Newport Rams preserved its division 1 status in Baseball Victoria’s summer league at the expense of western rivals Williamstown Wolves.
The Rams survived a heart-stopper to win 4-2 in extra innings at Greenwich Reserve on Sunday to retain a top-flight place next season.
It was a euphoric day for the Rams, completing a 3-0 series sweep over their neighbours this summer.
“It was crucial for us not to give half a chance of being relegated,” Rams assistant coach Gavin Young told Star Weekly.
“It was like a grand final in a sense for both sides so to come out on top was a big thing.”
Heath Black had a 10th inning to remember for the Rams. The veteran broke up the scoreboard parity with a single on a ground ball to left field to score Scott and Troy Malthouse.
Black then put the finishing touch on the last out, getting under a fly ball in right field.
Young was full of praise for Black, who finished with a three-hit game.
“He’s an old head at the club, a guy that comes to every training session. He’s there at every game and just plays his heart out,” Young said.
The Rams made 13 hits, including three each to Black, Troy Malthouse, Zac Seipolt and Jeremy Young.
And the pitching crew did well to keep the strong Wolves line-up to two runs. Griffin Weir had a short four-innings but finished with five strike outs.
Andy Radevski faced two batters before Jeremy Young closed the final innings.
Newport can now enjoy the final two games, starting with Sunday’s trip to Cheltenham.
Williamstown will be merely playing for pride at Upwey-Ferntree Gully.
