Werribee prosper as others get blown away

18/10/2015. WEST. Wyndham Star Weekly. Bvwerupw. Issue Date 21/10. Baseball Werribe v Upwey-Ferntree Gully. Werribee's Ryan Balzer. Picture Shawn Smits.

Werribee took full advantage of the effects of crazy weekend weather to make up some ground on the top sides in Vic Summer League division 2 baseball, moving up to second on the table.

With other top sides such as Sunshine, Doncaster and Ballarat having their Saturday games called off, Werribee used its Sunday match with Port Melbourne to full effect to run away with a 12-4 victory.

Despite the heavy rain in the lead-up, the Port Melbourne diamond was in fantastic condition, with Werribee centre-fielder Ryan Balzer saying the side knew there was an opportunity at hand.

“It’s always nice to get a win when so many sides don’t get on the park,” he said. After a slow start it was good to get a win.”

Trent Evins started on the mound for the Giants, yet while Port Melbourne grabbed a couple of early runs, the visitors always felt in control on the match.

Werribee hit back with a run of its own in the first, and by the fourth inning had built a two-run lead it would not relinquish.

Werribee scored a couple of runs an innings in the second half of the match, while also limiting the impact of the home side’s hitters.

Evins threw the first seven innings before being relieved by John Curnow for the final two to close out the match and secure the win for the Giants.

Balzer said that overall it was a good performance from his side.

“We let them into the game early with a couple of runs, which was disappointing, but we always felt like we would win,” he said.

“It was another step in the right direction for us … while it’s obviously still early in the season, I think we are better placed than we were at this point last season.

“That goes for the whole club, too. The twos, threes and fours are all performing well, which is a good sign for the depth at the club. I think it shows to other clubs that we’re ready to go up to division 1 soon.”