Pitcher Jason Lester closed the game out well for Williamstown on Thursday. 71992 Picture: EMILY LANE
BY MICHAEL ESPOSITO
LAST weekend’s wash-out of Summer League baseball games has made the remaining pre-Christmas rounds vital for Division Two teams aiming for a foothold in the finals.
Only three wins separate top team Mulgrave and eighth placed Springvale. Four teams sit in the upper-middle part of the table on six wins, including Williamstown.
Williamstown’s 7-3 win against St Kilda on Thursday was pivotal. Williamstown moved up to fourth on the ladder, where a loss would have sent the Wolves down to eighth spot.
“That was a big win. Midweek games are always tough, to come out with a win was great and the boys played really well,” club president Glen Hardy said.
Pitcher Ryan Camov kept St Kilda’s hitters in check, while Jason Lester didn’t disappoint when closing the game out.
“Jason has really stepped up this year and has gone to another level,” Hardy said.
The sight of Aaron Green and Chris Mason starring with the bat would have put smiles on supporter’s faces. Green has just returned from a six-week holiday, while Mason has returned to the club after playing the first part of the season with Division One club Geelong.
Both players have come through Williamstown’s junior program and Green has won several MVPs with the club.
A chance to consolidate a top four sport went bagging when Saturday’s match against Berwick City was washed out, making this Sunday’s match against second-placed Bonbeach even more important.
“Hopefully the boys will be refreshed to come out on Sunday at home, which will be a good test to see where we’re at,“ Hardy said.
“The goal’s always been to play finals, and if we keep winning the games we should win we’ll be on track for that.
“We’re travelling well. We’ve dropped some games that we probably should have won, but overall we’re in that middle group of teams. Winning the games we should win and managing our playing stocks are the keys for the year.”
