Finals are fast approaching for the Pakenham Pumas who had mixed results on the weekend in the lead up to the biggest games of the season. Here’s how the games played out.
SENIORS
FIRSTS
Pakenham Pumas Premier 2 had trouble keeping up with Cheltenham in a 6-0 loss on Saturday. Cheltenham got on the board in the fourth inning after scoring one run, against Caleb Poole who led things off on the mound for Pumas. The pitcher allowed 11 hits and six runs (five earned) over nine innings, striking out three and walking two. Max Vetter went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Pakenham Pumas in hits. Cheltenham collected 11 hits in the game. Next up for Pakenham Pumas Premier 2 Firsts is a game at Bonbeach on Thursday.
RESERVES
Pakenham couldn’t keep up with Cheltenham and fell 12-2 on Saturday. Cheltenham got on the board in the top of the first inning after driving in a run, and then scoring three runs. Dillan Collier stepped on the mound first for Pakenham. The starter allowed nine hits and 10 runs over three innings, striking out one and walking five. Cooper Porter and James McFadden each collected one hit for Pakenham, who were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Daniel Hussien had the most chances in the field with seven.
STATE 4
Pakenham Pumas State 4 played Waverley at home this weekend. After a scoreless top half the Pumas opened the scoring in the first after Travis Hough doubled, scoring one run. Waverley came straight back and took the lead in the top of the second, scoring two runs, to give Waverley the leg up, 2-1. Waverley’s lead was short lived after a home run by Mitchell Porter gave Pakenham the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the second. The Pumas extended their early lead with three runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Scott Dale, Coadhey R, and Felicity Clissold. They then put the game beyond doubt with a seven-run onslaught in the bottom of the fourth. Three quick outs in the top of the fifth ended the game with the 10-run mercy rule coming into effect. Pakenham ended up winners with a 13-2 scoreline. Scott Dale pitched for Pakenham allowing three hits and two runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking none. Pakenham were good with the bats accumulating 12 hits in the game. Coadhey R, Scott Dale, and Travis Hough each collected two hits for Pakenham. Justin Mazurek and Travis Hough each drove in two runs for the Pumas, who ran wild on the base paths, tallying nine stolen bases for the game. With a bye this weekend, this is Pakenham’s last game for the regular season. Having secured top spot on the ladder the Puma’s State Division 4 team will next play in two weeks’ time against the team that finishes the regular season in second place, in a playoff with the winner going directly to the grand final. The loser of that game will play the winner of the 3 v 4 elimination playoff game the following week to fill the last spot in the grand final.
WOMENS
Pakenham Pumas proved to be just too agile for Upwey Tigers over the weekend with a close win of 15-12. Pumas came out strong in the first inning, scoring a quick seven runs against Upwey. Strong pitching and fielding from the team stopped the Tigers from scoring any runs, the score reading 7-0. Come the next inning, the girls struggled to fight against Upwey, but scored three more, bringing their total up to 10. With the Upwey hot on their tails, after a seven-run inning, the Pumas leaped into action, showcasing hitting from each player and smart base running. By the end of the last inning, Pakenham had scored another five runs as well as Upwey. Pakenham Pumas brought out the big guns with hits from Emily Williams, Kirby Cannizzaro, a dynamite double-base hit from Jessica Moulding, a triple from Carni Dowsett and base hits from Jo Blackler and Katherine Walton, as well as three walks given to Jade Taylor. Emily was pitcher and took control of the game with the support from all Pakenham Pumas players; Kirby Cannizzaro, Jo Blackler, Jade Taylor, Olivia Garcia, Kim Smith, Katherine Walton and Jessica Moulding.
WOMEN’S WHITE
Pakenham Pumas Women’s White couldn’t keep up with Chelsea and fell 18-5 on Saturday. Chelsea got on the board in the top of the first inning after scoring seven runs. Jessica Moulding stepped on the bump first for Pakenham. The starter allowed 13 hits and 18 runs (nine earned) over two and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and walking seven. Christine Sculley, Jo Blackler, and Sofia each collected one hit for Pakenham. Sculley, Blackler, Sofia, and Elena Adriani each drove in one run for the Pumas. Pakenham had patience at the plate, tallying eight walks for the game. Sarah Bailey and Adriani led the team with two walks each. Bailey, Blackler, Katherine Walton, and Sofia each stole multiple bases for Pakenham, who stole 12 for the game.
JUNIORS
BIG LEAGUE
The Big League Pumas got another early start with a trip out to Werribee Saturday morning. Not an ideal start and probably still half asleep we gave up five in the first. We managed to claw back the score only for a few lapses in the field to give them the advantage again. We left our run too late and the seesawing score finished in their favour. A home game against Essendon this week to get us back on track.
SL90
Strong hitting was not enough as Pakenham Pumas SL90 fell 8-6 to Upwey FTG on Sunday despite out-hitting the opposition seven to six. Brock and Harvey each collected two hits for Pakenham, who got on the board in the top of the first inning after Oliver tripled, scoring one run, and Brock singled, and scoring two runs. Lachlan began the game for Pakenham. The hurler allowed six hits and eight runs (seven earned) over four and one-third innings, striking out six and walking five. Brock, Oliver, and Harvey each drove in one run for Pakenham, who had patience at the plate, piling up 10 walks for the game. Coadhey, Lachlan, Callum, and Fionn led the team with two free passes each. Pakenham play at home on Sunday against Sandringham in their next game.
SL70
The SL70 Pakenham Pumas showed resilience and determination in their latest matchup, grinding out an 8-6 victory in challenging conditions. With winds whipping across the field, every pitch, hit, and catch became a test of focus and adaptability; but the Pumas rose to the occasion. On the mound, Logan pitched four innings and racked up 12 strikeouts. Blake took over for the final two innings, keeping the pressure on with eight more strikeouts to shut down any hopes of a comeback for Cheltenham Blue. At the plate, Blake led the charge with a well-timed double, while Logan, Ca’Del, and Eli all contributed with solid singles. Meanwhile, Beau Saddington took one for the team – literally – getting on base after being hit by a pitch. A gritty performance in tough conditions proved once again that this team is built to compete; no matter what the elements throw their way!
-Jessica Moulding-
