Wayne Porter has returned to his former role as Berwick Cougars head coach and expects Berwick to finish above .500 once again. 71546 Picture: Gavin Staindl
By Gavin Staindl
BERWICK City Cougars will look forward to closing out the memory of opening day after it was thrashed 12-2 by St Kilda on Sunday.
It was a new look squad that took the field at Cyril Molyneux Reserve but a similar result for the Cougars who – for the second year in a row – were beaten by St Kilda at home on opening day.
Within half an hour, Berwick found itself in strife as tiring pitcher Matt Chilcott allowed a three-run homer to give St Kilda a seven-run lead after three innings.
While relievers Mark Surtees and Moorabbin recruit Nick Veale ably pitched out the remainder of the match, the damage had been done.
Wayne Porter, who has returned as head coach after he left the position at the end of the 2009/10 season, said he didn’t expect any more blowouts like Sunday. “I wouldn’t think there would be any more,” Porter said.
“Our import arrives this week and that will make a massive difference.”
Arriving from American college Azusa Pacific, Josh Leite will be relied upon to replace Matt Rossman as Berwick’s number one pitcher.
But the question remains, with seven of last year’s starting nine departing the club, will Berwick be able to return numbers similar to last year’s break-out season?
“We will win more than we lose,” Porter said.
“I’m confident of that if we play well we’ll be around the same mark.”
Yankee-bound talent Adam Silva heads the list of departures that also includes last year’s coach Mick Poole, Sam Beasely and Danny Kendall.
“I still think we have the ability in our line-up to play well,” Porter said. “When I left, the players were really young, but now they’re a bit older we’re out to win every week.
“There won’t be any more free rides any more, people will have to work for their spots.”
