Under 12s
This year Jarred Smith and Andrew Smith have taken over the coaching role of the team
Byron Smith in his first game did a great job on the catcher’s position.
Rylan McCormack went two for two safe hits with the bat on debut.
Zac and Zara Gauld impressed with Zara having three safe hits and Zac getting one.
Charlie Smith gathered two hits for the day and played a great game on third base.
Cohen Guest-Smith led the way starting off in pitching position and throwing out two runners at first and once again smashed the ball going three safe hits from three at bats.
The Medding sisters were great again.
Yuna was in the game all day, catching well playing first base and then moving to shortstop position where she threw a runner out.
Porepunkah scored an impressive five runs in their final innings and held on for a one run win.
Final score Porepunkah 17 def Wodonga 16.
Any Porepunkah under 12 kids wanting to play training is Tuesday night 3.45pm - 4.45pm.
Under 15s
Porepunkah Panthers 15s started their season with an away game against the Wodonga Warriors.
The team welcomed four new faces to the squad.
Wodonga started well obtaining 3 strike outs in the first innings.
The Panthers, with Paige Anders on the mound, responded by obtaining two strike outs and a clean pick up and put out for Ollie Brown to close the bottom of the first.
To start the second Innings Samara Mc Callum received a walk and after stealing the next base was driven home by a single to Ollie.
After scoring one run at the top of the 2nd, Wodonga returned fire with two runs of their own.
On settling, Paige obtained three more strike outs and closed out the second.
In the 3rd innings Violet Harrison, Zara Gould and Charlie Smith took some good cuts.
Wade Pronk came on to relieve for Porepunkah with runners on base with the left hander gaining some more experience in the middle.
The Panthers started the 4th innings strongly, Rookie Amelie Ferrito wearing one and then with good speed stealing second on the next pitch.
Then followed by a hard line drive triple to Ayla McCallum.
Paige put the ball in play to bat Ayla home and Eamon Thomson scored a walk before time was called.
Thanks to all players, coaches, scorers and parents for their efforts on the day.
C Grade
Last year’s premiers the Panthers faced off against their final rivals Wodonga Warriors with both teams fielding new players (rookies).
Panther Luca Bathhelmez starting off the innings by hitting the ball straight back over the pitcher’s head.
Mark Chambers, Lachlan Rosser and Sam Bourne all received walks and stole six bases between them and all scored on wild pitches.
Porepunkah had four runs cross the home plate.
Liam Quinton took up the pitching duties for Porepunkah.
He walked three batters then settled in to strike out three batters to end the first inning with Warrior’s scoring three runs.
The second innings saw the Panthers score another four runs.
Lachlan Rosser and Mark Chambers both got on base, with Mark injuring his quaddie having to steal so many bases.
Rookie Devon Turner made some nice catches and also scored a run after being hit by a pitch.
Peter Alexander in his first match got on base twice and scored both times.
Kim Lawson also impressed in her first game with nice contact at both her at bats.
With the Panthers up 8- 6 the game was still up for grabs.
Panthers Peter, Mark and Luca all reaching first base and then Lachlan Rosser monstering a big three base hit to bring them home.
Wodonga managed to bring in three runs in their final.
Jayden Eastwood in his second match for the day made two great outs in the final innings.
Final Score Porepunkah 12 def Wodonga 9.
B Grade
The Panthers had a great start with a gritty hard fought win over seven innings against the Wodonga Warriors.
Safe hits to Ollie Chambers and Randy Skippen in the first innings helped drive four runs in for Panthers.
Wodonga responded with one run in their first innings.
The Panthers then managed another two runs, with Andrew Smiths massive three base hit being the highlight.
Wodonga responded with three runs in the third innings whilst keeping the Panthers scoreless, with Porepunkah leading 6 runs to 5.
Next innings Panther Hayden Williams blasted a three base hit bringing in two runs.
One of his three safe hits for the day.
The Panthers then managed to shut out Wodonga for a couple of innings and score themselves.
With the score 11-7 going into the last innings Panthers Dean Anders and Ollie Chambers brought in three runs.
Wodonga scored three runs before Panthers achieved a double play to end the day with Ethan Edwards catching a ball at centre field then throwing to second base.
Dean Anders threw 118 pitches for Panthers for 79 strikes and 39 balls with 10 strikeouts and 5 batters hit.
Final score Porepunkah 14 def Wodonga 10.
A Grade
The Panthers A grade now has some of the best 15-17 year old players (just out of juniors) going around playing senior baseball in A and B grade.
The A grade game was a good one, with only one run separating the teams at the end but what caught everyone’s attention was the teenagers playing A grade.
Ollie Chambers (16 yrs) threw 78 pitchers for 32 strikes and struck out three batters.
Lachie Rosser (16 yrs) can play any position and led the batting stats for the day. Three at bats, two safe hits and a walk.
Ethan Edwards (17yrs) is a fast outfielder and can make the catches.
Luca Bathelmes (16 yrs) in his first game did not look out of place playing second base in the last innings getting two consecutive outs.
Hayden Williams (20) blasted two safe hits to be the other top batter.
Paul Meddings threw some spin off the mound and got himself two strikeouts.
Adam Rosser came in as closing pitcher with his son Lachie catching, with Rosco senior likely to be pitching next week.
Final score Wodonga 9 def Porepunkah 8.
