Regular-season games in the 2023/24 Dandenong Baseball Association Winter Season are soon coming to an end with the Pakenham Pumas set to have several teams battling it out during finals.
Here’s how the Pumas performed across a beautiful weekend for a ball-game.
SENIORS
A1: Dandenong 4 v Pumas 4
The combined strong pitching performance of Max Hunter, Joel Anson and Luke Anson and great defensive plays helped the Pumas. The offence scored four runs and the game finished in a 4-4 draw.
A2: Dandenong 10 v Pumas 3
Pumas travelled to Dandenong on a perfect day for baseball to take on the Angels for our penultimate game of the regular season. With Rhys McKenzie on the mound for the Pumas, Dandenong jumped out to an early lead which disappeared when Jason Rossit came through with a two-out double to tie the game in the third inning. From then on it was an arm wrestle and credit go to the Angels who were able to execute both in the field and in the batters’ box which was ultimately the difference in a well-played game.
C1: Pumas 18 v Mornington 5
Pumas took on Mornington this week and Tim Stockdale got the start on the bump. Two hits saw a run scored for the Pirates but good defensive work took care of the outs to see the Pumas batting. Three early hits saw the Pumas score two runs before registering their first two outs. Then, like they have all year, the Pumas made the third out hard to get and loaded the scoreboard with a maximum seven runs. Two singles to start Mornington’s second inning, but a hard-hit line drive brought chalk on the first-base line. Ray Pal snared it with a quick glove to get the forced out but quick work by the runners saw both safe back to their starting base. A walk loaded the bases but a shallow hit was caught at right by Connor Mills-Emerson, keeping the runners in place. A sharp hit to the third side, was snared by Chris Appleby to retire the Pirates with no additional score.
Two walks to start our second inning were broken up with Brad Jones caught well short trying to steal home, before back-to-back walks saw the fourth straight hitter aboard without much effort. Another walk to Daniel Hussein, then the first hit of the inning went to Junior Simaika to bring two more runs across. A grounded out ended the inning at 10-1 Pumas. Two catches to Michael Elijah, between two runners getting on, and with an errant throw to three the runner tried his luck running home. Daniel Hussein, backing up, nailed the runner at the plate to end the inning with the Pirates being denied runs. Tim Stockdale got aboard via a dropped catch to centre and was moved around when Brad walked; both scoring care of a Chris Appleby drive to the outfield. Chris was then out via a groundball forced out before Ray Pal went long to hit a home run and add two more to the tally. The inning ending with a flyball caught in centrefield. Ray was then brought onto the hill to throw. He got an early out before a walk and hit batter saw runners on bases loaded, with another walk, before a pop up behind the mound landed safely with no one able to get a glove to it. A pop up caught by Chris Appleby and another catch to Michael Elijah saw the inning end with four added to the visitor’s account. A high pitch then became a double, with Junior sending it deep, and Connor then walked to put a second runner on base. A single to Tim Stockdale loaded the bases, but a grounded double play got the runners on third and second to end the inning without additional scoring. Bernie Tyers then came in to pitch and the lefty looked good. He got a pop-up to Daniel at short before a hit runner got to first. A ground ball to Chris at third just got there in time to Tim at second for a lead out, before Tim snapped a throw to one that was snared by Luke to record a double play and get us back in to bat. Two walks and a hit-by pitch saw the bags loaded once again, with no outs. Gavin Staindl then came into hit for Ray, singling to score one and move everyone around. Daniel then hit a sacrifice flyball to bring another in. A hit batter in Junior then loaded the bases once more, before Michael got another single and Connor grounded into a fielder’s choice, both bringing in runs. A pop-fly ending the innings, and the game, 18-5 Pumas. Hits: J Samiaka 3, R Pal (homerun), B Jones, C Appleby, L Billing, G Staindl, M Elijah and T Stockdale.
C2: Pumas 16 v Mornington 1
Greg McCormick collected three hits in four at-bats as Pakenham Pumas defeated Mornington 16-1 on Saturday. Greg continued his amazing form this season collecting singles in the third, fifth and sixth inning to help lead Pakenham to victory. A double by Kyle Peck got the Pumas on board in the bottom of the first, beginning what would be a long day of coloring for the scorers as Pakenham piled on runs early and often. Five more Pakenham runners crossed the plate in the second and by the end of the third innings the result was beyond doubt with Pakenham having a 9-0 lead. Wayne Porter earned the win on the mound for Pakenham allowing only nine hits and one run over six innings, striking out three and walking one. The Pumas collected 17 hits in the game. Greg McCormick and Travis Hough each collected three hits each while Justin Mazurek, Kyle Peck, Riley Blackwell, and Jacob Batson also collected multiple hits. The Pumas ran wild on the base paths, piling up 18 stolen bases for the game.
D WHITE: Dingley 14 v Pumas 5
Pakenham White travelled to Dingley this week and after a slow start never really recovered. Bryce Tully got the scoring started for the Pumas getting aboard with a walk and advancing home with some good base running. In response the home side was able to make the most of a couple of fielding errors to score four runs. Jude O’Halloran led off for Pakenham in the second inning with a walk and hits to James D’Arcy and Malachite O’Halloran seeing a total of three runs scored. Unfortunately, a couple of walks and errors allowed the Dingoes to pile on another six runs before James Kinsella came on in relief to close out the inning. Neither team was able to score during the third inning, thanks in part to a clutch double-play by Corey Carter; catching a line drive in right field before firing the ball to second base after the runner took off expecting the ball to drop safely. In the fourth, hits to James Kinsella, Malachite and Archer O’Halloran scored one run but the home side was able to drive in another four runs to put the game beyond reach; final score 14-5 to Dingley. Hits: 2 Malachite O’Halloran (Double, Single), James Kinsella, James D’Arcy. RBIs: 3 Malachite O’Halloran, Archer O’Halloran, Garreth Phillips.
D BLACK: Pumas 18 v Frankston 13
Pakenham Black faced off against Frankston for the first time in the second last game of the season. Frankston fielded a young team, mostly juniors, but they certainly put up a good fight. Starting pitcher for the Pumas, Anthony Clissold, gave us the perfect start, drawing an infield ground ball from the leadoff batter and the first out of the game. But Frankston weren’t to be deterred. A few walks, some energetic base running and a safe hit to short, helped the young Tomatoes put on four runs before a ground out and a strike out brought Pumas in to bat. Frankston’s pitcher struggled a bit in the first dig, giving up four walks and a hit, to give us four runs in reply, before getting the three outs. Frankston hit better in the second inning. Three singles and a dropped third strike earned them three more runs, before Anthony tidied up the middle order with a pair of strike outs and a pickup and throw to first. Our second dig was our most impressive. A couple of walks loaded the bases, before four hits in a row, three of the them doubles, saw six runs cross the plate. The innings came to an end when a Sac-fly to left from lead-off batter Gregg Clutterbuck, brought in the seventh run and gave us a strong lead. Craig Willis came to the mound in the third and made short work of Frankston’s bottom order. One walk and three strikeouts didn’t add to the visitor’s tally. Pumas kept the runs coming in the third at-bat. Frankston’s new pitcher fought hard but really struggled with accuracy, walking eight batters in the end, and giving up another seven runs, but not before picking up two outs for his hard work. It just wasn’t their day. Frankston had another bat at the top of the fourth, scoring a number of runs, but it wasn’t going to change the result. Pakenham came away with a well-earned 18-13 win in the penultimate game. Hits: Triple; Anthony Clissold. Doubles; Angus Peters, Craig Willis, Justin Cranston, Anthony Clissold. Singles; Jon Ellis (2), Justin Cranston.
WOMEN’S: Dingley 16 v Pumas 11
Pakenham Pumas Women’s team played Dingley on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Pumas started the game off batting and with aggressive base running saw three runs in from Felicity, Carni, and Codie, who had her first hit of the season. Dingley came out swinging and fought hard to score seven runs, bringing us back up to bat. Dingley’s pitcher Ina left no room for Pakenham to score with three-up, three-down, sending her and the team back to the batters’ box. Dingley, still on a roll, scored another seven runs in the second. The Pumas got another run on the board in the third inning. A change of pitcher for Pakenham only allowed Dingley to score one run themselves. Dingley also changed its pitcher at the top of the fourth, which saw Pakenham bring in seven runs. Dingley added one more run before time and game was called. Hits: Felicity, Codie, Olivia.
JUNIORS
UNDER 12: Frankston 12 v Pumas 0
The sun was out again in Berwick. Unfortunately, there were some players battling sickness but the ones who were able to play all swung the bats with improved technique. In the field there were lessons learned and some outs made. Pakenham fought hard but lost 12-0.
UNDER 14: Frankston 14 v Frankston/Pakenham 5
It was a lovely Saturday morning for a tough ball game. Adam and Jye both pitched really well and shook up the game with some great pick offs. Behind the plate was Oscar, keeping the runners honest with a few throwovers to second and third. Josh at 2B made a great play at first to get the runner out, then almost did it again with the next batter. A hard-hit ball out to right-field was caught in amazing style by none other than Blaxio! Everyone has continued aggressive base running. Although we didn’t get the win this week, everyone had a crack and it was a great game!
UNDER 16: Pumas 16 v Frankston Red 10
Pumas had a great victory over Frankston Red. Fourth time was the charm as Pumas were finally able to beat Frankston Red, the only team that they had lost to this season. Frankston Red opened the scoring in the first with two runs. Bottom of the first; Pumas captured the lead after Callum Farrow, Lachlan Collier, Spencer Tyers, Conner McKenzie, Jensen Turner and Ollie Corrigan were walked and Coadhey Rebbechi singled. All of them scoring one run. Ollie stealing home gave Pumas the lead 7-2. In addition, Fionn Sculley and Gareth Phillips also drew walks. Top of the second, Frankston fought back with another four runs. Pumas then scored six runs with one hit in the bottom of the second inning. McKenzie singled, scoring two runs for Farrow and Collier. Rebbechi, Tyers, McKenzie and Corrigan scored the other four runs. On the mound, McKenzie began the game for Pumas. The starting pitcher surrendered six hits and six runs over two innings, striking out two and walking three. Turner appeared in relief. The team had patience at the plate, amassing 15 walks for the game. Pumas were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Spencer Tyers had the most chances in the field with four. Next Saturday sees them playing Frankston Red for the fifth time in their first semi-final.
