Werribee Giants have set the bar to make a run at Baseball Victoria’s summer league division 2 premiership.
The Giants have all the ingredients needed to give the ultimate prize a shake.
Giants coach Justin Charles has been impressed with his team’s work ethic, ability to follow instructions and maintain a consistently high standard of play over the opening 25 weeks of the season.
“We’re having one of those years,” he told Star Weekly.
“It’s one of those years we’ve got to capitalise on because they don’t happen all the time.
“All the elements are coming together and we’ve got to make sure our preparation is great and we keep giving ourselves the best opportunity to perform and have a good attitude.
“I can’t fault them. They’ve really grasped the principles, they’re getting what they deserved and it’s really exciting.”
The Giants have arguably the deepest pitching roster in the league.
They are getting the job done in the batter’s box, too, averaging more than 10 hits a game since Christmas.
To win a premiership, you need a go-to player and Darryl George provides star power for the Giants. George returned to the club after his season with the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League and immediately turned heads.
The former Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguer comes back to McGrath Road a more accomplished player after being involved in the professional system abroad.
“It’s one of those feel good, icing-on-the-cake additions to the team,” Charles said. “He’s a real spark plug for us and a talented player.
“He loves the place and the place loves him.
“If you’re going to contend for a champion- ship, you’ve got to have one of those pieces, an X-factor and he’s certainly that.
“He hits the ball really well, he’s really athletic, he’s got an arm like a cannon and he’s like having two players in one position on defence, he covers so much ground.
“Having him in the team takes some pressure off guys, but he sets the bar at a higher level for physical preparation and mental preparation.”
George will provide his bread and butter attributes: strong numbers at the plate and athleticism in the field.
There will be a twist, though, as he adds an extra dimension to his game as a pitcher.
George came in late to throw an inning for the Giants in Saturday’s 7-5 win over Berwick City.
On the back of a Wes De Jong start, the Giants made it two wins in a week over Berwick City on Saturday.
De Jong was used for only a short time on the mound due to the hot weather, but relievers Jon Lowe, George and closer Wade Balzer wrapped up the victory.
“Our pitching late in the game was exceptional,” Charles said. “We’ve probably got the best pitching in it.”
Liam Dineen led the way for the Giants with three hits.
“He had a couple of tough at-bats to start with and turned it around,” Charles said.
“He’s such a workhorse, a conscientious player who just hates going out, who analyses his at-bats to get better.”
Werribee and Moorabbin – level on points – will battle it out for a home field advantage in the finals this week.
The two played last night, after deadline, and will meet again on Sunday.
“We’ll play Moorabbin four, possibly five, times in the next few weeks,” Charles said.
“It’s really exciting; you’ve got to beat the best and they’re right up there.”
