Pakenham Pumas had a positive weekend at the plate, picking up three wins from five games in their return efforts after a week off for the King’s birthday long weekend.
A1, B2 and C2 all recorded dominant victories, while B1 and the Women’s Black team went down after strongly challenging their opponents.
A lapse in the in the fourth inning proved costly for B1, while the women’s team lost to Chelsea despite picking up two more hits.
Here’s how the weekend’s round of matches played out.
A1
The Pakenham Puma A1 team took advantage of Frankston Tomatoes struggles on the mound to come away with a huge 19-12 win on the road. The Pumas showed patience at the plate in the first inning earning themselves a number of walks and opening with three runs while Frankston was able to only put up two runs in return. The second inning was all Frankston’s though as Pakenham was held scoreless while the home team scored six to take a five-run lead, making the most of the Pumas only having two outfielders for the first two innings. This was short-lived as the Pumas again showed patience at the plate, a bunch of walks and some timely hitting led to 10 runs for the Pumas. By the middle of the third inning Pakenham had a 13-6 lead as they tested the Tomatoes pitching depth forcing them to use three pitchers to get out of the inning. Frankston was not about to roll over though, rallying again in the bottom half of the third to score four runs and pull within one run of the Pumas. In the fourth inning Pakenham scored another six runs before shutting out Frankston to record a 19-12 win despite having to start the game with only eight players. Luke Anson took the win on the mound pitching the whole game and striking out six over four innings while only giving up four walks. With the bat Hiroki Gore led the way going 2-3 with a walk and HBP (Hit By Pitch) driving in six runs. Hits also to Luke Anson (2), Daniel Harris and Mitchell Porter.
B1
Pakenham Pumas B1 went down 3-9 to Boneo thanks in part to five runs in the fourth inning. Pakenham got on the board in the third inning after Luke Billing singled, scoring one run. Boneo took the lead right back in the bottom of the third though 4-1. Boneo then scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lance started on the hill for Pakenham Pumas B1. The hurler surrendered nine hits and nine runs over three and one-third innings, striking out five and walking two. Brad Jones, Luke Billing, Michael Elijah, Matt Clements, and Junior Simikia each collected one hit for Pakenham Pumas B1. Brad Jones went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in.
B2
Pakenham B2 travelled to Boneo this round to take on the Braves. Pakenham started off well with seven runs across the plate in the early innings whilst keeping Boneo to one run only. Pakenham as a whole batted and ran the bases well, with Kyle Peck hitting his first career home run. Daniel Kirby started on the mound for the Pumas, he threw accurately and fast, shutting out Boneo and only giving up the one run. Later in the game Wayne (Mouse) Porter came on to close out defensively, unfortunately a couple of late errors in the field saw Pakenham give up another two runs. The Pumas pile on another 10 runs by the way of some nice hitting and Boneo allowing multiple walks.
Pakenham took the win 17-3 and remain undefeated in the first seven rounds.
C2
Pakenham C2 travelled to Frankston this week coming away with a 10-1 win.
The Pumas took advantage of the opening home-team pitcher who struggled to find the zone and was quickly removed from the game. The second pitcher fared better but not before Pakenham scored six runs including two batted in by Anthony Clissold with a double. Frankston started off as strong as possible in the bottom half of the first with their lead off hitting a deep fly ball for a homerun but that would be the only run the home team would score. The Pumas continued their strong batting in the second loading up the bases before Duncan crushed a line drive out to left field, clearing the fence for his first ever (Grand Slam) home run driving in four. With a 10-1 lead Pakenham were solid in the field, throwing out lead runners at home, throwing runners out from the outfield, picking off and back-picking base runners and making their routine plays to keep the home team scoreless. Craig Willis hit his own Home Run to lead off the sixth inning for some late insurance to cap off a 2-2 day and ensure he reached safely in all four plate appearances. On the mound James Kinsella started throwing four innings, striking out six and only giving up two walks. Clissold came in as relief for the last inning, allowing just the one baserunner and striking out one allowing no runs. Solid all-round game from the C2 team which sees them sneak into fourth position on the ladder.
Hits: 2 Craig Willis (HR, single), 2 Anthony Clissold (double, single), 2 James Kinsella, Duncan (HR), Jamie, Andrew Moran.
WOMEN’S BLACK
Pakenham Pumas bats were on fire against Chelsea, collecting 12 hits to Chelsea’s 10, but they still fell 12-6 on Sunday. The team came out strong, with Jessica Moulding starting on the mound first. The starting pitcher gave up four hits and seven runs (five earned) over two innings, striking out none and walking five. Chelsea scored no runs in that first inning, after an outfield catch by Emily Devine and an infield catch by Holly Lunn at short stop put an end to their batting. Olivia Garcia scored Pakenham’s first run off a single from Emily Devine in our first at bat, putting Pumas on the board and ahead of Chelsea. Chelsea came out swinging in the second innings and a few fielding errors from the Pumas saw Chelsea take the lead with seven runs batted in. The Pumas were shut out again in the next inning with the Chelsea pitching too strong for consistent batting. Olivia Garcia took to the mound to relieve Jessica and pitched the remaining four innings. She gave up six hits and five runs while, striking out six and walking three. The Pumas pulled their socks up and came together as a team, holding Chelsea off to only five more runs in the next four at bats. Christine Sculley and Emily Devine were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for Pakenham Pumas. Christine Sculley, Jessica Moulding, Olivia Garcia, and Carni Dowsett each collected two hits for the Pumas Black. The Pumas accumulated 12 hits in the game, but unfortunately couldn’t chase them up with the runs this time.
-James Kinsella and Jessica Moulding-
