While they only chalked up one win from six games on the weekend, the Pakenham Pumas showed some promising signs in the opening round of the summer baseball season.
The Women’s Black team were the standouts, scoring a rampaging 20-7 victory over Waverley Reds, while all other teams showed the grit and resilience that has defined the Pumas over the years.
It’s shaping as a wonderful season of baseball, with juniors joining the party with their opening-round fixtures this week.
PREMIER FIRSTS
Pakenham Pumas put up a spirited fight on Sunday but couldn’t quite claw their way past Ormond GH, going down 5-2 in a tough contest on the road.
Ormond came out firing early, opening the scoring in the first inning with an RBI double.
Despite the early setback, Pumas starter Rhys McKenzie battled hard across six and two-third innings, keeping his side in the game.
McKenzie struck out four batters and gave up just four earned runs from 11 hits, showing plenty of grit on the mound.
At the plate, Kyler Rinehart set the tone from the top of the order, picking up two solid hits from his four at-bats.
Max Hunter was the key offensive spark for the Pumas, driving in both of the team’s runs with a clutch hit through the middle.
While Ormond’s pitcher held the Pumas scoreless through five innings, Pakenham never stopped pressing, showing strong teamwork in the field and turning a tidy double play to keep momentum alive.
It wasn’t the result they were after, but the Pumas showed plenty of fight and promise; a performance they’ll look to build on as the season continues.
PREMIER RESERVES
Pakenham Pumas came out swinging on Sunday but couldn’t hold back a determined Ormond side, going down 10–3 in a challenging road game.
The Pumas got off to the perfect start in the opening inning when Wayne Porter laced a single to bring home the first run of the day.
But Ormond quickly hit back, levelling the scores at one apiece after a catcher’s interference call in the bottom of the inning.
Pitchers Lance and Ollie shared the duties on the mound for Pakenham, both working hard against a patient Ormond lineup.
Lance struck out three across two and two-third innings, while Ollie added another strikeout in relief.
At the plate, the Pumas kept the bats working, with Cooper Porter, Wayne Porter, Ollie, and Scott Dale each collecting a hit.
The scoring was shared around, with Wayne Porter, Ollie, and Flick Clissold all driving in a run apiece to keep the visitors in the hunt.
While the final score didn’t fall Pakenham’s way, there were plenty of positives to take away; from the early energy at the plate to the fighting spirit shown right through to the last out.
The Pumas Reserves will be looking to bounce back stronger next week as they continue to build momentum in their Premier 2 campaign.
STATE LEAGUE 3
WAVERLEY OUTGUNS PAKENHAM IN OPENING ROUND SHOOTOUT
In a high-scoring season opener, Waverley proved too strong for Pakenham, powering to a 15-7 victory in a game that swung wildly in the early innings.
Pakenham came out swinging but couldn’t capitalise in the top of the first inning, leaving runners stranded.
Waverley wasted no time in seizing control, pushing across three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take an early lead.
The second inning turned into a slugfest, with Pakenham roaring back with a massive seven-run surge to snatch the lead.
However, Waverley answered emphatically in their half of the inning, matching Pakenham’s output with seven runs of their own, reclaiming the lead and sending a message that they weren’t done yet. Pakenham’s bats cooled off in the top of the third, failing to add to their total.
Waverley then sealed the game with another three-run burst, cementing their dominance and closing out the match with a convincing 15-7 win.
Despite the loss, Pakenham had some bright spots.
The match marked the debut of Jesus Camacho, who showed promise in his first outing with the club.
James Darcy turned in a solid performance on the mound to open the game, with Mathew Howden coming in to relieve close.
In the field, Brad Bugeja was a standout in right field, making several critical catches to keep Pakenham in the contest during the early innings.
Pakenham will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture, taking the positives from a tough opening round and aiming to tighten up defensively against high-powered opposition.
STATE LEAGUE 4
Pakenham Pumas showed true fighting spirit on Sunday, falling just short in a nail-biting 7–6 loss to Ormond Glenhuntly at EE Gunn Reserve.
Despite trailing by four runs midway through the fifth inning, the Pumas refused to roll over, mounting a spirited late-game comeback that had the home crowd on edge right until the final out.
The visitors made their intentions clear early, with Daniel Kirby driving in the first run of the game in the opening inning.
Ormond responded quickly to tie things up, before taking a narrow 2-1 lead on an error in the fourth.
The Pumas hit back hard in the fifth, with Travis Hough stepping up to deliver a clutch single that plated two runs and pushed Pakenham back in front 3–2.
But in a game of momentum swings, Ormond struck back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five runs to regain control.
Still, Pakenham wasn’t done.
A pop out, a defensive error, and a disciplined walk saw the Pumas claw their way back within one run; showcasing their determination and ‘never-say-die’ attitude.
On the mound, Brad Jones was strong across five innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out six.
The Pumas’ aggressive base running was another highlight, stealing an impressive seven bases for the game, with Andrew Hemmes and Gregg McCormick leading the charge.
Travis Hough was again a key contributor in the middle of the order, driving in two runs and finishing the day 1-for-3, while Kirby, Hemmes, and McCormick also added hits to round out a balanced offensive effort.
It may not have been the result they wanted, but the Pumas can hold their heads high after pushing Ormond to the brink in a gutsy, hard-fought contest.
WOMEN’S BLACK
PUMAS POWER PAST WAVERLEY IN A 20–7 SHOWCASE OF STRENGTH AND TEAM SPIRIT
Pakenham Pumas put on a masterclass of hitting and hustle on Saturday at Toomuc Recreation Reserve, storming to a 20-7 victory over Waverley Red in a game packed with big bats, quick feet, and plenty of heart.
Leading the charge was Katherine Walton, who drove in four runs on two clutch hits.
Walton’s consistency at the plate helped fuel the Pumas’ early dominance, with a two-run single in the second inning followed by another key hit in the third that pushed home another run.
Waverley made an early statement, scoring twice in the opening frame after a ground out and a walk brought runners home.
But the Pumas were quick to flip the script.
In the bottom of the first, Pakenham exploded for five runs on five hits, taking control of the game for good.
A perfectly timed single from Jade Taylor, with two strikes against her, drove in a pair and set the tone for what was to come.
The Pumas’ offense only grew stronger as the game went on.
Six more runs crossed the plate in the second inning, with contributions from all across the lineup; Holly Lunn and Olivia Garcia each drove in a run, while Walton added two more with a line drive to left, and Taylor and Kirby Cannizzaro chipped in with RBI groundouts.
By the third inning, Pakenham’s bats were unstoppable.
Another seven-run burst saw Beatrice Carreras earn an RBI walk, Lunn smash a two-run double, Emily Devine follow with another double, and hits from Walton, Carni Dowsett, and Taylor continue the onslaught.
On the mound, Emily Williams opened the game for Pakenham, holding Waverley to just two hits across two innings, while Garcia stepped in later to close things out with composure.
When the dust settled, the Pumas had tallied an impressive 19 hits and a staggering 12 stolen bases; proof of the team’s aggressive, confident style.
Garcia, Devine, Lunn, and Dowsett each finished with three hits apiece, while Walton, Sofia, and Dowsett each swiped multiple bags in a display of smart, fearless base running.
It was a day where every Puma played their part, and the result spoke for itself…a dominant 20-7 win that showcased the team’s chemistry, power, and relentless determination.
WOMEN’S PINK
PUMAS PINK SHOW GRIT AND SPEED DESPITE TOUGH LOSS TO CHELTENHAM
Pakenham Pumas showed plenty of fight and flashes of brilliance on Saturday, but couldn’t quite keep pace with a strong Cheltenham White outfit, going down 15–3 at Toomuc Recreation Reserve. While the scoreboard didn’t fall their way, there was no shortage of effort, energy, and team spirit from the Pink crew.
Jessica Moulding took the ball to start and battled hard across three innings, striking out four and keeping her composure against a heavy-hitting Cheltenham lineup.
At the plate, Karlee Brady led the way, going 1-for-2 and driving in the Pumas’ first run of the day. Joanna Blackler also added a solid base hit, with both players showing good patience and presence in the box.
But where the Pumas really shone was on the base paths, turning every opportunity into a chance to pressure their opponents.
Brady, Codie Sell, Moulding, and Kaylee each nabbed multiple stolen bases, helping the team rack up an impressive 12 steals for the game.
The Pumas also showed their discipline at the plate, drawing six walks and forcing Cheltenham’s pitchers to earn every out.
It was one of those games where the effort was there from start to finish, the kind that builds character and chemistry for the season ahead.
With their trademark hustle, determination, and a few more hits falling their way, this Pumas Pink side will be one to watch as the season rolls on.
-Jessica Moulding-
