Cougars inning an outer

Shaun Fahy sets off for first base after a bunt in the Berwick City Cougars’ 7-5 loss to Williamstown at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Sunday. 28327 Picture: Marc McGowan

By Marc McGowan
ONE sloppy inning ended the Berwick City Cougars’ club-record campaign in miserable conditions at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Sunday.
The Cougars entered their Division Three preliminary final showdown with Williamstown as slight favourites, but exited the finals race with a 7-5 defeat.
Star Berwick City pitcher Jude Power conceded five runs in the sixth frame as the Cougars fell 7-3 behind after taking a one-run buffer into the inning.
Teenager Jake McLardy attempted to spark an unlikely comeback at the bottom of the ninth frame with a two-run triple, but that was the best Berwick City could muster.
Wolves pitcher Jason Lester excelled for the visitors – throwing all nine innings – after struggling in the sides’ last clash at the Berwick venue.
That match resulted in a 6-5 come-from-behind victory for the Cougars and Lester had to be relieved in the sixth frame.
Williamstown’s Josh Robinson knocked in Chris Mason for the weekend contest’s opening run in the second inning.
But Berwick City veteran Shaun Fahy levelled the outing with an infield-clearing triple in the third that saw Tim Moon home before playing coach Wayne Porter and Paul Quinn gave their side a 3-1 advantage.
The Wolves hit back again through Scott Meager’s sacrifice fly in the following frame to cut the margin to one.
Neither side could add to the scoreline until the match-defining sixth inning.
First baseman Quinn was denied an early out in the frame after the umpire controversially deemed his feet to be off the base as the Williamstown batter scurried to reach his ground.
The decision proved costly as catcher Jordan Camov and Mason knocked in a combined three teammates before the Cougars recorded their first out.
Berwick City catcher Ian Frost’s decision to throw out Robinson at first base also saw Mason walk in the Wolves’ sixth run.
Meager, who reached base on a walk, stole second before reaching home plate after a wayward Power pitch.
The Cougars’ batters were unable to respond to the onslaught and the four-run deficit remained as the hosts walked out for their final at-bat.
Both Power and Aaron Warner grounded out, as the game looked headed for a quick conclusion.
Lester walked Frost before Jack Speirs managed his second straight safe hit to right field.
McLardy revived the locals’ hopes with a dramatic two-run triple over the infield after being down two strikes, but Moon could only hit the ball directly back to Lester, who completed the final out at first base.
Porter heaped praise on his players – McLardy and Speirs in particular – for not giving up.
“One inning can ruin your whole year … we had our opportunities and we’ll just load up for next year,” he said.
“The greatest thing of all was that they didn’t throw the towel in. I was dying to get out there and wanted to be the one (to score the match-winner), but it wasn’t to be.
“I would have loved to have won today, more because it would mean we’d automatically go straight up to Division Two (because Springvale does not qualify).
“It’d be early, but why the hell not? But if it takes another year or two, then so be it.”