Runners-up in A grade for the past two seasons, Research , have had a 7 to 5 win over Westgarth at home in round two of A grade in the Melbourne Winter Baseball League.

Research coach David Dicker said his team started well, scoring three runs in the first innings and four in the second, to set up their final score for the match very early on in the game.

Last year’s league MVP Leigh McKay started the pitching duties for the day and only gave up one run in eight innings.

“Last week he didn’t have a great game, so he did well for us today,” David said.

David’s brother Tom Dicker was solid with the bat, with three hits including two home runs. Josh Bride had three hits and Josh Davies also hit a home run.

“It was a good win, after last week’s loss to Ringwood,” David said.

“We haven’t lost a game at home for a while. It is good to play at home, and we play the ground here well,” he said.

“We’ve got a good team this year, with three sets of brothers and a few new pick ups including Liam Bedford, who is Cole from the Aces brother. After losing the last two grand finals, we’re hoping we can get across the line this year,” David said.

Westgarth coach John Peterson said while pitcher Ryan Mitchell gave away seven runs in the first two innings, Kile Rogers then shut them down for the next four. Brock Pawley then closed out the game.

“They were last year’s runners up and after coming up from B grade and with five injuries in our team, we’re pretty happy with the way we went,” John said.

Next week Research travel to Croydon and Westgarth will take on GMBC, also in an away game.

In other A Grade results for round two, Greensborough defeated Heathmont 12 to 5, GMBC defeated North Balwyn 8 to 0, Croydon drew Ringwood 2 to 2, 7 to 5 and Watsonia defeated Knox 5 to 4.