Pakenham Pumas Baseball Club produced its own edition of the famous kids TV show Bananas in Pyjamas on the weekend, with B1 and B2 producing amazing results for the club along with the Women’s Black Team that scored a top-notch win over Berwick.
Here’s how the weekend’s round of matches played out.
A1
Pakenham Pumas A1 collected eight hits to Dingley’s seven but still fell short 9-6 on Saturday. Taiga Saito and Hiroke Goke each collected two hits for Pakenham. Pakenham tied the game up in the bottom of the second thanks to two singles. Kengo Oka stepped on the bump first for Pakenham. The starting pitcher gave up four hits and nine runs (eight earned) over two and one-third innings, striking out three and walking seven. Taiga Saito and Jesse Hunter were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for Pakenham. Taiga Saito paced Pakenham with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating six walks for the game.
A2
Pakenham Pumas A2 had trouble keeping up with Dingley in a 11-5 loss on Saturday at Pakenham Pumas Baseball Club. Dingley opened the scoring in the first after a double and a single, scoring one run. A few walks allowed runners on base for Pakenham, with Rhys McKenzie singling to centre field, which helped the Pumas tie the game at one in the bottom of the first. Dingley showed strong offence thereafter, picking up a further four runs in the second and three in the third and fourth, to secure their 11-run win. Angus produced excellent base running for the Pumas, helping score an additional one run in the bottom of the second inning, showcasing his elite stealing abilities. Pakenham showed a bit of offensive fire in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs off the back of three singles by Mat Howden, Matt Mills and Cooper. Joel Anson took the loss for Pakenham Pumas A2. The starting pitcher went four innings, giving up 13 runs (12 earned) on 12 hits, striking out two and walking five. Cooper took the mound in the fifth to close the game. Howden, McKenzie, Cooper, and Mills each collected one hit for Pakenham Pumas A2. Howden, McKenzie, and Porter each drove in one run for the Pumas. Pakenham will return after the King’s Birthday weekend, traveling to Frankston Baseball Club for the round 7 clash.
B1
Fighting to stay off the bottom of the ladder after a tough start to the year Pakenham B1 took on highly fancied third-placed Chelsea in Edithvale this week. Chelsea started strongly on the hill keeping Pakenham scoreless in the first while Lance took to the mound for the Pumas. Despite some good hitting the Pumas were able to limit the Dolphins to just one run. Pakenham got on board when Ethan Hamilton was hit by a pitch with bases loaded and Brad Jones grounded out to drive in a second. When Luke Billing hit a slow roller up the middle, a wayward throw brought in two more to give the Pumas a commanding 4-1 lead. In defence Lance struck three hitters out to keep the advantage. With a lead off runner in base, Chris Appleby went big for his first senior homerun, clearing the centre-left fence easily to drive in two more and a ground ball fielder’s choice brought in a third to take the score to 7-1. Lance kept doing what he was doing and kept the Dolphins quiet, and put us back into bat. The Pumas were unable to score the next two innings, whilst Chelsea scored one run in each of the next innings to take it to 7-3. Lance’s pitch count was running out, resulting in Lachlan coming in with bases loaded to get the final out of the fifth inning. Chris Appleby and Michael Elijah both hit the ball hard in the sixth and brought in announce run taking the Pumas to eight runs before some late inning fielding nerves saw Chelsea get three more runs in the sixth. This was despite a strong fielding effort with Michael Elijah hitting Lance at second base before a long accurate throw to Luke Billing at the home plate to catch the lead runner just shy of scoring. The sixth ending with a pop up to Ethan Hamilton at first base, Pumas victorious 8-6, and finally scoring their first win of the year in a dominate performance.
B2
Pakenham Pumas B2 won the top-of-the-ladder clash against the Dolphins 7-3 on Saturday at Chelsea Baseball Club. Pakenham opened the scoring in the fourth. Chelsea then grounded into a fielder’s choice, which helped them tie the game at one all in the bottom of the fourth. A hit by a pitch gave Pakenham the lead, 2-1, in the top of the fifth. Pakenham added five more runs in the top of the seventh inning on three hits. Scott Dale singled, scoring two runs, and Wayne Porter smacked a home run to left field, scoring three runs. Scott Dale led things off on the hill again this week for Pakenham. The starting pitcher gave up three hits and three runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out six and walking four. Wayne Porter went 2-for-4 at the plate and led the team with three runs batted in. Greg McCormick stole two bases. Pakenham Pumas turned one double play in the game. Pakenham currently sits undefeated atop of the B2 ladder.
C2
Pumas C2 hosted the top-of-the-table Mordialloc Ducks on a perfect Saturday afternoon. Our Pumas were really solid in the field this week, all facets worked well together, no errors in the infield, and our outfielders took their catches, including a screamer from young Duncan off his shoelaces. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite have enough opportunities. Mordialloc was really on its game, the batters were disciplined in the box, they took the walks that were on offer and found gaps in the field with their bats, to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Jamie started us off on the mound again this week and pitched well. It took him a little bit to find his zone, but once he did he certainly put the pressure on the visiting Ducks. He pitched two and a half innings, picked up a handful of strikeouts, a catch and a couple of outs at first for his efforts. He was relieved by Andrew Moran who in typical Tangles style, got through his innings in very quick fashion, while slowing down Mordi’s scoring, but a lot of the damage had already been done. Our batting really let us down and made the biggest difference in the game. Mordialloc’s pitcher did really well, throwing the whole game for the visitors. His fast-ball tested our speed; and his curve, our patience, with most of our players struggling to get on base. It wasn’t all bad news though with Tangles picking up a single and a double from his three at bats and scoring both of our runs. Archer picked up a double of his own, while Willo singled from his second at bat. Certainly not our day, but that’s Baseball. A week off thanks to the King and then it’s straight back into it, plenty of baseball to come. Mordialloc win 13-2.
WOMEN’S WHITE
The Pakenham Pumas Women’s White faced a powerful Dingley Women’s side on Sunday, falling 23-3 in a challenging matchup. Despite the scoreline, the Pumas showed sights of promise. Katherine Walton and Emily Williams each drove in a run, and the team remained sharp in the field with no errors recorded. Felicity Clissold stood out with two stolen bases, helping Pakenham to four steals overall. Emily Williams started on the mound, battling through Dingley’s relentless offense. She allowed five hits and 13 runs over 1.2 innings, striking out one. At the plate, Walton, Clissold, Johanna Blackler, and Karlee Brady each notched a hit, with Walton also contributing defensively and on the base paths. While Dingley’s offense proved overwhelming, the Pumas’ grit and clean fielding offer a solid foundation to build on heading into future games.
Final Score: Dingley Women 23 def Pakenham Pumas Women’s White 3.
WOMEN’S BLACK
The Pakenham Pumas Women’s Black lit up the scoreboard on Sunday with a commanding 18-7 win over Berwick, in a game full of offense, hustle, and an all-around team effort. After Berwick opened with a quick two-run lead in the first, the Pumas came roaring back with a seven-run burst in the bottom half. Though Berwick struck back with five runs in the second to temporarily regain the lead, Pakenham quickly responded. A passed ball tied things up before the Pumas unleashed another seven-run inning in the third, this time scoring off just two hits and capitalising on walks, smart base running, and another timely single from Devine. On the mound, Olivia Garcia was rock-solid in relief, shutting Berwick down with three scoreless innings, four strikeouts, and no walks. Starter Jessica Moulding battled through two innings, giving the offense time to take over. The Pumas’ offense racked up 13 hits, eight walks, and an eye-popping 13 stolen bases. Jessica Moulding, Holly Lunn, Sofia, Emily Devine and Carni Dowsett each had multi-hit games and multiple steals, keeping Berwick on the back foot all day. With aggressive base running, big hitting, and strong pitching out of the bullpen, Pakenham Pumas Women’s Black showed exactly what they’re capable of. Sunday’s win was a complete team effort—and an exciting statement of intent for the games ahead.
Final Score: Pakenham Pumas Women’s Black 18 def Berwick 7.
-James Kinsella and Jessica Moulding-
