Having suffered two close losses, there was a collective sigh of relief at the Newport Rams camp after they broke through for their first win of the Baseball Victoria summer league division 1 season on Sunday.
The Rams had threatened to take a big scalp, only to be pipped by a nose on two occasions.
This time they left nothing to chance in a 6-0 victory over the Preston Pirates in the third round at KC White Reserve.
“We went to the 13th inning against Essendon, last year’s champions, in the opening game and had another close one in the second game against Geelong,” Rams playing coach Matt Lawman told Star Weekly.
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“This time we did everything right as a team. We did all of the little things and came away with the win.”
The most intriguing battle came on the mound. Both clubs rolled out their American imports, with Gabe Sandersius taking the mound for the Rams and Bubbie Buzachero on the hill for the Pirates.
Sandersius took the honours, pitching seven innings for nine strike-outs and giving up just three hits to pick up the win.
Buzachero, one of the top recruits to the league in recent seasons, gave up nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.
“It was a pitchers’ duel right at the beginning, then halfway through the game we sort of opened it up a little and never looked back,” Lawman said.
“It was good to see those two guys go at it.”
Investment paying off
Sandersius was considered a low-risk investment for the Rams because of his previous experience abroad.
The left-handed pitcher has an impressive resume that includes experience at college level in Texas, two years in Europe and two years in Perth, where he was leading pitcher in the metropolitan competition.
In his short time with the Rams, he is already delivering, on and off the field.
“He knows what to do and how to go about his business properly and, hopefully, he can instil that in our younger guys as well,” Lawman said.
“It’s not just about being a good pitcher or a good baseball player, it’s about being a good club person and other traits we look for as well.
“He just seemed to fit the criteria we were looking for and he’s done everything that has been asked of him.”
Cameron McNish closed out the game with two scoreless innings.
The Rams scattered their runs across a number of innings.
Lawman led the way with three hits, including two doubles and two RBIs.
Adam Simpson and Troy Malthouse had two hits apiece.
The Rams will travel to play Sandringham Royals, who have an identical 1-2 record, on Sunday.
In division 2, Williamstown was soundly beaten 10-0 by Moorabbin on the road, leaving them 1-2 on the season.
The Wolves have a busy week on the diamond, starting with a midweek clash with Ballarat tonight at the Melbourne Ball Park, followed by a clash with Malvern at Greenwich Reserve on Sunday.
