Tara Murray
Sunshine Eagles women’s side continues to improve every week they take to the field in Baseball Victoria summer league division 3 west.
The Eagles sit atop the ladder after four rounds as the only undefeated team, having put some big scores on the board.
For Eagles it’s a welcome return to the competition after not fielding a side last season.
One of the coaches Mark McKenner said the side was doing really well and they were starting to see more numbers come down.
“The ladies are doing really well,” he said. “Especially considering six of the girls have never played baseball before.
“A lot of the team we had the year before [2019-20 season] were mums, wives and girlfriends and they wanted to have some time to travel after being in lockdown.
“A couple of younger players including my two daughters were excited to play again so we decided to have a crack at a women’s team.
“The week before the season we had nine players which is enough to field a team. We had a friend come down and she brought a couple of extras… We now have 14 players.”
McKenner said one of the key reasons they wanted to get the back up and going was they wanted to provide somewhere for the younger female players at the club to play once they couldn’t play juniors mixed teams.
He said there were several young girls who were either playing in the side or looking to start playing after Christmas.
McKenner’s two daughters Makayla and Lily McKenner are playing in the team and are part of the state pathways programs and are keen to take their talents further.
McKenner said, him and fellow coach Alan De San Miguel are thrilled with how things were traveling.
“Coaching the team from week one to new the way the ladies have developed is honestly amazing,” he said.
“I think it is because they are having fun enjoying being around each other and it’s a good atmosphere.
“They just love playing.”
McKenner said the focus was to ensure the side continues to do the right things and the results would take care of themselves.
He said if they continue to play the way they are they should be in the mix come the pointy end of the season.
The Eagles are set to face Geelong Baycats on the weekend.
As is the Eagles division 1 men’s side. The men’s side sit 4-1.
