Pumas run out of reserve luck

PAKENHAM’S luck evaporated on Saturday as Cheltenham walked off for a 6-5 win over the Pumas at Kingston Heath Reserve.
After escaping with a lucky win last week, the Pumas found themselves five runs down from three innings after Justin Mazurek, who was making his first start for the season, gave up costly hits.
Uncharacteristic fly ball errors also added to the Pumas’ woes as the dropped catches not only restricted the Pumas from getting the required outs, but also advanced the Cheltenham runners across the plate.
Playing coach Travis Hough brought himself on to pitch out the match and was successful in denying any further runs.
After seven innings, the Pumas had drawn level, despite a number of batters grounding out to the Cheltenham infielders.
The scorers wouldn’t be bothered again until the last innings, when Cheltenham’s lead off batter reached on a walk.
The runner scampered to second on a sacrificed bunt, before a passed ball advanced the runner to third base.
With one out, it was a simple case for Cheltenham to get a hit and get the runner home to win.
The seconds had a much more prolific day, smashing Cheltenham, 29-1.
The game was marked by the return of former Melbourne Monarch Wayne Porter, as well as Victorian representative Jade Hough.
Pakenham started slowly, managing two runs in the first innings and giving up one run to the Rustlers.
But the second innings was a different story, as Pakenham scored at will, amassing 13 unanswered runs and not allowing Cheltenham to score again.
The fielders made regulation outs with a few double plays.
Cheltenham made numerous pitching changes in an attempt to stop the onslaught. But it was to no avail as the Pumas hit a massive score.
The thirds had no game as Borneo failed to get enough numbers for a side.