Powerful Leite shines again

By Russell Bennett
ANOTHER spectacular baseball sound and Leite show was on display in Berwick last week as the Cougars’ star import shone yet again.
Josh Leite has already proved his worth, just a couple of weeks after stepping off the plane from California to ply his trade in Victoria.
Last Sunday he had a game only dreams are made of – not giving up any runs, a total of just four hits and striking out 13 batters in an incredible display of pitching dominance.
And to prove his all-around skill, he also had three hits of his own – a home run and two doubles – in Berwick’s 4-0 win over Ormond/Glenhuntly.
Cougars coach Wayne Porter is still trying to come to grips with the sheer talent at his disposal.
“I haven’t seen anyone hit a home run over right field with a strong wind blowing to left field,” he said.
“Our home ground is huge but Josh is just so powerfully built.”
Porter said he has already refused to let Leite take Cougars’ batting practice.
“He’s already hit two balls over houses on Mansfield Street,” he said.
But Porter was also quick to praise some of the Cougars’ future stars in the win over Ormond.
“Catching debutant Craig Barnett had a great day in both the catchers box and the batting box, picking up two hits,” Porter said.
“The great thing about this game was the young guys stepping up and contributing to the outcome and not leaving it up to the experienced senior players.”
Sunday’s win was the Cougars’ second in the past week after a thrilling 8-7 victory over Chelsea last Thursday.
“We gave up for runs in the first inning and walked a lot of hitters,” Porter said.
“But we also scored five of our own in the first.
“Even though we gave up those runs, we still didn’t give up a lead and that’s down to guys like Mark Surtees, Ryan Shane and Mathew Chilcott stepping up to the plate.
“Mat started a bit erratically but his mates came in and helped him out and that was great to see.”
Berwick’s 2011-12 season continues this Sunday with an away game against Newport at K.C. White Reserve in Williamstown.