Gold Coast Cougars 12-7 Eastern Athletics
The opening ballgame of the day saw the Athletics strike first, but they were unable to contain the Gold Coast Cougars, who survived a late charge to claim their first win of the tournament.
The Athletics kept the Cougars at bay for the first few innings, however seven runs across the third and fourth inning saw the game blown open. Jett Hasegawa was one of Gold Coast’s best with bat in hand, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the leadoff position.
David Hurley was one of the Athletics’ best with bat in hand, picking up three hits and an RBI.
Leading by eight in the final frame, the final three outs proved the toughest for the Cougars, as the Athletics scored three runs. However the damage was done as the Cougars claimed a win in their debut appearance at the Australian Senior League Championship.
Southern Mariners 8-6 Greater Western
The Southern Mariners took on Greater Western in the first game on Diamond 2, and the defending champion Mariners snuck home despite a late fightback from the Warriors.
The defending champion Mariners flexed their muscle early, piling on six runs in the opening inning.
Conor Myles lead the charge for the Mariners, picking up three RBI from his three hits, including a two-RBI double in the opening inning. Reigning U16 National Championship Hitting Champion Dante Caruso kept his great form on the national stage going, driving in two runs from his two hits.
In their first ever game at any Australian Championship, Greater Western started slowly but came home well, scoring five of the last seven runs to make the Mariners earn it.
Cody Godbold, Shannon Underhill and Mark Thompson each had two hits for the Warriors, while on the mound, Brian Fonacier struck out three and only gave up one run in his 2.1 relief innings.
Adelaide Armada 9-6 Macarthur
Following a disappointing Australian Senior League Championship by their standard in 2016, the Adelaide Armada got themselves off to the best possible start, claiming a win over a determined Macarthur side.
Armada shortstop Curtis Mead displayed both power and speed in his five at bats, claiming two triples and a double to go with his two RBIs, while his teammate Callum Park also claimed an RBI from his three hits.
Will Kortekaas was outstanding on the hill for the Armada, striking out five and not giving up any earned runs in his four innings.
Conor Marsh and Dylan Hillyer threw well for a fast-finishing Macarthur side, with the pair combining for 3.2 strong relief innings.
Just when the game looked done and dusted, Macarthur sprang into life in the final frame, driving in four runs and forcing the Armada to make a pair of pitching changes.
Ryde 3-2 Western Meteors
In an extremely high quality encounter on Diamond 3, Ryde edged out the Western Meteors 3-2.
Shane Turner gave up only two earned runs and struck out three in five innings of work for the Meteors, while his opposite number Ky Jackson walked six in his two innings of work, but only managed to concede the one earned run.
Bas Matthews was the only Ryde player to claim multiple hits, while Caydyn Hancock went 4-for-4 for the Meteors, as he racked up two thirds of his teams hits.
Tom Pellow and Jack Dudley both claimed an RBI each for Ryde, with NSW Senior League Championship hero Luke Livian tossing a scoreless final frame to seal a hard-fought victory for his team.
Hills 12–3 Gold Coast Cougars
Hills flexed their offensive muscle to blow by Gold Coast 12-3 in the third game of the day on Diamond 1.
The long-ball was working early for both teams with Faenza Bishop launching a two-run shot to left field in the opening inning. That was cancelled out half an inning later when Caleb Shepherd launched a three run bomb that landed well over the trees in right field to give Hills a 3-2 lead.
From there, Hills never looked back, with Dylan Clarke and Lachy McCarthy each driving in a pair of runs. Ryschan Thompson and Jett Hasegawa both picked up two hits each for the Cougars, however it was too little too late as Hills pulled away for an opening day win.
Adelaide Armada 10-8 Hills
The last game of the day on Diamond 1 saw two excellent teams do battle, and despite a late comeback, Hills fell short, as the Armada claimed an 10-8 victory.
Hills took an early 2-1 lead, however in the bottom of the third, the Armada offence came to life.
The SA Senior League champions piled on seven runs in the inning, all with two outs. The inning was capped off with the third homer of the day on Diamond 1, with Armada catcher Mason Clavell dropping one over the left field fence to give the Armada a six run lead.
After making his debut in the ABL this past season, Ky Hampton struck out six and only gave up two runs across his four innings of work for the Armada.
Hills put up a five spot that seemingly swung the momentum of the game in the fifth inning. Caleb Shepherd continued his great form for Hills, finishing with two RBI from his two hits. Jordan Castle also claimed a pair of hits for the 2016 Australian Senior League runners up.
The Armada finished the day with two wins in Pool A, with Ryde and the Southern Mariners each claiming a win each in Pool B.
Ryde and the Mariners meet in the opening game of Day 2, with the game to be streamed live on ABLTV.com.