Leaky defence sinks Pumas

PAKENHAM is half way to towards getting the baseball wins on the board but needs to clamp down on defence.
Its hitting is proving strong and generating the necessary runs according to coach Travis Hough but the Pumas’ defensive efforts don’t pass muster for the A1 team as it leaked 29 runs across the weekend double-header.
Facing the cross-town rival Berwick on Saturday, Pakenham couldn’t restrict the Dodgers going the other way as they piled on 17-8 to wrestle the win from Toomuc Reserve.
Pakenham Pumas Baseball Club backed up on Sunday with a trip to Mornington and was soundly beaten 2-12 as, once again, defensive errors and a lack of pressure piled up.
We didn’t fare all that well, unfortunately,” Hough said.
“Didn’t really defend as well as we should have or have in the past as we leaked runs.
“Swung the bat pretty well but our defence was just lacking a little bit – Ricky Wheeler had a couple of nice hits and Danny Meyer struck a nice one on Saturday.
“As a team we hit the ball reasonably well but didn’t string them all together at the right time.”
It was a winning day in the lower ranks as the A2 Pumas knocked off Berwick 12-6, despite leaking all six Dodger runs in the final innings.
“They had a pretty good win and swung the bat well, too,” Hough said.
“12-0 into the last and we took the foot off the pedal a little bit but it was an excellent win.
“Team effort all round and Stewie Brunton threw most of the game and came off after he did his hammy – but threw really well to shut them out.”
In the most hotly contested C2 showdown of the year, the winners were … the Pumas! Who defeated … the Pumas! The C2 Pumas White knocked in 11-4 to defeat their club mates C2 Pumas Black.
“Those boys enjoyed themselves and had fun – that’s what that game’s about – whatever happens would be a win for the club and having those boys in there playing is great for the club,” Hough said.
Cheltenham at home remains an up-hill challenge for Pakenham but the pieces are there for the Pumas and just need connecting.
“It’s always a daunting task facing Cheltenham but we’ll just see how we go,” Hough said.
“If we can swing the bat well and not leak the runs then anything is possible.”