GOLD: Hills 7-1 Ryde
In a battle between two powerhouse NSW charters, it was Hills who prevailed 7-1 and booked their ticket to the Junior League World Series.
For Manager Les Stockdale, Clayton Campbell and Brent Iredale, it’ll be their second consecutive appearance on the world stage, after they all were part of Hills’ Little League team that made history at the 2016 Little League World Series.
Andrew Martin was the sparkplug for Hills, nailing their first hit of the game in the form of a triple before being driven in by Riley Watson for the opening run of the ballgame. Martin then came to the party again in the bottom of the fourth, extending Hills’ lead to three after a two-RBI single.
Liam McCallum tossed five dazzling innings, keeping the Hawks hitters off balance all night. The lefty finished with three strikeouts and no hits across five innings. When asked about the experience, McCallum was excited to get stuck into the best in the world.
"I couldn't think of anything better," said McCallum.
"The boys played exceptionally well today. Ryde are a great team, their performance in the semi against Cronulla was amazing and we had to play at our best today."
James Nati struck out eight in his five inning start, and had his breaking ball working throughout, continually fooling hitters with a stunning curveball.
Ryde threatened in the bottom of the sixth as all good teams do in the top of the sixth, loading the bases after Cooper Garth legged out an infield single. Soloman Maguire then induced a groundout from Kobi Slaats as the rally was quashed by the Hills defence.
Clayton Campbell put the exclamation point on the ballgame as he made a dazzling play at shortstop for the second out of the inning. Campbell’s fellow Little League World Series teammate Brent Iredale fired a strike to first for the third out of the game, and Hills booked their ticket to the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan.
BRONZE: Cronulla 11-0 Southern Mariners
Cronulla claimed third place at the Australian Junior League Championship off the back of an incredibly dominant start from Josh Pearl.
Pearl struck out 14 of the 15 batters he faced, and was nearly untouchable against a Southern Mariners lineup that has fought all week. Adam Harris claimed the only hit off Pearl, a bunt single that caught the defence on the hop late in the game.
Pearl also capped off the most complete game of the championship as he went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Jake Burns also chimed in with three RBI of his own however the day belonged to Pearl as he lead his team to an Australian Senior League Championship Bronze Medal.
Eastern Phantoms 9-5 Canberra
The Eastern Phantoms struck early and never looked back, defeated a gallant Canberra side 9-5.
Connor Whelan tossed a complete game for the Phantoms, striking out three and only giving up three runs across his seven innings on the hill.
Whelan’s offence backed him up well in the early stages, driving in six runs in the first two innings. Tyler Brooks was one of the Phantoms best offensively, nailing a home run and driving in three runs in a fantastic display.
Lachlan Ives finished his tournament well for Canberra, as he picked up three hits and an RBI in the leadoff spot, with Cody Mendham providing some good offensive support, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Manly 11-0 Adelaide Pirates
Behind some stellar offensive performances and a complete game shutout from Toby White, Manly claimed 7th place at the Australian Junior League Championship.
White was sensational for Manly, striking out seven and scattering only five hits in seven scoreless innings. White also manage to chip in with bat in hand too, driving in a pair of runs for the Eagles.
Zac Newbold finished with four RBI from his three hits, however the final say went to brother Tom, who nailed an inside the park home run in the top of the fifth, driving in Zac for the second time this week via the home run.
Liam Bull showed plenty of resistance for the Pirates, going 3-for-3 with Carter Powell and Ethan Murphy claiming the Pirates other two hits.
The Pirates kept Manly at bay early, but eight late runs saw the Eagles pull away and claim 7th place at the Australian Junior League Championship.
Gold Coast Pirates 6-1 Brisbane Metro
The Gold Coast Pirates managed to defeat Brisbane Metro in the second game of the day on Diamond 2.
The early stages of the game saw an unfortunate incident with an injury to Sam Campion, we wish Sam all the best with his recovery.
Gold Coast scored all six of their runs in the second inning, with Jordan Cameron and Dylan Sippel each picking up two RBI.
Ryu Otsu had a strong start for the Pirates, striking out six and only allowing one run through his five innings. That run came off the bat of Dom French, as his RBI double in the third saw Brisbane Metro get on the board.
Ryne Zaryc ensured that his Brisbane Metro side stayed in the contest, as he sat down six Pirates hitters and scattered two hits through his two innings of relief.
Eastern Athletics 18-7 Gold Coast Mariners
Eastern Athletics scored early and often to defeat the Gold Coast Mariners on Diamond 2.
The Athletics’ offence was consistent all day as Kynan Jones lead the way in RBIs with three. Multiple players hit well for the Athletics, with Zach Busch capping off his stellar week with a home run and a pair of RBI.
Kurtis Smith and Henry Hayman both claimed three hits each for the Athletics, while for the Mariners the offensive balance was spread well, with seven individuals claiming a hit each.
The Athletics used a massive seven run fourth inning to propel them to victory as they plated seven runs to put the result beyond doubt.
Swan Hills 9-2 Northern Metros
Behind a fantastic performance from Maddux Stivey, Swan Hills sealed fifth place at the Australian Junior League Championship with a 9-2 win against fellow WA side Northern Metros.
Stivey struck out 10 across 5.2 innings of work, as he only allowed two earned runs.
Stivey’s offence backed him up nicely with some consistent hitting as Benji Hewitt lead off with a hit and two RBI, while at the opposite end of the lineup, eight hole hitter Max Chipper chimed in with a hit and three RBI.
Aaron Callaghan was the only Metros plater to claim multiple hits, as he picked up a single and a double, while Todd Hamburg drove in the Metros only earned run of the ballgame.
Tarrant Reimers gave the Metros everything in his final start of the tournament, striking out five and only giving up one earned run in his 5.2 innings of work.
The Metros stuck with the Swans for the majority of the ballgame, however five runs in the sixth inning proved the difference as Swan Hills stormed home to claim fifth place.
Adelaide Waves 14-4 Central Firebirds
The hometown Adelaide Waves defeated the Central Firebirds 14-4 to claim ninth place at the Australian Junior League Championship.
The Waves piled on ten runs in the first two innings, with Adam Wurfel one of the Waves best, as he went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Nick Rees, Jack Higginbotham and Tyson Schunke all plated two runs apiece for the Waves in a complete offensive performance.
Hits were shared for the Central Firebirds, with Dylan Hopkins-Treloar one of the standouts, driving in an RBI from a triple in the top of the third.
Jack Higginbotham relieved a strong start from Hamish Rees and slammed the door shut on the Firebirds, striking out all three hitters he faced to seal a ninth place finish for the Adelaide Waves.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Hills (NSW)
2. Ryde (NSW)
3. Cronulla (NSW)
4. Southern Mariners (VIC)
5. Swan Hills (WA)
6. Northern Metros (WA)
7. Manly (NSW)
8. Adelaide Pirates (SA)
9. Adelaide Waves (SA)
10. Central Firebirds (WA)
11. Eastern Athletics (VIC)
12. Gold Coast Mariners (QLD)
13. Gold Coast Pirates (QLD)
14. Brisbane Metro (QLD)
15. Eastern Phantoms (WA)
16. Canberra (ACT)