It’s been a quick turnaround for the Pakenham Pumas with the arrival of Summer Season.
SENIORS
Pakenham Pumas Firsts played Ormond Glenhuntly on Sunday who started the scoring in the bottom of the first with two runs.
Max Hunter started on the mound for the Pumas allowing three hits and three runs (zero earned) over five innings, striking out three and walking three.
Hiroke Goke and Max each collected two hits for Pakenham, Max led the team at the plate going two-for-two with two walks and two runs batted in.
Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, piling up eight walks for the game.
Pakenham also turned two double plays in the game.
RESERVES
Pakenham Pumas Reserves defeated Ormond Glenhuntly.
The Pumas scored at the top of the first inning after Dillan Collier doubled and James McFadden walked each scoring one run, and then scored six runs on three hits in the top of the second inning. Mitchell Porter doubled, scoring one run, Daniel Hussien drew a walk, scoring one run, Rohan Hector singled, scoring two runs, Collier grounded out, scoring one run, and Lachlan Collier singled, scoring one run.
Again the Pumas added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Rohan hit a sacrifice fly, Dillan singled, each scoring one run.
Rohan stepped on the hill first for Pakenham, with the righty giving up three hits and three runs over three innings, striking out five and walking three.
Pakenham tallied 10 hits in the game.
Rohan provided pop in the middle of the line-up, and led the Pumas with three runs batted in.
The right-handed hitter went one-for-two on the day.
Cooper Porter, Collier, and Mitch Porter each collected two hits for the Pumas.
James McFadden led the Pumas with three walks.
Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting 10 walks for the game.
Liam Hough stole two bases and the Pumas stole nine bases in total for the day.
Pakenham was sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error.
STATE 3
Pakenham Pumas State 3 had trouble keeping up with Melbourne on Sunday in a 15-1 loss.
Will Mayberry started on the mound for the Pumas allowing one hit and striking out one.
Felicity and Bryce were the relief pitches for the game.
Bryce was also a force to be reckoned with, hitting a huge double out to left field.
The Pumas were able to steal four bases throughout the game and ended in high spirits.
State 3 is ready to come back even stronger in the next game.
STATE 4
Pakenham Pumas played Waverley on Sunday in the first game of the 2024/25 summer season.
The Pumas started the scoring in the bottom of the first when Will Mayberry scored on a sacrifice fly to the outfield by Andrew Hemmes.
Pakenham then extended its lead scoring two more runs in the second innings on singles from Andrew Mayberry and Scott Dale.
Pakenham added two runs in the third before taking complete control of the game by scoring six runs in the fourth on a hit-by pitch to Tim Stockdale and hits to Wayne Porter, Andrew Mayberry and Greg McCormick.
Andrew Mayberry led the Pumas with the bat collecting four RBI’s on two hits.
Travis Hough also had two hits while a very patient Coadhey Rebbechi picked up three walks in his first ever game of senior baseball.
Pakenham was solid in the field and on the pitching mound all game.
Scott Dale, Andrew Hemmes and Wayne Porter shared the pitching duties combining to hold Waverley to only two runs on one hit over five innings.
Pakenham finish the game with a 13-2 victory.
REGIONAL EAST
Pakenham Black faced a challenging match against Waverly on Sunday, falling 12-1.
Despite the scoreline, the game featured some promising moments and individual achievements for the Pakenham team.
Waverley started strong, scoring seven runs in the first inning.
They capitalised on key hits, including a two-run double and took advantage of Pakenham’s early defensive struggles to build an early advantage.
The match was Jake Bone’s debut for Pakenham and his first baseball game in seven years, marking a significant return to the sport.
Fionn Sculley also made his senior debut, recording his first hit and making his first catch in right field, showcasing his potential.
Pakenham initially had only eight players available, but Malachite O’Halloran and Tyler Whitelaw stepped in at short notice to fill out the side, demonstrating the squad’s commitment and teamwork.
Brad Jones, Fionn Sculley, and Tyler Whitelaw each collected hits, with Jones driving in Pakenham’s sole run, going one-for-two at the plate.
On the mound, Jones pitched 2.2 innings, allowing six hits and 10 runs (six earned) while striking out two and walking four.
James D’Arcy came in to pitch in relief, providing support in the later innings.
The Waverly Pitcher allowed just three hits and one run over five innings while striking out 10.
While the scoreline was not in its favour, Pakenham Black displayed resilience and spirit.
The contributions of Jake Bone and Fionn Sculley, along with the support of teammates like Malachite O’Halloran, Tyler Whitelaw, and the pitching relief from James D’Arcy, highlight the team’s potential moving forward.
Pakenham will aim to build on these efforts in their upcoming matches.
Pakenham Regional White had a Washout
WOMEN
Summer season 2024-25 saw Pakenham Black kick things off with round one held at their home ground against Chelsea Dolphins.
Pitcher and catcher duo Emily Williams and Carni Dowsett held down the fort for three innings, with their efforts supporting the achievement of multiple strikeouts against the Dolphins.
Pakenham Black put forward a strong infield, evidence represented in the efforts made by Olivia Garcia and Holly Lunn with double plays; Jo Blackler making a great catch of a line drive at short stop and also Kirby Cannizzaro working hard over at first base.
Katherine Walton, Casey Hynes and Christine Sculley backed up the Puma Blacks with their efforts in the outfield throughout the duration of the game.
Hitting was strong by all the Pumas shown in their stolen bases and strong base running throughout each innings, proving what a connected and supportive team the Pumas Blacks are representing at the beginning of another summer season.
Pakenham’s 13-7 win has set up for a confident and strong season.
The Pumas Women’s White team started strongly in their season opener against the Berwick City Cougars.
Jessica Moulding started well for Pakenham on the mound, pitching some loopy pearlers, with Danni Wilson showing off her quick reflexes behind the dish as catcher.
Young Isobel Bailey celebrated her debut match alongside her very proud mum, Sarah.
The Pumas were up 7-4 thanks to Codie Sell stealing home, before the heavens opened up, washing out the game.
Unfortunately, the early call in the game meant no score recorded for either side but it was a cracking start to the season nonetheless!
MASTERS
Pumas Masters had a chilly but fun first outing of the season taking on Monash University at Ormond.
With a new look team, including some returning Masters players and some newcomers to the grade, we were excited to have our first standalone masters team in about five years.
Our enthusiasm unfortunately didn’t help us with our bats though tonight.
The Farmers starting pitcher had our batters in all sorts from the first dig.
Tristan Hill managed to get himself onto first base, but a fly-ball to short, ground out, and a swinging strike three saw us out in the field fairly quickly.
Bernie Tyers took to the mound first for Pakenham, having the best possible start, picking up an out with the first pitch, thanks to a fly ball out to Andy Mayberry in left field.
Monash went on to pick up three runs thanks to a walk, a single and two doubles, but some tidy work in the infield picked up the next two batters and we got out of the innings without any more damage.
The second innings added no score for either team, with three-up and three-down for both pitchers.
Monash added one extra in the third, thanks to an error, but our fielders kept working hard and got the outs needed to keep us in the game.
Pakenham really struggled to string hits together again, even with a change in pitcher.
James Kinsella and Gregg Clutterbuck both made it to base in the fourth, but we just couldn’t capitalise and convert them onto the scoreboard.
The home team managed to bring in two more runs in the fifth to finish the match, coming away 6-0 winners in a game that had a lot of positives for a side that hasn’t played together before and plenty to look forward to.
We’re excited to see what next week has in store for us.
Hits: Two singles for Tristan Hill; one each for James Kinsella and Gregg Clutterbuck.
