Central Coast vs. Eastern Athletics
In a consolation game, Eastern Athletics claimed back-to-back victories with a 4-2 victory over Central Coast. Liam Evans threw an incredible complete game for the Athletics, striking out nine and only conceding one earned run. Rhys Neuhold again lead Central Coast’s offence, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Neuhold also impressed on the mound for the Coasties in a losing cause. Offensively, Tiernan Culbert drove in two runs for the Eastern Athletics.
SF 1: Adelaide Titans vs. Southern Mariners
The Southern Mariners have booked their place in the inaugural Australian Senior League Championship final after taking care of the Adelaide Titans 17-12. The Mariners got off to the best possible start scoring 13 runs in the first two innings thanks to some consistent and powerful hitting. Leading off for the Mariners, Aiden Willis increased the lead in the second, after belting a line drive to right field to score another two runs. After some early errors and inconsistencies on the mound, the Adelaide Titans’ offense came alive in the middle innings, pulling back the deficit strongly. Jack O’Loughlin nailed a three-run home run with bat in hand for the Titans. In the final inning, Josh Whelan put a charge in a ball that enabled three more runs to score to bring the margin back to five, but it was too little too late.
Manly vs. Adelaide Armada
The final game on Diamond three saw a see-sawing battle between Manly and the Adelaide Armada, and it was the Armada who came out on top thanks to a four run sixth inning. Will Kortekaas pitched admirably for the Armada, throwing 90 pitches in five innings, while his opposite number Sean Tanno threw 98 pitches. Manly’s Josh Gessner continued his strong tournament, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. The Armada’s Mason Clavell went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and was the standout offensive player.
Cronulla vs. Brisbane South
Brisbane South got on top of Cronulla early, and behind a complete game shutout from Conor Laverty, took the victory 10-0 Laverty struck out six and only gave up two hits in the most impressive pitching performance of the tournament so far. Laverty was backed up by his offence, who made the most of their eight hits. The middle of Brisbane’s lineup did the damage, picking up all nine RBIs.
SF 2: Hills vs. Eastern Phantoms
In the shock of the tournament so far, number six seed Hills knocked off the previously undefeated Eastern Phantoms to take their place in the Championship Game, where they will meet the Southern Mariners. Ayden Dever lead from the front for Hills, throwing one of the most impressive starts in the tournament against a red-hot Phantoms lineup. The top of the Hills batting lineup fired, with leadoff man Kaiden Costa picked up three hits and an RBI, while Jack Dormor continued his exceptional tournament, picking up another two hits. Hayden Lyberopoulos picked up two RBIs and threw a clutch seventh inning to deliver Hills the victory. Jayson Miller did all he could, claiming two hits, and Josh Franklin made the most of his opportunity, driving in two late runs, but it wasn’t enough as Hills held on for a stirring victory.
The Adelaide Titans and Eastern Phantoms will match up in the Bronze Medal game at 10.15, while the Championship game between Hills and Southern Mariners takes place at 2.30pm. Both games are streamed live on www.abltv.com
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