The U15 Tigers headed north to kick off the season with an impressive battle against Golden Grove Central Districts.
Striking early with some aggressive base running, we scored the first run of the game - only for GGCD to answer back with three runs of their own.
Oozing confidence the Tigers were smartly selective in the box, racking up three walks in the second innings and dominated with singles to Sam, Angus and Wren, and a huge two-bagger from Angus. Scoring 4 runs, they lead the Dodgers 5-3 going into the third.
The Dodgers fired back with two more runs in the third, but a brilliant effort from starting pitcher, Charlie, kept the game tied up 5-5.
Charlie’s first outing was almost faultless - pitching three of the five innings he tallied up a whopping 8K’s, 0 BB’s, picked off a runner at third and only allowed three safe hits and 2 earned runs. With an 80% strike rate and a .500 strike-out percentage, we just know he’s going to have a ripper season.
It was a bit of an uneventful final two innings in the batter’s box for us as we struggled to get safely on base. The we remained persistent and managed two more safe hits from Callum and Henry, scoring another run in the fifth; but it wasn’t quite enough to get us over the line.
Callum closed the game out as our hurler, giving us a solid effort after a squeaky-clean performance at first base. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite hold them despite striking out two and only giving up three safe hits in his two digs on the hill. The Dodgers managed three more runs to take the win 8-6.
A particularly great game was had by Henry behind the plate, as mentioned earlier, had a great game in the box as well - he hit both a single and a double in addition to a walk.
An outstanding effort by all in their first game back and what looks to be a very promising season ahead for these kids.
With the sun shining, the birds chirping, and almost nothing but a Pat sea breeze blowing across the back diamond, no other day has been better to start the season campaign than a Spring day at the Bay for our newest addition to the Bay family - the Mighty U14 Tigers.
With his game face on and a steely stare, Kai threw the first pitch for our newly formed 14’s team and we were off. It took a good innings to get the winter cobwebs out, but with some great support from Bailey at SS who made the groundball pick up where she proceeded to load the rocket arm and fire the bullet across to Lucas at first base, made the first out. After a couple of cheeky pass ball runs crossing the plate to score, Kai went on to hold his composure seeing an Infield Flyball for our second out and a K2 to finish off the innings.
With 5 runs in the top of the first to claw back from Adelaide, we jagged one after Bailey was brought in through a solid sacrifice RBI 5-3 by Beau.
Kai after settling his nerves in the first innings came out after a sniff of the smelling salts, pelting down 16 pitches consisting of 9 strikes, giving us our first out. With a ground ball to 1st where Lucas, using his silky smooth glove skills made the out, Kai then closed out the innings after a walk followed by a solid K2 and KC (a standing K2 for the newly acquainted). With a strong innings in the field, the bats were swinging in the bottom of the innings when Crusher Austin led the innings off with a double to LF, eventually scoring. With the 13’s representing, Lucas got the walk, Kody crushed one out to CF before Ari was walked. With Flynn at the plate, his pearly whites were too much for the Angels pitcher to bear, throwing a couple of loose ones letting in Kody and Ari in to score before a couple of quick outs. With Beau at the plate it took just 3 pitches before he smashed one out to CF for a double…with a triple staring at him, it wasn’t to be as he not stood at the plate in disbelief for 20 secs, before realising that bases don’t run themselves…
With Beau coming in to pitch the 3rd, it took an innings to kick into gear allowing 5 runs to cross the plate, taking the score out to 6-10. The innings was a mixed bag of Walks, a K2 and a solid KC. Unfortunately, our batting wasn’t able to address the 4 run deficit, keeping the score-line the same as it was coming in to bat. With another 5 more runs from Adelaide to finish out the top of the 4th we ran out of puff, closing the game out with just one more run after a high outside fast ball being absolutely crushed to CF by Bailey for a triple, eventually coming home on a passed ball overthrow to the cheers of the waiting bench and roaring crowd.
A solid game though team. The score line was not a true indication of how the game was played. A real tough solid performance I was very proud to be a part of.
A big welcome to Austin who played his first ever game of baseball on Sunday starting off with a Double, followed by a Single to bat the perfect 1.000 avg. This coupled with a rare 9-3 put out, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more from this fresh new talent around the club. Welcome aboard!
A special thanks to our U13-1’s (Blake, Ollie, Ari, Kody and Lucas) who made the mad 45 min dash back to GBC HQ all the way from Golden Grove after their first W of the season.
After a solid pre season it was finally game day. We travelled to Golden Grove.
We got on the board early and never looked back. Kody missed low a bit in the first but once settled was very efficient with the field backing him up getting through 4 innings within his pitch count. Lucas closed the game out.
Our defence solid behind our pitchers making plays and getting outs. Our offense was great tacking on runs almost every inning. All the boys chipped in with some great hitting. We put bat on ball and moved runners all day. Lucas got 3 hits for the day and Ben Eyles hit a bases loaded double.
I couldn't be happier or prouder with the lads efforts. It was a true team effort. Special mention to Matt Williams and Alice with all their help preseason getting my battery organised and ready for the season.
Formed from an abundance of young prospects looking for game time at both Glenelg and Henley & Grange. The new look Henley Tigers roared into the season with a convincing win against Woodville.
Starting pitcher Joaquin Conesa worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the 1st inning, giving up 1 run of no-hit ball whilst striking out the side. Joaquin combined well with his battery partner Marcus Pycock. The 2 young cubs worked well together to baffle the Woodville hitters.
The Tigers line up came out of Spring Training firing on all cylinders. A 5-run mercy 1st inning was followed up another 5-run mercy inning in the 2nd inning. The Tigers bats were running hot with Joaquin using his speed and guile on the basepaths to finish with 2 triples. Ethan Grima started the season with 3 safe hits, scoring twice. Marcus Pycock’s offseason work was rewarded with 2 safe hits and 3 runs. Harrison Stead showed exceptional patience and collected 2 walks, 2 runs and a safe hit. Young Matthew Scott came on as a pinch hitter and picked up a single to left field to start the season. All in all, a dominant hitting and base running display by the Tigers line-up.
On the back of some quality pitching, the defence provided plenty of support with Ethan and Harrison making great plays at Third Base and Shortstop respectively. Joaquin and Marcus continued their partnership by turning a double play in the 4th inning.
All players agreed that it was a great start to the season for the founding new team. A very enjoyable and promising season is ahead for all.
Our U11’s were lucky enough to kick off the season on home soil against Adelaide Angels. Nerves and excitement were running high for the first game of the season – special shout out to Owen, Noah and JJ who all made their debut.
Not only did Owen make his debut but he started us off on the mound, picking up a strikeout and getting us through the first inning. It was then our turn with the bat, firing back and scoring 2 runs.
Opal kept the game moving coming in to pitch in the 2nd inning, attacking the strike zone from the start. Adelaide continued to offer strong pitching while our Tigers were swinging the bat with great pitch selection, but we could not make an impact on the scoreboard.
Ethan came in to close the game with some fantastic pitching, keeping the Angels quiet. Our bats started to wake up in the final inning, with hits to Lincoln and Beau.
Unfortunately we didn’t get the win, going down 9-3, but we certainly will grow stronger each week.
