Williamstown Wolves were in an unfamiliar position. They entered Sunday’s game against Malvern Braves on the back of their first loss in their Baseball Victoria summer league division 2 campaign.
While the Wolves saw their chance of an undefeated season disappear with a shock mid-week defeat to Doncaster Dragons, they were back to their brilliant ways in a 13-0 mercy rule win over the Braves away on Sunday.
The big win was very satisfying for Wolves playing president Daniel Chircop.
“It was good to see us bounce back – we looked like the team that had played the first 12 games,” he said.
The Wolves would have loved to have kept the streak alive, but Chircop feels the loss will allow his team to focus on what matters.
“It’s good to get the pressure off,” he said. “You’d hate to drop one right at the end and lose a bit of confidence and carry that into finals.”
Williamstown was in total control from the outset in the win over Malvern.
Import pitcher Jonathan Mottay laid the foundations with five scoreless innings.
But it was not all smooth sailing for Mottay, who twice had to negotiate none out, bases loaded situations to keep the scoreboard free of Braves runs.
“What makes him a good pitcher is that he’s never fazed, regardless of the situation,” Chircop said.
“You wouldn’t know if he’s given up a grand slam or just struck out the side … and if you ask me, that’s more scary than someone who’s a bit fiery.”
Sean Talbot threw an inning in relief and Aaron Green closed out the game with an inning before the mercy rule was applied.
Williamstown’s batting turned heads.
Player-coach Jarryd Rogers electrified the game with a three-run homer as part of a brilliant day in the batters box.
Justin Gourlay was the other standout with four hits, but there was hardly a weak link in the Williamstown line-up.
Williamstown will meet Malvern again in a mid-week clash at Greenwich Reserve tonight (Wednesday) from 6.30pm, followed by a home game against Ballarat City Brewers on Sunday.
Newport Rams scored a 6-0 win over Essendon on the road at Boeing Reserve on Sunday. The Rams will face Sunshine Eagles in a two-game set this week, ending at KC White Reserve on Saturday.
