The younger Berwick City Cougars, like teenager Jack Spears, have been the secret behind the club’s improved success this season.By Marc McGowan
YOUTHFUL exuberance helped the Berwick City Cougars register their third victory in four Baseball Victoria Division Three matches at Cyril Molyneux Reserve on Saturday.
The Cougars remain in second-last spot with four wins, but sit just two games outside the top four after taking the whole season to record the same number of successes in 2006-07.
The 8-1 thumping of the winless Footscray was engineered by the club’s youngsters, with 15-year-old starting pitcher Matthew Kennedy leading the way.
After an impressive display in relief for the seconds in the previous round, Kennedy was called up to the senior side.
The teenager, who has been selected in the under-16 Victorian Provincial side for next month’s national championships, made the most of the opportunity by impacting with both bat and ball.
Kennedy’s hitting produced Berwick City’s opening two runs on its way to a four-run first dig before he went on to throw four scoreless innings.
Strongman Jude Power took over the reins for the fifth and continued his strong form, conceding just one run as the Cougars added further runs to their total.
But the highlight of the day came from rising star Jake McLardy, when his trademark speed enabled him to catch a fly-ball after a 30-metre pursuit.
The 16-year-old centre fielder also had a couple of hits and stolen bases, while playing coach Wayne Porter had another good game.
Porter was pleased with the win, but was most impressed by McLardy’s solo effort.
“It was great. It was one of those classic catches and would have won $10,000. It’s good to see kids that have the ability and confidence to do it,” he said.
“There were two things to do – peel off and let it bounce, or go for it and it was good to see him be confident enough to go for it.”
While Berwick City has made massive strides this season, Porter is hesitant to talk up his team as a finals chance.
“We’ll just see what we can do in the second half and keep trying to improve,” he said.
“We’re not ruling (finals) out, but we’ll just play to win every week. We’re not set on doing that; we’ll just try to play to win and the rest will take care of itself – the old cliché.”
The Cougars play their final match before the Christmas break from 8.50pm tonight (Thursday) against Williamstown at Melbourne Ball Park in Altona.
