UPDATE 16 OCTOBER
After spending some time at the University of Memphis playing some games, the MLB World Select team made their way to the Arizona Senior Fall Classic, one of the most watched events by college/professional scouts in the world.
The team spent time at a College/Pro Showcase before playing their first came of the Classic. The team's first game-day was spent at the Arizona Diamondbacks facility care of recent NSW Hall of Champions inductee and Baseball Australia Hall of Famer Craig Shipley. The World Select Team's first hitout of the Classic saw them up against the Show Baseball Academy from Lawrence, Massachusetts, and the World Select Team shone, taking their opening game of the Classic, 6-1. Oliver Dunn and Jess Williams picked up a hit each, while behind the plate, Jordy McArdle gunned a runner down trying to steal second.
SoCal Black was the World Select Team's next opponent, and the second game of the Classic saw a tougher matchup, with the World Select Team eventually falling 8-7. Matthew Beattie got the start for the World Select Team, and threw three solid innings. Jess Williams continued his great form, picking up another hit, while Nic Anderson-Vine and Josh Bedggood claimed two hits each. Bedggood also showed his range in right field, claiming a superb diving catch.
Angels Red and TRex Baseball are the World Select Team's final two opponents at the Arizona Fall Classic.
UPDATE OCTOBER 11
After announcing the ten young men who will represent Australia as part of the World Select Team, Baseball Australia is proud to bring you an update of the World Select Team's progress on their tour to the USA.
After a long trip over to the United States, the team were keen to get moving again, and did so with a day to remember at the University of Memphis. Following a tour of the facilities, the team were lucky enough to venture on to the field before the University of Memphis Tigers took on the Temple Owls in an NCAA Division 1 Football matchup.
The team's first hit-out of the tour came in the form of a College Showcase in front of 30 college and professional team representatives. Results were mixed but a number of the Australian boys performed extremely well against a very high standard. WA's Jess Williams picked up three hits and a pair of RBIs, while QLD's Josh Bedggood also claimed a couple of hits. Victoria's Matt Beattie spent some time on the mound and threw strongly against a powerful lineup.
The second day of the trip saw matchups against Three Rivers Community College (CT) and the #5 ranked Dyersburg State (TN). The World Select Team claimed an 8-4 victory against Three Rivers, with Jess Williams again shining with bat in hand, claiming a home run. Josh Bedggood swung the bat well to claim a couple of hits, while Oliver Dunn also picked up a hit. Luke Turner (QLD) shone on the mound, throwing five innings and only giving up one run. A tie against the highly ranked Dyersburg State was a great result for the World Select Team. Oliver Dunn and Jess Williams both threw two innings in a tight 2-2 contest.
Stay tuned to Baseball Australia for further updates as the team prepares for the prestigious Arizona Fall Classic later in the week!