Victorian under-18 pitcher Matthew Kennedy started on the mound for the Berwick City Cougars on Sunday in their 8-7 defeat to Preston at La Trobe University. 24190By Marc McGowan
Their 8-7 extra-innings loss leaves them in sixth position, but only one win behind top side Springvale, which has a game in hand.
The Pirates trailed 7-6 at the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and a hitter on two strikes.
But teenage southpaw Martin Kennedy gave up the tying run on a curve ball before Preston scored the winner two innings later – again with two outs.
Kennedy had relieved fellow left-hander Matt Kennedy in the sixth inning with the scores at five-all.
The Pirates went 6-5 ahead at the top of the 7th before the Cougars snatched the lead with two runs in the eighth to set up the dramatic finish.
Berwick City was forced to use a makeshift line-up again, with Jude Power (work commitments), Shaun Fahy (back) and Aaron Warner (virus) all unavailable.
Tim Moon, Jake McLardy and playing coach Wayne Porter headlined the Cougars’ offensive efforts.
But Porter was furious at his side’s inability to close out its sixth victory of the season.
“My only emotion after the game was that I was filthy angry,” he said.
“We hadn’t played great. We gave up six two-out runs – it’s very frustrating.”
Porter also felt the match was a learning experience for Martin Kennedy.
“I thought he threw one of his secondary pitches (when Preston scored the tying run),” he said.
“The guy had hit well for the day and we were trying to ice the game and you don’t try to out-think (the situation).
“You just go with your best stuff and he had been throwing well with his fastball at that stage.”
Berwick City faces St Kilda at Melbourne Ball Park at 8.50pm tonight (Thursday) before returning to Cyril Molyneux Reserve at 3.30pm on Sunday to play Chelsea.
