By ADEM SARICAOGLU
WERRIBEE won’t be part of the Division Two Summer League Baseball grand final series this week – despite the fact it had one foot in the door on Saturday.
After winning game one of their semi-final series against Springvale on Wednesday, the Giants couldn’t capitalise on game-winning opportunities late in game two, eventually going down 2-1 after 12 innings.
The series went to a decider on Sunday in Springvale, and after just one inning, Werribee had lost its grip on its grand final spot.
In a disastrous opening that led to Werribee’s demise, the Giants gave up a whopping 13 runs.
Gun pitcher Wes De Jong started for the visitors but was very quickly taken to task by Springvale and Melbourne Aces guns Scott Wearne and Freddy Flores.
De Jong could only manage two outs by the time 11 runs were already on the board, prompting coach Phil Balzer to replace him with Daine Gregory.
With Gregory on the mound, another two runs were added to an already ugly scoreboard for Werribee.
Balzer was honest in his assessment of De Jong’s difficult day, but did acknowledge his solid year as Werribee’s key pitcher.
“We were pretty confident with Wes going on the hill,” Balzer said.
“He’s had an outstanding year – but unfortunately for Wes, he didn’t bring what he’s normally brought and here we are.
“Today he just threw, and you can’t do that with Myles Barnden, Scott Wearne and Freddy Flores.
“We made too many mistakes with our pitching and paid the penalty.”
The Giants weren’t exactly on top of their game over the plate, either, only managing to score six runs to Springvale’s 25 before the mercy rule took effect after seven innings.
While the season may have ended on a sour note, Balzer said he’ll look back on his first year in charge of the Giants as a successful one.
“From where they came last year finishing in the bottom part of the ladder – I think they were all pretty pleased with where we got to,” Balzer said.
Springvale will play Williamstown in this week’s grand final series.
