SENIORS
FIRSTS
Caleb Poole collected three hits in three at bats, as Pakenham Firsts defeated Essendon 11-4 at home on Thursday. Poole hit a solo home run to right field in the third inning, singled in the first inning, and singled in the fourth inning. A single by Poole gave the Pumas the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the first. A ground out by Darren Reeves extended the Pakenham lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the second inning. The visitors tied the game in the top of the third thanks to a hit by a pitch, and a fielder’s choice. In the bottom of the third inning, the hosts went back into the lead after Max Hunter grounded out, Poole homered to right field, and Max Vetter doubled to centre field, each scoring one run. Pakenham scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hiroke Goke singled, scoring two runs, Hunter doubled, scoring one run, Poole singled, scoring one run, and Danny Cannizaro singled, scoring one run. Rhys McKenzie stepped on the hill first for Pakenham. The pitcher surrendered three hits and three runs over three innings, striking out three and walking four. Tim Bellerby appeared in relief for Pakenham. The Pumas piled up nine hits in the game. Goke and Cannizaro each collected multiple hits for Pakenham. Goke stole two bases. The hosts ran wild on the base paths, collecting five stolen bases for the game. Pakenham turned one double play in the game.
Pakenham had trouble keeping up with Bonbeach in a big loss at home on Saturday in the firsts. The Pumas got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Kyler Rinehart homered to centre field, and then scored on a passed ball. Bonbeach then tied the game in the top of the second thanks to a single and a walk. The visitors then took the lead to 8-2. The biggest blow in the inning was a double that drove in two runs. Hunter opened the game for the Pumas. The pitcher allowed seven hits and eight runs (four earned) over three innings, striking out seven and walking six. Pakenham’s McKenzie, the number nine hitter, led the hosts with two hits in three at bats. Rinehart, Goke, Cannizaro, and Poole each drove in one run for Pakenham. Cannizaro led the Pumas Premier 2 Firsts with three walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, amassing 10 walks for the game. The Pumas Premier 2 Firsts turned one double play in the game.
RESERVES
Both teams put up a bunch of runs, but Pakenham Reserves also fell to Bonbeach 20-9 on Saturday. Pakenham had eight hits for the game. Bonbeach got on the board in the top of the first inning after scoring four runs. The Pumas scored seven runs on five hits in the bottom of the third inning. Darren Reeves singled, scoring two runs, James McFadden singled, scoring two runs, Will drew a walk, scoring one run, a passed ball scored one run, and Tim Bellerby singled, scoring one run. Liam Hough started the game for Pakenham. The pitcher allowed six hits and 11 runs (10 earned) over two innings, striking out five and walking eight. McFadden, the number seven hitter for Pakenham, led the way with three runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-2 on the day. McFadden and Reeves each collected two hits for Pakenham.
STATE 4
Pakenham State 4’s played Bonbeach away this week in our first game back post-Christmas after a rain out last weekend. The Pumas got off to a good start when Greg McCormick scored from second on a double from Andrew Mayberry leaving the Pumas with a 1-0 lead after the top of the first. Jay Mazurek started on the mound for Pakenham and got straight to work recording a scoreless first inning to hold the lead. Unfortunately, the Pakenham bat then went quiet for a few innings. Some good hitting paired with more than a few lucky bloop hits from Bonbeach saw them come back and take the lead 6-1 going in to the last couple of innings. The Pumas did make a fight back in the top of the 6th inning, scoring three runs to bring the score to 6-4 but another couple of runs from Bonbeach and three quick outs had the final score at 8-4 to Bonbeach. Mayberry led Pakenham Pumas State 4 with two hits in three at bats. Pakenham Pumas State 4 turned three double plays in the game.
REGIONAL BLACK
Brad Jones had a standout day at the plate, going 3-for-3 as Pakenham Pumas Regional Black defeated Waverley 15-6 on Sunday. Jones doubled in both the first and second innings and added a single in the third to power the Pumas’ offence. Pakenham struck early, scoring in the first inning when Liam singled, Jones doubled, and a wild pitch brought home a run. Waverley responded in the second inning, capitalising on a Pumas error and a string of singles to take the lead. The Pumas reclaimed control in the bottom of the second, highlighted by run-scoring hits from Liam, Jones, Gregg Duncan, Bryce Haley, and Tristan. They extended their lead further in the third, taking advantage of two Waverley errors and delivering clutch hits from Jones, Gregg Duncan, and Luis Mayo. Jones also took the mound for Pakenham, pitching four innings and allowing six runs (three earned) on 10 hits while striking out two and walking none. Waverley’s starter struggled against the relentless Pumas offence, conceding 17 hits and 15 runs (10 earned) in four innings. Pakenham’s offence was firing on all cylinders, with 17 hits on the day. Jones and Haley led the charge with three hits each, while Jake Bone, Duncan, Liam Duncan, and Mayo recorded multiple hits. The Pumas were aggressive on the basepaths, stealing 12 bases, with Jones, Liam Duncan, and Haley swiping multiple bags. Waverley tallied 10 hits in the game but couldn’t match Pakenham’s consistent offensive output. Pakenham’s strong team effort and opportunistic play ensured the victory, further cementing their standing in the league. With two more games to play, Pakenham’s finals destiny rest in their hands as winning the final two games will mean they make finals.
WOMEN’S
Pakenham Black fought against a strong Waverley Red side on the weekend unfortunately facing defeat with the end score 10-5. Olivia Garcia led things off on the mound for Pakenham, striking out 4 of the Waverley women. Emily Williams came in pitching towards the end of the game. Two of the Pumas powerhouse hitters Jade Taylor and Carni Dowsett each managed to collect three hits for the Pakenham team. Pakenham piled up the hits in the game. The Pumas women managed to steal a staggering 12 bases for the duration of the game, with Johanna Blacker leading the team with two runs batted in.
Women’s White team had a bye.
-Jessica Moulding
