Newport Rams are back in business after a 5-0 shut out of Sunshine Eagles in Baseball Victoria’s summer league first division.
There was no rocket science behind the Rams’ form reversal, just a stricter adherence to the basics.
They executed their plans better at-bat, moving runners around base more frequently after stranding too many in recent weeks, and defensively they barely put a foot wrong, backing up their hard-working pitchers.
“We were able to execute the basics better and that was the key,” Rams assistant coach Gavin Young told the Weekly.
“When we got into trouble, our defence was strong and we’d turn a double play or something to take the pressure off the pitcher to get out of trouble.”
The Rams have an abundance of talent at their disposal, but they are raw for division 1 experience in comparison with most other top-flight clubs.
The Grant Weir-coached team squared the ledger at 2-2 after the first month – an indication of where the team is at in its development. Young says once the side can iron out its inconsistencies, it will be more than a thorn in the side of the established clubs.
“We’re a side that’s still young and we’re going to have our ups and downs,” he said. “It comes down to execution with us. If we execute, we’re as good as anyone in the league on the day.”
Griffin Weir, Travis Bass and Matthew Lawman enjoyed their battle with Sunshine import Chris Prokupek, picking up two
hits apiece.
Lawman, one of the side’s spiritual leaders, was a nuisance with the bat and cut off every ball that came in his direction at shortstop.
“He came out and got a couple of crucial hits and was solid in defence,” Young said. “He was instrumental in a few plays. The way he goes about his game, he sets a good example for the rest of the younger players and leads them well.
It’s always a proud day for the pitching staff when you have a goose egg in your opposition’s runs column.
But it wasn’t an easy outing for starter Weir, who fought back after a shaky start to last six scoreless innings.
“He didn’t start the best, walking the lead-off guy, but he fought it out and just kept on going, kept on throwing strikes,” Young said.
Import Bass closed out the game in the last three innings.
The Rams face Preston, a side with an identical 2-2 record, away on Sunday.
In division 2, the Williamstown Wolves have finally met their match, losing 8-4 to Fitzroy in a rematch of last summer’s spiteful semi-final series.
In women’s division 1, Footscray made a statement with a 19-2 win over Malvern.
