DODGERS CONQUER TEAM CHALLENGE
AND BEAT HENLEY AND GRANGE
West Lakes Shore SA ~ 8 December 2024
The Dodgers scored four runs in the opening inning, and from there never looked back in their victory over the Rams, improving their record to 9 wins and 0 losses, and also winning a challenge with their coaches, to earn a day out bowling with the entire team.
Noah Soar, Chevy Roach, and Cameron Majewski led the offensive charge for the Dodgers with three singles each, with Roach and Majewski both driving in three runs, and Soar crossing the plate four times. Chase Mazurek, and Ashton Mogg, were next with two singles each, with Noah Sutherland, Jack Adams, Caleb LeCouteur, and Hunter Ung all adding singles.
“Everyone came ready to swing on Sunday, most notably Chevy having his best game at the plate this season. The feeling among the players and crowd was a sense of happiness for Chevy with everyone acknowledging his hard work and perseverance, despite his struggles so far,” said Head Coach Davey Roach following the game.
The Dodgers also reached a team target of 80 Balls in Play Challenge initiated about three weeks ago by Roach and assistants, Joel Mazurek, and Darryl Soar.
The challenge was to encourage more aggressive batting by offering prize incentives such as: Ice Cream Sundaes at the Pickled Duck for 40 balls in play, 60 balls -Lunch at Waterworld, and 80 balls - Bowling at Zone Bowling, Tea Tree Plaza.
“The team were up to the challenge, and with the top prize within reach they came out swinging and well and truly passed the target of 80, actually reaching 93, so we’re very proud of them, and we can’t wait to see them enjoy the fruits of their hard work, “ the coach said.
Sutherland, Mogg, and Mazurek shared the pitching duties for the Dodgers with Sutherland striking out three, with four walks, and giving up two runs, while Mogg fanned two, walked three, one batter hit by a pitched ball, and one run allowed. Mazurek held the Rams scoreless in the final inning, walking two, and striking out two, to finish the game.
“Well done to Noah (Sutherland) on a great start followed by ever dependable Ashton (Mogg) in relief” commented Roach.
Roach also made a couple of lineup moves for the first time this season, finishing the game with Mazurek on the mound, and Soar behind the plate.
“With the game and team challenge effectively under wraps there was an opportunity to mix things up with Chase coming in for his first pitch of the season and Noah's (Soar) first effort behind the plate,” Roach explained.
“As we go to the break with an unbeaten record, I’d like to acknowledge the maturity beginning to show in the players during moments of frustration. It’s easy to be calm and positive when things are going your way, but expressing frustration when they’re not, can be a distraction. I’m witnessing encouraging signs with players pulling themselves back into line and turning those moments into motivation. Credit to the boys for allowing the coaching staff to openly discuss these moments and that’s helping them grow into mentally resilient players.”
Izahiiah Place had the lone hit for Henley and Grange, a lightly hit third inning pop-up that dropped in between the pitcher’s mound and home plate, and spoiling the chance at a no-hit game.
Henley and Grange pitchers Hayden Mack, and Wade Charman had a very busy afternoon, throwing a combined total of 113 pitches, giving up 17 hits, and 8 walks in the loss.
The Dodgers have a bye this week, Round 10 - Sunday 15 December - and then all teams will have a month-long Christmas/Summer Holiday break.
“We’ll have a couple of great tests against Adelaide and then a rematch against Kensington, after the break. Both teams will throw their best at us and try to ruin our chance at a perfect season, but for now a well-earned break for the players, coaches and parents alike” Davey said.
The Golden Grove-Central Districts Dodgers headed down toward the seashore on Sunday (8 December), but instead of bathers and beach towels, the team brought their bats, and slugged their way to a 15-3 win over the Henley and Grange Rams in Baseball SA Major Little League action at West Lakes Shore.
Chevy Roach - Three hits, reached base four times, four runs batted in.
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
INoah Sutherland - Three strikeouts, and one hit batting..
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur.
Cameron Majewski. - Three hits for the Dodgers.
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur.
Ashton Mogg - Two hits, HBP, BB, two runs scored, two runs batted in.
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Catcher Jack Adams - Big base hit to drive in two runs..
Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Dodger teammates Caleb LeCouteur (72) and Chevy Roach (17) exchange encouragment during Sunday's win over Northern Districts at Illyarrie Reserve Surrey Down.
LeCouteur, and Roach both had hits in the win.
Photo-Tanya LeCouteur
DODGERS SPOIL THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
PARTY WITH A BIG WIN OVER THE REDS
Surrey Downs S.A. ~ 2 December 2024
The Golden Grove-Central Districts Dodgers rolled out the welcome mat for their northern suburbs neighbours on Sunday but that was all the hospitality on offer, as Big Blue steamrolled their way to a decisive 12-4 win over the Northern Districts Reds in Baseball South Australia Major Little League action at Illyarrie Reserve, Surrey Downs.
The Dodgers smashed a total of 12 hits and had two big innings to secure the win, improving their first-place record to 8 wins and 0 defeats in the Ron McBeth Division.
Golden Grove opened the scoring in the bottom of the first scoring 2 runs, then added 4 in the second, 2 in the third, and then put the game out of reach with a 4 run fourth.
Noah Sutherland had a big day offensively for Golden Grove, going 4 for 4, highlighted by a two-run homer, a double, two singles and a career game high 7 runs batted in.
“Noah was on a tear in the box on Sunday” said Dodgers Coach Davey Roach. “The home run was possibly the hardest hit shot of the year. It flew off the bat!”
Sutherland's home run wasn't without some drama however. After smashing a bullet drive into the left-centre gap, scoring Cameron Majewski, Sutherland sprinted toward third, where Coach Roach signalled for him to stop from the coaches box, but Noah continued for home, only to get caught in a rundown, but luckily dodging the catcher’s tag to score and record the homer.
“ I can live with mistakes through youthful exuberance, and Noah has always been quick to accept when he messes up”, said Roach of the missed signal at third.
Majewski continued to swing a hot bat for the Dodgers adding two singles to his leadoff double in the first, followed by Noah Soar and Jack Adams, each with two singles, Caleb LeCouteur, a double, and Ashton Mogg, and Chevy Roach, each with singles.
“Our batting is exactly where it needs to be with everyone swinging effectively at the first reasonable strike, and hopefully that translates against the faster pitchers we will face in finals.” Roach said following the win.
Hunter Ung, Sutherland, and Mogg shared the Dodger pitching duties, holding the Reds to just four runs, on three hits, four walks, and one hit by pitch. Ung started strong for the Dodgers striking out three in the opening inning, and then fanning another in the second to finish with four K’s, with Sutherland and Mogg each fanning two.
“Credit to Hunter, Noah, and Ashton, for throwing consistent strikes and rarely giving up a free pass to first base. If they weren’t getting strikeouts, our fielders were doing their job and making the plays,” noted Roach.
Golden Grove’s defence is proving to be a strong attribute, and on Sunday they recorded 9 defensive putouts, offering solid support to the pitchers.
Ung left the mound in the second, moving into the outfield, where he made a nifty play in the third snagging a ground ball in shallow right field, and throwing out the Reds’ Casey Sanders for a satisfying 9 to 3 putout at first base.
Sutherland went in to pitch with two out in the top of the second, striking out his first Reds opponent Raiden Adey, but the third strike got by the catcher and Adey reached first, enabling the visitors go ahead 3-2 when the lead runner raced home from third. Sutherland did a great job covering the plate following a wild pitch in the third inning, when catcher Caleb LeCouteur pounced on the ball at the backstop, and then flipped to Sutherland who tagged the Reds’ Zac Munn attempting to score from third.
Ashton Mogg went in to pitch in the fourth and fifth, keeping the Red’s off the scoreboard, and limiting them to just one hit. LeCouteur, now in the outfield, helped end the game in the final inning with two nice catches on consecutive fly balls to centre field.
Northern Districts dropped to 2 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw with the loss, but they showed plenty of discipline and were competitive scoring three runs in the second inning, and another in the fourth, but the Dodgers stymied their efforts after that.
Star Reds' player Ryder McQuire-Thomas, and Munn led the Red’s hitting, each with doubles, while Riley Vine added a single. Casey Sanders, Riley Vine, and Riley Clifton shared the duties on the mound, with Sanders and Vine throwing a combined 88 pitches.
“We’re continuing to see a positive approach each game, and with one more game before Christmas, we’re hoping to come out on top against Henley and Grange to remain undefeated at the break,” Roach added.
Noah Sutherland had a big day offensively for the Dodgers, going 4 for 4, highlighted by a two-run homer, a double, two singles and a career high 7 runs batted in. Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Hunter Ung started strong for the Dodgers striking out three in the opening inning, and then fanning another in the second to finish with four K’s Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Ashton Mogg - Batted a single, and pitched a strong final inning for the Dodgers. Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Noah Soar - Two singles in the Dodgers win. Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Jack Adams - Two singles at the plate for GGCD. Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
Cameron Majewski - A leadoff double, and two singles against Northern Districts. Photo - Tanya LeCouteur
