Finals are now the focus for the Pakenham Pumas after a compelling last round of the season saw wins to B2 and C2 and A2 fight out a draw. Here’s how the weekend’s action played out.
A1
Pakenham Pumas fell just short to Mornington 4-1 on Saturday, as a hard display of attrition was just not enough to cross the line to ensure a finals appearance. The game started off slow but precise as each side came out of the first two innings scoreless. Some highlights of the innings included a double from Luke Anson, and a strong display of defence from the Pumas, with routine ground outs and fly outs. The scores opened up in the bottom of the third, as a home run to centre field from Mornington put two runs on the board. Another home run hit and error extended Mornington’s lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth.
In an attempt to regain control, the Pumas came out in the seventh inning determined to win the game. Hiroke Goke walked, and a single by Taiga Saito, advanced the runner to second base. Another single by Yo Takehara advanced both runners even closer with Kyler Rinehart continuing the hitting showcase, singling, scoring one run. However, the momentum was cut short, as Mornington finished the innings with two fly outs, finishing the game at 4-1.
Hiroke Goke took the loss for Pakenham. The pitcher went three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out one and walking one. Luke Anson started on the bump; the hurler surrendered six hits and two runs over three innings, striking out two and walking none.
Daniel Harris and Kyler Rinehart each collected two hits and Rinehart went 2-for-4 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in.
Although defeated, a twist in fate kept the Pumas finals dreams alive. A win by Frankston against Dingley means Pakenham hold fourth spot on the ladder. The Pumas are determined to right this wrong against Mornington again this week!
A2
Pakenham finished off the season strong; time halting a sure victory as the scores reverted back to 8-8 in the top of the fifth against Mornington on Saturday, after leading the game 10-8.
The Pumas got on the board early after a steal of home from Felicity scored one run. Mornington captured the lead, 2-1 and extended to 3-1 in the bottom of the second. Pumas came back in the third; a walk for Matthew Mills, and a single by Felicity put the Pumas in scoring position. Rhys McKenzie then grounded out, advancing Mills to score a run. Bringing the margin back to 3-2. Mornington then went 7-2 ahead before Pumas flipped the game in the top of the fourth, scoring an impressive six runs. One came off the bat of Will to take the lead, 8-7. The biggest blow in the inning was a wild pitch that drove in three.
Mornington came out with a single down the left field line, which helped tie the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the fourth.
Pakenham came out in the top of the fifth with mission to win the game. A hit-by-pitch to Tristan Hill created the spark, and a walk to Mathew Howden and a ground out by Connor set up the runners at second and third base for a blueprint that was needed. Then steps in Coadhey. On the final pitch of a full count, the slugger hit a perfect line drive to centrefield, scoring the runners on second and third, making the score 10-8 in the top of the fifth. His team mates celebrated for the young baller.
Unfortunately, time got the best of the Pumas meaning that the scores were reverted back to 8-8 as the fifth inning was not able to be completed.
Daniel Harris started on the hill; the starter gave up zero hits and three runs (one earned) over two innings, striking out one and walking two. Coadhey, the number nine hitter for Pakenham Pumas A2, led the way with three runs batted in. The infielder went 1-for-2 on the day. Coadhey, Will, and Felicity each collected one hit for Pakenham Pumas A2. Mills led Pakenham Pumas A2 with three walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting nine walks for the game. Clissold stole three bases.
Although on paper the result displayed a draw, the Pakenham Pumas celebrated what felt like a moral victory.
B1
Pumas B1 closed out their season on Saturday with a spirited performance against Berwick Dodgers. While the Dodgers took the win 16–4, the Pumas showed plenty of grit and energy. Berwick jumped out to an early lead, but the Pumas kept pushing. Andrew Mayberry opened on the mound and worked hard against a strong batting line-up, while Kyle Peck came in for four steady innings of relief, keeping things composed and giving the Pumas a chance to stay in the contest.
Offensively, Chris Appleby led the way with two solid hits from four at-bats, reminding everyone of his reliability at the plate. The Pumas also put on a show with their aggressive base running, racking up five stolen bases.
Although the scoreboard wasn’t in their favour, the Pumas finished their season displaying the hustle, teamwork, and never-give-up spirit that has defined their campaign. The team can look back proudly on their growth and the moments of brilliance that promise even more to come in the future.
B2
Pakenham Pumas roared to a 4–0 win over Berwick Dodgers on Saturday, proving once again that you don’t mess with a Puma when it’s hungry for runs. It didn’t take long for “Big Swing” Travis Hough to get things rolling, smacking a single in the first inning to put the Pumas on the board. A few innings later, “Steady Eddy” Andrew Mayberry patiently strolled to first on a walk, nudging the lead to 2–0. Sometimes standing still is the best way to move ahead.
On the mound, “Just-In-Time” Justin Mazurek was cooler than a cucumber in a freezer. He tossed four innings of two-hit, no-run baseball, striking out four and – get this – walking zero. The Dodgers batters might as well have brought fly swatters instead of bats.
Not to be outdone, “Cool Hand Luke” Billing came in for three innings of relief and locked the game down tighter than a jar of Nanna’s pickles. He gave up just three hits while adding a strikeout and a leisurely stroll issued to first base.
The bats were busy too. “Ray Gun” Pal blasted in two RBIs from the nine spot; showing that sometimes the tail of the lineup has the sting. Meanwhile, “Wayno the Machine” Porter and “Granite” Grant Miller both collected a pair of hits each, because why let the fun stop at one?
The Pumas also flashed some leather with a slick double play that had the Dodgers looking around like they’d just misplaced their car keys.
All in all, the Pumas were sharper, faster, and just a little cheekier on the day, sending the Dodgers home with nothing but dust on their cleats and stories to tell.
C2
With a finals spot locked away the Pumas took on second place Frankston hoping to build some momentum for next week. James Kinsella started on the mound and despite struggling to find the zone the Pumas were able to hold the away team to just two runs. Angus led off for the Pumas getting on base and eventually came home on a groundout to bring the score to 2-1. Neither team was able to trouble the scoreboard in the second inning.
Anthony Clissold came on in relief to pitch in the third and Frankston had no reply and were held scoreless again. Pumas were then able to score three runs to open up a 4-2 lead.
Clissold continued his good work with Frankston only able to grind out a couple more runs and with 15mins remaining the scores were tied 4-4 with the home side still to bat. Andrew ‘Tangles’ Moran did his job in the lead off position drawing a walk with Angus taking over as a substitute runner. They say speed kills and it was certainly the case here as Angus easily stole second and then on the next pitch stole third forcing an error as Frankston threw the ball away. With the ball trickling away to the outfield Angus was able to quickly get to his feet and scamper home for the winning run. A great result and solid performance for the Pumas who face Frankston in a rematch in the first week of finals.
WOMEN’S WHITE
Pumas Women’s White came agonisingly close to pulling off a stunning comeback on Sunday, falling just one run short in a 12-11 thriller against Chelsea at Springvale Road.
There was no shortage of highlights for the Pumas, who played with plenty of spirit and flair. None shone brighter than Emily Devine, who was simply outstanding at the plate. Devine went a perfect four-for-four, including a booming double in the first inning that set the tone for her day. The Pumas made their intentions clear early, piling on four runs in the opening frame thanks to Devine’s double, a two-run single from Katherine Walton, and a clever groundout RBI from Johanna Blackler. It was exactly the kind of start the team was after, showing they weren’t going to be intimidated by Chelsea’s strong lineup.
Chelsea managed a big reply, but the Pumas never dropped their heads. Instead, they chipped away, and by the fourth and fifth innings they had fought their way back into the contest. Devine, Walton, and Danni Wilson were key contributors, with timely hits and patience at the plate bringing crucial runs across. One of the biggest talking points of the afternoon was the Pumas’ daring work on the bases. In a display that had the crowd buzzing, the team racked up an astonishing 20 stolen bases, with speedsters Wilson, Devine, Walton, Felicity Clissold, and Emily Williams all causing headaches for the Chelsea defence. On the mound, Williams battled hard, striking out four across her outing and showing plenty of composure in tricky situations.
Chelsea just managed to hold off the fast-finishing Pumas, but the narrow margin was proof of the fight and resilience that defines this young side.
WOMEN’S BLACK
Pumas Women’s Black took on the Frankston crew, and while the scoreboard said 10-1 to Frankston, the game itself was packed with action, laughs, and some sneaky superhero moves from the Pumas.
Things kicked off hot when Jess “Clutch Queen” Moulding smacked a single in the first inning, driving in a run and putting the Pumas on the board before Frankston even knew what hit them. But Frankston answered back fast, jumping to the lead like they’d had one too many energy drinks. By the third inning, they’d stretched things out to 7-1.
On the mound, Jess started things off, battling through two innings while keeping the Frankston bats honest. Then Olivia “The Heat” Garcia came in from the bullpen, firing three innings of gutsy relief. Not only did she deal with batters on the hill, but she pulled off one of the coolest defensive plays of the day – snagging a rocket line drive and doubling off the cheeky runner at first who forgot the golden rule: tag up or get toasted.
At the plate, Jess was a perfect 1-for-1 with the RBI, while Liz “Big Bat” Talauega racked up two impressive hits. Meanwhile, Olivia turned on the jets to steal not one, but TWO bases, and the whole squad combined for five stolen bags, proving the Pumas had turbo boosters strapped to their cleats.
Pumas brought the chaos and a whole lot of personality to the diamond. After all, anyone can win a game, but not everyone can win the crowd.
UNDER 15
Pumas took on Frankston Red this week and despite the result there were still plenty of positives. Pakenham was unable to score in the first and despite not allowing any hits and striking out three, Frankston was able to take advantage of walks to score four runs in the first.
In the second the Pumas got on the board when Dane walked, Liam followed up with a double and Hunter also walked to set up a bases-loaded situation. It was then Tim who stepped up to the plate hitting a Grand Slam home run to drive in four to tie the game.
But that was it for Pumas; the home team added another five runs to come away with a 9-4 win. Despite the result the Puma pitchers (Ian, Timmy and Liam) combined to strikeout 11 Frankston batters across four innings and only gave up three hits. Finals start this week with a rematch against Frankston Red.
UNDER 13
Pakenham Under 13s faced off against Ormond-Glen Huntley-Dingley falling to a 3-9 loss.
Neither team was able to get anything going in the first going three-up-three-down. Isaac led off the second with a walk and the rest of the Pumas showed great patience with another three walks to score the first run of the game. OGHD hit back though with three consecutive hits to flip the score 2-1 their way. At the top of the third a double by Amelia, a single by Noah and then a triple by Morgan gave Pumas back the lead 3-2. The see-saw continued though as OGHD scored another two runs giving them a 4-3 lead. The season is not over for Pakenham, who face top-placed Frankston in a knock out 1 v 4 final.
-James Kinsella and Jessica Moulding-
