Bronwyn Gell has taken out the Women’s Premier League Pitching Award for season 2024/25. Best known for her prowess at short stop and her speed on the base paths, Bron took control on the mound across the course of the season, playing a relief pitching role over 8 games, and striking out 8 in her 1 starting opportunity. Bron struck out 25 across her 9 games pitched, ending the season with an ERA of 2.11, slightly ahead of teammate Arisa Hotta who finished runner-up in the award with an ERA of 2.81.
Whilst it was a disappointing end to the season for the Women’s Firsts, Bron’s season on the hill is an achievement that needs to be celebrated. One of the hardest working players in baseball, let alone at the Big Cats, Bron prides herself on leaving no stone unturned as she looks for ways to improve herself both on and off the field. This season was no exception. With some injuries limiting her time on the field during parts of the season, she always found a way to contribute when she was given the ball. She spent countless hours at training working on her pitching and learning everything she could in order to prepare herself for a more full-time role as a relief pitcher.
Individual awards are not what the game is all about, but Bron’s win highlights a long-standing dominance for Springvale women’s pitchers at the highest level in Baseball Victoria’s women’s competition. Since the inception of the Division One (Premier League) Pitching award back in 1998/99, female Big Cats have won it on 18 of 27 possible occasions. Bron becomes the 10th Springvale pitcher to take home the award and add to the pitching legacy that has been created over many years.
Ten separate Big Cat pitchers have their name on the award, including five who have won it more than once. Simone Wearne, Risa Nakashima and Gabby Bevan are the only three pitchers across the competition to have won the award in back-to-back seasons.
Multiple League Pitching Award Winner from Springvale
Simone Wearne x 5 (2003/04, 2006/07, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2022/23)
Cat Row x 2 (2004/05, 2011/12)
Vic Brown x 2 (2007/08, 2014/15)
Risa Nakashima x 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
Gabby Bevan x 2 (2018/19, 2019/20)
One time League Pitching Award Winners from Springvale
Kellie Manzie (2013/14)
Amanda Torrington (2017/18)
Maddy Patrick (2021/22)
Sawa Kashizaki (2023/24)
Bronwyn Gell (2024/25)
As the club prepares to celebrate the season that was this Saturday at Presentation Night, it is a great time to reflect on Bron’s great season on the mound, as well as Arisa who also played an integral role for the team across 2024/25. As we look to put a full stop on the season and take a breath before 2025/26 preparation begins, we take a minute to acknowledge two pitchers who gave our team a chance week in, week out. Congrats to both Bron and Hotty, and here’s to more innings on the hill for Bron next summer!
