Werribee Giants slumped to an error-riddled 13-2 loss to Moorabbin in their Baseball Victoria summer league division 2 season opener.
The rusty Giants offered little assistance to starting pitcher Wes De Jong, committing nine errors in the field and struggling to handle the wet conditions at President’s Park.
Giants coach Phil Balzer said the errors were a byproduct of young players finding their feet.
“We made far too many mistakes in the field; we probably gave them nine runs of their 13,” he said.
PICTURE GALLERY: Werribee Giants v Moorabbin
“I would suspect we’ve got the youngest team in the league and a number of our young players have got a bit of maturing to do. They need to be able to make better decisions when they’re out there in the field.”
De Jong was handed the starter role after Chris Webb departed for Geelong.
The teenager seemed a touch overwhelmed, leaving the game after five innings trailing 7-2.
“He left the ball up a little bit and Moorabbin’s hitters were very strong and went after the first pitch,” Balzer said.
“If the opposition doesn’t go after that first pitch, it allows your pitcher to settle in a bit and maybe take control. But Moorabbin jumped all over him and didn’t give him much of an opportunity.”
De Jong was on a pitch count of about 60 to preserve his young arm. The Giants want the talented youngster to strive for state under-18 duties and refuse to overwork him.
Balzer, who has played overseas, wants
De Jong to follow his dream of playing college baseball in the US and will do everything in his powers to assist him.
“He can pitch 100 pitches maximum in a game, being under-18, but today it was 60 and next week will be 60,” Balzer said. “Our view for him is to help him get to college, which is what he wants to do.”
Giants import Chad Northcott made an impressive debut, pitching four innings in relief after being his side’s only multiple hitter with two of its four hits. “He looked good.
His attitude is great and he’s going to do
a lot of good things for us this year,” Balzer said.
The Giants hit the road on Sunday to take on Bonbeach.
