By RUSSELL BENNETT
THERE’S a great feeling around the Berwick Cougars clubhouse right now.
The Casey baseball side clinched an encouraging season-opening 6-4 win against Mulgrave on Sunday and one of its standout performers was ageless veteran, and former first team coach, Wayne Porter.
It would have been easy for the man affectionately known as ‘Mouse’ to walk away from Cyril Molyneux Reserve at the end of last season when his coaching tenure came to an end.
But, instead, he has stayed to become an integral part of new coach Ronnie Carothers’ line-up and on Sunday hit a crucial double to see his side over the line in the first round of the new Victorian Summer League Division 2 baseball season.
“Mouse played a really big role for us.
“He’s just got so much experience to pass on to the younger guys,” Carothers said.
“We played together for a while at Moorabbin and he’s always been great with the kids.”
Four of the Cougars’ five teams secured opening round wins on the weekend and the new coach said Cyril Molyneux was a great place to be right now.
“You have to be happy with that – it’s a great result,” he said.
“I’m really happy with the guys’ commitment and dedication.
“The turnout we’ve had at training has been great, and with all the parents and kids there on opening day, the guys were buzzing, too.
“We just showed on Sunday that you need a really positive attitude if you want to win those games.”
Mulgrave hit the scoreboard first on Sunday, and went ahead again 2-1 before the Cougars came back to level the scores.
Just as Mulgrave started to threaten, the diminutive Porter stood tall.
But just as crucial to the Cougars’ success were pitchers Scott Simpson and fresh import Shawn Smith.
“Scott threw a fantastic game,” Carothers beamed.
“He pitched really strongly for the first three innings and only gave up four hits.
“Then Shawn Smith also had a real impact when he came on for the fifth inning.
“That role really suited him comfortably.”
Cain Hillier also drove home two runs in an important performance for the Cougars, while Sam Beasley had two hits on his return to the club.
Carothers praised the Cougars much-improved depth for the new season, with three senior teams fielding players capable of fulfilling bigger roles when called upon.
“The guys are all determined for a good result this year,” he said.
“They’re all using last year as a springboard.
“We want to finish in the top four, build from there and really give ourselves the best chance of winning.”
Carothers fully expects the Cougars’ first team to get the job done in their next match-up – against Port Melbourne – this weekend.
“But we can’t afford to take them lightly,” he said.
“They’re always competitive and have their own motivation to win so we need to be really professional.”
