It was huge day at Toomuc Reserve for the Pakenham Pumas on Saturday with the club celebrating its 25th anniversary. There were wins, losses, and even a draw, to celebrate the occasion.
SENIORS
A1: Pumas 5 v Frankston 2
Pumas played at home against Frankston with Luke Anson starting for Pakenham and pitching the team out of a ‘two bases loaded’ situation. In the third Inning the Pumas came out swinging with three doubles in a row to score four runs in that inning. A great combined pitching effort from Luke, Hiro, Joel and Max Hunter kept Frankston down to just two runs in the game. At the same time the offence came out hot and scored five runs.
A2: Pumas 3 v Frankston 7
Pumas A2 played a good game this week, their defence really showing, holding Frankston within a run for the majority of the game. Not only being solid defensively the Pumas bats got going, a particular highlight was Tristan Hill’s home run to left field clearing the fence to keep the game close. This was a good game against a tough young Frankston side, only letting the game get away in the last two innings.
C1: Pumas 6 v Bonbeach 6
Pumas C1 took on Bonbeach this week and Brad Jones took the mound. With two strike outs, a single and a walk, Bonbeach scored their first run via a double to the outfield, before a ground ball back to Brad finished the inning. In reply Chris Appleby stole his way to third, and a ground-ball out saw him score the tying run. Two quick ground-ball outs to Jason Rossit at shortstop had the Pumas looking good in the field before successive hits saw runners in scoring position. A hard hit ball to right field was well handled by Kyle Peck to keep the runners stranded and put us back into bat. Two quick Pumas’ fly outs made the inning again appear short before Gavin Staindl hit a sharp line drive to get on base. Brad Jones then put runners at one and two, before a hard hit single to Chris Appleby saw runners on all bases. All of them advanced on a defensive miscue, seeing a run scored. Brad Jones then scored on a wild pitch and Chris moved to third before a single from Luke Billing to left saw the third run scored before the inning was ended. Leading 4-1, errors cost the Pumas in the fourth with bases loaded when a ground ball to three saw an out to Chris but a runner score. An error and two singles saw the third run added to Bonbeach’s tally before another error saw them tie the game, all without an out. Another single saw the lead at 5-4 but a throw home ended in an out when Luke Billing chased an overzealous runner at second down, and Jason Rossit made the tag to stop him in his tracks. A hit batter saw his way to first, before a ground to first recorded the second out but saw another run 6-4. After two quick outs it looked like the Pumas were on their way to their first loss in 2024; however Luke Billing walked and stole around to third before Jason Rossit got a well-placed pop up behind second. Pumas tied the scores at 6-all before the game ended. Pumas were unlucky not to register another win, with only two earned runs to Bonbeach compared to the Pumas 5; errors costly. Hits: J. Samaika 2, B. Jones, C. Appleby, L. Billing, J. Rossit, T. Stockdale and G. Staindl.
C2: Pumas 18 v Bonbeach 6
In a guest appearance for the Pakenham Pumas, Simon Ferris drove in five runs on three hits to lead the Pumas to victory. Ferris singled in the first inning, scoring two runs, and singled in the sixth inning, scoring two more. The Pumas took the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the first thanks to singles by Ferris and Justin Mazurek. Pakenham increased the lead to 8-3, in the bottom of the fourth, after Andrew Mayberry, Travis Hough and Justin Mazurek singled. The Pumas continued to pile on scoring six more runs on six hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Superstar, Simon Ferris earned the win for Pakenham giving up only three hits and six runs (three earned) over six innings, striking out five and walking four. The Pumas piled up 18 hits in the game. Andrew Mayberry led the way with four hits in five at bats. Justin Mazurek, Greg McCormick, Riley Blackwell, and Travis Hough also collected multiple hits for Pakenham.
D: Pumas Black 9 v Pumas White 7
A tight contest in D Grade saw Pakenham Black emerge victorious in the second Derby of the season. Jude O’Halloran got things started for Pakenham White, drawing a walk and scoring the first run of the game. However with bases loaded and none out it was all the ‘away’ side could manage as Anthony Clissold struck out back-to-back batters. A ground-ball to Jo Blackler was then cleanly fielded to throw the runner out at first. In reply Puma Blacks sent 11 batters to the plate and opened up a 5-1 lead with outfield hits to Justin Cranston, Craig Willis, Gregg Clutterbuck and Anthony Clissold. In the second the Whites were unable to trouble the scoreboard going three-up, three-down. After a couple of hit batters and a walk the ‘home’ side piled on another four runs highlighted by Jon Ellis pulling a ball to left field to drive in two. In the third, Puma Whites started to pull back some of the deficit, with Tyler Whitelaw leading off with the first of his two hits before stealing a couple of bases and then scoring on a single by Archer O’Halloran. Some good plate discipline by Pumas White extended the inning as Jamie D’Arcy and Garreth Phillips drew walks to cut the lead to 4-9. In the fourth inning the Pakenham White side continued to try and claw back the lead with Malachite driving in two runs with an outfield hit before coming round to score on a single to centre-field by Jake Wanless. Another three-up, three-down inning saw the score being brought back to 7-9. ‘Puma Pride’ award for this Derby went to Tyler Whitelaw for his hustle all game, getting on base every time, being solid in defence, and encouraging his team mates. Pakenham White Hits: 2 Tyler Whitelaw, 2 James Kinsella, 2 Jake Wanless, Malachite O’Halloran, Archer O’Halloran. RBIs: 3 Malachite O’Halloran, 2 Jake Wanless, Jamie D’Arcy, James Kinsella. Pakenham Black Hits: 2 Gregg Clutterbuck, 2 Anthony Clissold, Craig Willis, Jon Ellis, Justin Cranston. RBIs: 2 Jon Ellis, 2 Jo Blackler, Steven Ellis, Anthony Clissold, Gregg Clutterbuck.
WOMEN: Pumas 13 v Berwick 12
Pakenham versed Frankston at Berwick early Sunday morning. With Jessica Moulding on the mound, the Pumas had a slow start to the inning and let the Tomatoes slip through with seven runs. Felicity led Pakenham off on the bats and got on base after being hit by the pitcher and quickly stole bases to score our first run on a pass ball. Frankston’s pitcher Michelle Kennedy with three quick strike outs only allowed us to score two runs. Olivia Garcia started off the second inning, striking out her first batter. Felicity and Holly then made light work of the second out and Olivia and Holly getting the third out to bring us back up to bat. The Tomatoes with four runs and the Pumas with three runs it was still anyone’s game. Tables turned in the third inning as Pakenham quickly shut down Frankston’s luck letting them add only one run. A pitching change for Frankston saw the Pumas bring in seven runs evening up the score to 12 all. Our ladies were on fire with three-up and three-down, Olivia striking out the first batter, Katherine Walton catching a fly ball for the second and again Katherine combined with Holly at first base for the third out. The tension was high for the Pumas coming up to bat; Sarah Bailey leading us off in the fourth inning, got hit by a pitch and walked to first base. Our next batter Angel also walked to first, pushing Sarah around to second. Frankston struck out the Pumas third batter but with Sarah now on third base after a sneaky steal, Katherine’s hit brought Sarah home for a walk off win 13-12.
JUNIORS
UNDER 12
It was a tough opponent for Pakenham Pumas under-12 this week as it took on Chelsea Dolphins. Some big hitters from Chelsea scored multiple double-base runs, putting them into a comfortable lead of 0-9. Pakenham Pumas pitchers Joey Cannizzaro, Cooper Ramm and Lilly Cannizzaro fought hard however on the mound striking out multiple batters. Backing the Pumas pitchers up in the field, Poppie Sykes debuted behind the plate as catcher, with Ethan Hallilan at third base and Patty Bailey at second base.
UNDER 14: Frankston/Pakenham 16 v Mornington/Chelsea 7
Oscar started off the day with two shut-out innings, when Molly came in as relief and peppered the zone with some solid strikes. Dane caught for three innings, as reliable as ever, before Logan came in for the last inning. Consistent at bats had the bats hot and hits all around. A strong wind could have pushed Chloe’s hard hit out of the park, but a 2RBI stand-up double is definitely something to be proud of! There was great defensive work again this week with a run down play between third base and home to end the game; and seal the W.
UNDER 16: Pakenham win after Dingley forfeit.
