With Wednesday evening training being cancelled due to exams, Friday training seemed to be a bit difficult for the u15s. Unfortunately, this ‘difficult’ period carried into the start of the game on Saturday against an unbeaten team. Jamie “but my slippers are navy blue coach” Brookes got his 1st start for the season throwing to Josh “I’m more tired than Jared” Smith who also had his 1st game behind the plate.
Things didn’t go as we would have liked, and Giants managed to get 5 runs in their 1st batting turn. VOB’s batting was no where close to the standard that was set in previous weeks and was back to fielding without bringing in any runs. Josh November came on to replace Jamie in the 2nd inning and once again, did a fantastic job. The teams bats weren’t quite switched on just yet as it seemed they were in the mood to give the coach a few more grey hairs (not cool)…..AND THEN THEY ALL WOKE UP!
The necessary plays were made to keep Giants scoreless and then everybody started swinging the bat so aggressively Mikaeel De Bruyn decided to swing at a pitch the same height as his head to clear the right outfielder. Going in to the top of the 5th at 11-6 up, a quick 3 up, 3 down saw everybody run off the field with a smile. Rio Harrison giving his dad a perfect birthday present by taking a fantastic diving catch at shortstop to end the 4th frame and a good strong throw to make the 3rd out to end the game in the 5th.
Well done to these awesome u15s who are showing more & more character and love for the game as the we get further into the season.
The Kids pull off another last inning win this Saturday against Maitland Giants 11 – 10. Again we hit our way to victory, with the team getting 12 hits and 4 walks combined. This is a good indication of where we want to be with this team by teaching them to hit ahead of teaching them to take walks because sometimes the pitching is not good and they struggle to throw strikes. But our kids are not allowed to let a strike go past them. if it is hittable they will be swinging at it.
Even though the score says it was a hitting game it was not. giants only accumulated 3 hits in total they had amassed 11 walks in the game. Their coach had them bunting runs home and letting their kids steal home as well . Not the right way to be coaching 10 and 11 year olds at all. But none the less The Kids did themselves proud by pulling off a hard-fought win. Bottom of the 4th inning we had Tristan Jeftha drawing a walk and getting the winning run on base. Then up steps Dale Lewis with none down , he perfectly hits the ball to right field getting tristan to thirdbase and himself to second on the over throw. Storm doyle who is 2 for 2 at this stage drives the ball between 1st and 2nd for his 3rd hit and the Game winning RBI .
Another mention must go to Caleb Bell for making a play down the middle with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 down in the 4th inning to end a threat of giants taking the lead, as well as Jaedon Jonathan coming in to relieve Talun on the hill when giants had their big inning. And the plays of the day for me was a diving stop by dante on first base and Nur’s drive to right centre in the second inning. Well done boys!!! things are looking bright.