Porepunkah Panthers

13/09/2026

We had an excellent BBQ wrap up lunch on Sunday and this is a brief run down of our last game and season wrap up. B Grade-The Porepunkah Panthers are the NEBA baseball B grade champions after taking down the Wangaratta Rangers in a very close game.
Wangaratta started off the game batting first and scoring one run, with Panther’s pitcher Rian Banks taking control early striking out three batters.
The Panthers then had leadoff batter Luca Barthelmes receive a walk, with Randy Skippen hitting safely to advance the runner followed by Josh Harris whose sacrifice hit scored the Panthers only run for the inning.
In the second inning’s Wangaratta were kept scoreless, with Rian Banks continuing to cause headaches for the opposition batters striking out another two and the other out via a catch at right field by Luka Barthelmes.
The Panthers then took the lead taking advantage of Wangaratta’s wayward pitching.
Dean Anders was hit by pitch to reach first base, quickly followed by Mason Anders and Luka Barthlemes who both received walks.
With loaded bases Heath Anders sacrifice hit scored one run and Rian Banks then hit a laser beam into the outfield to score another two runs.
Leading 4-1 going into the third innings the Wangaratta Rangers had a string of hits to take the lead, bringing in five runs and really putting some pressure on the Panthers.
Panther Mason Anders taking a running backwards catch in left field from a big hit was critical in restricting the Rangers to only five runs.
Porepunkah then had to dig deep to keep in the game, Damon Barker received a walk, and scored on a sacrifice hit from Dean Anders.
Mason Anders also received a walk and made his way to first base, Paul Meddings and Luka Barthelmes also were then walked loading up the bases.
Porepunkah’s Randy Skippen was then hit by pitch allowing one run to cross the plate.
With the game now at 6-6 it was on a knifes edge.
Top of the fourth innings Porepunkah put its most experienced pitcher on the mound, w Heath Anders and the veteran went to work forcing a pop-up fly for the first out.
The Rangers had two runners on base when a deep outfield hit in foul territory was hit.
Panther Mason Anders covered some serious ground and took an absolute gem to get the second out, injuring him in the process forcing a player swap.
Heath then struck out a batter for the third out with Wangaratta scoring one in the innings to take the lead 7-6.
The Panthers then went to work as a team to win the match.
Rian Banks smacked a stand-up double as leadoff batter, followed by Damon Barker who received a walk.
Porepunkah’s Jarrod Smith stepped up with a clutch hit to bring in one run and tie the match and Dean Anders was walked.
Paul Meddings sacrifice hit bought in one run, bringing up rookie Rory Clarke, who in a high-pressure situation delivered with a safe hit scoring another run for the Panthers.
Panther Luka Barthelmes then hit safely scoring another run for Porepunkah putting the icing on the cake.
Time and game Porepunkah Panthers win 10-7.
Player of the match Luka Barthelmes.
Coach Damon Barker making all the right changes at the right time.
The club would also like to thank our main scorers in Jemma McCormack and Lisa Anders who gave their time to help the club every week.
This has been one of the most successful seasons for the Panthers family, with U12s winning the grand final. The U15s and C grade both getting into the preliminary final and just missing out on the big dance.
To give the readers some idea of what we are up against the Albury Bears have 50,000 in their town to entice to play ball, Wodonga also has similar and Wangaratta has 20,000. All towns have only one team.
We are constantly looking for new players, so please come and join us next year if interested.

Porepunkah Panthers presentation season awards:

U12s-
MVP Nick Giuliano (15 votes)
R/U. Zoe Caswell (13 votes)
Batting average award: Zoe Caswell
Coaches award: Billy Scorsese and Austin Scorsese
Most improved: Byron Smith

U15s-
MVP: Rory Clarke (32 votes)
R/U: Paige Anders (21 votes)
Batting average: Rory Clarke
Golden glove: Yuna Meddings and Rylan Harris
Pitching average: Paige Anders
Coaches Award: Stephanie Alexander

C grade-
MVP: Wade Pronk (11 votes)
R/U: Ethan Edwards
Batting average: Paige Anders
Golden Glove: Jarrod McCormack
Pitching average: Wade Pronk

B grade-
MVP: Josh Harris (10 votes)
R/U: Damon Barker (8 votes)
Batting Average: Rian Banks
Golden Glove: Dean Anders
Pitching average: Heath Anders

07/09/2026

We were missing a legend in the photo from the first post. So we are all up to date with this one:)

05/09/2026

02/09/2026

🏆 PREMIERS & GRAND FINAL BOUND! 🏆
🐾⚾ WHAT A TIME TO BE A PANTHER! ⚾🐾

What an incredible time for the Porepunkah Panthers Baseball Club! 🖤💛

A massive congratulations to our Under 12s — 2026 PREMIERS! 🏆🥇

After an outstanding season, these young Panthers brought home the premiership last weekend! We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work, determination, teamwork and sportsmanship. The future of the Panthers is looking very bright! 🌟

🔥 AND WE’RE NOT DONE YET! 🔥

This weekend, our B Grade and C Grade teams are both GRAND FINAL BOUND! ⚾🏆

To have three Panthers teams reach Grand Finals across three divisions is an incredible achievement for our small rural club. It’s a huge credit to every player, coach, volunteer, family member and supporter who puts so much into the Panthers week after week. 🐾

We might not be playing on our home diamond at Porepunkah, but we want the PANTHER PRIDE to be heard loud and clear from the sidelines! 📣📣

🖤💛 GET YOUR PANTHERS COLOURS ON!
📣 BRING THE NOISE!
⚾ GET BEHIND B GRADE & C GRADE!
🏆 LET’S BRING HOME SOME MORE SILVERWARE!

GO PANTHERS — WE BELIEVE! 🐾🔥🏆⚾

31/08/2026

A slight change in the game time for C grade

30/08/2026

Sunday September 6th Happy Father’s Day 👊

30/08/2026

U12- The Porepunkah Panthers and Albury Bears put on a baseball exhibition of teamwork and baseball skills in the grand final played on Sunday.
In a four innings thriller it was the Bears who took an early lead and Porepunkah who fought back to take the win.
The first innings had the Panthers leadoff batter Byron Smith and Archer Harris both hitting safely to centre field to get on base.
Nick Giuliano then also hit big to score both runners bringing up Zoe Caswell who timed nice pitch to hit through the infield.
Porepunkah’s Billy Scorsese then had a critical at bat (7th batter) and with a safe hit scored three runs for the Panthers, with the Panthers scoring five runs for the innings.
The Albury Bears responded by also scoring five runs, Porepunkah were very good in the field, with Rylan McCormack taking classic catch at shortstop for one out and Billy Scorsese in left field also taking a very high difficult fly ball for another out being the highlight.
The second inning’s had Porepunkah scoring one run, Sophie Giuliano hit safely then
Mina Meddings infield hit then helping Sophie to second base bringing up Billy Scorsese who went big with a two base hit scoring the runner.
The Bears then took the lead by scoring five runs, Panther Jimmi Rocket Jagger throwing out two runners at first base helping restrict the Bears runs.
Down 10-6 going into the top of the third inning’s the Panthers once again found the bat and rallied.
Leadoff batter Rylan McCormack smashing a double bagger, followed by Byron Smith, Archer Harris and Nick Giuliano and Zoe Caswell who all had their second safe hits of the day.
Casey Pronk also hit safely to score and the Panthers had six runs cross the plate.
Leading by two runs with the Bears still to bat it was up to the Panthers to show clean glove work. And they did.
Porepunkah’s Sophie Giuliano fielded cleanly for an out at first base, Ollie Smith taking a fantastic catch at right field for the second out and shortstop Rylan McCormack cleanly making the third out allowing the Albury Bears two runs.
With the game tied 12-12 going into the last innings it was Porepunkah who refused to let up.
Panthers Billy Scorsese and Sophie Giuliano hit safely hits to get on base, with Austin Scorsese’s sacrifice hit helping the runners around.
Ollie Smith hit safely into left field bringing two runs along with Jimmi Rocket Jagger who collected his second safe hit of the day.
Hanna Caswell was the critical batter who hit perfectly to get on base and help Porepunkah score five runs for the innings
To win the match Porepunkah needed the three outs fielding, sounds easy, but the pressure was on and when the first three Albury Bears batters hit double base hits the Panthers needed something special to happen.
Porepunkah then had a “double play” with third base Sophie Giuliano taking a fantastic catch then throwing to second base, who threw to first base to get the runner out who hadn’t “tagged up”.
This play turned the game.
The third out coming from Pitcher Archer Harris who fielded a sharp hit ball and threw the batter out at first base.
What a huge effort from our youngest side.
Final score. Porepunkah Panthers 17. Def. 14 Albury Bears.
MVP for the final was Porepunkah’s Jimmi Rocket Jagger who was great fielding having three outs and had two safe hits one being a double.
This is a huge boost for the club, with head coach Jarrod Smith leading the way in our junior development, and we thank you for your time and effort.
Assistant coaches Paul Meddings, Andrew Smith and Josh Harris also have been great role models and helping base coach when needed throughout the season.
Porepunkah will have the C grade and B grade grand final this Sunday at the Wangaratta Rangers Baseball complex, with C grade starting at 10.30 and B grade at 12.00.
All welcome to come and support.

The Porepunkah Panthers C grade came up against Wangaratta Rangers Black at Targoora Park Wangaratta, in the Semi-final, with a place in the grand final up for grabs. In the top of the first, Panther’s leadoff batter Jarrod McCormack did his job and got on base via a walk. He then put to use his good wheels in stealing around to 3rd base. Victoria Schmidt then stepped to the plate and proceeded to smash the ball into right field to bring in Jarrod and put the Panthers on the board. Some sharp pitching from Wang then sat the next couple of batters down.
Wade Pronk stepped onto the bump first for Porepunkah, throwing to Wesley Booth behind the dish. The left-handed hurler took a little while to settle in however when on target proving a handful for the Rangers. Wade allowed 2 hits and 5 runs over the 1st innings, striking out 3 and walking 6. Trailing by 4 runs, the Panthers rallied in the 2nd, starting with lead off Peter Alexander hitting a clean single to 3rd and being an RBI for Booth who had nice contact to second base. Fabian Giuliano took had a quality at bat ending with a walk. Returning to the top of the innings, McCormack cracked a single to deep short and advanced Fabian. Jarrod and Fabian then capitalised on a couple of fielding errors to cross the plate and close the gap in the score to 1 run. Victoria kept her 'hot bat' running, putting a hard-hit ball into centre field. Jason Brown hustled one out from shortstop however was left stranded with Vic on base.
Super coach James 'Jimbo' Rogers, brought in Paige Anders in relief. The righty was immediately backed up in the field, with 1st baseman Geordie McEwan fielding truly for an unassisted put out and then combining with 3rd baseman Brown, who smoothly fielded a ground ball and threw accurately across the diamond. With a strike out thrown in there, the Panthers kept the Rangers scoreless and went into the 3rd innings with momentum.
The first 3 batters, Ethan Edwards, Alexander and McEwan showed good eyes, and received walks. Paige Anders then singled to 3rd, advancing all runners including Ethan across the plate. Next Pitch Fabian put the ball in play with the same outcome, bringing in Peter which was the go ahead run. Returning to the top of the lineup, with loaded bases, McCormack branded one over the left fielder’s head for a massive 3 base hit, bringing in McEwan, Anders and Giuliano (who had to leg it all the way from 1st with Speedy Jarrod on his heels). Victoria kept the contact going, hitting into a fielder’s choice (where Jarrod was out at the plate) and next up Browny again hustling out a throw from 3rd. Randy Skippen didn't want to miss out, so proceeded to get himself an RBI, bringing in Vic with a single into right field. Browny then getting home on a Passed ball, finishing the innings with the maximum of 7 runs being scored by the Panthers and put the score at 11–5 their way.
After a walk and a couple of strikeouts, where Anders was starting to show great command of her breaking balls, the Rangers found a single and scored a run. Victoria then capped off a good day with the bat by rounding up a ground ball and tossing it to McEwan, getting the 3rd out. That was time and game and the Porepunkah Panthers advanced to the NEBA C Grade grand final. The Panthers C grade will play next Sunday 6th September, Joining the Panthers B grade, who are also in the Grand Final, to be played at Gayview Park in Wodonga, starting at 10:00. We hope to see a good turnout for the final game of what has been a very enjoyable season.