Scots put pressure on reigning champs

SCOTS proved they’re a force to be reckoned with as they pushed Falcons all game in the latest round of A grade matches in the Bendigo Baseball Association season.After two innings, Scots held a two-run lead and held it for another two innings as the Falcons batters struggled with Aaron Petri’s pitching in the first four innings.However, he began to tire in the fifth and Falcons seized the opportunity to score five runs.The Falcons’ base running turned half-chances into runs.Falcons starter Sheldon Christie had a tough outing, but found his rhythm to keep Scots at bay.Johnathon Taylor went to the mound for Scots in the final innings.Scots needed four runs in the last to tie the game.Falcons brought Gary Vandermaat to the mound to relieve Christie, who had thrown 130 pitches. Vandermaat could not find the zone, and Casey Jones replaced him as Falcons won 7-3.Pitchers - Scots: Aaron Petri 6 innings 11 strike outs 8 walks, Johnathon Taylor 1 inning 0 strike outs 0 walks. Falcons: Sheldon Christie 6 innings 7 strike outs 5 walks, Gary Vandermaat 1 inning 0 strike outs 2 walks, Casey Jones 1 inning 3 strike outs 0 walks.Safe his - Scots: Ben Jacobs, Wayne Petri, Glenn Davies 2. Falcons: Casey Jones, Sheldon Christie, Justin Cox.Shepparton Colts travelled to Bendigo to take on Strathfieldsaye Dodgers.Colts got off to a good start over the first two innings with hits to James Bray (2) and Rhys Taylor as well as a sacrifice to coach Cameron Stuart to score three runs.With Tom Grinter handling the pitching duties for the first time this year, the Dodgers stayed in touch by scoring a run off four hits before a double play between Bray and Frost closed the innings.The Colts took control of Aaron Sherriff’s pitching with hits to Frost, Taylor and Fox.Great support from Josh Davies at third base and Anthony Medhurst at second helped Dodgers hold the Colts to four more runs over the next two innings. Hits from Jason Dowling and Youl Gordon helped bridge the gap as Dodgers score five more runs. The Colts won 13-6.BEST - Colts: Rhys Taylor, Tom Grinter and Brayden Cecchin. Dodgers: Josh Davies, Jason Dowling and Anthony Medhurst.Safe hits - Colts: Rhys Taylor 3, James Bray, Aaron Di Fede 2, Colin Basham, Tom Grinter, Caleb Fox,Travis Frost. Dodgers: Josh Davies 3, Jason Dowling 2, Cameron Bell, Youl Gordon, Aaron Sherrif and Colin Guthrie.In the B grade competition, Shepparton Colts took on Strathfieldsaye Dodgers.The Colts welcomed back senior players Toy and Dow.Colts racked up four safe hits from the first five batters, led by Adam Williams and Cheyne Osborne to score five runs in the first inning.With young Zac Sheppard having a bit of trouble finding the zone and a couple of fielding errors, Dodgers scored two runs.Over the next three innings, Colts scored another 22 runs before time and game was called and the score reverted back to 19-3.BEST - Colts: Nigel Dow, Piers Gillet and Adam Williams. Dodgers: Peter Ritchie, Gary Ahdore, Gordon Youl.Safe hits - Colts: Piers Gillet 4, A. Williams, N. Dow 3, S. Marshall, Z. Sheppard, C. Osborne 2, C. Basham, S. Coatsworth, S. Dougan, K. Marshall, D. Toy. Dodgers: G. Youl, G. Adhore.Falcons scored 11 runs in the first innings against East.After pitching well in the first inning, Falcons’ Brad Muns gave up five walks in the second, and Seb Costello finished the inning.Falcons scored heavily in the last two innings, scoring a further 12 runs, and kept East scoreless.Falcons (B1) 11 1 3 9 (24) d Bendigo East 3 4 0 0 (7) Pitchers - Falcons (B1): Brad Muns 1 1/3 inns 3 strike outs 5 walks, Seb Costello 2/3 inning 0 strike outs 2 walks, Jayson Strahan 2 inns 1 strike out 0 walks. Bendigo East: Brendon Aikman 2 inns 4 strike outs 2 walks, Matt Gould 1 1/3 inns 1 strike out 10 walks, Leigh Schintler 2/3 inns 2 strike outs 0 walks.Safe hits - Falcons: Brad Muns, Shaun Osborn, Terry Smith 3, Andrew Powell, Seb Smith 2, Jason Harriage, Jayson Strahan. Bendigo East: Leigh Schintler, Don Mitcell 2, Matt Gould, Sam Wilson, Aaron Sheriff, David Simpson. Falcons scored heavily in every inning and amassed 44 runs against Scots.Nick and Stuart Thornton had eight safe hits between them.Falcons (B2) 26 6 3 9 (44) d Scots 0 0 0 0 (0)Pitchers - Scots: Steven Worland 2 inns 0 strike outs 7 walks, Craig Stevens 1 inns 3 strike outs 5 walks. Falcons: Josh Monti 3 inns 4 strike outs 1 walk.Safe hits - Wayne Petri. Falcons: N. Thornton 5, S. Thornton, B. Long 3, K. Moon, J. Plowright, T. Waterman 2, A. Jones, L. McLean, J. Monti, W. Attard, N. Larson.