Hunter becomes prey

LAST time Berwick played Fitzroy in Vic Summer League baseball, the Cougars came away with a tight 3-2 win on enemy soil.
Even though “a week is a long time in sport”, memories of those close games last far longer.
When the two sides played again on Saturday, Fitzroy returned the favour – with interest – romping to a 7-1 victory at Cyril Molyneux Reserve.
“We just didn’t show up,” Cougars coach Wayne Porter said bluntly.
“It was one of those occasions where it was pretty clear that we were going through the motions.” The Cougars may have been flat but, by contrast, Fitzroy was on top of its game – seeing it as a chance for redemption.
“Chilly (pitcher Matt Chilcott) went alright for us but he didn’t use his curve balls as much as he did last time against them,” Porter said.
“(Fitzroy) just got runners on base and knocked them in whereas we just need to learn to go with the percentages.”
Porter praised the resilience of young pitcher David Mulhall, who at just 18 backed up from playing in the seconds as well.
“He threw really well,” Porter said.
“He came on with runners on second and third (base) with only one out, and he only gave up the one run.”
It was a weekend the Cougars would like to forget – winning just one game across all their grades.
But Porter and his men know the value of learning from a tough loss.
Following the game, they sat down for some soul-searching.
“I asked the boys what they saw (from the result) and a range of different opinions were put forward, which was really good,” Porter said.
The Cougars have entered new territory as one of the hunted teams in Division 2, as opposed to one of the hunters in previous seasons.
There’s more expectation on them now and Porter knows the importance of his side dealing with that.
The Cougars will be looking to bounce back quickly this weekend against St Kilda in their last game of 2012.
Porter said the aim was simple, “We just hope to score as many runs as we did last time!” he said.
Berwick thumped St Kilda 14-4 in their last clash back in October.
Star pitcher Cam Ross will be rested this week but gun youngster Nick Veale could make a return to the side in his place.
Porter indicated the clash would serve as a ‘litmus test’ for his side, but many of his players had already indicated their desire to train right through the Christmas and New Year break.
It will be Berwick’s chance for their own bounce-back game.
“I’ll know in the pre-game if we’re switched on or not,” Porter said.
Berwick plays St Kilda away this Saturday, before returning on 12 January to face Chelsea at home.