they scored in four of the five innings played, whilst the team played solid defense and the pitchers threw plenty of strikes in another whole team effort, the Tigresses calling card.
Upwey will be back on the road as they travel back to Napier Park to tackle the eighth placed Waverley Black in a game that both sides will be keen to win to ensure they stay within striking distance of ladder-leader Moorabbin.
