Tara Murray
Sunshine Eagles finals fate is in their own hands in Baseball Victoria men’s summer league division 1.
The Eagles sit second after 16 rounds with Geelong Baycats right on their heels. With both sides to face each other in the second last round, wins for either side are vital.
Eagles coach Stuart Clayton said things were looking really good.
“We can make finals if we win the rest of our games,” he said. “We have a series against Sandringham and then we play Geelong, the other team in contention [in our section].
“We’ll know where we are after that.”
The Eagles have been one of the in form teams after the Christmas break with seven wins, a draw and just two losses.
One of those losses though came Tuesday night, with the side losing to ladder leaders Essendon 13-0.
Clayton said it was one of those nights, where they just didn’t play well.
“They just hit the ball and we had a couple of fielding errors early and they just piled on the runs.
“I’ve played long enough to know these things will happen and not sweat over them.”
Despite the last up loss, Clayton said they had been performing really well in most areas.
Jeremy Young has returned to the pitcher’s mound with Griffin Weir stepping into the number two slot.
Clayton said they had been really good defensively, while they were getting plenty of hits despite losing Nikau Pouaka-Grego , Clayton Campbell and Allan de San Miguel mid season to baseball commitments overseas.
One positive outcome of losing those three players has been the emergence of Patariki Pouaka-Grego and Nathan Gatt.
“Paki is just 15 and is Nik’s younger brother,” Clayton said. “He’s playing in the outfield and swinging well.
“Nathan has been catching for us. He’s been around for a long time and is 25 and has been handed an opportunity.
“It’s not just good for this year, but it’ll be good for the future. Paki is just 15, at 20-21 he’ll be a super star.
The men’s side will face Sandringham in the first of their three games series on Sunday.
It isn’t only the first side that is flying this season for the Eagles.
The women’s side currently sits on top of the table in division 3 north west.
They have won eight of their first 10 games, after not fielding a team at all last season.
Clayton said overall it has been a good season across the club. Only the first division team and women’s team are chance of playing senior finals.
“It’s getting down to the pointy end of the season,” he said.
“The club is having a fantastic year. The thirds and fourths are more competitive in games after being a bit behind.
“They’re starting to be improve.”
