By JARROD POTTER
FROM The A all the way to Pakenham, it’s been a remarkable year for James Mills on the pitcher’s mound.
Alongside his two runs in the VSBL Division 3 finale, Mills, 24, from Atlanta, Georgia, fulfilled his greatest hopes for his year in Australia as he helped Pakenham Pumas claim the summer baseball premiership.
Mills’ crowning achievement was clamping down against Mulgrave from his spot in the centre of Toomuc Reserve.
Pitching out seven innings, from what may have to be rechristened Mills’ Mound, the Pakenham pitcher saw off the best of the Rebels’ line-up and kept the side scoreless through the final four innings.
His right-arm fireballs left the Rebels on the back-foot and unable to hit with the same power that earned them a ticket to the final.
Despite the heat and his additional recent workload – pitching a full nine-innings against the Rebels in the semi-final two weeks earlier – Mills wasn’t going anywhere.
“I told Shauny (coach Shaun Fahy) the week before if he wanted me off the mound he’d have to take a crowbar and pry me off as I’m not coming off the mound,” Mills said. “My arm felt good and then today (Sunday) and it was the same mindset – it was my game, and I wanted it to be my game and not give it up to anyone else.
“The boys hit and did everything well and was a good team win.”
Everyone crowded around Mills after his seventh-innings close out gave Pakenham a 14-4 mercy rule victory.
“This is what all the boys have been working for,” Mills said. “From our first game – we had a slow start- and needed a kick in the butt, it was like an awakening that you’re not going to coast through this league.
“But this is a good feeling – this is what you strive for every season.
“It was great – I’ve got 10 days left and it was a good way to finish it.
“Came here for both seasons, winter and summer, and to come out with the Div 3 flag, I’ve had this day marked on my calendar since February.”
He’s heading back home with a medal around his neck, after the Pumas 14-4 victory on Sunday, eager to see his family after a year in Pakenham.
While he wouldn’t say if he would return to Pakenham for 2017, Mills is open to the idea of donning the Pumas’ kit once again.
“I know I’m going home – I’m missing my family as I’m a little kid at heart,” Mills said. “Everyone is asking if I’m coming back and I’m not saying no, but I’m not saying yes – I’m keeping open and will never say never.”
