This week saw Yeovil Whirlwinds face a visit from the Newton Brewers for what is set to be Yeovil’s final double header of the season.
On what was a stiflingly hot day, Newton took to the pitch to bat first in game one. Some excellent pitching from Whirlwind’s Jack Amphlett kept things tight, Newton only managed to score one run in the first innings. This was the story for the first few innings of the game, excellent pitching and fielding from both sides ensured runs were kept to a minimum.
It wasn’t until the 3rd innings when another run was registered, some patient batting from Yeovil and excellent baserunning meant that the Whirlwinds could sneak across 2 runs, heading into the 4th innings Yeovil held a slender lead 2-1.
In the 4th innings Newton rallied and put another run on the board and kept Yeovil scoreless.
The game set at 2-2 heading into the 5th innings, things were really heating up. Newton ruthless with the bat, put up another 5 runs to take a 7-2 lead. Yeovil really needed a big innings to stay in the game, this is exactly what they got. Some patient hitting, excellent running and fantastic teamwork ensured Yeovil scored 5 runs and headed to the 6th innings tied up at 7-7.
The ruthlessness continued into the 6th, both teams scoring well, setting us up for a cracking final innings, Yeovil had a slender lead 12-11.
Newton threw the kitchen sink at their innings at bat and despite Yeovil’s pitching and fielding keeping things tight, Newton amassed 6 runs. Pressure was on Yeovil to match this to take the game, some calm composed batting kept Yeovil in with a shout and it was Jack who drove the ball out to left field which brought Dave Martin home. Yeovil had won 18-17!
Jack’s pitching and Jess Cullen’s work at catcher in game one was voted by their Yeovil team mates as “Play of the day”.
Game two saw a change in pitching for Yeovil, Toby Richards coming in.
Keen to make amends for defeat in the first game Brewers came out swinging, piling on the runs, scoring 5 in their first innings and restricting Yeovil to 3.
Dogged as usual, Yeovil battled back in the second innings scoring 5 and restricting Brewers to only 2.
Now fully in his rhythm, Whirlwinds pitcher Toby Richards kept Newton scoreless for the 3rd and 4th innings, some excellent play from Chrisi Wilangowski, playing her first game on 1st Base, and other infielders Simon, David and Tom kept things really tight.
Yeovil were able to score a further 5 runs meaning Newton needed to score 6 in their final batting innings to make Yeovil bat again, Brewers could only muster the 2 runs and Yeovil ran out 13-9 winners.
A fantastic day of baseball and really good one for Yeovil Whirlwinds, everything we work on in training is finally coming together.
As always Newton were great guests, we look forward to our trip down to them in August.
Yeovil Whirlwinds return to training Tuesday evening at 6:45pm at Bradford Abbas sports and recreation club, all are welcome.
Jess Cullen (11/7/22)