Kurtis Smith was in the zone on Sunday, tallying 5 hits and leading Melbourne to an 11-1 over Sandringham. As well as his 5 hits, Smith threw 5 scoreless innings to earn the win to complete an all-round highlight game.
Melbourne fired up the offense in the first inning, when an error scored two runs when a hard-hit ball up the middle by Jack Daniels bounced through to centre-field.
Melbourne extended their lead in the fourth innings after a Smith single, a walk by Neave, a single by Pickett scored Smith, a fielder’s choice by Sayers scored Neave, and a single by Daniels scored Sayers.
The Demons tacked on a couple of extra runs in the fifth and seventh innings and it came down to the eighth innings after Fittock knocked in a couple of runs in the bottom of the eighth, bases were loaded on walks by Jones and Gerwing, Smith came to the plate with loaded bases and a chance to round out his day. The “Sho” delivered with another line drive to right with a walk-off mercy rule hit and the win on the mound.
Smith earned the victory for the Demons, he threw five innings, allowing two hits and zero runs striking out six. Mitch Bowen started the game lasting 3 innings, allowing one hit and one run, striking out two.
The Demons outgunned the Royals at the plate, amassing 14 hits to three, another good defensive effort kept the opposition out of the game, and three double plays shutting down a number of Sandringham rallies.