Speedster Jake McLardy will be a vital cog at the top of the Berwick City Cougars’ batting order. 27202By Marc McGowan
THE loss of marathon man Jude Power has not deterred Berwick City Cougars playing coach Wayne Porter from being bullish about his team’s prospects this season.
The Cougars will play against stronger opposition this season after a Baseball Victoria restructure saw them promoted into Division Two. But lion-hearted pitcher Power will not be along for the ride after choosing to switch camps to Division One club Sandringham.
That would have been a crippling blow last summer, but Berwick City looks to have more than covered him.
Veteran left-handed hurler Brad Hubbard, a former Australian player who also competed in the old national league with the Waverley Reds, has come aboard.
Hubbard, who has overcome arm problems in recent years, played with Porter at Ormond and, apparently, boasts an ‘amazing’ pick-off move. Hubbard will also play a crucial role in developing the Cougars’ teenage southpaws Matt and Martin Kennedy.
Other recruits include first baseman/outfielder Cain Hillier (Blackburn), reliever Stuart Brunton (Ormond) and former Country New South Wales junior representative Tim Laird.
Luke Hornstra was set to rejoin Berwick City, but a late change of heart will see him suit up for Sandringham.
Porter is also hugely excited about teenagers Adam Silva, who has come on in leaps and bounds over the winter, Sam Beasley, Linden Goodman and Mark Fahy.
Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship-holder Silva has been crushing the ball in training.
Infielder Jack Spiers is currently travelling overseas and will be out until Christmas, but will be a pivotal part of the side in the new year.
Usual suspects Porter, Shaun Fahy, Ian Frost, Tim Moon, Jake McLardy and president Paul Quinn will have to be major factors again if the Cougars are to be a success in the higher division.
Porter believes his players have enough talent to make a good fist of their first season in Division Two after making the Division Three finals for the first time last summer.
“There are enough old heads around here for us to be competitive,” he said.
“I haven’t played in Division Two for a while, but it’s all about who makes the least amount of mistakes.”
Porter stopped short of predicting a finals run from his team, but did not rule out the possibility.
He believes his pitchers will determine how far the side goes.
Berwick City kicks off its season against Preston at Cyril Molyneux Reserve this Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Cougars will field two women’s teams for the first time.
Springvale and Australian stars Simone Wearne, who has retired from national duty, and Shae Lillywhite will lead Berwick City’s Division One side.
Cougars and Springvale officials reached an agreement in July on a combined team that will play home games at Cyril Molyneux Reserve.
Springvale will also still have its own stand-alone team in Division One. Berwick City has also entered a Division Two side. The female Cougars start their campaigns on Saturday.
