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WEEK 2 SERIES  Game 12  Sat 14 NOV 2009

RARE SWEEP FOR SA WITH 9-0 WIN v QLD!

The brooms had been gathering dust in the South Australian closets for many a moon, that is until the Queensland team arrived at Norwood for their 2009/10 Claxton Shield series. The proud South Aussies were more than happy to sweep away the gloom that had descended on their past few Claxton Shield campaigns with an uplifting 3-0 result from their first weekend series this summer. And, it ended emphatically for them with a rollicking 9-0 shutout to clinch the deal.

On this occasion the gulf between the performances of the two starting pitchers could hardly have been wider, with SA’s Richard Bartlett in total control and Queensland’s Chris Lamb, well, almost totally out of control. Little known Bartlett was brilliant through five innings to face the minimum fifteen batters, collecting the win and the major plaudits for his part in the combined SA shutout.

19yo Chris Lamb endured one nasty outing during Claxton 2008 and, after a one year gap, things didn’t improve a lot for him here at Norwood. He managed to navigate through one inning as Queensland’s starter, but six walks was not the sort of control necessary to survive at this level, or any other level for that matter. It set the tone for a long night for the Rams.

Queensland’s relievers were pressed into action earlier than any of them would have liked and, although they soaked up the middle innings manfully, neither Crawford nor Montgomery was able to halt the momentum gained by the home town hitters. Former Atlanta Brave Matt Timms has had a couple of troublesome outings recently, but at least he was able to hit back with a strong finish to this game as a confidence builder for him.

Former Aussie Provincial pitcher Hayden Beard took the ball from SA’s Bartlett in the sixth and he was able to wallpaper over four walks with four strikeouts to maintain his part of the shutout.  Chris Lawson and experienced journeyman pro Paul Mildren closed the deal with an impressively uneventful inning each at the end of the no-contest.

Game two hero David Washington did another top job as SA’s leadoff hitter with his 2-4 that produced another RBI. However, the lasting memory from this euphoric home stand would be the seventh inning GRAND SLAM home run blasted by former Phillies signee Angus Roeger that lit up Norwood for the success starved home fans. Matthew Smith and, oh yes, new ‘Flintoff & Dunn HALL OF FAMER’ Ben Wigmore drove in the remaining runs for South.

I could mention the two hits recorded by the Queensland bats in this game, but that would be somewhat like rubbing salt into wounds that are already painful enough for the Queenslanders who have just one win from six games in this campaign so far. Much like last season, the Queensland team will be looking for better fortunes when they finally get to return home after two road trips.

Good luck to the South Australians who have absorbed more than enough pain in recent times. They deserve to celebrate this triumph and they can afford to look ahead with renewed confidence.

Our now standard recognition for umpires Andrew BELL, Mark WILSON and Neil POULTON.
 

WEEK 2 SERIES  Game 11  Sat 14 NOV 2009

WA FINISHES STRONG TO SQUEAK NSW 6-5

There are two sides to this story folks and I can tell you that from experience given that our Perth based correspondent and our man from Sydney saw this game from diametrically different angles. In summary, our Perth man claims that the relentless application of pressure eventually forces things to go your way. Our equally respected guy from Sydney may have seen too many close losses like these to the Heat recently, because he suggested that the WA team was again kissed on a part of the male anatomy that a family venture like ‘Flintoff & Dunn’ dare not mention.

What we can suggest instead is the observation that, as one of my good mates keeps reminding me, baseball is a nine inning game... yes, we know, but in its literal sense this simply means that the game is never decided until the 27^th out is captured. Also, we must agree that former journeyman pro Wayne Lundgren has just seen a mighty effort fall just short of securing a win for his team.

We’re certainly not going to second-guess the NSW management from this distance for lifting him, but Lundgren did seem to have the WA batters overmatched until three successive singles tagged him early in the sixth inning. At one stage, after the first batter of the game singled, Lundgren retired THIRTEEN successive hitters in Heat uniforms... eight of those were struck out and five were ground ball outs, before an error separated another two ground outs. It is disappointing to see an effort like that go unrewarded.

Sadly for him none of relievers Van Steensel, Rae or Atherton could keep the shutters squeezed closed for the Patriots who saw the game slide from their inexperienced fingers with West Australia scoring in each of the last four scoreboard boxes. Certainly it was not a pleasant way to lose any game, let alone another narrow one against a rival who has picked your pocket far too often recently.

While nowhere near as dominant as Lundgren, former Angels’ pro Dylan Peacock did manage to, sort of, limit the damage that could have resulted from too many hits, before handing over to a more solid bullpen. Todd Murphy and Benn Grice are becoming recognised performers for WA’s dual Claxton Shield Champions and they each played an important role in keeping this game alive for the hosts. Murphy allowed just one run, while Grice swooped like the proverbial vulture for the win.

Former pro Trent D’Antonio was the hitting star of the game with his prolific 3-5 and two RBIs, to just edge out Josh Dean and ‘Terrific Tim’ Auty who both batted 2-3 with a rib-eye steak apiece. Boston’s young AROO Mitch Dening also produced 2-4 as a very natural hitter.

For Western Australia it was not a highlight reel of explosive offence but, as it had to be, a more balanced team contribution. Mitch Graham was big again with 2-4 and a walk, while de San Miguel continued his solid offence this season with his RBI single plus a walk. Emerging Cleveland professional Jason Smit is showing signs of making his mark at this level with a walk and his vital two RBI single. Recent pitching revelation Dean White drove in the winning run to remind people that he was once signed by Atlanta as an infielder.

So, returning to the start, WA took the bacon from NSW narrowly again 2-1 after a series of fluctuating fortunes. Our WA reporter was suitably pleased and our traveller from Sydney wasn’t... maybe that’s enough said!

Our now standard recognition for umpires Kyle BYRNE, Brett ROBSON and Travis HATCH.
 

WEEK 2 SERIES  Game 10  Sat 14 NOV 2009

SOUTH SNEAKS PAST QUEENSLAND 6-5!

I couldn’t get a definitive response from our reporter in Adelaide, but it would appear from the outcome of these Saturday games at Norwood that there has been a switch of format with the seven inning game played in the afternoon and the nine inning game played as the nightcap. Frankly, ‘Flintoff & Dunn’ is mystified as to why this wasn’t the original plan? In any case the teams almost conspired to spoil the logic by battling a 5-5 tie after seven equal innings and, we assume, the eighth inning was an extra inning that ended with the SA hosts scrambling another victory.

This was another tight game and an absorbing contest but, according to our sources, it was a srappy and sometimes very untidy affair. After James Albury had battled hard again to depart with a lead when he issued a leadoff walk in the fifth, things really descended into mediocrity for the Rams bullpen. Red Sox pro Justin Erasmus toiled through three innings that included only one hit but, on the worse side, there were also three walks, a hit batter, four wild pitches and a passed ball that might have been another wild pitch? Texas Rangers’ rookie leaguer Aaron Thompson caught the disease somewhat with a hit batter and a wild pitch of his own in the last that consigned him to the loss. He will enjoy better days than this harsh AMLB debut.

Former professional giant and 2007 Golden Arm pitcher Dushan Ruzic was not the big story for the SA bullpen in this game, but it was his relief partner Wayne Ough, the former New York Mets pro, who has played all of his AMLB career with Queensland teams before emerging with the opposing team here. Ruzic was a bit wayward himself in this game with far too many base runners causing him difficulties but, as often, he used the strike out as the best rally killer and only two of the five runs he surrendered were earned.

Wayne Ough has had a varied career at national level, however, his addition to the previously wafer thin SA bullpen is an undoubted fillip for the team. His 3.1 innings was worthy of the win as he kept the hatch closed on the Rams with two hits, no earned runs and four strike outs. It is not a stretch to suggest that he was the key factor in this positive result for the ‘Croweaters’.

To deal with the visitors first, new face Aven Fletcher was a standout for the Rams with a double, a RBI single and, most unusually, he also stole home for one of his two runs. Another unknown to us, Andrew Campbell had the biggest hit for the Maroons with his two RBI triple that, at one stage, seemed to have swung the game towards his team. It was a rare mistake for Ough to the first batter he faced. Logan Wade singled and stole two bases the keep the visitors right in the face of their hosts.

Another unfamiliar name, David Washington, was the hero for SA, not only via his game winning RBI single, but also from the fact that he walked and scored three times during the game... he was a huge pest. Yes, another unknown, Ryan Murphy was also a major offensive factor with his 2-3 that delivered two RBIs, while the “Big Ws” Wigmore and Welch were the other much more familiar RBI men who also walked during the game.

The red team of South Australia is entitled to rejoice a series triumph for the first time in quite a long while and, on the face of it, they look set to provide very stern opposition for rival states this year. It is a worthy home victory for them and the Rams can only hope to salvage a win in the final game to give them a much needed boost while they are on the road.

Our now standard recognition for umpires Blake HALLIGAN, Neil POULTON and Mark WILSON.
 

WEEK 2 SERIES  Game 9  Fri 13 NOV 2009

WA LEVELS HOME SERIES WITH 3-2 WIN v NSW

It is probably a good thing that they don’t play double-headers in Perth because, in this case, this exhausting eleven inning epic would have been the first of two games for the day! It takes my mind back to the searing heat of Adelaide because a similar thing happened when SA hosted the Victorians in 2008 at Woodville... man, that was hard work!

In baseball, as in many sports, there are occasions when neither team deserves to lose and this really was one such case. The teams could not be separated with two runs apiece in a pitching dominated game right up to the bottom of the eleventh when the home standing Heat finally snapped the deadlock via Allan de San Miguel’s game winning RBI double. It was his second RBI double of the game which, when added to a walk, should have seen him high among the MVP candidates.

Mitch Graham was the other WA player with two hits, while Nick Kimpton managed one single to add to his three walks, one of which was intentionally issued. Professionals Jason Smit singled and walked, while Matt Kennelly walked twice. Aaron Ottoway supplied the other vital RBI with his bases loaded sacrifice fly.

Strong hitting Pat Maat was the offensive star for NSW with his 2-3, a RBI and a walk. Fellow former pros Michael Lysaught and Andy Graham also enjoyed two hit games, with Lysaught also adding a free pass. Mark Holland chimed in with a most valuable RBI single plus a walk to continue his history as a regular contributor to the Patriots’ scoring.

Starting pitchers Daniel Schmidt, for WA, and Todd Grattan, for NSW, both battled somewhat with a few too many hits and walks each but, importantly, both of them refused let the cracks in the dam wall open any wider than those that allowed a dribble of runs to flow through. In the end future Philadelphia pro Schmidt took the honours because his six-plus innings took him deeper into the game and, eventually, his team was the victor.

WA’s rookie pro Nathan Driessen was tagged for the tying run as his learning curve continues at this level. His departure saw the arrival of winning pitcher Travis Murphy who rebounded from a tough outing in Geelong last week to produce a decisive performance for the Heat here. His three tidy scoreless innings at the nervous end of this contest enabled his team to grab the points at the end.

Veteran Matt Bennett was similarly sound for New South Wales in middle relief with three innings of scoreless no-hit baseball. Previously unknown Jarrett Commane was also pretty good for three innings but he may have been nearing the limit of his endurance when the game ultimately slipped away in the bottom of the eleventh... it left him holding the tag of unlucky loser.

So, much like most of their recent confrontations, this game between WA and NSW was another tight one... in fact a VERY tight one. Tight or not, the only thing that matters at the moment for the West is the fact that they have tied the series and they now have a chance to secure the spoils. Bring on game three!

Our now standard recognition for umpires Travis HATCH, Kyle BYRNE and Brett ROBSON
 

WEEK 2 SERIES  Game 8  Fri 13 NOV 2009

SA STRIKES FOR 7-0 SHUTOUT OF RAMS!

Aside from a couple of memorable starts by John Challinor, it has not been often that the South Australian pitching has been lauded for its efforts over the past few Claxton Shield campaigns, but on this occasion it was brilliant and it set the tone for a welcome opening game win. Baseball had made a successful return to Norwood Oval which had been the spiritual home of the Adelaide Giants during those glorious ABL days. It was a cause for celebration for the success starved SA supporters.

If it wasn’t going to be Challinor, or big Dushan Ruzic, our next guess would have been a correct one by presuming that it would have to be the “evergreenest” of war horses Darren Fidge who would anchor the victory. Entering his 17^th season of Australian major league baseball, Fidge rolled back the years with a superb start and, to the delight of the home fans, the paltry two hits he allowed across seven-plus innings were to be the only ones posted by the Queenslanders throughout the game.

Professional reliever Paul Mildren wobbled a bit with a passed ball on a strikeout, a baulk and a walk before escaping unscathed. Youngster Chris Doyle had a rough initiation during Claxton 2009 but he made a promising start here with two strike outs highlighting his tidy final frame.

Losing pitcher Simon Morriss was also pretty good after a two out rally saw two runs scored by SA in the first frame. At least he was able to re-group and keep the game still within reach after his six inning stint concluded. Brett Montgomery worked through a scoreless inning of middle relief, but the combination of Matt Timms and Jarrod Bruce let the game slip right away in the eighth when a couple of bunts and an error set the table for Murphy’s RBI single and Wigmore’s two RBI double that broke the game wide open.

Increasingly reliable Dan Wilson set the scoring in motion early for South Australia with his two singles that produced their first three RBIs. Rising Mets’ pro Stefan Welch enjoyed two hits, as did the unknown Ryan Murphy. Just when you might be thinking that these guys upstaged ‘Bashing Ben’ Wigmore, think again... not only did he hammer the killer blow with his two RBI double in the eighth but he was also walked and hit by a pitch for a rather typical three times on base.

For the record, Wade and Baker were the only Rams to lay any effective wood on the hosts pitching in this game.

The South Aussies won just one game during the 2009 Claxton Shield campaign and they have at least equalled that feat already after their opening game of Claxton Shield 2010. I hear through the grapevine that SA are taking advantage of a new ruling that allows “foreign” players to represent them while playing in local leagues and this, I assume, explains some of the previous unheard names on their roster... if this is not the case, my immediate apologies. We will aim to clarify this as the competition progresses. Whatever the case, it is still a good thing to see baseball bouncing back in SA after a pretty torrid time.

Our now standard recognition for umpires Neil POULTON, Blake HALLIGAN and Andrew BELL.
 

WEEK 2 SERIES  Game 7  Thu 12 NOV 2009

PATRIOTS POUNCE LATE FOR 5-3 WIN IN WA

Look, we really love and admire the work of Patriots’ former pro ‘Terrible Tim’ Cox but, really, this guy is starting to cause me a huge headache! Sorry, it’s nothing to do with the quality of his pitching, but simply the fact that he makes it hard for writers like me to find something different to say about him when we have already used up all of the superlatives we can think of. Cox, subscribers, is a modern day Claxton Shield phenomenon... I don’t need to regurgitate his statistics to tell me that he is the reigning two-time Golden Arm award winner and the beat, simply, goes on and on!

I’ve been writing these reports for quite a while now and it seems ridiculously repetitive for me to inform the fact that Cox navigated his NSW team to an important victory, even though the win ultimately went to the unheralded reliever Mathew Rae who, as you will hear, was outstanding. Cox struck out nine over seven extra-strong innings for just two hits and a single earned run. After allowing a rare walk and a single to start the fourth inning, Cox retired the next eleven WA batters in order before handing the ball to Rae who took over in the eighth.

Mathew Rae, who I will have to research, had a slice of glory in this game with six, count them, six strike outs to keep the Heat relatively cool over the last two innings. Yes, yes, I know, a double and a RBI single somewhat took the shine off his effort but, fair dinkum, you could hardly be anything other than impressed with a newcomer who puts up six KKKKKK’s to retire the last six outs... that works for me!

Now, I’m guessing that our many WA followers would be gnashing their teeth about the fact that I have spent most of the story so far admiring the New South pitching when, in fact, they only “stole” the game with three runs in the top of the ninth. WA’s pitching was also pretty darned good until Benn Grice, who has been solid, opened the gate with a pair of leadoff walks in the ninth... ouch, that’s not good in any circumstance. For WA, starter Mark Kelly was very good again, Todd Murphy was just OK and Benn Grice struggled, but they won’t need us to tell them that TEN combined walks was a recipe for failure... as it eventually was!

I hope that you will excuse ‘Flintoff & Dunn’ for making little of the offence on this occasion; our alibi is that there was a not-so grand total of SEVEN hits for the entire game. Yep, and not any player could rise into double figures in terms of safe knocks. Two of West Australia’s runs were unearned and only Red Sox pro Mitch Dening awoke the crowd with his long ball over right centre. Dening also walked and was intentionally passed, while Pender also walked twice and Holland added a sacrifice fly RBI to his earlier single.

It was very lean pickings for WA in this game with Phillies’ rising star Tim Kennelly adding a walk to his RBI double, while another young professional catcher with Toronto, Chris House, walked and singled.

New South Wales took the first game of the Grand Final Series in Perth last season and the WA Heat responded by taking the title two games versus one... for some reason I’m not prepared to bet against history repeating itself here!

Our now standard recognition for umpires Brett ROBSON, Travis HATCH and Kyle BYRNE.