Championship Game: Hills 8-4 Swan Hills
Hills made Australian Little League history today as the first Australian Charter to attend back-to-back Little League World Series’ after defeating a gallant Swan Hills Aces team 8-4.
Both starting pitchers had moments of brilliance, with Swan Hills’ Elijah Hewett striking out eight Hills hitters. At one stage during the ballgame, Hewett was untouchable, striking out seven consecutive hitters in a brilliant performance.
Hills’ Stephen Courtney was equally outstanding, striking out nine in four hitless innings to lead his team with the ball.
Courtney was equally dominant with bat in hand too, finishing with four RBI and a massive home run to centrefield that broke the scoreless tie.
Hills Manager Chris Swan praised Courtney’s attitude post-game.
“He’s probably the most positive and influential player we’ve got,” Swan said.
“Whenever the boys need some inspiration, they look to Stephen and he delivers every time.”
Harrison Wheeldon and Tyler Spiteri also hit well for Hills, picking up a pair of hits each.
In trademark fashion, Swan Hills never gave up, and when Ben Ferencakovic drove in the Aces’ fourth run in as many at bats, the ballgame was well and truly alive.
Cody Brian got the call to finish the game on the mound for Hills, and the young man delivered, tossing two innings of scoreless relief to end the ballgame.
Hills’ 2017 championship team has three players returning from last year’s historic run at the Little League World Series, with Stephen Courtney, Ethan Treble and Harrison Wheeldon all making a rare second appearance at the biggest Little League event on the planet.
Bronze Medal Playoff: Manly 11-6 Macarthur
Manly fell behind by four late in the game, but a big inning fourth inning proved the difference as they claimed the Bronze Medal, defeating Macarthur 11-6.
Manly’s starting pitcher Nic Tyrpenou kept the strong Macarthur lineup in check for the first three innings, however an offensive explosion saw Macarthur take the lead in the fourth inning.
Bayley Stevens was one of Macarthur’s best with bat in hand, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Charles Kernan picked up a double and an RBI as a pinch hitter.
Tallulah Lewis and Wilson Spinks claimed a pair of RBI each for Manly, while leadoff hitter Daigo Yamaguchi showed patience at the plate, picking up a hit and two walks on the day.
Samuel Jackson struck out five and only gave up a pair of earned runs in his 2.2 innings of work for Macarthur. Manly’s Jacob Wander came into the ballgame in a tough situation for a relief pitcher and thrived, striking out five and only giving up one hit in the final 2.1 innings of the ballgame.
5th Place Playoff: Cronulla 9-3 Eastern Athletics
The Eastern Athletics jumped out to an early lead, but some late Cronulla runs proved the difference, as the Sharks claimed a 9-3 victory.
Both starting pitchers threw strongly for their respective teams. Anthony Tsoukarellis only gave up three runs in his four innings of work, striking out nine for Cronulla, while Athletics starter Austin Neave scattered four hits across his three-inning start.
7th Place Playoff: Ryde 11-7 Southern Mariners
Both teams swung the bats well in the seventh place playoff, however Ryde came home stronger, defeating the Southern Mariners 11-7.
Ryde starter Peter Bae showed great speed on his fastball, striking out six in 3.2 innings. Bae also swung the bat well too, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
Kynan Leong also chimed in with a home run for Ryde, while leadoff man Dylan Searle hit strongly all day, finished with two hits and three RBI.
Xander Gunn had a strong start on the mound for the Mariners, striking out three and only giving up two runs in his three innings of work.
Nic Volpe, Angelo Reale-Rontos and Matthew Atkins all picked up three hits each for the Mariners, and while the Victorian charter finished the game well, Ryde hung on for a four run victory.
Final Standings:
1. Hills (NSW)
2. Swan Hills (WA)
3. Manly (NSW)
4. Macarthur (NSW)
5. Cronulla (NSW)
6. Eastern Athletics (VIC)
7. Ryde (NSW)
8. Southern Mariners (VIC)