Everyone was buzzing with excitement for the final day of the 2019 Senior, Junior and Intermediate League State Championships. The tournament was jam-packed with some amazing performances from all teams, and a special highlight for the Sunraysia Senior League team who have qualified for Nationals for the first time ever!
Congratulations to the three state champions: Twins – Senior League, Southern Mariners – Junior League and Twins – Intermediate League!
Thank you to all players, participants, coaches, officials and volunteers who made these tournaments so successful.
Please check out results and recaps from the finals below.
Senior League
Semi Final 1 – Field 1 9:30AM Eastern Athletics vs. Geelong Baycats 11 – 1
Eastern Athletics Slides into A Blow-Out Win Over Geelong Baycats
4th Place Eastern Athletics and 5th Place Geelong Baycats faced off on Monday morning for the first semi final, and the Athletics had everything working for them as they secured a big 11-1 win.
Hayden Peoples of Geelong fired up the offense in the first inning, with an RBI to put the Baycats in front. In the bottom frame, Charlie O’Connell of Eastern Athletics tied things up by scoring one run.
The Athletics added another run in the second on a single from Charlie O'Connell. The third inning was quiet but the Athletics stepped up once again in the fourth, adding a pair of runs on a bases-loaded hit by pitch and wild pitch.
Once the fifth inning rolled around, the Athletics kicked the game into high gear, tallying five runs in the fifth inning. Ryan Othen, Ethan Scalzo, James Richardson and Charlie O’Connel all contributed to the big inning.
Keeley Ronalds-Greatbatch had a fantastic start for Eastern Athletics. He lasted six innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out 12 and walking one.
James Lappin and Cooper Rickard entered the game for Geelong Baycats, throwing one and two-thirds innings and two-thirds of an inning respectively.
Semi Final 2 – Field 2 9:30AM Southern Mariners vs. Sunraysia 8 – 9
Sunraysia Secures Trip to National Championships!
Southern Mariners stayed in it until the end, but Sunraysia pulled away late in a 9-8 victory on Monday, securing them a spot to compete at the Senior League National Championship for the first time in history!
The game was tied at six with Sunraysia batting in the top of the sixth when Cody Morrish singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs.
Southern Mariners collected nine hits and Sunraysia had eight in the high-scoring affair. The Mariners fired up the offense in the first inning. Tahj Rousell singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run.
After adding two in the fourth on an error, the Mariners tallied three more runs in the fifth inning. Sam Skinner, Tahj Rousell, and Balin O’Callaghan each had RBIs in the big inning.
Down 3-0, Sunraysia staged a spectacular comeback, scoring six runs in the fifth inning. Jackson Malycha, Cody Morrish, Francesco Zaccone, and Lindsay Barbary all drove in runs in the huge inning.
The Mariners tied it up in the bottom of the fifth, and Sunraysia answered with two runs in the sixth and an additional in the seventh. They closed out the game in the bottom of the seventh, and although the Mariners added two more runs, they weren't able to close the gap.
Sunraysia supporters were anxiously anticipating the final out, and when it became clear the team would be finishing in second place, they were met with huge celebrations and applause. It's a monumental achievement for Sunraysia, and one they are so thrilled with.
Raiden Wakefield was on the mound for Sunraysia. He lasted six and two-thirds innings, allowing eight hits and eight runs while striking out five and walking one.
Third Place – Field 1 12:30 PM Eastern Athletics vs. Southern Mariners 6 – 5
Eastern Athletics Grabs Lead In Sixth Inning For Victory Over Southern Mariners
Eastern Athletics took the lead late in the game in a 6-5 victory over Southern Mariners in Monday's third place matchup. They were trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning when an error scored two runs for the Athletics.
In the first inning, Southern Mariners got their offense started with an RBI triple from Sam Skinner.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Eastern Athletics tied things up at four when Jack Romanin was hit by a pitch, driving in a run.
Cody Caufield got the start for Eastern Athletics. He allowed seven hits and five runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking one.
Joshua Smith was on the mound for Southern Mariners. He lasted three and a third innings, allowing zero hits and two runs while striking out three. Xander Gunn and Jacob Dickinson entered the game as relief, throwing two and a third innings and one-third of an inning respectively.
Cody Caufield went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead Eastern Athletics in hits.
Grand Final – Field 1 3:30PM Twins vs. Sunraysia 13 – 1
Four RBI Day for Kody Dertell Brings Victory for Twins Over Sunraysia
Kody Dertell was an RBI machine in Monday's Grand Final, driving in four on two hits to lead the Twins past Sunraysia 13-1. He had a double in the first and a single in the second as the Twins leapt out to an early led that Sunraysia couldn't come back from.
Twins opened up scoring in the first inning, when Keenan Spence smashed an inside-the-park-home-run on a 2-2 count to score two runners. By the end of the inning, the Twins were enjoying an early 4-0 lead. After quick and quiet plate appearances from Sunraysia, the Twins added five runs in the second inning. Trenell Hutchins, Nathan Smith, Bailey Marcola and Dertell all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.
Three more runs in the third and one in the fourth did the damage, as the Twins were nearly unstoppable.
Starting pitcher Harun Pelja was dominant for the Twins, allowing four hits and one run over five innings, striking out five and walking one.
Sunraysia's starter Jack Barrot struggled in his one inning, allowing four runs on three hits with one strikeout. Lindsay Barbary and Zac Stainer entered the game from the bullpen, throwing two and a third innings and two-thirds of an inning respectively.
Twins tallied ten hits. Spence led the way, going 3-for-3, while Marcola had two of the team's eight stolen bases. The Twins were sure-handed and didn't commit a single error, with Jaycob Pascuzzi having the most plays with six.
The Twins were thrilled to secure back-to-back Senior League State Championships, while Sunraysia endured the loss knowing they were heading through to the National Championships as well! Congratulations to both on their amazing achievements.
JUNIOR LEAGUE
Semi Final 1 – Field 4 9:30AM Southern Mariners vs. Geelong Baycats 11 – 0
It was a battle of first against fourth and Southern Mariners proved again why they are ones to beat at this competition as they ran away with a shutout 11-0 win over Geelong Baycats.
A batting masterclass in the second inning ensured Mariners would prevail, eight runs crossing the plate in that dig.
Baycats through five innings couldn’t get past second base after single hits to Rickard in the first and fourth innings. Unfortunately for Baycats, it was their only two hits of the game.
Lachlan Stevens led the way for Mariners, driving in four runs with a grand slam in the bottom of the second.
Baycats were great from the mound where Noah Brennan struck eight Athletics players out and saw 13 first pitches as strikes. Tom Brookes also pitched well in his four complete innings, finishing with six strikeouts with nine first-pitch strikes.
Twins needed to conjure a win in the matchup with Eastern Athletics this morning, but a commanding string of at bats by Athletics and a collection of errors by Twins allowed the away side to move out to a 13-3 win.
Twins got a good taste of possible runs at the top of the third after a dropped third strike and series of walks. With two outs and bases loaded, it appeared Twins would struggle for a score, however Declan Spiers singled to centre which brought in Poynter.
Spiers, in 2.1 innings, found four strikeouts and 10 first-pitch strikes, restricted Athletics from running away anymore.
Ned Hargreaves was the best for Athletics, batting 1.000 and tallying six RBIs. He also finished the game with four hits - where no one else in either side went more than one hit – and four runs after a home run that scored James Squire.
Third Place – Field 4 12:30PM Geelong Baycats vs. Twins 11 – 13
Twins late brilliance leads to victory over Baycats
Twins have secured third place in Junior League with a late-innings victory over Geelong Baycats.
With scores tied at four a piece, a six run sixth inning led Twins to an eventual 13-11 victory.
Mace Pool and Harrison Green-Williams each scored two runs as Twins hit 14 on base. Twins shared the pitching duties around, using four pitchers. Alex Duske led the way on the mound with five strikeouts and the solitary earned run.
Noah Brennan went long for Geelong, hitting the only home of the game and bringing in three runs. Baycats used only two pitchers and struck out seven batters between them.
Grand Final – Field 4 3:00PM Southern Mariners vs. Eastern Athletics 6 – 5
Southern Mariners have gone back-to-back in Junior League State Championships titles, beating Eastern Athletics 6-5 in a game that went into the seventh inning.
A two-run home run from Thomas Brookes and a solo home run to Tyler Ellis was enough for Mariners.
Athletics too found the other side of the fence courtesy of James Squire, who also scored Jack Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe scored on a Blake Mitchell line drive to right field and was the tying run in the seventh when Evans was up to bat. Unfortunately for Athletics, Evans was popped out to second and it was all over when Mitchell was out advancing to second.
Eastern Athletics were forced to make a pitching change during the bottom of three when Ned Hargreaves injuring his knee after throwing down a pitch. It brought Mitchell onto the mound.
On the opposite end, Mariners pitcher Genevieve Beacom was exceptional on the mound, pitching four innings in total including a game-high nine strikeouts.
Athletics were masterful in their fielding, restricting Mariners from scoring much more when they produced double plays in the bottom fourth and sixth innings.
INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE
Twins late brilliance leads to victory over Baycats
Twins have secured third place in Junior League with a late-innings victory over Geelong Baycats.
With scores tied at four a piece, a six run sixth inning led Twins to an eventual 13-11 victory.
Mace Pool and Harrison Green-Williams each scored two runs as Twins hit 14 on base. Twins shared the pitching duties around, using four pitchers. Alex Duske led the way on the mound with five strikeouts and the solitary earned run.
Noah Brennan went long for Geelong, hitting the only home of the game and bringing in three runs. Baycats used only two pitchers and struck out seven batters between them.
Grand Final – Field 4 3:00PM Southern Mariners vs. Eastern Athletics 6 – 5
Southern Mariners have gone back-to-back in Junior League State Championships titles, beating Eastern Athletics 6-5 in a game that went into the seventh inning.
A two-run home run from Thomas Brookes and a solo home run to Tyler Ellis was enough for Mariners.
Athletics too found the other side of the fence courtesy of James Squire, who also scored Jack Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe scored on a Blake Mitchell line drive to right field and was the tying run in the seventh when Evans was up to bat. Unfortunately for Athletics, Evans was popped out to second and it was all over when Mitchell was out advancing to second.
Eastern Athletics were forced to make a pitching change during the bottom of three when Ned Hargreaves injuring his knee after throwing down a pitch. It brought Mitchell onto the mound.
On the opposite end, Mariners pitcher Genevieve Beacom was exceptional on the mound, pitching four innings in total including a game-high nine strikeouts.
Athletics were masterful in their fielding, restricting Mariners from scoring much more when they produced double plays in the bottom fourth and sixth innings.
Semi Final 1 – Field 2 12:30PM Eastern Athletics vs. Sunraysia 16 – 1
Eastern Athletics Beats Sunraysia by 15 Runs
Eastern Athletics had no trouble on offense today, winning big over Sunraysia 16-1. They notched seven runs in the fourth inning, led by Mason Rogers, Max Saggers, Jack Barlow and Nicholas Booth who all drove in runs in the frame.
Declan Weichard got the start for the Athletics, covering three and a third innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out six.
Sunraysia started Blake Peterson, who threw two innings, allowing seven runs on three hits and striking out three. Kolby Wakefield and Maxi Brown entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning and two-thirds of an inning respectively.
Eastern Athletics scattered 12 hits in the game. Rogers, Saggers and Booth all had two hits on the day, and the Athletics stole 15 bases during the game as six players stole more than one. Ryder Wilson led the way with four, while Kolby Wakefield went 1-for-2 to lead Sunraysia.
Semi Final 2 – Field 3 12:30PM Twins vs. Southern Mariners 8 – 4
- Southern Mariners Drops Game to Twins After Late Score
- Southern Mariners stayed in it until the end, but Twins pulled away late in an 8-4 victory on Monday. The game was tied at four with Twins batting in the top of the sixth when Nathan Blakemore grounded out, scoring one run.
- Southern Mariners got things started in the first inning when Jeremy Hess singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run.
- Ben Hallowell led things off on the mound for the Twins. He allowed six hits and four runs over five innings, striking out ten.
- Declan Lynch started the game for the Mariners. He allowed 11 hits and eight runs over seven innings, striking out five and walking zero.
- Southern Mariners collected six hits, with Sidney Stillwell and Patrick Jones collecting two hits apiece to lead the team. The Twins tallied 11 hits on the day, with Harry Foreman, Jacob White and Miller Wortley leading the way. Foreman went 3-for-4 with an inside the park home run and a double.
Third Place – Field 2 3:30PM Southern Mariners vs. Sunraysia 6 – 0 FORFEIT
Grand Final – Field 3 3:00PM Eastern Athletics vs. Twins 1 – 17
- Twins Runs Away With Early Lead in Victory
- Eastern Athletics watched the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a 17-1 loss to Twins in Monday's Grand Final. The Athletics struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing the Twins.
- It didn't take long for the Twins to jump on the board, doing 12 runs worth of damage in the first inning. They scored on an error, a double from Harry Foreman, a double from Miller Wortley and a double by Edward Morgan. Nathan Blakemore and Jacob White followed up with singles, along with Addison Bishop-Worn's double and another huge hit from Harry, this time a triple.
- Max Saggers led things off on the mound for the Athletics, lasting one and two-thirds innings, allowing 12 hits and 15 runs while striking out two. Jackson Powell followed up, throwing two and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen.
- Ashley Geory-Smith led the Athletics with one hit in two at bats.
- In the high-scoring affair, the Twins racked up 16 hits, with four players having at least two.
- Congratulations to the Twins and well done on such a successful tournament!