By Tara Murray
North Western Titans’ foray into the Geelong Baseball Association proved to be a fruitful one, with the Titans claiming the B-reserve premiership on Saturday.
In their first season in the competition the Titans entered the grand final against Deakin as favourites, having claimed the minor premiership.
The Titans started slowly, with Deakin taking an early lead scoring one run in the first inning.
But it didn’t take the Titans long to level the scores, scoring their first run in the second.
From then on, it was all the Titans.
They scored four runs in the third inning and opened the game up.
They ramped it up in the fourth with five runs and eventually came away with a 13-2 win.
Titans president and team member Danny Haymes said it was a massive achievement for the club.
“It is fantastic,” he said. “It has been seven years since we have won one.
“They got ahead early and we didn’t panic. The lower order got us going and the top order followed after that.
“Everyone contributed and I’m really proud of the team.”
Michael Nash was outstanding, with three hits from three attempts, with runs being scored on each of them.
Haymes, Scott Sell and Cameron Wilson also managed multiple hits.
Ryan Tompkins did the job on the mound, pitching the whole game.
He allowed just five hits across five innings, resulting in two runs while striking out eight batters and no walks.
Haymes said it took a little bit to digest the win, having won it so easy and with the result sealed so early in the game.
The Titans weren’t at full strength, making the win even more impressive.
He said they couldn’t have asked for any more from the group, as they put the pressure on in the field and when running between bases.
The premiership comes after the Titans were promoted early in the season, having had an instant impact in the lower division.
Haymes said they hoped this would help them heading into summer league.
Players from both the men’s and women’s teams were part of the premiership side.
They will again field men’s and women’s teams, along with juniors.
The summer league competition starts next weekend.
“Summer is a lot harder,” Haymes said.
“We’re pretty happy with what we have achieved.
“We went into the competition with the focus on developing players.
“The growth of the group has been really good.”
