Werribee Giants knew it would be a tough summer when they volunteered for promotion to Baseball Victoria’s top women’s division after winning last season’s division 2 title.
But they could not have envisaged it being this tough, with the side enduring a hellish 0-9 start.
Injuries to key players have proved costly and even coach Tony Culph has not been spared. He will miss at least the next game after undergoing hip replacement surgery.
Times may be tough for the Giants, but players understand it’s a privilege to play in the top competition in the state, and they will keep fighting for that so-far-elusive first win.
The Giants were pummelled 27-6 by Doncaster on Saturday, but the team was a player short in the field, which didn’t help.
“We had to play with eight after a girl pulled out before the game,” Culph said.
“Injuries hurt, and we had another girl hurt in the game.
“At least the players kept on trying and didn’t whinge about it.
“They stuck at it and did pretty well for what we had against a good team.”
Starting pitcher Emma Pastowski is not one to shy away from the battle.
She continues to work hard to pick up strikes even if this side is fighting out of its weight division.
“You couldn’t ask for anyone better to be in the team,” Culph said. “She throws a heap of strikes and keeps on trying and encouraging all the girls.”
If you need an indication of the willpower of the Giants players, look no further than Nikki Durovic.
Durovic was struck down with a leg injury but sped up her return to the line-up to offer some respite to a short-handed team.
“She probably came back a bit early from the injury to help us out,” Culph said.
Janine Culph continued to show good form as catcher, while Narelle Griffin has impressed in the batter’s box.
There is no respite on the horizon for the Giants, though, with a trip to undefeated ladder leader Springvale on Saturday.
To underline the gulf in class, the Vales scored 102 runs and conceded just 18, while the Giants have scored 24 runs and conceded 139.
But don’t expect the Giants to wave the white flag.
“We knew it was going to be tough going up a grade,” Culph said.
“At least we’re approaching it the right way and keep on having a crack.”
