Tara Murray
The North Western Titans are enjoying a new challenge in the Baseball Victoria Summer League competition.
The Titans men’s and women’s sides are both playing in division 2 this season, having both played in division 3 last season.
The women’s side earned promotion after winning the division 3 west title last season.
Titans coach Andrew Fielden said the men’s side got an opportunity that they weren’t going to turn down.
“Springvale decided they didn’t want to be promoted to division 2, so they then offered it to Pakenham, who declined,” he said.
“We were next up as we finished third. We accepted the challenge. We were prepared to build in division 3 and the lower grades, but we decided to take the challenge and play a better standard of baseball.”
Fielden said this was the highest level of baseball the club had played, which they were hoping would benefit them in the long term.
The Titans have lost their first three games, the most recent on Sunday to Fitzroy, 6-1.
Fielden said they had played three of the top six sides in the first few rounds which had been a good test for them and we’re they are at.
“We’ve been extremely competitive,” he said. “I’ve been really happy with how the guys have been playing.
“There’s still plenty of room for improvement and it will take some time. It’s a big jump from division 3 to division 2.”
Fielden said defensively they had started really well, but their bats were yet to get going. He said once that clicks they will be better for it and even more competitive.
It wasn’t only the top side that went up a grade with the move of the top side. Fielden said this season was also about helping them compete at the higher level.
“We don’t want to get relegated and go straight back down,” he said.
“We want to focus on building the lower grades as well and be more competitive. We’re struggling a little bit pitching wise.”
On the women’s side, the Titans division 2 side lost to the Springvale Lions 17-3 on Saturday.
The Titans are without a win after three rounds.
Fielden said the group had been really competitive.
“It’s a big learning curve and they’re enjoying the challenge. It has been really good so far.”
The Titans men will face Williamstown on Sunday, while the women’s side will face Sandringham on Saturday.
