The 2019 Senior State Winter Championships have commenced with a big day at Geelong Baseball Centre, highlighted by eight highly competitive games and an electric Home Run Derby powered by The Sporting Globe. Ringwood and Sunraysia secured 2-0 starts to the tournament, while City, Dandenong, Geelong and North Eastern also put wins on the board.
Catch up on all the action from Day 1 below:
City vs. Ringwood
0 13
Opening the tournament on Diamond 1 on a sunny Saturday morning, Ringwood left their mark with 13 runs. It was an impressive pitching performance from Ringwood’s Kelli Zablan, who managed to only give up one run in his 5 innings. The former Melbourne Aces player showed why he was a sough-after prospect for US colleges, with 6 strikeouts that kept batters off the bases all game.
Ringwood’s strong pitching was complimented by a dominating batting performance resulting in 13 runs on the scoreboard. This was led by Jordan Ley, with 4 quality at bats with 3 RBI's. He had plenty of help from the rest of his team, with many Ringwood players managing multiple hits. It was a challenging start fielding-wise for City with 7 errors, while Ringwood walked away with quite the favourable momentum heading into the second round of games.
Opening the tournament on Diamond 1 on a sunny Saturday morning, Ringwood left their mark with 13 runs. It was an impressive pitching performance from Ringwood’s Kelli Zablan, who managed to only give up one run in his 5 innings. The former Melbourne Aces player showed why he was a sough-after prospect for US colleges, with 6 strikeouts that kept batters off the bases all game.
Opening the tournament on Diamond 1 on a sunny Saturday morning, Ringwood left their mark with 13 runs. It was an impressive pitching performance from Ringwood’s Kelli Zablan, who managed to only give up one run in his 5 innings. The former Melbourne Aces player showed why he was a sough-after prospect for US colleges, with 6 strikeouts that kept batters off the bases all game.
Ringwood’s strong pitching was complimented by a dominating batting performance resulting in 13 runs on the scoreboard. This was led by Jordan Ley, with 4 quality at bats with 3 RBI's. He had plenty of help from the rest of his team, with many Ringwood players managing multiple hits. It was a challenging start fielding-wise for City with 7 errors, while Ringwood walked away with quite the favourable momentum heading into the second round of games.
Latrobe Valley vs. North Eastern
5 11
After a solid performance on the mound and at the plate, North Eastern collected their first win of the tournament in a strong showing against Latrobe Valley. Runs came early for both teams, however, it was five runs in the 5th that gave North Eastern the lead they wanted.
La Trobe struggled to make runs throughout the entire game and attempted to make a comeback in the last innings, but ultimately they fell short. North Eastern proved to be too strong with their 16 hits. Mark Taylor collected three hits on the day to give North Eastern a big boost. Now they'll aim to keep this strong offensive performance going throughout the rest of the weekend, while Latrobe Valley will look for a big win.
Diamond Valley vs. Geelong
1 2
Geelong began their 2019 Senior State Winter Championships campaign on a high note, prevailing over Diamond Valley thanks to a big home run from Lewis Weldon. Diamond Valley managed only one hit in the game.
In an impressive pitching performance from the Geelong Bullpen, Lachlan Hockey proved to be too strong on the mound with 4 strikeouts in his 5 innings. With 11 hits and no errors, the home side's performance proved they could be a serious threat as the tournament continues, provided they keep up this winning form.
Geelong began their 2019 Senior State Winter Championships campaign on a high note, prevailing over Diamond Valley thanks to a big home run from Lewis Weldon. Diamond Valley managed only one hit in the game.
In an impressive pitching performance from the Geelong Bullpen, Lachlan Hockey proved to be too strong on the mound with 4 strikeouts in his 5 innings. With 11 hits and no errors, the home side's performance proved they could be a serious threat as the tournament continues, provided they keep up this winning form.
Sunraysia vs. Dandenong
6 5
Sunraysia pulled away with the win for a successful start to their 2019 Senior State Winter Championships campaign.
Dandenong fell behind early which ultimately proved their downfall. After Sunraysia made an early impact with five runs in the first inning, Dandenong struggled offensively, with their first hit and run coming in the fourth following a passionate team pump-up. A dropped ball by the Sunraysia 1st baseman gave Dandenong their first hit of the game, with the runner later coming around to score on a wild pitch. However, Dandenong’s impressive fightback could not get them the win as Sunraysia scored one more run which held them on for the victory.
Dandenong fell behind early which ultimately proved their downfall. After Sunraysia made an early impact with five runs in the first inning, Dandenong struggled offensively, with their first hit and run coming in the fourth following a passionate team pump-up. A dropped ball by the Sunraysia 1st baseman gave Dandenong their first hit of the game, with the runner later coming around to score on a wild pitch. However, Dandenong’s impressive fightback could not get them the win as Sunraysia scored one more run which held them on for the victory.
Geelong vs. City
1 5
In their second game of the day, City was clearly out for redemption and it showed throughout the entire game. They beat the home side Geelong 5-1 on the main field to close out the first day.
City came out strong, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Geelong struggled to keep runners off base, averaging over two walks an innings. It was an impressive performance from City pitcher Dennis Neal, who pitched the game out and was consistent in keeping runners off base.
Close calls and good base running added to the excitement of the last innings, with City consistently scoring to hold off the home side. This was a good second game for City, who will aim to carry their winning ways throughout the next two days.
City came out strong, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Geelong struggled to keep runners off base, averaging over two walks an innings. It was an impressive performance from City pitcher Dennis Neal, who pitched the game out and was consistent in keeping runners off base.
Dandenong vs. Latrobe Valley
16 5
Despite Latrobe Valley starting strong in their second game of the 2019 Senior State Winter Championships, they were unable to stop a barrage of runs from Dandenong.
Looking for redemption after their first-round loss, Latrobe Valley jumped on the board early with five runs in the first two innings. For the second game in a row, Dandenong found themselves down early having to chase back. They learned their lesson though, scoring 16 runs in the next three innings in which Latrobe Valley could not mount any offense. This included a massive nine runs in the 3rd, which proved too much for Latrobe Valley.
Mitchell Sheldon-Collins came out of the bullpen late and immediately held strong for Dandenong, pitching two innings on the mound, with three strikeouts and no hits. Some good hitting from Mark Jones resulted in 3 RBI’s which helped close out a strong team performance. Dandenong is now 1-1 while Latrobe Valley is 0-2.
Despite Latrobe Valley starting strong in their second game of the 2019 Senior State Winter Championships, they were unable to stop a barrage of runs from Dandenong.
Looking for redemption after their first-round loss, Latrobe Valley jumped on the board early with five runs in the first two innings. For the second game in a row, Dandenong found themselves down early having to chase back. They learned their lesson though, scoring 16 runs in the next three innings in which Latrobe Valley could not mount any offense. This included a massive nine runs in the 3rd, which proved too much for Latrobe Valley.
Mitchell Sheldon-Collins came out of the bullpen late and immediately held strong for Dandenong, pitching two innings on the mound, with three strikeouts and no hits. Some good hitting from Mark Jones resulted in 3 RBI’s which helped close out a strong team performance. Dandenong is now 1-1 while Latrobe Valley is 0-2.
Ringwood vs. Diamond Valley
15 1
Ringwood continued their dominance with a huge win over Diamond Valley. Mitchell Ley continued to round out a strong day with 3 RBI’s, placing him as one of the strongest performers in the tournament. Disciplined pitching from Wes De Jong held Diamond Valley’s offense at bay, and at the same time DV's bullpen struggled to contain the Ringwood offense after they opened the game with four runs. At the end of the first day, Ringwood has made quite the statement with two double-figure winning margins. Diamond Valley heads into Sunday's game still looking for their first win.
Ringwood continued their dominance with a huge win over Diamond Valley. Mitchell Ley continued to round out a strong day with 3 RBI’s, placing him as one of the strongest performers in the tournament. Disciplined pitching from Wes De Jong held Diamond Valley’s offense at bay, and at the same time DV's bullpen struggled to contain the Ringwood offense after they opened the game with four runs. At the end of the first day, Ringwood has made quite the statement with two double-figure winning margins. Diamond Valley heads into Sunday's game still looking for their first win.
North Eastern vs. Sunraysia
2 11
Sunraysia showed that they are here to make their trip a valuable one, as they won their second game over Northern Eastern with consistent scoring throughout the entire game. Three runs in the 2nd inning set the foundation for a strong offensive performance.
Casey Anderson was the clear star of the game, with five hits. This was complemented by the Carrolls, with Anthony having four hits and three RBI’s, and Hayden securing three hits of his own. Taylar Pay’s strong pitching performance was also able to keep runners off base, cementing an ideal all-around performance for Sunraysia.
Sunraysia finishes the day with two great performances under their belt, and they will hope to continue this form throughout the next two days if they are going to beat Ringwood.
Sunraysia showed that they are here to make their trip a valuable one, as they won their second game over Northern Eastern with consistent scoring throughout the entire game. Three runs in the 2nd inning set the foundation for a strong offensive performance.
Casey Anderson was the clear star of the game, with five hits. This was complemented by the Carrolls, with Anthony having four hits and three RBI’s, and Hayden securing three hits of his own. Taylar Pay’s strong pitching performance was also able to keep runners off base, cementing an ideal all-around performance for Sunraysia.
Sunraysia finishes the day with two great performances under their belt, and they will hope to continue this form throughout the next two days if they are going to beat Ringwood.
The day finished up in brilliant fashion with Baseball Victoria’s Inaugural Home Run Derby, powered by The Sporting Globe. Ten players joined in for the fun, including Jordy Gilmore (Latrobe Valley), Aaron Green (City), Sam Kennelly (Diamond Valley), Lewis Weldon, (Geelong), Darryl George (Ringwood), Morgan Ruchel (Sunraysia) and independent hitters Slade Squire, Kelli Zablan, Ryan Dale and Sam Street.
Each of them had the chance to hit as many home runs as possible in 90 seconds. The four players who smashed the most home runs moved on to the second round, in which Ryan Dale and Sam Kennelly emerged as finalists. Sam narrolwy outhit Ryan for the big win, taking home a $50 voucher to The Sporting Globe. Well done to everyone who participated in the first-ever BV Home Run Derby!
The 2019 Senior State Winter Championships will return to Geelong Baseball Centre for eight more games on Day 2 and finals on Day 3.