By Tara Murray
North Western Titans were firing on all cylinders as they locked in a grand final spot in the Baseball Victoria summer league women’s regional west competition.
The Titans set the tone early in their semi final at MacPherson Park against the Sunshine Eagles on Saturday and didn’t let up.
It was a dominant display with the Titans winning, 18-4.
Titans’ Danny Haymes said it was a really pleasing performance.
“It was a very good win and I think they were pretty pumped,” he said. “I think the best two teams in the competition are in the grand final.
“It’s going to be an interesting week and any team can win.”
Haymes said the focus heading into the semi final was to get off to a good start and put the pressure back on the Eagles.
They did exactly that and led 5-1 after the first innings.
“They played well for the whole two hours,” he said. “We got off to a great start and that was going to be the key for the whole day.
“We got on top early and then put the pressure on them. We scored five runs in the first innings and then seven in the second innings.
“We played really well.”
The Titans scored one run in the third innings before finishing it off with five runs in the fourth innings.
Haymes said Debbie Said was the standout in the win.
“She batted really well and scored as well,” he said. “I think she hit a triple, a double and a single.
“It’s one of the better games I’ve seen from her in a while.”
Haymes said he was also really pleased with the performance of some of the junior girls.
The Titans will be going for their second premiership.
The women’s side won the division 3 west premiership in 2021-22 in their fourth season of having a women’s side.
The Titans will face Alfredton in the grand final, after Alfredton beat Geelong in the other semi final, 19-9.
The two teams last played each other in the final round, with Alfredton winning that match 18-3.
Haymes said they don’t take much out of that match.
“Both sides knew where it was going to finish and weren’t worried about the score,” he said. “The girls had switched off.
“Between us this season they’ve won two games, we’ve won one and there’s been a draw and been tight for the majority of those games.
“Whoever is at their best on Saturday will win.”
The grand final will be played at Melbourne Ballpark on Saturday at 9am.
