Westgarth take out B Grade premiership

Westgarth BC – B Grade Premiers 2012

Westgarth take out B Grade premiership in against a gallant North Coburg Rebels

Melbourne Winter Baseball League’s B Grade Grand Final at Deep Creek Reserve, Warrandyte on Saturday saw North Coburg take on minor premiers, Westgarth.

 

In the major semi-final two weeks ago, North Coburg had a late surge of runs, enabling them to get over the top of Westgarth in a close finish. On Saturday however, Westgarth were able to reverse the result, taking out the B Grade title with a 11-4 victory.

 

Aaron Petri took the ball for North Coburg, with Westgarth regular starter, Andrew Reeves heading to the mound.

 

The minor premiers got out to an early 1-0 lead however, North Coburg were not to be outdone, hitting straight back with three runs of their own.

 

Unfortunately for Petri, his ballgame finished early as Westgarth were able to place him under immediate pressure. His replacement, Masa Endo, came into the ballgame and shut down their offence for the next few innings.

 

North Coburg were unable to keep the Westgarth batting line-up in check for the entire game though, with the two major highlights of the game were home runs to Cam Deeble and Adam Baker. For Baker, it was his first hit of the season in the biggest game of the season.

 

After looking unsettled early, Reeves settled into his rhythm and was able to pitch the majority of the game, with North Coburg scoring only one more run for the rest of the ballgame following the initial three run innings.

 

Despite the result, North Coburg coach David Maloney was philosophical and remained positive about the steps his side had taken during the 2012 season. “It didn’t go to plan today. Aaron Petri struggled with a tight (strike) zone. It didn’t suit Aaron today and he was done in the second. Masa came in and held them for four innings and it was pretty tight for most of the day, but then in the end we ran out of pitching and Westgarth were just too strong on the day.

 

“I’m very proud of the boys for their efforts this year. We had six new players in the team this year, so for them to come together and gel throughout the year, finish second and make the grand final, it’s a very big effort from all.”

 

For the premiers, coach John Peterson was delighted with the achievements of his predominately young side. “Baden Smith was outstanding with the bat. The kid hit really well. Brock Pawley got a couple of RBIs in clutch situations which got us into the game. Cam Deeble came up and hit a bomb and Adam Baker hit a bomb.”

 

When it counted, the minor premiers delivered an all-round team effort in the most important game of the season.