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U12 STATE - MATCH REPORTS.

1st Semi-Final - Berwick 8 lost to Waverley Wildcats 20.

It was always going to be a tough day vs. the renound wildcats team and Berwick Cougars Little League State could not match the standard throughout the whole game. The Cougar boys went down fighting enjoying the game and for some their first final, their last game in Under12's and I was enjoying our last game as a team. Cougars went down 20 to 8. Great game to all players who contributed in every way, William day in his first ever baseball final hit the ball well, Brad Croft got two hits on the big day, Ryan Kirby was on fire with three hard hits and a whole new confidence, Vince Liberati and Dan Brown were solid at the top of the order, Aaron Ouwehand, Jesse Kendall and Lachlan Beasley contributed on the hill and with the bat. Drew Moran made things happen as always and Jesse Hunter in his first final hit a single. Cougars will learn from this experience as the finals pressure of performing on the day got to us all. yet again it is only u12's, you kids have another 6-7 years of playing juniors!! Was a great effort all season by the boys, over almost 6 months and 30 odd training sessions I enjoyed every moment of coaching this team. I rode every rollercoaster the team had and every player had, they were a great bunch of kids their parents should be very proud of what they achieved as a team and what each player acheived on and off the field. I had fun and I hope the players did also. They learnt the game of Baseball in a state league level and somewhat even suprised themselves in the results achieved. By far it was the most enjoyable and best season I have had as a coach. Thank you to the parents for all the support to the team and to myself. Makes it a whole lot easier when you guys are there every week with the support.

Wish you all the best in baseball and will see you at presentation night.

Dan

Round 15 - Berwick 1 lost to Cheltenham Rustlers 4.

Cougar boys had a blockbuster this week, the classic 1 vs 2 in the ladder standings, except Cougars had to win to keep their second spot.
Right from the word go the pressure was on. Top of the 1st inning Cougars press with a single to Jesse Hunter, but no runs scored. Bottom 1st New Starting pitcher Jesse Kendall battled a good Rustlers line up, one run scored. Top 2nd Catcher Ryan Kirby showed his muscle and hard work with a moonshot that just landed short of left field fence. He was then later score by a groundball hit by Drew Moran. 1-1 all. Bottom 2nd and the heat turned up and rystlers hit the ball hard and forced some Cougar errors, boys did well to get out the inning with Lachlan Beasley at shortstop having a hard day and Dan "The Vaccum Cleaner" Brown getting to work at second base. 3 runs score, cougars down 4 to 1. Top of the order, top 3rd and Cheltenham showed us why they are undefeated with some great fly balls and pitching. Cougars middle order don't score a run. Bottom 3rd Kendall works hard and The Vaccum Cleaner strikes again with a tag play. Then Cougars turn a double play with a catch to Aaron Ouwehand at first base and getting the runner out. Top 4th and Cougars go down hitting the ball, Ryan Kirby hit a very hard single to right field and was thrown out at first base! Tough luck! Bottom 4th and kendall had 15 pitches left in his count, he went, groundout to Boof at 3rd, then strikeout, strikeout in 12 pitches! Great game mate. Top 5th and Cougars go down with hard ground balls, Rustlers were on fire in the field. Bottom 5th saw Aaron Ouwehand return to the hill of thrills to close down the Rustlers, he was backed up very well by the field with Boof at third base going for the double play with The Vaccum Cleaner, a great catch at left field by William Day also helped us with a fighting chance going into our last 3 outs as a hitting team. Top 6th cougars middle order goes down fighting with a hit and run put on executed superbly by Aaron on base and Lachy at the plate, Kendall flyed out at right field also. Cougars down 4 to 1 in a great game of Baseball. Shows how much we have improved and grown as a team to play such a good game against a great team like the Rustlers. We also weren't at our hitting best, so look out Waverley Wildcats this week at home in an Elimination Final.
Well done on a great season to all players and parents. A great effort that everybody has worked hard for since September last year. i have enjoyed this seasons journey immensely and no matter what happens Sunday I am once again very proud of the Boys in Little League State.

Round 14 - Berwick 4 lost to Geelong Baycats 18.

The Berwick Little League State were no match for the Geelong Baycats. The away game devastated the boys and Geelong were hot in form. We lost 18 to 4 in a dissappointing game. Our first big loss for the season cost us as we are only 1.9% in front of Geelong who now have a bye for the last round. We play top team Cheltenham Rustlers who are concreted in first place. Boys need to pull it together this week and maintain the second spot and a double chance shot at the grand final. Wish us luck as the last game of the season will be a tough, hard game of baseball.
Hits go to Lachy  Beasley 2 hits, Vince Liberati, Aaron Ouwehand doubled. William Day hit it hard and Dan Brown even tried the running bunt the little trickster! Ryan Kirby caught well all game with a senior distance back net!

Round 13 - Bye

.

Round 12 - Berwick 7 def. Newport Rams 3.

Was a horrible hot and windy day down at dusty Newport but Cougars weren't worried as always. Top 1st Cougars bat first and score one run with a double to Jesse "Boof" Hunter hitting a double over right field and was scored by a Jesse Kendall single to centre field. Bottom 1st and Boof on the hill struggled but got the job done thanks to Rhino Kirby throwing out the runner at second base and some good defence by Aaron at 3rd base. Top 2nd and Cougars don't score with Vince Liberati hitting a double. Bottom 2nd and Boof couldn't find the zone after 2 out thanks to Drew Moran at second base. Kendall came in to relieve and got the strikeout. Rams score two runs due to error and walks. Down 2 to 1. Top 3rd and Cougars don't score with meat of the order getting three strikeouts, Kendall singled again through shortstop. Bottom 3rd andAaron now playing first base caught a line drive and got the runner at first base out. Two out an d Rams score one as Kendall three batters. Cougars down 3 to 1. Top 4th and Cougars had to spark something in the 6 inning game. Rhino Kirby flyed out to left field and a chnage of pitcher for the rams. Drew Moran got walked and then ran the bases hard and got to third base. brad Croft then hit a groundball and scored the run. Vince also singled to centre field. Cougra still down 3 to 2. Bottom 4th and Couagrs almost rolled  a double through second base, Kendall then struckout two Rams. Top 5th and with 1 out Lachlan Beasley hit a single to right field to start us off, then Kendall got on, Dan Brown came off the bench and hit a run in and scored, and rhino doubled over right field. Cougars up 6 to 3. Bottom 5th saw Lachlan Beasley in to relief Kendall. No runs scored but Rams kept the pressure up. Top 6th and Kendall hits in Aaron. Cougars up 7 to 3. Last inning and Lachy was tired but stuck it out to close the game with three strikeouts.

Cougars now have a good chance for a grand final appearance but need some hard work to play a full hitting game as there is no time to slump in a final.
Wish us luck for Geelong next week! AWAY GAME!

Round 11 - Berwick 7 def. Blackburn Orioles 2.

Little League State played at Dandenong this weekend. Would like to thank Danny Kendall for helping setup the back net and all others who helped get the ground ready. Top 1st and Boof Hunter was on the hill of thrills, no runs scored with Cougars flashing their defence skills with a heads up double play to get the runner at 3rd. Bottom 1st and Cougars score one run by lead off Dan Brown, being aggressive and scoring on the wild pitch. Top 2nd and Boof couldnt get an out, Jesse Kendall came in with bases loaded, another heads up 2nd play got the final two outs of the inning, Orioles up 2 to 1. Bottom 2nd and Cougars don't score. Top 3rd and Kendall destroys middle order. No runs scored. Bottom 3rd and Cougars score 3 runs, with some smart hitting by Brad Croft and Dan Brown. Good base running by Jesse Hunter aswell. Top 4th and Kendall got three strikeouts in 4 batters. No runs scored. Bottom 4th and William Day up to bat, he rose to the occasion and hit a double to left field. He scored later on a pass ball. Well done mate. Cougars lead 5 to 2. Top 5th and Brad Croft took two catches at right field, even got dirty on the gravel to make sure of one, fantastic mate! Well done Vince Liberati as well in the outfield. No runs. Bottom 5th and Cougars score two runs, Kendall hit a moonshot to left field and doubled, then scored on a wild pitch. Rhino then hit in Aaron Ouwehand who got walked. Cougars up 7 to 2 going in to last Orioles at bat. Top 6th Lachlan Beasley on the hill, walked the first batter then stopped a hard hit ground ball up the middle and turned a double play with shortstop Aaron Ouwehand! Woop Woop! He then finished the game with a strikeout. Cougars win 7 to 2. Next 3 games (and a bye) will be tough but i believe in these boys to make the grand final if they keep up the hard work and love every minute of this season the way i am. Beat the best, Be the best.
Merry Christmas to all and thank you for the season so far. have a happy and safe holidays.

Dan

Round 10 - Berwick 11 def. Doncaster 3.

Another away game to Little League State. Top 1st and Cougars score 5 runs in some great base running and hard hitting throughout the whole Cougar order. Top 3 hitters Dan Brown, Vince Liberati, Jesse Hunter all got on and Browny then scored on a pass ball. Lachlan Beasley up to bat with runners on second and third, hit a very hard line drive through the cones that needed 5 players to retreive the ball. Monster William Day up to bat using a 32 inch bat thanks to advice from "Hitting Coach" Danny Kendall. Will swiped at a ball at letter height and it went hard to centre field. Brad Croft then scored Will with another hard single to centre field. Bottom 1st and Jesse Hunter on the hill, used the field giving Lachy two assists at shortstop, no runs. Top 2nd, Cougars score 3 runs, with Jesse Kendall hitting a single, and Aaron Ouwehand getting on, table was set again for Big Will and he belted a shot through the infield. Crofty then scored will with a double to right field. Bottom 2nd and Boof went 1,2,3 with a strikeout, walk. Lead rout at second base and a Left field to second base out by Will at left field showing some great ability to mentally know what to do and physically with his power to throw out the runner. Top 3rd and Cougars score 2 runs with a double from Boof and Lachy hitting him in. Kendall moved Lachy around and Big Will again hit a huge shot to right field but was foul, could have been the biggest hit in under 12 baseball ever. He then hit a hauge foul fly ball that was caught to score Lachy from third base. Cougars up 10 to 0. Bottom 3rd and Dragons come back scoring 3 runs. Top 4th and Cougars go quiet with no runs scored. Bottom 4th Lachy on the hill. Two out runner on third and first, Aaron at shortstop. Runner steals and Aaron doesn't get the runner but regathers and throws home to get the out at home plate. Well done Rhino and Aaron. Top 5th and Cougars score one run, Lachy doubled and was then scored again by Will. Bottom 5th no runs scored again to the Dragons, Browny took a catch at centre field. Top 6th and cougars don't score. Bottom 6th two plays made by Aaron at shortstop, second play was a lunging backhand and a rifle throw to end the game. Cougars win 11 to 3. Well done Boof and Lachy on the hill, Will getting 4 RBI's and fielding very well, Browny getting four walks, Aaron at shortstop, Rhino behind the dish, Crofty getting two hits. Was a great team game, Well done boys.

Dan 

Round 9 - Berwick 8 drew with Melbourne 8.

Another away game with Eastern Kangaroos tryouts the day before meant some of the boys were sluggish and that effected their game. Top 1 st and Cougars score 1 run with Lachlan Beasley hitting a hard double to score Vince Liberati. Bottom 1 st and Demons in to bat. Lachlan Beasley started on the hill and endured a big learning curve in the art of pitching, “Some days you are good ,other days you are not so good.” Lachy threw 51 pitches in the first inning but to his credit he hung in there and got out of the first inning. Demons score 5 runs. Top 2 nd Cougars don't score, Brad Croft singled to centre field. Bottom 2 nd Jesse Kendall in to pitch and do a job against an uplifting Melbourne, Demons score 3 more runs with three consecutive hits to left field. Cougars down 8 to 1. Top 3 rd and Cougars score one run with Lachy hitting another single, Kendall singled, and Jesse Hunter hit a groundball to score Lachy. Bottom 3 rd and Kendall did what he does best and shut out the meat of the Demon order. Top 4 th and Cougars were starting to wake up and lift when they were pushed. Ryan Kirby scored after a BB from a Vince single. Score 8 to 3 with only two batting innings left. Bottom 4 th and Kendall was back at work with a 1,2,3 inning. What a great job by the young man. Top 5 th and Cougars press again with two runs scored by Kendall who singled, William Day who got walked. Both hit in by catcher Rhino Kirby. Score is 8 to 5. Bottom 5 th and Boof Hunter is in to pitch. Team helped him out with a double play attempt and a fly ball catch to Vince at right field, a very good reliable outfielder when we need him to shine. Top 6 th and it was our last roll of the dice, it was up to each and every player to go for the win. Vince up to bat and he grounded out to shortstop. Aaron then singled, then moved to second base on a pass ball, Lachy then hit another double to score Aaron. Score is 8 to 6. Lachy on second and Kendall flyed out to shortstop. Two out and who else but Boof up to bat, he delivered with a line shot to right field to score Lachy. Boof on second base and big boy William Day up to bat, and wow he hit a shot to deep right field to score Boof and tie the game in a tense throw to home plate. Ryan Kirby hit a hard ground ball to shortstop but we were put away. Score is 8 all so Boof and the team had to do the job to keep the Demons at bay. Groundball to Rhino playing second base, 1 out. Walk. Strikeout. 2 out. Ground ball to Kendall at first base and Cougars steal a draw. We have now moved to second place on the ladder as it is based on winning percentage. A lesson learnt in the game.

Please come and watch us play the Under 14 Metro team this Friday Night at the club. 5-30 start.

Dan

Round 7 - Berwick 3 def. Waverley Wildcats 2.

Aaron Ouwehand out again due to National Softball Championships, it was down to the 9 Cougars to do the job against powerhouse Waverley Wildcats. After the Berwick parents tried to get a dangerous Berwick back diamond ready the call was made it was unplayable, but the Berwick under 14's came to our rescue and let us play on the main diamond. We relocated and the game began. Top 1 st Jesse “Boof” Hunter was given the ball for the Cougars and a hungry Wildcats team score 2 runs with 3 hits. Boof kept in there and got two strikeouts. Bottom 2 nd Dan Brown and Vince Liberati were sat down, Vince got hit in the side by a pitch during a swing and was hurting bad. Boof singled but got caught stealing, Cougars score no runs. Top 2 nd Boof threw well and Wildcats didn't score thanks to a Browny ground ball at second base. Bottom 2 nd Lachlan Beasley up to bat, groundout. 1 out. Jesse Kendall and Ryan Kirby got walked, then both advanced on a wild pitch. William “Sunny” Day up to bat and he rose to the challenge and put a hard ground ball to third base for a hit and scored the run. Drew Moran then followed suit and hit a ground ball to third base to score Ryan Kirby. Cougars score 2 runs with some great team baseball by Sunny and Drewba. Top 3 rd and Boof continued his work with two strikeouts and a solid catch to Drewba at right field. Bottom 3 rd and Cougars mix up a bunt with Browny getting hosed at second base. Vince then got walked then Lachy got a swinging bunt hit and moved Vince in scoring position. Kendall then hit a line shot to centre field and Vince scored. Cougars up 3 to 2. Top 4 th and the man of the moment Jesse Kendall came to the hill with a one run lead and a pressing Wildcats team. Kendall had worked hard the last two weeks in the bullpen and it was his time to shine. Four batters three outs, great job, no runs scored. Bottom 4 th Cougars were overpowered by hard throwing Wildcats closer. No runs scored. Top 5 th with the no.4, 5 6 hitters up Kendall had to do the job, Groundout for the first out. Then a double from Wildcats. Deep fly to left field, great catch by Sunny under pressure. Two out. Stolen base to third by Wildcats. Kendall then walked the hitter. Runner stole. Two out runners on second and third. Kendall delivered and struckout the hitter. Wildcats score no runs. Bottom 5 th Cougars go hard but no runs scored. Single to Lachy. Here it is, Top 6 th , last inning in Little League, if Wildcats don't score Cougars win. Lachy on the hill fresh to shutout the Wildcats. The batters are 9,1,2 in the order. Four pitches and a strikeout, 1 out. Two strikes on the next hitter and a diving foul ball to catch to Kendall at first base to get the out. Two out no.2 hitter up to bat. Ball 1, Called strike, Ball 2, Ball 3, Called strike. Lachy got over his nerves and delivered his best pitch, strike three called strikeout, froze the Waverley hitter and Cougars win a great battle. Well done all players was a great game which showed the rewards in training hard and enjoying the game of Baseball as a team and and as an individual.

Dan

Round 6 - Wash-out.

Round 5 - Berwick 20 def. Preston 7.

Cougar boys had a road trip this week out to Preston. Was a beautiful day and the Cougars are pumped for another Little League State game. Top 1st Cougars score 4 runs with hits to Vince Liberati, Aaron Ouwehand and Jesse Kendall, Lachlan Beasley and Boof also put the the ball into play and got on base with fielder's choice. Bottom 1st and Lachlan Beasley started on the hill, 3 strikeouts and 2 base on balls in the first inning. Top 2nd and Cougars score 5 runs with some more great hitting against the hard throwing Preston pitcher. Dan Brown got a HPB and then stole 2nd base, Vince Liberati drove him in with a double, Aaron doubled, Lachy doubled, Boof doubled and Will "Sunny" Day came up to bat, he had a Base on Balls first at bat and now his brilliant batting career was finally about to begin. Sunny hit a line drive so hard up the middle it could have killed someone! Well done. Bottom 2nd Lachy throws 2 strikeouts and walks a player. Player then stole but Aaron Ouwehand behind the dish today threw him out at second base. Top 3rd and Cougars score 7 runs with 1 out. Brad Croft had a base on balls to start us off, Preston pitcher threw hard but struggled a little bit with the strikezone, Cougars boys were patiently aggressive hitters. Browny got walked and through some brilliant baserunning scored, Aaron singled, Lachy doubled, Kendall and Boof walked and then he was up again big hitting left hander Sunny with runners on second and third, his confidence had grown and even if the pitcher was throwing 90mph it wouldn't have stopped him, Sunny hit a moonshot to the cones for a ground rule double. Well done mate. Bottom 3rd Lachy got three outs in 5 batters using the field and thanks to a Rhino Kirby lunge at second base to stop line drive. Top 4th Cougars score 1 run with Lachy driving in Aaron. Rhino Kirby had a taste of his own medicine with a line shot up first base line caught amazingly by the Pirates first basemen. Bottom 4th and Cougars up 17-0. Boof came in to relief. Walked a couple and with two out couldn't finish the inning off with a fired up Preston team. Kendall came in and conceded two hits but got that final out. Pirates score 6 runs. Top 5th Sunny is the first batter up and guess what? Another moonshot to left-centre field through the cones. Will then scored off a Brad Croft single to right field, well done mate great hit as you have worked hard this week. Cougars score 3 runs, 20 to 6. Bottom 5th Pirates score 1 run off Kendall, thannks to a Lachy flyball from 1st base running in to right field. well done Boys a Great win 20 to 7. Excellent hitting by all batters through the line up, Drew Moran making great hard contact, Brad Croft getting singles, and Sunny going 3 for 3 with 3 RBI's, Vince being a great aggressive player. Great game Lachy, Aaron and Browny. well Thrown Kendall and Boof, and Rhino well caught and fielded.

Next week we take on Newport Rams at home.

Dan

Round 4 - Berwick 10 def, Geelong 9.

Was a beautiful hot morning for baseball and the boys were pumped for another game of State League for the battle of the big cats.
Getting his first start on the hill this week Jesse "Boof" Hunter let one run in at the top of the 1st. Bottom 1st Cougars reply with four runs scored in 5 hits. Double to Vince Liberati doing a great job at lead off, double to Aaron Ouwehand, Single to Lachlan Beasley, Single to Jesse Kendall and double to Ryan "Rhino" Kirby. Top 2nd Boof threw a HPB first batter and Baycats got going and scored 3 runs, with a wild throw from centre field. With two out bases loaded Aaron came in and walked the first batter and sat down the next one. Bottom 2nd Cougars go quiet leaving Boof at second base. Top 3rd Aaron shut down the Baycats with two ground balls to himself and a strikeout. Score is 4 all at the bottom of the 3rd. Cougars up to bat and Lachy lead off with a single through 3rd base, he then stole second base. Kendall hit a base hit to the pitcher (swinging bunt) and moved Lachy to third base. First and third occupied and Geelong used a play to throw Kendall out, however Lachy scored. Rhino then doubled but was left at second base. Cougars up 5 to 4. Top 4th and Baycats score 5 runs off Aaron. Cougars down 9 runs to 5 going into the bottom 4th. Two out and Boof stood up to the plate getting on forcing an error. Aaron then doubled again and scored Boof. Aaron then scored off a wild pitch and Lachy scored off a Kendall double to centre field. A great inning by the Cougar boys with two out. Cougars down 9 runs to 8. Top 5th of the 6 inning Little League game and Lachy came in to close it out and keep us in the game. Number 3,4, and 5 hitters were up for Geelong and Lachy sat down all of them, two ground balls to first basemen Kendall and a Strikeout looking. Bottom 5th and All star Geelong Shortstop Liam Spence came in to close it out. Cougars bottom order were sat down in ten pitches. Top 6th and Lachy worked hard for two strikeouts and another groundball to Kendall. Great job young man throwing 13 strikes to 6 batters in two innings. Well done Lachy. Bottom 6th in it was our last roll of the dice with our top of the order up it was up to each player to put in and get that first run across the plate. Vince struckout swinging at good pitches. 1out. Boof then single to right field. The steal was then put on and the fake bunt always works with a confused Geelong. Boof and second base with Aaron Ouwehand up to bat. He crushed the first strike to centre field through the cones for his third double in the game. Boof scores to tie it up 9 all with Aaron on second base. Lachy then hit through shortstop. First and third occupied and Lachy stole. 1 out and Kendall was set to score the run. Kendall walked and bases loaded with Rhino up to bat swinging a hot bat with two doubles already. He struckout swinging, bad luck mate. Two out and baseball debutant William "Sunny" Day up to bat. With Geelongs pitcher throwing very well I took a risk and told to Aaron at third base to steal home once the catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher. 2 balls one strike on Sunny and Aaron didn't go. Pitcher threw another ball and Aaron crept down and went very agressively to an asleep Geelong. Aaron scored easily and Cougars win a thriller 10-9. Great game boys, showed alot of spirit throughout the game to comeback and win the game. Great game to Aaron with 3 doubles, Lachy with 3 hits and closing out the game, Kendall with 3 hits and making outs at first base, great to have skilled player on that side of the field with our great pitching rotation. Rhino for a great game behind the dish and hitting two doubles. Boof for taking it upon himself to keep us in the game.

Well done and looking forward to the road trip to Preston next week.

Round 3 - Berwick 9 lost to Cheltenham Rustlers 10.

Our first Cougars home game for the Little League State boys and it wasn't the best day for a baseball game but as the saying goes "Everyday is a good day for Baseball!"
With a full team of ten this week the boys were ready to take on the Rustlers. Top 1st Rustlers score three runs off Aaron Ouwehand. Bottom 1st Cougars bounce back with a triple to Aaron and line drive double to Lachy Beasley, and Catcher Ryan Kirby singled to score Lachy. Cougars score two runs. Top 2nd and Rustlers score another two runs with some good hitting. Aaron was done with his count. Two out Relief Pitcher Lachy Beasley came on the mound with astrikeout ended the Rustlers inning. Bottom 2nd Cougars don't score thanks to a diving left field catch. Top 3rd Lachy struggled in the conditions but Cougars helped him out in the field, Rustlers score 1 run. Going in to the bottom 3rd Cougars down 7 to 2. Lachy singled with another crack shot to centre field and scored later on a wild pitch, Jesse Kendall got walked and scored also. Cougars score two runs with one out then Rustlers relief pitcher came in and blew us away. Cougars down 7 to 4. Top 4th Rustlers score 3 runs with the Cougars defence having to work hard. Cougars down 10 to 4 going into bottom of the 4th. Vince Liberati singled with a frozen rope to left field, then stole 2nd base to be put in scoring position, Aaron lined another shot to left field but another diving catch was made! Lachy singled through 3rd base, Vince scored from a Jesse Kendall fly ball and Lachy scored from a Boof groundball. Cougars score two runs, down 10 to 6. Top 5th Boof our changeup pitcher came in. No runs scored with two strikeouts. Well done champ. Bottom 5th Cougars score another two runs, one by William "Sunny" Day and a single RBI by Aaron to score Vince Liberati. Cougars down 10 to 8. Top 6th Boof sat down Rustlers again dealing with a lead off triple and the meat of the order. Defence backed him up superbly. Cougars down 10 to 8 it was the last roll of the dice, with Rustlers thinking the game was over, Dan had to explain the 5 minute rule, parents from the Rustler camp even brought out the rulebook to end the game, but in fact i was correct, no rulebook needed for me :) With one out Boof got on base with a error and Ryan Kirby stood up to the challenge and drove him in with a shot to right field.  10 to 9 and with Rhino on third base, he went on a wild pitch to tie it up and was unfortunately out.
Cougars lose 10 to 9, in a decent game of baseball. Cougars will learn from this loss as we are a better outfit then how we played on the weekend. Bring on next week.

Dan

Round 2 - Berwick 19 def. Melbourne Demons 7.

After a great victory against Waverley the week before the Little League State boys braved another away game and in a cold, windy warm up, it showed how committed they are to the team, and how much of a force the Cougars have become. Missing Vince Liberati who filled in for the under 14's we had 9 players raring to go. Top of the 1st and Jesse Kendall hit in Lachlan Beasley and Jesse "Boof" Hunter to lead 2-0. Bottom 1st Aaron Ouwehand started on the hill of thrills and Demons score three earned runs in some great hitting. Top 2nd William "Sunny" Day lead the inning off by smashing a hard hit ball to shortstop for a hit then reaching second base on a wild throw. Drew Moran then scored Sunny with a shot through shortstop. Cougars ending up the inning scoring 4 runs with Aaron Ouwehand and no.4 hitter Lachlan Beasley smashing hits to left field. Bottom 2nd Demons score one on a wild pitch, Cougars lead 6 to 4. Top 3rd, two out and hard working Drew Moran got a single to right field to start a 6 run rally. Brad Croft put in the hard yards during the week and it paid off with a single to centre field, hits to Dan Brown, double to Boof (almost a home run), single to Aaron, double to Lachy, (1m from a homer) and double to Kendall. Amazing batting from the Cougars. We lead 12 to 4. Bottom 3rd Demons score 2 runs with three hits, Aaron did his count and saw Boof in to relief him. Three batters Melbourne were sat down with two groundballs and a flyball. Top 4th Cougars went quiet with no runs and a catch in right field and double play. Hit again to hard hitting Sunny. Bottom 4th and Boof held off a big hitting Demons with one run scored and a great catch to Brad Croft at centre field. Bottom 4th Cougars fired again with a seven run rule with only one out with some great patiently aggressive hitting. Single again to Crofty and double again to Boof. Cougars lead 19 to 7. Last inning demons had to score 3 runs to avoid the mercy rule. Boof shut them out inducing three ground balls to Brad Croft coming in to third base and Drew Moran coming in to second base. A great win for the Cougars. Boys have scored 32 runs in two games with 28 RBI's. (Runs Batted In). Great job boys keep working hard and enjoying baseball and you will continue to see the results in your game.
Mention to Boof getting 4 RBI's, Lachy batting a 1.000 avg and having 4 assists and 2 put outs at shortstop, Drew Moran, Brad Croft and William Day for having great games after training hard during the week. Great game to all players playing as a team.

Dan

Round Robin.

Game 1. Little League State League Round Robin Pre-Season opener at Cheltenham Baseball Club.

Boys were ready to go at 8am but Dan was late, Dan is NEVER late!! An awkward start but we got organised and ready for our first game of 2009/2010 Little League State League against Doncaster Dragons. For some it was their first game in State League, for one it was his first game of Baseball! V.P.S.S.A Catcher Aaron Ouwehand started on the hill of thrills. He threw very well and took advantage of the 1 ball 1 Strike count and blew Doncaster away. Threw his limit and kept Doncaster to 0 runs. Jesse "Boof" Hunter (Our Pakenham import) relieved Aaron and threw very well in his debut game. Dan Brown made good contact and used his wheels to get to 2nd Base on a wild throw, Jesse Kendall smacked a line drive that was caught by the shortstop and whipped to 3rdb base to get Dan Brown out. Was very unlucky. making his Baseball debut William "Sunny" Day reached 2nd base on a good hard contact by the big left handed powerhouse on another Doncaster error. Doncaster scored 2 runs in one inning off bunt plays and we couldn't cross home plate. We lost 2-0 in a great effort for the boys.
2 hits to Vince Liberati

Game 2 Vs Cheltenham Rustlers.
Lachlan Beasley took up the challenge to a good Rustler squad. Threw his 50 pitch count over three and kept the Rustlers to 2 runs. Boof relieved Lachy and the Rustlers started hitting, go to man Brad Croft came in and closed. The Boys put pressure on the Cheltenham defence but we couldn't cross the plate. Even a Jesse Kendall line shot to Right field saw him thrown out at first base! There were no safe hits, only ground balls and fly balls, team hitting was great with only three strikeouts the whole game. Well done boys.

Game 3 Vs Melbourne Demons.
Melbourne had saved their best pitcher for our game, so it was on like donkey kong. Jesse Kendall started on the hill for us. Did well but threw alot of pitches in his first outing. Credit to the young man for finishing off the inning with a strikeout. Demons score three. Cougars up to bat and we were shutout one, two, three. Next inning Lachlan Beasley came on the hill. Now he was warm and with 20 pitches left on his count he threw 9 pitches to sit the Demons down. After Lachy's first inning it was bottom of the 2nd and Lachy himself led off with double through 3rd base. With 2 out catcher Ryan "Rhino" Kirby smashed a single to centre field to score Lachy. We were down 3-1. Top 3rd inning Lachy had 11 pitches remaining and he only used ten. 19 pitches, six outs over two innings. The 65 mph fastball devastated the Melbourne offence. Bottom 3rd we were shut out. Top of the 4th Drew Moran came in to relief pitching. Did very well and finished the inning with two strikeouts. Demons scored 1 on a wild throw from Lachy at centre field. Demons lead 4 to 1. Bottom 4th Lachy singles through 3rd base and then steals to 2nd base. Table is set to Jesse Kendall and he delivered with a double over centre field scoring Lachy. Jesse then scored on a wild throw later in the inning. Cougars down 4 to 3. Top 5th and Demons scored 2 runs off Drew and ended up winning the game 6-3.
Great game from all players. Dan Brown at 2nd base was fantastic with Jesse "Boof" Hunter at shortstop.

Boys had a great day.

Thank you to the parents and supporters.

Look forward to taking on Waverley away this weekend for our first game.