Bear hug: baseball club creates history with crushing win

THE Bellarine Bears Baseball Club has won its first A Reserve premiership in the club’s history.

The Bears clinched their first A Reserve title with an astounding 12-3 win against the Guild Lions recently at Waurn Ponds Baseball Centre.

Based in Wallington, the Bears have come agonisingly close in recent years to being crowned so they knew this was their grand final to win and nothing was going to stand in their way.

“Twenty-three years ago was the last time a premiership was in their hands and the moment that final out was made, you could feel the absolute excitement coming from the Bears camp,” Christina Cameron from the club said.

“Nothing felt greater than that moment.” Clearly topping the table for the entire season, the Bears endured a small challenge in the bottom of the second from the Lions, before coming back with a six run innings at the top of the third courtesy of a three-run bomb from left fielder Matt Taylor.

It assured them of breaking the club’s premiership drought.

After throwing a complete game in the preliminary final, manager Stuart Anderson looked to the reliable Josh Crotty to bring home the flag and he delivered with absolute quality, teaming up with catcher Chris Hockey. Not only delivering on the mound and behind the plate, Crotty and Hockey backed it up with timely hits along with Taylor, Kris Kiefel, and a bunt from Tayla Supple as well as great leg speed from centre fielder Jack Auld, which made the win even sweeter.

With few, if any, errors for the day, the Bears’ field performed impeccably.

In the outfield, Alex Hockey definitely had his work cut out for him deep in right field and the infield between Daniel Stott and Pat Brackley made some great plays.

“It really is something to admire, how this team has come together and worked under both Anderson and coach David Morrissy,” Ms Cameron said.

“Special mentions besides the above definitely need to go to third baseman Daniel Stott, who provided a scare for Bellarine with a very nasty facefirst tumble at home plate, but stayed on the field for the remainder of the game and young Bear Lachie Halloran who made his big-game debut as bat boy and did an excellent job throughout the game.”