A tenth innings walk to Aaron Sayers capped a dramatic walk-off win in the tenth innings again Malvern on Saturday. The Demons won despite being unable to hold onto a 5-2 lead in the ninth innings and hearts were in again in our mouths when Bronson Neave struck out Chris Burke with loaded bases on a full count in the tenth innings.
Scalzo led off the tenth, bunting over extra base placed runners to second and third, an intentional walk followed and a strikeout left Sayers at the plate in a season defining moment. He held his nerve and with his walk off win the Demons will finish at least fourth and will play a Game 1 Semi Final on Tuesday 7th of March.
The Demons opened up an early lead when McMahon drove in a 2 out single scoring Sayers, then Picket hit a broken bat single on an 0-2 count, scoring Daniels to go up 2-0.
It was a pitchers duel from then on until the sixth innings, Smith leading the way with five digs, allowing five hits and 2 runs while striking out three.
The game was blown open in the bottom of the sixth innings when an error put Mitchell on, and AJ Fittock blasted a long ball into the construction zone on a first pitch fastball. A single by Scalzo and double by Jones tacked on another run to make the score 5-2 where it remained until a wild ninth and tenth innings.
Godbold came out of the pen and was solid through two innings of relief, allowing 1 hit and striking out three. Jones pitched well in the eighth but struggled with command in the next inning, Neave came to the mound with one out in the ninth to limit the damage and then held his nerve in the tenth allowing for the extra innings heroics.
Melbourne collected 11 hits on the day, Jones, Pickett and McMahon each managed a brace, Sayers, Daniels, Fittock and Scalzo 1 each.
The Demons will play Essendon on Saturday, and depending on results will either play Upwey or Moorabbin game 1 of 3 Semi final series starting Tuesday 7th of March.