Newport Rams are hoping to be better for the run after a nervous start to the Baseball Victoria summer league women’s premier 1 first finals on Saturday.
While the Rams are the defending champions, the side is very different to the group that won the title 12 months ago.
On Saturday, Springvale showed why they have been the team to beat all season with a 9-6 win and earning the first spot in the grand final.
Rams’ coach Dean Anglin said they were beaten by a better team on the day.
“It’s not ideal but we have a second chance,” he said.
“They blew us away at the start and we had to play our way back into the game.
“We didn’t start strong and they scored five runs in the first innings.
“It was 8-1 at one stage. To finish 9-6 is admirable but not the result that we wanted.”
Anglin said he thought nerves got to their young pitching group early as they gave away too many walks and didn’t get enough strikes.
It allowed Springvale to get on the board and take control of the game.
He said despite the result, the way the team fought back was really pleasing and they were able to take something out of the game.
“That was the key part,” he said. “It can go two ways in these sorts of games.
“You can roll over and it ends in an ugly fashion or you can fight it out and take some learnings and see what opportunities present.
“There were a few negatives that we will work on.”
Having finished in the top two, the Rams have a second chance and will face Doncaster in the preliminary final on Saturday.
It will be a big day for the Rams, with their women’s second side also in action at home as it kicks off its finals series.
The Rams, which claimed the minor premiership, will face Footscray in a knockout semi final with a grand final spot on the line..
The Rams had a bye on Saturday.
“Hopefully we’ll see a good crowd there to support the girls,” Anglin said.
The Rams third side, which finished outside of finals, finished their season on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Rams men’s side sits inside the top eight heading into the final week of regular matches.
On Saturday, the Rams lost to Essendon, 3-2.
The Rams sit in eighth spot, the last finals spot, with two matches remaining.
Newport was set to be in action on Tuesday night against Williamstown, after deadline. The Wolves, who played in last season’s grand final, are set to miss finals.
A win for the Rams in that match should be enough for them to make finals.
The Rams then finish the regular season against Fitzroy, while Williamstown will play Upwey in the final round on Saturday.
