Newport Rams have sent retiring veteran Heath Black out with a fine win in the Baseball Victoria summer league division 1.
The Rams have endured a tough season, only avoiding relegation in the latter stages, but the lasting memory will be Saturday’s final-round 10-0 mercy rule victory over Waverley Wildcats in Black’s last game.
Rams playing assistant coach Dean Malthouse said the win was a fitting finale for a player of Black’s stature.
“He got a couple of clutch hits as well,” Malthouse said. “He’s been around since juniors and was in state teams growing up. I think he’s 36 now so it’s been good to have someone of his calibre helping us out this season.”
The Rams’ 10-run rout came on the back of a complete game from import pitcher Gabe Sandersius.
The American was in total command, just as he has been for most of the summer.
“His second half of the year has been unbelievable,” Malthouse said.
“He’s barely given up an earned run each week.”
A battle-hardened veteran, Sandersius has produced long stints on the mound for the Rams this season.
This was a little shorter than his previous two games, in which he went the distance over nine innings, because the Rams’ offence got hot with Black and Zac Seipolt picking up clutch hits.
“Gabe knows his body really well, so he tends to conserve his energy … then when he needs it, he jumps into his reserve and fires a few rockets,” Malthouse said.
It was not only Sandersuis’ impact on the field that endeared him to the Rams’ faithful.
The left-handed pitcher lived up to his promise of being “more than just a good player”.
“We’re trying to build our culture back and he’s bought right into that,” Malthouse said. “He works with a lot of the younger guys …he’s not just an import that plays. He’s leaving his print on the club for the future, which is more than you can ask for, especially when the guy has arguably been your best player all year.”
The Rams had a totally new leadership group this summer, right from president Ben Portelli and up to head coach Matt Lawman and his assistants, Malthouse and Dean Anglin.
While nothing is set in stone, the coaches expect to stay on with the Rams next season.
“The place has a real buzz about it, even though we haven’t done that well [in the firsts] this year,” Malthouse said.
“We’ve got several of our juniors in finals this year … it’s a good sign with all the young guys coming through.
“The plan for us [coaches] is to stay on and the committee is behind us.
“Our visions all align.”
Meanwhile, Williamstown Wolves lost their final three games of the season to just miss out on the division 2 playoffs.
The Wolves were beaten 8-3 by Bonbeach in their last game on Saturday to finish one place outside the top four.
In women’s division 1, Footscray had a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Doncaster in the semi-final on Saturday, the defeat putting Footscray out of the finals.
