Tara Murray
Sunshine Eagles have high hopes entering the Baseball Victoria summer league men’s division 1 season.
The Eagles have played finals the last three seasons and are hoping to get back there again this year.
Stuart Clayton is again in charge of the side. He, like all the playing group, is keen to get out on the diamond.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“We’ve been back training for a week and half and we’ve had some really good numbers.
“We weren’t sure how everything would look coming back after COVID, but everyone is looking forward to it.”
Clayton said the men’s team was looking fairly strong, with the core group sticking together.
Tyson Cox-Davies comes across from Port Melbourne and will man the second base, while they were just waiting on the official clearance for a young catcher.
Nikau Pouaka-Grego who starred for the Eagles in the 2019-20 season, returns after a serious knee injury last year.
On the other hand, they’ve lost import Bryce Aldridge, but most teams won’t have imports due to Baseball Victoria rules due to COVID-19.
Clayton said they weren’t 100 per cent sure on the moves of pitcher Billy Parsons, who has been playing in the Czech Republic.
He said they were hoping Parsons, who won the competition’s most valuable player award, will return.
“We’re quite happy with our side,” Clayton said.
“We’re hoping to set up nicely and we’re hoping to get some early wins on the board.
“We’ve made finals the last three years, hopefully we can do that again this year.
“With our best side, we are looking to be good enough again.”
Clayton said the cancelation of the Australian Baseball League would potentially help the side this year as well.
“All the players who were part of that are available for club baseball each week,” he said.
“Last year we lost four players each weekend. They’re four of our best players.”
In a good sign for the Eagles, their women’s side is set to be back up and running this season.
They didn’t field a team last season. They will play in the division 3 west competition.
Clayton said the side had solid numbers, but was still looking for more players if anyone was interested.
“It’s good for the club to have a women’s side,” he said.
The Eagles kick off their season this weekend.
The men’s team faces Berwick City Cougars on Sunday in Berwick, while the women play Port Melbourne.
