v
Sidewinders
Starting Line-up: P: Owen
Hazelby, C: Rob Wheeler, 1B: Heather Armstead, 2B: James Guerra, 3B:
Stuart Ellis, SS: Peter Badenhuizen, LF: Chris Lary, CF: Jeremy Abel,
RF: Gregg Yates
A
grey, damp Richmond morning greeted the Mavericks for a double header
against the Sidewinders and the London Marauders on a sticky, muddy Ham
Field for week 2 of the Herts Spring League and more chances to throw
off some of that winter rust. After a warm up further up the field where
most of the exercise came from avoiding the local "presents", the
Mavericks too the field for game 1. Game
1 pit the A Mavericks against the AAA Sidewiners in a 7 inning/1:45
game.
Facing a team from a
higher league the Mavericks were always expected to lose this game but
as the game progressed the result was never a foregone conclusion. At
the plate the Mavericks bats never really got going,
nobody ever getting more than a
double,
but discipline at the plate drew a number of walks which combined with
good hits from the heart of the order, notable hits coming from James
Guerra, Owen Hazelby and Pete Badenhuizen, meant the Mavericks plated 4
runs over 6 innings. 
The Mavericks defence, however, was on good form from the off. Owen Hazelby making his first mound appearance of the year took an inning to get his eye in and start controlling his location. Excellent back up from the defence was keeping the game close through 4, particularly the 4th inning where everything seemed to be going Stuart Ellis' way on third, both an excellent catch and a pin point throw over to first making two of the outs.
With frustration growing at their inability to dominate lower league opposition, by the 5th inning (of an eventual six) the Sidewinders batters had given up all attempt at sensible baseball and were swinging for the fences. One good connection later and a Grand Slam was theirs which in the end was the only difference between the two teams in a final scoreline of 8-4.
While a loss, the result represents a great result for the lower league Mavericks showing what we're capable of and showing great promise for the season ahead.
Thanks to Owen Hazelby for this write up
v
London Marauders
Starting Line-up:
P John Kristensen
C Rob Wheeler
1B James Guerra
2B Dave Jones
SS Owen Hazelby
3B Peter Badenhuizen
LF William Young
CF Thom Doggert
RF Ben Stobart
In the second game of their double header on Sunday, 4th April, the Guildford Mavericks fielded a new team, including more of their recent recruits, to face the London Marauders.
The
Mavericks started off their first inning by moving a few players across
the plate to set the tone. The Marauders were only able to reply with a
single run. By the third inning the Mavericks had built up a convincing
lead of 6–2. Doubles by new payer Thom Doggett, and by veterans James
Guerra and John Kristensen plus a few singles brought more Mavericks
across the plate.
The
Marauders
then settled down in the middle innings and the two teams seemed evenly
matched with shut down innings for each.
By the fifth inning the Marauders’ pitcher seemed to flag and gave the Mavericks chances, putting runners on bases through several walks. Aggressive base running by Mavericks John K, James G, Owen Hazelby, Peter Badenhuizen and David Jones after walks and singles moved more Maverick runners around to scoring positions.
The Marauders fought back bravely, however, bringing in several runners off Maverick errors in the sixth and seventh innings. Home runs by Mavericks John Kristensen and Rob Wheeler. seemed to settle matters by the seventh inning. The Mavericks had built their lead to 15–7.
Another Marauder run in the in the eight inning showed their pluck, but
was not enough. Mavericks’ defence held
and the teams started the ninth inning 15–8. The Mavericks failed to
score their last at bat, and gave the Marauders their final chance. One
Marauders crossed the plate but the Maverick’s defence once again held
steady, with a strike out and out at first, then closing off game with a
infield pop-up take by Pitcher John K put end with a convincing
Mavericks victory of 15–9.
Umpired excellently by ABUA’s Darrin Muller. Managed by Rob Wheeler and James Guerra.
Thanks to Dave Jones for this write up
All photos courtesy of Owen Hazelby
