Melbourne Winter Baseball League: North Balwyn and GMBC draw 5-5

RUNNERS up from the past two seasons, North Balwyn, are hoping to go one better in 2018 and coach Neil Burke says his side is edging closer to doing that, despite a 5-5 draw with Greenhills Montmorency on Saturday.

Ryan Booth hit a towering home run to get things started for GMBC this week

RUNNERS up from the past two seasons, North Balwyn, are hoping to go one better in 2018 and coach Neil Burke says his side is edging closer to doing that, despite a 5-5 draw with Greenhills Montmorency on Saturday.

The Melbourne Winter Baseball A Grade match was played in ideal winter conditions and Burke said the scoreline was appropriate.

“It was a really great game, very tight,” he said. “They had a big innings and scored four runs then we got two in front.

“Slade Squire hit a home run in the bottom of the last to tie it up but the scoreline in the end was appropriate for how the match was played.

“We were fourth on the ladder before today and we should stay that way. We are just focusing on continuing to play a good brand of baseball and we still think we can go one better.

“We certainly have the roster to do it, we just have to be consistent. We want to make sure our young players get the exposure and opportunities they need.”

GMBC coach Scott Dawes said it was a good quality tussle against a strong North Balwyn line-up.

“We were tied down by the great pitching from North Balwyn early in the game,” he said.

“Dennis Neal threw well for us and kept us in the game so that when they made a pitching change we were able to claw back even with them.

“Ryan Booth hit a towering homer to open our scoring, Mat Kent singled, stole second and scored a run and he believes it was his first stolen base for 10 years.

“Slade Squire drove in a couple of runs with a single and, in his last at bat, a home run that tied the game.

“Mitch Ellis continued to produce with the bat for us as well as playing flawless defence.”

Dawes said the “pleasing come from behind result” keeps his side in touch with the top four.

Jacob Sheldon-Collins was important for Ringwood this week. Picture: Josie Hayden

SAINTS SPOIL HEATHMONT’S 50th

Ringwood spoiled Heathmont’s 50th birthday party on Sunday, beating the reigning premiers 5-1 on Heathmont’s home turf in front of a huge crowd that was there to mark the anniversary.

The win has elevated Ringwood to top spot on the Melbourne Winter Baseball League A Grade ladder and coach Adam Bright said it was one of the best victories he’s been involved with during his time at the club.

“There was a different vibe out there today, on a Sunday with all the extra spectators, it was a glorious day for baseball and as a whole, as a team, it was probably one of our best performances for me to be able to sit back and watch,” he said. “If we can take that going forward, we should do really well.”

Bright said Andy Jones was once again outstanding as pitcher while Jacob Sheldon-Collins played a “major-league style game” in short stop and had a couple of hits too. Mitch Wilhite, Jacob Evans and Nick Unland also contributed with the bat.

“It was a real team effort today,” he said. “And with two out, we were still able to drive in runs. We need to maintain this momentum.”

The Ringwood boss said Heathmont was still a quality team, despite having struggled to find its best form this year.

“They are a great bunch of blokes and always gracious, win or lose,” he said.

Heathmont coach Matt Gourlay said his side was not giving up on finals and a premiership defence was still a “mathematical chance”.

“It was a really good, high quality match today but Ringwood were outstanding. Andy Jones, their pitcher, did so well for them,” he said. “You can really tell why they’re on top of the ladder.

“We are still a chance. We are two games out of the four with five games to go so it can be done.

“We just have to keep working hard to try and turn it around. It’s been one of those seasons. Some weeks it’s been our pitchers who have been down, other weeks the bats.

“Ben Leslie hit a big home run for us today and Ross Hunter, Brett Curnow and Liam Hopkins were all good with the bat — but credit where credit is due to Ringwood.”