It was another huge week for the Pakenham Baseball Club, with the Pumas A1 team keeping its finals hopes alive with an important victory over Dandenong and the B2 and Under-13 teams also scoring big wins.
And the Pumas’ club spirit was on full display when the local derby took place between the club’s two women’s teams on Sunday.
Pakenham Black v Pakenham White is always a big occasion, and Sunday didn’t disappoint.
Here’s a recap of the weekend’s action.
A1
PUMAS KEEP FINALS DREAM ALIVE WITH BIG WIN OVER DANDENONG
Pakenham Pumas A1 squad kept their finals hopes burning bright on Saturday, delivering a classy 5-1 victory over Dandenong.
It was a tense pitcher’s duel early, with both teams trading zeroes until the fifth inning when Hiroke Goke stepped up and ripped a clutch double to bring home two runners – sending the Pumas’ dugout into frenzy.
On the mound, Luke Anson was simply locked in; throwing eight brilliant innings, Anson scattered six hits, allowed just one unearned run, struck out four, and – remarkably – didn’t issue a single walk. His command and composure gave the Pumas the platform they needed.
At the plate, the Anson brothers were a dynamic double act.
Luke and Joel each collected two hits, keeping the scoreboard ticking over, while Hiroke Goke and Luke Anson both finished with two RBIs.
The defence also stood tall, with a slick double play snuffing out a late Dandenong threat.
With this win, the Pumas keep their finals ambitions well and truly alive; and if they can bottle this form, September baseball could be calling.
A2
PUMAS SHOW GRIT IN TOUGH MATCH AGAINST DANDENONG
Pakenham Pumas A2 side put in a determined performance on Saturday, showing flashes of brilliance despite going down 9-0 to a strong Dandenong outfit.
Dandenong jumped out to an early lead, but the Pumas kept fighting, turning not one, but two sharp double plays to keep the home side honest. The defence’s quick reactions and teamwork drew plenty of cheers from the Pumas faithful.
On the mound, Will battled through three-and-a-third innings, striking out three, while Lance opened the game for Pakenham with his trademark determination.
Mitch Porter led the charge with the bat, picking up a solid hit and showing plenty of hustle at the plate.
While the scoreboard didn’t swing the Pumas’ way this time, the team’s resilience, defensive highlights, and never-say-die attitude give plenty of positives to build on for the rest of the season.
B1
It was a tough afternoon at Toomuc Reserve for the Pakenham Pumas B1, but the team fought hard and showed flashes of quality in their 17-1 contest against a red-hot Frankston Black lineup.
The visitors put together big innings in the third and fifth, but the Pumas kept battling to the final out, determined to make the most of every at-bat.
From the top of the order, Grant Miller set the tone with two strong hits from three trips to the plate, proving a constant spark for the offence. Connor Mills-Emmerson drove in the Pumas’ run, showing great composure under pressure.
On the mound, Luke Billing gave it everything he had across four-and-two-thirds innings, facing a dangerous Frankston batting order head-on.
While the result wasn’t in their favour this time, the Pumas B1 can take heart in their effort, sportsmanship, and the moments of sharp play that will help fuel their push for a strong finish to the season.
B2
PORTER PLAYS HUMAN BRICK WALL AS PUMAS OUTSLUG FRANKSTON
If there’s one thing Frankston Black learned on Saturday, it’s that trying to get Wayne Porter out is like trying to get chewing gum off your shoe – possible, but not without a lot of frustration.
Porter went 3-for-4, calmly smacking singles in the first, second, and third innings like it was just another day at the office. The only thing missing was a deck chair between at-bats.
It was an afternoon of pure batting chaos, with both sides swinging like their lives (and beers) depended on it. The Pumas racked up 16 hits, Frankston countered with 11, and somewhere in the middle the scorer considered asking for danger pay.
The Pumas wasted no time in the first inning; Porter drove in one, Travis Hough decided two was better than one, Justin Mazurek took one for the team (literally, with a pitch to the body), Kyle Peck added two more, and Tanya Porter politely rounded out the inning by bringing in another run.
The second inning saw déjà vu, with Wayne “Yes, Again” Porter singling in another, Scott Dale joining the fun, a sneaky error letting one more in, and Mazurek cracking a two-run hit just to keep Frankston on their toes.
By the third inning, the Pumas were clearly in “why stop now?” mode.
Shaun Fahy tagged up to score, Andrew Mayberry blasted a triple down the right field line, and James Kinsella zipped a single into the same spot like he was copying Andy’s homework.
On the mound, Shaun Fahy pitched three innings, giving up seven hits and four runs but keeping things under control with three strikeouts.
Ryan started for Frankston Black but faced a stampede of hits so fast he might still be looking for the brake pedal.
Justin Mazurek then jumped in to close things out for Pakenham.
The Pumas weren’t just hitting; they were sprinting.
Four stolen bases, with Shaun Fahy swiping two, kept Frankston guessing whether the next play would be a hit, a run, or a magic trick.
In the end, the Pumas walked away with a 15-9 win, Porter’s batting average a little shinier, and the Frankston Black outfield probably still seeing little white baseballs in their dreams.
WOMENS
WOMEN’S DERBY SERVES UP HITS, HUSTLE, AND HOME-GROWN RIVALRY
Sunday afternoon at Pakenham Baseball Club saw the highly anticipated Pumas v Pumas showdown; where our Women’s White and Women’s Black teams went head-to-head in a spirited local derby that had plenty of smiles, sportsmanship, and some serious hitting power.
The Whites came out swinging early, putting runs on the board in the very first inning thanks to a trio of singles, with Emily Devine driving in the opener.
From there, their bats stayed red-hot, delivering an impressive seven-run burst in the second, another seven in the third, and yet another seven in the fourth.
Big moments included Emily Devine’s two doubles and a four-hit day, Emily Williams’ two-run single and solid contributions from across the lineup.
Felicity Clissold was unstoppable at the top of the order, going 5-for-5, while Katherine Walton, Johanna Blackler, and Jade Taylor all tallied three hits each.
Not to be outdone in the hustle department, the Blacks made sure the game was full of highlights on their side too.
Carni Dowsett swung a hot bat with two hits and three RBIs, while Jessica Moulding, Codie Sell, and Elizabeth Talauega each collected a hit.
Codie also delivered a crowd-pleasing, much-needed grab at second base that had her teammates cheering.
The Blacks showed great patience at the plate, drawing nine walks and stealing an impressive nine bases – with Carni, Olivia Garcia, and Elizabeth all swiping more than one.
The Whites, meanwhile, flexed their own speed game, stealing 10 bases, with Emily Devine, Emily Williams, and Katherine Walton leading the charge.
On the mound, Emily Williams held steady for the Whites across three innings, while Olivia Garcia battled hard for the Blacks and picked up three strikeouts.
In the end, the scoreboard read 25–6 in favour of the Whites, but on a day like this, the numbers hardly told the whole story.
It was a celebration of club spirit; teammates facing off with just as many laughs as line drives, supporters cheering for every great play (no matter the colour of the jersey), and another chapter in the friendly Pumas rivalry.
There’s only ever one real winner — the club itself.
UNDER 15
PUMAS U15 LOSE 4-5 TO FRANKSTON
A lovely sunny morning in Frankston saw the Pumas get on the board in the top of the first inning after Coadhey singled to centre field and Frankston committed an error each scoring one run. Frankston tied the game in the bottom of the first thanks to a play and an error, before a single gave Frankston the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the second.
Pumas took the lead in the top of the third when Timmy doubled scoring two runs, to give Pumas the edge, 4-3.
Frankston jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the third inning after they singled to centre field, and another of their players walked, each scoring one run.
Coadhey led things off on the hill for Pumas.
The starter allowed six hits and five runs (three earned) over two-and-one-third innings, striking out six and walking one.
Ian Kim appeared in relief for Pumas.
Timmy went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in.
Angus, Coadhey, Timmy and Junior each collected one hit for Pumas.
Dane led Pumas with two walks and overall the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting six walks for the game.
Angus, Coadhey, Julia and Hunter each stole multiple bases for Pumas with the team running wild on the base paths, amassing 11 stolen bases for the game.
This week brings us back to Frankston again, to play their Red team in a 1 v 2 final game for the season.
UNDER 13
Pumas were on the road to Mornington this week and if there was any concern about how the travel would affect the young Pumas it was quickly dispelled in the first inning.
Marshal, Connor, Noah and Amelia all reached safely with no outs and Yuan walked later to load up the bases.
With two outs and two runs on the board, already it was Morgan up to bat.
He made his at bat count with a double to right field, clearing the bases and scoring three more runs.
Isaac got the start on the mound in the bottom of the first and despite a lead-off double showed his composure to strike out the side and keep the Pumas five-run lead intact.
In the second Pakenham added one more run after Jay led off with a walk and took advantage of some wild pitches to advance home.
Mornington had no answer to the Pumas pitching as they were shot out again in the second.
The third inning practically put the game to bed with Emily being hit by a pitch, Jake drawing a walk and hits by Morgan, Amelia and Isaac (double) combining to drive in another four for a 10-run lead. In relief Morgan came in to pitch and despite giving up four runs was forcing the opposition to put the ball in play and struck out two.
The Pumas added one more run in the fourth when Noah and Amelia went back to back with doubles before time was called, final score 11-4 Pakenham.
Also a special mention goes to Puma’s player Ethan who, in a great display of sportsmanship, agreed to play for Mornington so the opposition didn’t have to forfeit.
With one game left of the regular season the win sees Pakenham jump up to third on the ladder and guaranteed a spot in the finals.
-James Kinsella and Jessica Moulding-
