Tara Murray
The Werribee Giants have been able to complete the perfect season in the Baseball Victoria summer league women’s metro north-west competition.
After finishing runners-up in their first season together, the Giants were keen to go one step further this season.
They entered Saturday’s grand final against Research as favourites, but were made to work hard to come away with a 13-3 win and the championship.
Giants coach Bronwyn Gell said it was a pretty happy playing group after achieving what they set out to do.
“It was great and very exciting to do,” she said. “There was a lot of anticipation and a lot of nerves, but everyone was really excited and proud to go that one step further.”
Gell said while the score line showed a convincing win to her side, it was anything but and they had to fight hard for the win.
It was the longest game they’ve played all season and it almost went to six innings.
Gell said they were slow off the mark, but once they hit the lead, they stayed there.
“It was a good game,” she said. “It was a lot closer than the scoreboard showed.
“At any point the game could have changed and gone in Research’s favour.
“We stayed focused and aggressive for the full two hours, bar one lapse which gave up three runs.”
Gell said the group was able to enjoy the game after the nerves settled.
While there was no player of match officially announced, Gell said the performance of Jess Curnow was a standout.
Curnow, who has been involved for a number of years, has been one of the driving forces behind the team.
“We were hoping to get two or three innings out of her but she threw the entire game,” Gell said.
“We knew we had Lily Kevelham up our sleeve, but she was playing well at shortstop.”
For Gell, who is in her first season as coach, said it had been an amazing first season at the club.
After having a women’s team for the first time last season, the club had two teams for the first time, showing the growth that is occurring in a short period of time.
“I’m super proud of all the girls who have worked extremely hard all season,” she said.
“I’ve really enjoyed the way they’ve gone about their business and the professionalism that they’ve had
“It’s good for women’s baseball and Werribee baseball and it encourages others to play baseball.”
The Giants top side is set to be promoted next season after the championship, which will be a new challenge for them
Gell said the focus was to ensure that they had a sustainable program going forward at Werribee.
