Pakenham Pumas A Grade completed an amazing comeback on Saturday, securing a first-ever play-off spot in the Winter competition with a heart-stopping 8-6 victory over Mornington.
SENIORS
A1: Pumas 8 def Mornington 6
Pumas A1 clinched a historic play-off spot in dramatic fashion after a massive come-from-behind victory over Mornington Pirates. Sitting in sixth place coming into the last regular season round, the Pumas needed to beat third-place Mornington and hope for other results to go their way to leapfrog Frankston and Dandenong to secure a finals spot in A Grade for the first time in Pakenham’s 25-year history. Things did not start well for the Pumas, giving up six runs in the first innings to fall behind 6-1 at the bottom of the first. At the same time over at K H Wearne Reserve, Dandenong jumped out to an early lead against ladder leaders Dingley, a result that if continued, would also sink Pakenham’s hope of making finals. With things looking grim the Pumas knuckled down and concentrated on the things that they could control. Luke Anson on the mound was awesome shutting down the Pirates offence for the rest of the game. With the bats the Puma’s rallied in the fourth inning scoring five and tying the game at six-all. Home runs to Hiroki Goke and Danny Cannizzaro gave Pakenham an 8-6 lead going into the top of the last inning. Over at K H Wearne Reserve a late rally by home team Dingley saw them come from behind in their last at bat to take a one-run victory over Dandenong, keeping the dream alive for Pakenham. But the drama was not finished yet. With confirmation that the other results required had gone Pakenham’s way, the Pumas need three outs to end the game. After a Herculean effort, pitcher Luke Anson began to tire and Mornington’s first two batters made base, putting the tying run at first base. With Pakenham needing a win, they could not allow that tying run to cross the plate or the season was over. In stepped flame-throwing closer, Max Hunter, who induced two pop-up outs to put victory, and a playoff spot, one out away. Mornington’s batter had different ideas though as he laced a line drive single to right field. With Mornington’s runner rounding third and heading home, right fielder Joel Anson picked up the ball and fired a laser beam throw to catcher Danny Cannizzaro at home plate who laid the tag on just before the runner could touch home plate, completing the victory for the Pumas. Pakenham return to Mornington next Sunday for a rematch with the Pirates, with the winner earning the right to play a preliminary final for a spot in the grand final.
A2 had a tough game against Mornington with a finishing score of 15-0.
C1: Dingley 7 def Pumas 5
C1 took on second-placed Dingley with a five-win hold on first place. The account was opened early; Brad Jones was put aboard on a hit-by pitch, and over to second on a stolen base, then brought in by a long ball to left by Luke Billing. A deep fly moved Luke to third before being hit in by a single to right centre from Michael Elijah, the Pumas scoring two, the score remaining 2-0 at the bottom of the fourth. Four-straight hits saw bases loaded and a run before the first out, care of a catch to Michael and a catch to Connor Mills-Emerson at left, before Ray Pal struck out the final hitter. Dingley leading 3-2. Brad got hit again, but with two outs the inning was ended by a spectacular catch made on the left field fence, that could have easily given back the lead. Ray, still on the hill, struck out two and got a grounder back to himself to end the inning. Michael Elijah got aboard with a grounder that was too hot to handle for the fielding side, but the sixth was complete and score unchanged. Jason Rossit and Brad Jones both hit singles to get something building but it wasn’t to be with a grounded out picked well by both the third baseman coming across and the first baseman scooping the throw out of the dirt to end the inning. A couple of hits amongst some fielding errors saw the Dingoes pile on a further four runs to blow the score out to 7-3. Not willing to concede Ray Pal hit a single and Michael Elijah got aboard and moved Ray to three. When the pick off move caught Mick, he managed to get safely to second and on the chase, Ray scored to get our score moving again. Mick Sullivan walked and a wild pitch saw Michael Elijah score, Mick brought in by another single to Jason Rossit. The inning ending with Dingley winning 7-5. A good hit out prior to finals, and the Pumas suffering their first loss for the season. The real stuff starts next weekend, when we face Dingley in the rematch. Hits: Ray Pal 2, Jason Rossit 2, Brad Jones, Luke Billing, Michael Elijah, Michael Sullivan.
C2: Dingley 1 v Pumas 12
Pumas C2 played Dingley on Saturday at K H Wearne Reserve. It was a hard-fought affair for the first five innings at the end of which the scores were tied at one-all. Then Pakenham bats woke up in dramatic fashion as the Pumas put on seven runs in the top of the sixth to take control of the game. The Pumas added four more runs over the next two innings to run out to a 12-1 victory. Scott Dale started on the mound for Pakenham striking out 13 batters while walking three and giving up one hit and one run over five complete innings. Travis Hough and Wayne Porter came in to finish out the game combining for three scoreless innings between them. The Puma’s piled up 19 hits for the game. Greg McCormick, Kyle Peck and Travis Hough pick up three hits each while Scott Dale, Will Mayberry and Brock Edwards all had two. The victory see’s the Puma’s finish the regular season in first place and earns us a home semifinal this week against second place Berwick Dodgers. The winner of the 1 v 2 playoff goes straight to the grand final while the loser plays against the winner of 3 v 4 on week two.
D WHITE: Pumas 12 def Bonbeach Blue 11
Last game of the season for Pumas White who took on fifth place Bonbeach Blue. With James Kinsella on the mound the Bluejays got off to a quick start with the first three runners reaching base. Meanwhile the Pumas were only able to manage the one run as back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning. It was the same story with the away side back to the top of the order; the first three batters reached and scored but were unable to get much going after that. Pakenham were determined not to let the game get away from them though with Jake Wanless leading off with a single to left field and Jude O’Halloran getting aboard with a walk. It was then Corey who came through with the big hit driving a ball to Right Field and through the cones for a ground rule double. The Pumas continued to pile on and finished the inning by sending 13 runners to the plate and scoring eight runs to open up a three-run lead. Bonbeach was able to tie the scores in the top of the third, but with the eight-run inning in the second, and an unprecedented amount of balls, Bonbeach Blue fouled off to interrupt the other Pakenham v Bonbeach game and there was only 30min left to play. Sensing the game was there for the taking the Pumas restored their three-run lead, highlighted by a 12-pitch at bat by Malachite O’Halloran who seemed determined for a home run but ended up having to settle for a double to left field before being driven in by Archer O’Halloran. In the fourth inning the Bluejays threatened with the bats but ultimately fell short scoring only two runs before time and game was called to give the Pakenham White side a winning finish to the season. Hits: 2 James Kinsella (Triple, Single), Corey Carter (Double), Malachite O’Halloran, James D’Arcy, Archer O’Halloran, Tyler Whitelaw, Jake Wanless RBIs: 2 James Kinsella, 2 James D’Arcy, 2 Tyler Whitelaw, 2 Corey Carter, Archer O’Halloran, Jake Wanless, Garreth Phillips.
D BLACK: Pumas 1 def by Bonbeach White 21
Pumas hosted Bonbeach White for their last game of the season in an unfortunately one-sided affair. With nothing to lose we decided to try some different pitching options this week, starting regular catcher Angus on the mound for the first dig. While throwing with some good pace and showing plenty of promise, he did struggle to dial in his zone and walked a number of batters and giving up two runs which gave Bonbeach an early lead. Unfortunately, our batting wasn’t our strong suit this week, with Bonbeach getting three quick outs and sending us right back in. A pitching change for the Pumas saw Justin Cranston take the hill for the first time, slowed the Blue Jays run rate down slightly getting our three outs through some strong infield work and a great catch by Jon in left field. We couldn’t trouble the scorers again in the bottom of the second. Anthony gave us our first hit with a line drive out to seven, but was left on base after a third out 4-3 put us back out into the field. Bonbeach got their hitting going in their third dig, finding space all through the outfield and scored a second, seven-run dig, even with Angus’ acrobatics at centerfield getting our second out and almost rolling the double. We tried our last pitching change, bringing young Jakob up the mound and he did really well for a player who hasn’t pitched often outside of juniors. In his two innings he picked up two strike outs, a couple of fly balls and a pair of infield ground outs and only gave up three runs. We managed to avoid the ‘pantsing’ and brought our one run in the last thanks to Anthony and Bryce picking up a hit each and some errors on behalf of the visitors. Not the final game we were hoping for, but still a great effort by our Pumas, especially our young, up and coming stars, who have given their all each week, backed up by the older heads lending their experience. Hits: Anthony Clissold (2), Justin Cranston and Bryce Tully.
WOMEN’S: Berwick 18 def Pumas 8
Pakenham Pumas took on Berwick Dodgers early Sunday morning. Berwick pitcher Hayley gave the Pumas something to hit, but the Dodgers were quick on their feet to get the outs, only letting us score one run. Courtney Guthrie for her first time on the mound for Pakenham found her zone with ease, however Berwick adjusted to the new pace quickly and brought in five runs themselves. With Pumas back up to bat, we saw aggressive base running from the ladies and scored another seven runs sending us back out to field. Pakenham worked hard to get the first two batters out, only allowing Berwick to score three more runs, before finishing off the inning with an unassisted out at third base. The Dodger’s saw an opportunity in Pakenham’s pitcher change with Holly Lunn making her first appearance on the mound, put on seven runs thanks to two hits and some walks. Pakenham was not able to add to their tally in the last dig with Berwick shutting them out with three-up, three down. The game finished up with Berwick winning 18-8. Hits: Holy (3), Felicity (Muffed Fly), Jess (1), Jo (1), Olivia (1).
JUNIORS
UNDER 12: Pumas 2 v Berwick 1
Pumas headed to Chelsea to take on Berwick this week. Both teams were undermanned but that didn’t stop some great baseball. Multiple hits to the outfield off the bats of the Pakenham players. But what was more impressive was the pitching performances, in the end winning the game for Pakenham 2-1.
UNDER 14: Frankston/Pakenham 9 v Frankston 13
What a game to start off the finals, with the kids playing amazingly! We were one run up going into the bottom of the third inning, but they came out swinging and got a few good hits to take the lead. Some highlights for this week: Logan and Molly solid on the mound, Harvey (OF) caught two great fly balls, Josh (1B) with the first out of the game and a crucial catch late in the game, smart batting to get on base, Chloe’s infield single with 1 RBI and Dane solid behind the plate. The team really stepped it up a level this week and played as one. Great team effort!
UNDER 16: Frankston Red 10 def Pumas 2
Pumas took on Frankston Red in the first round of finals and although we gave up some runs in the top of the first, which put a bit of pressure on the kids, we kept our heads and managed to slow them down. We were good at the plate, capitalising on some wild pitching, loading the basses in two innings. Unfortunately, we were not able to convert them to runs. We will take the loss as preparation for next week.
