By Lance Jenkinson
Sunshine flashed its pitching department riches in a commanding 4-1 win over Blackburn Orioles in the Baseball Victoria summer league division 1 clash at Barclay Reserve on Saturday.
The arm depth of the top-of-the-ladder Eagles was on show with their four stars only needing to be wheeled out for three innings or less.
Eagles coach Stuart Clayton described the significance of beating an Orioles team that has bullied most others in recent years.
“It was a really good day for the club because they’ve been a tough side for five or six years,” he said. “It’s always good to get a win over them.
“We pitched really well today, we played some good defence and there was some really good hitting into the wind.”
Griffin Weir got the start for Sunshine and threw two confident innings.
Riley Barr, who conceded the only run for the Eagles, produced three innings in relief, leaving the game with a 3-1 lead after five innings.
Adam Irons was on the mound for two innings before Jeremy Young closed out the game with the last two innings – neither giving up a run.
A nigh on watertight performance defensively contributed to a big win for Sunshine.
“You can go to any of those pitchers and have no issues knowing they’re going to put out some quality ball,” Clayton said.
“We also played some really good defence.”
Jordan Young, who was outstanding at shortstop, had two hits for Sunshine.
“I believe he’s the best shortstop in the league,” Clayton said.
“He just gobbles up balls and makes the plays.
Irons, who pitched middle-relief, also had two hits.”
The game MVP honours went to Bryce Aldridge, who scored the Eagles’ first two runs.
Aldridge also had a hand in another of the Eagles runs when he got involved in a rundown, allowing a runner at third base to reach home.
Clayton was full of praise for the American import.
“Even his off days when we’re not training, he’s down here and he hits in the tunnels and takes extra cuts,” he said.
Sunshine will complete its two-game series with Blackburn on Saturday at Billabong Park.
