By ADEM SARICAOGLU
A “FREAKISH” play by Williamstown pitcher Josh Lee proved to be the difference between the Wolves and the Werribee Giants in Division Two Summer League baseball on Sunday.
The visiting Wolves were up 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning at Presidents Park, but the Giants had the game-tying run at third base with pinch-runner Andrew Christou.
On a squeeze bunt play with one out, Christou bolted for home and in any normal circumstances would have tied the game on the play.
However, after diving for the ball and quickly scooping it to catcher Jason McDonald, Lee managed to pull off a miraculous defensive play just as Christou collided into McDonald.
The Wolves then secured victory with a quick strikeout – handing them their 15th win of the summer.
“It was just an amazing play, and plays like that win games,” Williamstown coach Dean Marnell said shortly afterward.
“They tried to squeeze bunt with one out and it looked like the runner was going to make it, but Josh just flicked it up to Jason McDonald and it was virtually bang-bang.
“As soon as Jason caught the ball, (Christou) collided with him and he held onto the ball. It was just an amazing play, and it took a play like that to win the game in the end.”
The ladder-leading Wolves were pushed from start to finish by the gallant Giants, but a strong day on the mound from both Lee and starter Jason Lester proved a major factor by game’s end.
Marnell said a couple of late batting adjustments also worked out well for Williamstown.
“It was pretty tough with the windy conditions out here today and Werribee played their game and their field really well and we just had to make adjustments,” Marnell said.
“We did that towards the end of the game with the bat, so offensively that was pleasing, and defensively our pitchers threw the ball really well, too.”
The Wolves have a bye this weekend before ending the regular season on the road to Moorabbin later this month.
Currently two wins ahead of the chasing pack, Williamstown has just about wrapped up top spot and promotion into Division One, but could be pushed by third-placed Moorabbin in its last game before finals kick off in March.
