Pakenham Pumas had washouts in C1, D Grade and Women’s on the weekend, leaving it to the C2 team and juniors to carry the club’s flag.
A couple of wily veterans even put their bodies on the line for the cause.
SENIORS
A1: Cheltenham 6 v Pumas 1
Top-team Cheltenham proved too strong for the bottom-placed Pumas who never gave up all game. The Pumas will look to bounce back when they welcome Frankston to Toomuc Reserve this Saturday.
A2: Cheltenham 15 v Pumas 1
Pumas travelled to Cheltenham on Saturday with high hopes to at least get some baseball played with the weather looking far from inviting. While the dark clouds overhead looked ominous, the rain managed to hold off and we got underway at the scheduled time. Unfortunately for the young Pumas we were not able to adjust to the conditions, or deal with an aggressive Rustlers line up, giving up too many runs while also struggling with the bat. 14-year-old Will Mayberry made his A Grade pitching debut late and did really well which was one of the few highlights on a tough day at the office.
C2: Berwick 0 v Pumas 13
Pakenham Pumas played arch rivals Berwick Cougars in a top-of-the-table clash this week. With two close games in the regular season series so far against Berwick, the Pumas needed a good win to take over first place on the ladder and try to insure a home final. The Pumas got off to a perfect start in the top of the first when lead-off batter Greg McCormick hit a single, making first base, before stealing second and getting into a scoring position. Greg then got to third on a ground ball fielder’s choice before Travis Hough launched a ball over the left fielder’s head for a very long two out RBI single. The Pumas second batting innings started off as an almost instant replay of the first with Greg leader off, stealing and getting moved around the bases before Travis hit a single to left field scoring Greg. This time though Scott Dale hit a triple to right field meaning both himself and Travis had to run three bases; this caused a run and almost a call to the emergency services for an oxygen tank for both. This gave the Pumas a three-run lead going into the fourth inning which was the victory margin required to take first place on the ladder; but the Pumas did not stop there. A seven-run fifth inning and then a three-run sixth inning took the score out to 13-0 which would be the final score. On the mound for Pakenham, the too old to play ones but still fit enough to do so, Shaun Fahy pitched. The 49-year-old decided this was the week to come down and play a game with his equally as old, but not quite as mobile, mates in the C2 team. Shaun had a day on the mound pitching all seven innings, walking three batters but allowing no hits. A no-hitter in baseball is one of the hardest things to do and I am sure Shaun will celebrate with a few cold ones after that. With the bats the Pumas lodged 17 hits in total. Travis Hough led the team with a perfect four from four (all to left field). Jay Mazurek went three from four and Scott Dale and Wayne Porter also had multiple hits.
Unfortunately, there were washouts for C1, D Grade and Women’s
JUNIORS
UNDER 12: Pumas 1 v Berwick 6
Even though the forecast was for rain, we had sunshine Saturday morning. We started off well loading the bases and scoring with a mixture of hits and beans. With a couple of firsts, hits and pitching, the players are all learning and improving each week. Berwick however got the win with consistent hitting including a home run.
UNDER 14: Frankston-Pakenham 9 v Mornington 5
It was a sleepy start to a cold Saturday morning with Mornington scoring four runs in the first inning before we woke up with the bats to score five in the first and four in the second innings. Logan and Jye smashed three infield home runs between them, while Harvey tested his speed and stole three bases to get home. Another week of solid pitching and catching by Molly and Logan to Dane and Harvey. Keep up the fantastic effort team!!
UNDER 16: Pumas 8 v Cheltenham 0
Pumas took on Cheltenham White on a cold wet Saturday morning. Cheltenham put the pressure on early with a deep centre field drive rolling through the cones from the lead-off batter. Pumas responded well and shut Cheltenham out from then on in. Pumas controlled the game with our starter getting out of the innings with no damage. Our plate discipline was great and our fielding tidy. Great effort for the Pumas getting the win 8-0. Finals bound for the kids.
