18’s blitz Bellville

The u18 team from the word go looked like they came to make a statement. They dominated every aspect of the game and held nothing back in crushing bellville 20 – 2 in 5 innings. Scoring 5 runs in the 4 innings of batting. The hitters showed why VOB is a power house team in their league. Matthew Blows hit well with 2 homeruns while Luke November added another triple to his stats. Once again shakeel and Alec were consistent with the bat picking up multiple hits. Shakeel put in a man of the match performance as he also pitched a complete game from the mound in his first start of the season.

It was a very impressive showing from the macaws as they continue to build momentum. All the boys looked like they had loads of fun on the field and have now shacken off they shackles of not playing much baseball in recent times. I was very happy as the team hit well with a collection of 15 hits in total.

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VOB 18’s stagger to 10 – 6 win over Battswood

Racing to a 9 run lead going into the 3rd inning VOB looked on course to end this game early. But poor hitting and pitch selection in the box slowed the rapid scoring down during the 3rd to 6th inning with the VOB bats going to sleep some what. Battswood who looked like they were in for a tough outing did well to stay in the game with some good fielding and hits when it matters most. Whilst VOB let themselves down with abnormal errors and they seemed to switch off for a few moments.

Lucas Budler started on the mound for VOB and threw 3 strong inning before starting to tire and give away walks. He did well to throw himself out of a jam but some damage was done as battswood closed the gap to just a 3 run difference. Kian Africa came on to steady the ship and close out the game.

From the hitting side once again Alec and shakeel stepped up and both collected 2 hits but man of match Hayden stepped and hit VOB into a winning position. Matthew Blows was fill of energy once again and Alex Japhta also looked good with bat in hand.

Another hard fought win for the u18 team as they start to pick up some needed momentum going into the 2nd round of games.

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18’s kick the rust with a solid performance against Ocean view.

After a 2 month lay off due to league fixtures being a bit erratic VOB finally got going again this past weekend. We started very slow and had clear signs of a lack of match readiness and game time. Ocean view did the basics well and made some good defensive plays which kept the score line modest. Our bats came to life if the 3rd inning and we a collection of base hits together to score 5 runs.

Kian Africa control the game well from the mound throwing a no hitter going in the 4th and unfortunately his lack of game time showed as he tired. Josh Adonis came on to close out the game as VOB added another 5 rub inning to close out the game 13 – 0. On the day shakeel and Alec lead the team with 3 hits each. Happy to get underway again and look forward to out next game.

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18’s Claim the win in a see-saw battle. 6-9

Hitting through the order sees VOB U18 accumulate runs steadily (W 4 – L 0)

After a two week break, with a potentially strong Van der Stel U18 forfeiting, and the SA v France Senior Series bye, VOB U18 faced the pitching depth and top order hitting strength of unbeaten Crusaders U18 this Saturday past. Many of the athletes on both teams have trained and played together on regional teams, and during the P2P series, and know each other’s game well.

Again Luke Budler started well with a strikeout, then walked the next batter. A stolen base, a K and another walk seemed to pose no particular threat, but an infield error on a straightforward ground ball saw Crusaders capitalise and score a run. A third K, after third walk, saw the now bases loaded threat put to bed. Two walks and a Hit By Pitch laid the table for cleanup hitter Jordyn Riffel. The first run came as leadoff Luke November scored on a passed ball, and then Jordyn’s sac fly duly brought in Budler for the second run to give VOB U18 the lead. Seth Beukes followed with a right hand side of the infield ground ball rbi scoring Keegan Hickley. 0 – 3.

“Bud” was quickly through the bottom of the Crusaders order with two K’s. But the strong Crusader’s top order would not go quietly, and two hits, some sloppy fielding and a couple of walks, saw four runs scored in an innings the VOB U18’s would rather forget. The rust of two weeks off, and multisport athletes being available for their first game was showing. Quick to put it behind them, the team bounced back. Alex Japhta won a the battle of a long at bat, doubling to centre and scoring Shakeel Jattiem who had walked. That forced a pitching change. Matthew Blows responded immediately with an rbi single to score Alex. The game was tied at 5 – 5.

A well taken pop fly by Alex Japhta at catcher saw Budler set up to close out the bottom order again. 2 K’s later – job done. VOB U18’s showed good focus as Jordyn did his job as innings lead off and got on with a walk and stole second. Seth advanced him with a hit, and Josh Adonis’ sac fly scored him. Tight fielding and overambitious coaching saw a potential run wasted with an out at third, but the pressure was beginning to tell as Shakeel walked again and worked his way to home on three passed balls. 5 – 7.

Lefty Kian Afrika then replaced Budler on the hill, and worked his way efficiently through the Crusader’s dangerous top order, despite an infield error on a softly hit blooper. 2 runs ahead, VOB U18 then consolidated their lead as Blows got his second hit and advanced on passed balls, and Luke walked. Budler then doubled to score both. 5 – 9.

Kian got ahead with a K in what was likely to be the final frame with time running down. Two walks followed with as he then worked too fine. A double steal saw the ball thrown through third base, with the run scoring. The recovery saw the second runner thrown out at 3rd. Kian then finished the game with a full count pickoff, resulting in a textbook run down. 6 – 9 win.

Coach’s comment – Again we hit the ball hard and saw results.

Batting: Matthew Blows – 2 -2, 2 rbi’s; Luke Budler 1 – 1, 2 rbi’s, 1 bb, 1 HPB; Alex Japhta 1 – 2 (double); Seth Beukes 1 – 3, 1 rbi; Josh Adonis 0 – 1, Sac Fly, 1 rbi; Jordyn Riffel 0 – 2, Sac Fly, 1 rbi

Pitching: Luke Budler (W) 3 innings, 6 K, 2 hits, 6 bb, 5 runs, 2 earned; Kian Afrika (S) 2 innings, 0 hits, 3 bb, 1 runs, 0 earned.

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VOB U18 In Comeback Win vs Bothasig 3 – 4 (W)

Two final innings rbi triples takes VOB U18 over the line

(W 2 – L 0)

Another hot still Saturday morning saw an evenly matched VOB and ‘Sig U18 face each other. After last season’s come from behind win at Bothasig both sides were anticipating another tough battle.

Luke Budler started well with a strikeout, then walked the next two. With runner’s at the corner’s aggressive running by Sig, and smart play by VOB’s infield saw an out in a run down between 3rd and home. Budler then closed down any further danger with the second of his eight K’s. A fielder’s choice and a hit to the right side of the diamond saw VOB put a runner on 3rd, but good pitching from Sig closed down our hitting. 0 – 0.

Two strike outs and a groundball saw Sig retired, and VOB up to bat again. Two none down walks set up an opportunity for VOB U18, only for a missed signal, resulting in a popped up bunt to the pitcher, and two strike outs, to see no runs scored. 0 – 0.

Budler then dominated the next Sig innings with 3 K’s. With the top order up again VOB looked to get things going as Luke November drove a middle infield single through the gap left by Sig shifting for a pull. Budler then singled to left field. With runner’s one and two, and none down, some overambitious running saw an out at 3rd. A walk saw runners a 1st and 2nd again, but a broken bat fielder’s choice and a K saw the game tied at 0 – 0 going into the 4th.

With Budler at 62 pitches and facing the meat of the Sig order this was going to be a moment in the game to watch. A walk, a “Texas Leaguer” landing just beyond 2nd base, a K, and a walk saw Budler give way to lefty Kian Afrika. Bases loaded, one down, and 0 – 0, was a tough ask. A good contest ended in an rbi walk and Sig were ahead. A K for the second out and it looked like the damage had been limited, but, with the hitter looking to stretch the count, another walk saw a second run come in. Kian then recovered get the third out. Facing the bottom of the VOB order the Sig pitching stayed on message and three K’s saw VOB 2 – 0 down.

Kian looked to back on track starting the fifth with a K, but then worked too fine and gave away a walk. A balk saw the Sig runner on 2nd , and a good jump saw him steal 3rd. A walk was followed by a ground ball to the right of the diamond and Sig were 3 – 0 ahead. A K closed out their hitting turn. With the clock winding down and facing 9, 1, 2 Sig let their effective rightie starter, who was sitting on a shut out, stay in. a K saw them two outs from the W. Budler drew a walk and Sig brought in their leftie to close. Two wild pitches saw Luke open the scoring for VOB. Matthew Blows, in for Keegan (injury) then drew the walk and VOB had the tying run on. Cleanup Jordyn Riffel then did his job and smashed a triple into deep left to tie up the game. Up stepped Seth Beukes. His walk off triple into deep centrefield settled the matter. 3 – 4.

Coach’s comment – Consistent hard swings paid off. A good game to win, but some work to do.

Batting: Seth Beukes 1 – 2 (triple), 1 IBB, 1 rbi; Jordyn Riffel 1 – 3 (triple), 2 rbi’s; Luke November 1 – 1, 1 bb, 1 HP; Luke Budler 1 – 2, 1 bb.

Pitching: Luke Budler 3.1 innings, 8 K, 1 hit, 5 bb, 2 runs, 2 earned; Kian Afrika (W) 1.2 innings, 4 hits, 4 bb, 1 runs, 1 earned.

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VOB U18 Win Season Opener At Bellville

VOB U18 Win Season Opener At Bellville at PP Smit Stadium, Bellville. 14 – 5 (W)

Eight hits from seven batters

(W 1 – L 0)

Saturday saw the first round of the U18 league at a windless and hot PP Smit Stadium. VOB U18 came up against Bellville U18 , second in the standings over the past two seasons, but currently in a rebuild phase.

A hit to the opposite side, extended by an error, saw leadoff Luke November on third. An infield error saw him score. Good contact then saw Luke Budler move around the diamond, and score on a fielder’s choice to the right of the diamond by Seth Beukes. Budler, in his first stint on the U18 mound, put the first two runners on with walks. A pop fly, and a base running error, saw Bellville two down, and the innings was finished with the first of 6 strikeouts by Budler. 2 – 0.

A two down walk at the top of the VOB U18 order, and a double by Budler, followed by double from lefty Keegan Hickley, saw Luke and Budler again scoring. Following an opening hit by pitch, Budler then steadied himself and delivered three bottom order K’s. 4 – 0.

2 walks, and a double by Shak Jattiem saw two runs scored and Bellville pull their experienced starting pitcher. A 2 – 0 count drive by Zinedine Rocks, a walk, and a double by Luke November saw Shak and Zinedine score. Two more walks then saw 9-hitter Alec Adonis walked in for the 5th run, and compulsory side away. A well taken fly to short stop, and two K’s bracketing a walk, saw Budler again wrap up the Bellville innings in short order. 9 – 0.

A hit by pitch, a walk, and a double from Seth Beukes, saw Jordyn Riffel score. Two more walks saw Josh Adonis cross the plate, and a second pitching change. An error then saw Seth score, and Jared Riffel, (U15) in for Luke at catcher, drove in Shak, Zinedine and Alec (with Alec’s run not counting due to the 5 run compulsory side down rule). Budler then gave way to Josh on the mound, who struggled with control. A walk turned into a run on a dropped fly. Two further walks turned in two runs on a well hit line drive down the third base line. Finally an out on a ground ball to the pitcher. Then the 5th run came in a well hit drive between third and short stop. This time we were saved by the 5 run compulsory side away – the first time since the last game of the 2016/17 season. 14 – 5.

Coach’s comment – good aggressive start with the bat. Good tight pitching from Luke Budler. Some mental errors. Some nerves. We will get better.

Batting: Luke November 2 – 2 (double), 1 bb, 2 rbi’s; Jared Riffel (U15) 1 -1(triple), 3 rbi’s; Keegan Hickley 1 – 2 (double), 1 bb, 4 rbi’s; Seth Beukes 1 – 2 (double), 1 bb, 2 rbi’s; Shakeel Jattiem 1 – 2 (double), 1 bb, 2 rbi’s; Luke Budler 1 – 2 (double), 1 bb, 1 rbi; Zinedine Rocks 1 – 2 (double), 1 bb, 1 rbi; Alec Adonis 0 – 2, 1 bb, 1 rbi.

Pitching: Luke Budler (W) 3 innings, 6 K, 0 hit, 3 bb, 0 runs, 0 earned; Josh Adonis 0.1 innings, 2 hits, 3 bb, 5 runs, 4 earned.

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