Brisbane Metro vs. Central Coast
The opening game of the tournament saw Brisbane Metro take on Central Coast Marlins and it was the Marlins who came out on top, winning 10-0 on Diamond 1. Luke Jacobs led off strongly for the Marlins, claiming three hits, including a massive triple. Parker Robinson drove in two in a solid offensive performance for Central Coast. Dante Holdsworth and Orlando Gonzalez picked up a hit each for Brisbane Metro, while Oliver Edwards threw strikes in more than 70% of his pitches. Cooper Bake-Smith and Brandon Tangaroa combined to strike out 12 Brisbane Metro hitters and concede only two hits for the game. Tangaroa also picked up a triple to go with his seven strikeouts.
Northern Diamondbacks vs. Brisbane North
Brisbane North jumped out of the blocks quickly against the Northern Diamondbacks, and held on for a tense 4-2 victory. The Diamondbacks’ bullpen threw strongly, with Bond Leuga and Lachlan Davis combining to strike out five Brisbane hitters in two innings of relief. In a strong defensive performance from both teams, Tyreece Fuimaono was one of the better offensive players. Fuimaono legged out an RBI triple in the bottom of the first to get the scoring going for Brisbane North. Matthew Readdy also performed strongly for Brisbane North, conceding only one hit and striking out five batters during his time on the mound. Riley Quinlan closed the game out well for Brisbane North, throwing 1.2 innings of excellent relief.
Perth Metro East vs. Eastern Athletics
A monster second inning for the Eastern Athletics proved the difference against the Eastern Phantoms, as they ran away 11-1 winners on Diamond 3. The pitching staff for the Athletics got the job done, with 12 strikeouts to go with only two hits conceded. Riley Franklin struck out three for the Phantoms, and threw 75% of his pitches for strikes. Franklin also was solid with bat in hand, driving in the Phantoms’ only RBI. Tyler Evans was one of the Athletics’ best offensive players, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Lochlann O’Connor picked up two hits. A bases loaded walk from Finn Weichard got the scoring going for the Athletics in the second, with a RBI single from Kynan Jones capped off a seven run inning for the Athletics.
Coastal Bay vs. Southern Mariners
The Southern Mariners got off to the best possible start, shutting out the Coastal Bay Sharks 23-0 on Diamond 1. The first three hitters for the Mariners were immense, with the Williamson twins Dylan and Cooper, combining with Angus Newman to drive in 10 runs. The Mariners pitching staff also backed up their offence, with Charlie Pierson and Genevieve Beacom striking out three and two hitters respectively. Caleb Goodwin threw well for the Sharks, striking out three as the starting pitcher.
Northern Diamondbacks vs. Perth Metro North
Northern Metros used a massive 13 run third inning to open the floodgates against the Northern Diamondbacks, eventually taking the game 16-6. Owen Pilcher nailed the first home run of the tournament, driving in three RBIs in the process, while a bases clearing triple from Jackson Park extended the Metros lead to 10 in the third. Tyson Lequesne threw well for the Metros in his 1.2 innings, fanning five hitters. For the Diamondbacks, Ned Hargreaves and Samuel Skinner both picked up two hits and an RBI each and kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Diamondbacks.
Manly vs. Adelaide Rays
A tense game between the Rays and Manly on the back field was blown open late, with Manly taking the contest 10-1. Josh Beckham threw well in his two innings of relief for the Rays, striking out three and only conceding one earned run. Max Stagg hit well in the heart of the Rays lineup, picking up two hits and an RBI. Josh Beezley was one of Manly’s best, driving in three runs from two hits, as well as striking out six hitters in 3.1 innings of work on the mound.
Hills vs. Gold Coast
Hills didn’t deliver the knockout blow until the third inning, where they piled on 10 runs to defeat the Gold Coast Pirates 17-0. Three Hills pitchers teamed up for a no-hitter. Anchored by Will Unitt’s start, Clayton Campbell and Harrison Wheeldon finished the job as Hills asserted their dominance early. Unitt also impressed with bat in hand, picking up two hits and an RBI. Adrian Lautier and William Edwards picked up three RBIs each for Hills. Jasper King struck out two Hills batters early in the piece for the Pirates.
Adelaide Seahawks vs. Swan Hills
The first extra innings game of the tournament saw the Adelaide Seahawks take on the Swan Hills Aces, and it was the Aces just getting the win, 3-2. On the mound for the Aces, Tyson Noel and Max Chipper threw four strong innings of work, striking out 10 combined. Noel’s opposite number Bradlee Marsh threw four strong innings, giving up only one hit and striking out seven. Marsh also picked up two hits on the day in a quality game. Robbie Brennan also claimed two hits and an RBI, but it wasn’t enough as the Aces finished stronger.
Brisbane Metro vs. Macarthur
Brisbane Metro drove the opening run of the ballgame, but Macarthur turned the screws after that, taking the game 11-1. Macarthur’s offence flourished, with Jack Bennetts, Jaxon Forbes and Thomas Stanton all nailing home runs. Stanton also had the start for Macarthur and threw well, strikeout out four and only conceding one hit. Ryne Zaryc picked up the only hit and RBI for Brisbane Metro.
Ryde vs. Geelong
In an extremely lopsided contest, Ryde defeated Geelong 34-0. Stepan Slapeta and Michael Blundy combined for a no-hitter, striking out eight between them. James Nati had one of the most astonishing offensive games in recent history, going 5-for-5 with two home runs and 9 RBIs.
Perth Metro Central vs. Gold Coast
In an extremely entertaining final game on Diamond 1, the Central Firebirds managed to just get over the line against the Gold Coast Pirates 9-8. Jamie Fox and Andrew Stubbs both nailed home runs for the Gold Coast Pirates in the third., with Fox’s home run the first grand slam of the tournament. Dylan Sippel struck out two and only conceded a hit on the mound for the Pirates whileBrian Kirkup finished the game strongly for Central Firebirds, closing out a tough ballgame in trying conditions.
Geelong vs. Canberra
Canberra jumped out of the blocks quickly and were never
headed against Geelong, Tom Shakespeare was one of Canberra’s best with bat in
hand, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Shakespeare also threw strongly on the mound
through two innings, striking out five and only conceding one hit. Joshua
Smith, Hayden People and Cooper Rickard all picked up an RBI, with Rickard the
only Baycats player to claim multiple hits.
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