It was a mixed bag for Pakenham Pumas on the opening day of the winter season with some teams producing outstanding performances and others left with room for improvement. Here’s how round one played out.
A1
Pakenham Pumas A1 got their season off to a flying start at Dingley with a commanding 19-1 win. They got on the board early scoring one run in the first inning after Hiroki Goke doubled. The Pumas blew the game open in the fourth inning scoring 10 runs on the way to victory. Daniel Harris hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring one run, Luke drew a walk, to score another, Kyler and Hiro doubled, scoring two runs each, finally Kengo Oka was struck by a pitch, Joel singled, Harris was hit by a pitch and Luke drew a walk, each driving in a run. Not content, the Pumas scored eight runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning. Joel doubled, scoring one run, Harris drew a walk, driving in another run, before Luke tripled, scoring three more runs. Rinehart then singled, Taiga Saito singled, and Oka drew a walk, each scoring one run. Luke earned the win for Pakenham, the pitcher surrendered just four hits and one run over five innings, striking out two and walking five. In total the Pumas piled up 11 hits in the game. Luke led the team with five runs batted in from the number nine spot in the line-up going 1-for-2 on the day. Joel and Rinehart each collected three hits while Saito and Goke each collected multiple hits for the away team. Pakenham had a strong eye at the plate, collecting 12 walks for the game. Helping out their pitcher the Pumas played some strong defence turning two double plays in the game. This week the A1 side welcomes Frankston.
A2
Pumas A2 took on Dingley at KH Wearne Field in the opening round of the season. Pumas were the first to get on the board in the first when Lachlan was struck by a pitch, driving in a run. Solid fielding followed up this effort when a double play kept Dingley scoreless in the first. Joel Anson took the mound for the Pumas and showed great vigilance, pitching well and retiring Dingley with no runs. However, Dingley returned fire with the bat, scoring four runs in the second and four in the fourth. The Pumas worked hard to regain the runs, getting bases loaded, but were unable to capitalise. Liam Hough finished off the show, taking the mound in the fifth inning. End result saw Dingley take the win 9-1. Lachlan led the Pumas scoring driving the one run. Mitch Porter, Will, and Rhys each collected one hit for Pakenham Pumas.
B1
Pakenham B1 took on Berwick at home this week and got off to a hot start. Brad Jones on the bump and the Dodgers were retired without a single runner on base. Connor Mills led off for the Pumas and with hits and selective hitting, we had ourselves two runs across the plate before registering a single out. Unfortunately we didn’t trouble the scorer again for the inning, and Berwick came straight back to tie the game. We didn’t score in the second, and Berwick took full advantage of a less dominate third inning, scoring the maximum seven runs. With the pressure on and a huge score deficit, the Pumas chipped away to score a few runs across the innings, but we were unable to catch them. Chris Appleby and Jason Rossit also pitched an inning to start the season. Final score: 13-8 in favour of the Berwick Dodgers.
B2
Pakenham defeated Berwick 6-2. The Pumas got on the board in the bottom of the third inning after Andrew Mayberry doubled, scoring one run, and Travis Hough singled, scoring two runs. The starting pitcher, Scott Dale, only surrendered four hits and two runs (zero earned) over the seven innings, striking out six and walking three. Travis Hough led the batting with two runs batted in. The infielder went 1-for-3 on the day, and the number nine hitter, Brock, showed the depth of the line-up by leading them with two hits in three at bats.
C1
Pumas C1 hosted a tough Dingley team to start the season going down 17-3 in the end. James started on the mound for the Pumas but the more experienced Dingley side had a patient approach at the plate; drawing walks to take an early lead. In response Pakenham was able to get a few runners on base but couldn’t capitalise and were shut down. The second inning was more of the same as Dingley extended the lead before Gregg Clutterbuck took over pitching and managed to slow the scoring down for an inning and a bit. Dingley was just too strong though and got the bats going to add to their lead late. Pakenham was able to score late with Ethan, playing his first ever game, drawing a lead-off walk and Gregg able to advance him with a hit. Brad then hit a bullet of a line drive to triple bringing two runs home. Duncan had a patient at bat to draw a walk before Jimmy was hit by a pitch to load the bases. While Brad was able to score on a wild pitch the home side was unable to get another runner on base. While not the result the C1s would have liked to start the season there were still a lot of positives. Some solid defence was played and there’s plenty of potential for some of our less experienced players to grow throughout the season.
WOMEN’S WHITE
Pumas Women’s White kicked off their season with an impressive 16–10 victory over the Berwick Dodgers on Sunday at Frankston. The Pumas set the tone early with a disciplined approach at the plate, patiently waiting for their pitches and capitalising on opportunities with a clinical seven-run first inning. Berwick, however, responded with equal intensity, putting up seven runs in the bottom of the first as Pakenham’s pitcher Emily W took time to settle into rhythm, leaving the game tied at the end of the opening frame. In the second inning, the Pumas quickly adapted to Berwick’s new pitcher Tess, putting four more runs on the board. Meanwhile, Emily W found her groove on the mound, holding the Dodgers to just two runs and closing the inning with three crucial outs. Facing a third Dodgers pitcher, Mandy, the Pumas showed no signs of slowing down. The team added another five runs, bringing their total to 16. Pakenham’s defence held strong, allowing only one more run before wrapping up the game with solid defence. Strong offensive contributions came from Carni Dowsett, Emily Devine, Katherine Walton, Johanna Blackler and Kamila Szy, helping to drive the team’s first win of the season. A confident and composed performance across the board gives the Pumas strong momentum as they look ahead to the next game.
WOMEN’S BLACK
On Sunday, Frankston hosted the first round of the Women’s DBA season where Pakenham Pumas Black couldn’t keep up with Chelsea and fell 19-2. Codie Sell got an RBI, which helped Pakenham tie the game at two in the top of the third inning. Chelsea then flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the third, scoring seven runs on five hits to take the lead, 9-2. Jessica Moulding began the game for Pakenham. The starting pitcher gave up three hits and two runs over two innings, striking out two and walking one. Olivia Garcia then took the mound in relief, giving up 14 hits, striking out two and walking three. Carni Dowsett led Pakenham with two hits in three at bats from the leadoff position. Codie Sell and Elena Adriani each drove in one run for the Pumas. Carni Dowsett and Olivia Garcia each stole multiple bases for Pakenham. Pumas stole six bases in the game and turned one double play.
