Indefatigable import Travis Bass has underlined his importance to the Newport Rams with a starring role in an 11-1 mercy rule win over Doncaster Dragons in the Baseball Victoria summer league division 1.
Bass worked the mound as the starting pitcher on Sunday, throwing a complete seven-inning game and returning a superb 12 strikeouts.
Bass touched down in Melbourne two hours before throwing his first pitch after a flight from Adelaide and coaching commitments with the Victorian under-14 baseball team.
Rams assistant coach Gavin Young said it spoke volumes of the passion and commitment that Bass and Jeremy Young – also a Victorian under-14 assistant coach – have for the club and the game.
“They jumped straight off the plane and went out ready to play,” he said.“We’ve got guys who just love the game and want to participate no matter what.”
You couldn’t get the ball out of Bass’s hands. He went the journey before the umpire called the game under the 10-run rule.
Bass’s ability to go the whole seven innings was a godsend for coach Grant Weir, who got to rest his other pitchers ahead of a midweek return clash with Doncaster, played last night after the Weekly went to press.
“It was good for us to not use up any other pitchers because we have to face them again,” Young said. “It leaves Griffin Weir, Jeremy Young and Matty Lawman all fresh.”
The Rams had plenty of runs to play with as all nine in the order got at least a hit. Jordan and Jeremy Young, Scot Malthouse, Zac Seipolt and Tyson Foreman all picked up two hits apiece.
“Everyone responded,” Young said. “If we play as a team and bat right through the line-up, we’re hard to stop against any side.”
The play of the day went to shortstop Matthew Lawman, who saved a run when bravely neglecting a guaranteed out at first base to throw out the runner at home plate.
It was the moment that snuffed out any Dragons’ hopes of a comeback.
“He saw the guy hesitate and threw to home instead of first base and saved a run,” Young said. “Someone with his experience and his ability – to make that play was just awesome. It makes a difference when someone pulls a big play like that … it shut them down. It lifted everyone that little bit more.”
The Rams face western suburbs rival Sunshine away at Barclay Reserve on Saturday.
