U16: Western Australia 8-1 South Australia
Western Australia left it late, but eventually got the job done as they defeated South Australia 8-1.
A six run inning capped off by Caiden Deal’s three run double turned the game on its head, as Western Australia kept the line moving throughout the big inning.
South Australia turned the only triple play of the tournament, as four SA players combined to record outs in centrefield, third base and second base.
Carter Dowling went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI in the nine hole for Western Australia, as his team’s offence clicked into overdrive late.
A fantastic start from Dan Carter kept Western Australia in the ballgame throughout, as he only gave up two hits in five strong innings.
U16: New South Wales 7-5 Victoria Blue
New South Wales were on the brink of their first loss of the tournament, but a six run inning flipped the script, as they maintained their perfect record.
Dylan Clarke continued his strong tournament for NSW driving in a team high three RBI, while Nicholas Chappell went 2-for-2 with two RBI.
Clarke and Chappell were the catalysts for the NSW comeback, as they both claimed 2RBI singles in the sixth.
Dylan Martin was immense in keeping NSW in the ballgame, tossing 2.1 innings of perfect relief, as he did not yield a baserunner.
Tom Seddon gave his team an ideal platform, as the Victorian starter only gave up one earned run in three solid innings.
Blake Holding had a team-high two hits, with the RBIs split evenly among the Victorian lineup.
U16: Queensland 17-8 New South Wales Country
Queensland used a late offensive showing to eclipse New South Wales Country on Diamond 3.
A seven run seventh inning was capped off by a two-run blast from Marcus Feagaiga as Queensland finally shook off a solid New South Wales Country team.
Josh McDonald was one of Queensland’s best on the bump, as the reliever struck out five in three strong innings.
New South Wales Country hit consistently all day, as first baseman Lex Trattles finished with a team-high two RBI.
Country scored five runs in the third inning to take an early lead, but a flurry of runs highlighted by Feagaiga’s home run and a pair of triples lead Queensland to a nine run win.
U18: Western Australia 14-7 Australian Capital Territory
The ACT flew out of the blocks, but Western Australia reeled them in to record a 14-7 victory.
Samuel Collier came in during a difficult spot for Western Australia, but kept his composure to finish with five strong innings of work.
Lachlan Brear hit well all afternoon, picking up four RBI from his three doubles.
Dawson Summers, Cayden Nicoletto and Nicholas Riley all contributed at the top of the WA order with two hits each.
The ACT offence was evenly spread, with first baseman Jordan Kelly finishing with a team-high three RBI.
Western Australia used a massive seven run inning to break the game wide open, as they never looked back to finish with their second win from as many second-round games.
U18: Victoria 5-0 New South Wales Country
Declan Croker twirled an absolute gem as Victoria got over New South Wales Country on Diamond 1.
Croker only surrendered one hit and struck out four in 6.1 near-perfect frames, giving his team the perfect launching pad for success.
New South Wales Country’s pitchers also managed to keep the Victorian lineup relatively in check throughout the ballgame with Lachlan Dean (3IP, 3H, 1ER, 1K) the pick of the pitchers.
Josh Meyer lead the line for Victoria with a pair of hits, while Chase Karn and Jack Fishburn recorded the two hits for New South Wales Country.
William Kline-Marantelli threw two scoreless innings to end the ballgame for Victoria, as they finished with two wins from their three games in the second round of action.
U16: Victoria White 8-7 Australian Capital Territory
Victoria White eclipsed a six run deficit through the middle innings to record a walk-off win against the ACT on Diamond 3.
Cal Vance sent Victoria White fans home happy, as his RBI single in the bottom of the seventh scored Sadi Nergiz to complete the comeback.
Vance finished with a team high three hits, while catcher Cameron Zimmerman showed patience at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks.
Beckham Crooks was fantastic for the ACT on the mound, striking out five and only yielding one run in his three innings.
Tom Shakespeare lead his ACT team with two hits and two RBIs, while Sam Patton also drove in two runs.
Vic White snatched back momentum scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth, as from there, they never looked back.
U18: New South Wales 7-2 Australian Capital Territory
Both teams scored early, but New South Wales managed to keep it rolling as they eventually ran out 7-2 winners.
New South Wales starter Liam Holm gave up a pair of runs in the opening inning, but settled well after that, tossing four scoreless to give his team an ideal platform.
From there, NSW turned to Shannon Ward-Underhill who steered his team home with a pair of scoreless innings.
Caleb Shepherd picked up three RBIs to lead the line for NSW, while for the ACT, Trent Buchanan finished with a triple and an RBI.
Lachlan McKinnon was admirable in relief for the ACT, as he only gave up one earned run in three innings of work.
Both teams settled in to some solid relief, but NSWs early lead held up, as they wind up their tournament.
U18: South Australia 10-6 Queensland
In a dramatic finale to pool play on Diamond 1, South Australia defeated Queensland 10-6 to seal their place in the gold medal game.
Despite that loss, Queensland also has the chance to play for gold.
Queensland held a two run advantage heading into the sixth, but as they have all tournament, the South Australian bats came to life.
SA scored eight of their ten runs in the final three frames to record a morale boosting win.
Australian U18 teammates Duane Johannsen and Jack O’Loughlin dueled it out on the mound for their respective teams.
South Australian O’Loughlin struck out seven through six innings, and once both he and Johannsen were relieved, both bullpens were called upon to finish the game.
Contagious hitting has been a trademark of South Australia all tournament and tonight was no exception, as they struck together nine hits in the final three innings to get over a dogged Queensland unit.
The final day of the Australian Youth Championship is upon us, click here for the schedule!