Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club

Firsts - UPWEY FTG 12 defeated BONBEACH 0

With Malvern dropping its game to Doncaster, this was an opportunity for the Jays to bridge the gap between sides at the bottom of the table. But the Tigers were never headed in posting an impressive result.

All of the Upwey offence had at least one hit, while their three-pronged pitching staff had a no-hitter going into the last innings.

Lucas Unland went four innings (four strike outs), Adrian Rice threw the fifth and sixth (two strikeouts) and Sean Meldrum finished off for the Tigers, who led throughout and wrapped it up in seven.

“We were very good across the board,” said Upwey Manager Mitch Ayres. “Our pitchers were great and to give up just one hit – in the last innings – was a really dominant effort.”

“All of our lineup had at least one hit. Leon Rice had two extra base hits and five RBIs for us and Brad Harman had three RBIs,” said Ayres, who himself led the way in offence by hitting in three of his side’s runs.

Ben Donald threw five for Bonbeach and Matt Bucci finished the last two, as both struggled to contain the Tiger offence.

“We also picked up a few walks,” Ayres said. “We lost a few runners on base, but that can happen when you’re playing an aggressive offensive game.”

“I’m very pleased with what has been a successful year for us in Division One. We’re still a chance of finishing in sixth or seventh – depending on other results.”

Upwey is away to Doncaster on Saturday (Deep Creek, 1.00 PM start), while Bonbeach meets Newport on Thursday (Altona, late) before hosting Cheltenham on Sunday.