Melbourne snagged a late lead against ladder leaders Upwey on Sunday. The game was tied at two in the top of the seventh when Pickett tripled scoring Scalzo and putting the Demons ahead for good.

Pitching was strong on both sides, the Demons striking out eight, whilst Upwey FTG pitchers sat down 6. Whilst there were a lot of hits on both sides, the hits were scattered amongst the innings with only a few crucial plays being the difference between the sides.

The Demons got on the board in the first with a McMahon sacrifice fly, tied it up at two in the sixth when again McMahon singled to score Sayers.

Good defence and tight pitching held Upwey’s hitters all day, Smith strong through five innings, allowing eight hits and two runs, striking out six. The bullpen of Bowen and Neave were just as tight, only allowing 4 hits over the last four frames, Bowen striking out two over his three frames to get the win and Neave with the save holding his nerve in the ninth.

The last innings was full of drama, the Demons quicky securing two outs in the bottom of the ninth, before a single and a double put runners on 2nd and 3rd, an intentional walk loaded the bases before a final fly out to Scalzo at rightfield secured the exciting win.

Complete Game 14 Recap