Gold Medal Game
Victoria Blue 12-2 Western Australia
Victoria Blue capped off a perfect week with a 12-2 victory against Western Australia to seal the Gold Medal at the Australian Women’s Championship.
Team hitting has been the mantra all week for Victoria Blue, and today was no exception, with star infielders Abbey Kelly and Bronwyn Gell each driving in three runs apiece.
Victoria broke open the game in the second inning with six runs as Western Australia’s defence couldn’t match the powerful Victorian offence.
Manager of the Victorian side Dean Anglin was pleased with his team’s preparation
“We had to come into every game at 100%,” Anglin said.
“After winning the Youth Championship last year, we knew Western Australia would be a tough opponent. They really showed how good they could be today, there’s a very bright future in WA baseball.”
Nat House and Rebecca Torpy each claimed two hits for Western Australia, with both House and Torpy driving in a run in the second inning.
Western Australia threatened in the fifth inning, however Emma French quickly shut down the threat as Victoria Blue claimed the Australian Women’s Championship.
New South Wales and Australian infielder Olivia Bannon was given the fielding award, with star Victoria slugger Abbey McLellan honour with the Hitting Award.
After claiming the win in the Australian Championship game, Emma French was deservedly given the pitching award.
Australian infielder and Victorian stalwart Bronwyn Gell was named tournament MVP after she drove in 21 runs from her 17 hits, to finish with a batting average of .531.
Bronze Medal Game
Queensland 8-5 New South Wales
In a traditional state of origin battle, Queensland picked up the bronze medal following an 8-5 defeat of New South Wales on Diamond 1.
New South Wales flew out of the blocks to hold a four run lead after four innings, but a never say die attitude and some solid hitting saw Queensland fly home to claim bronze.
Olivia Bannon finished her tournament in style, claiming two hits and an RBI, while long-time Australian catcher Tahnee Lovering also claimed two base hits.
Amy West was one of Queensland’s best with bat in hand, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Grace Zylstra, young catcher Chloe Humphreys and Raewa Long each had two hits.
Priya Balnaves was tasked with throwing the final inning for Queensland, and despite giving up a leadoff single, claimed the next three outs with no trouble, sealing a well-earned bronze for Queensland.
5th Place Playoff
Victoria Blue 5-3 Country New South Wales
Victoria White left it late, but managed to scrape by Country 5-3 to finish fifth in the Australian Women’s Championship.
Vic White scored four of their five runs in their final three innings, including two in the sixth to all-but fend off Country New South Wales.
Kristen Bezzina gave up a leadoff double and had the tying run on first base before she struck out Isobel Demol to seal fifth for Vic White.
Kirra Hamilton was the only Country hitter to register two hits, including a double, with Britt Carree and Isobel Demol driving in two of the three runs.
Emma Chandler finished off her tournament perfectly, going 3-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI, while Shannon Kwok’s two RBI in the sixth frame gave Vic White a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, holding on to claim fifth place.
7th Place Playoff
Australian Capital Territory 22-2 South Australia
The ACT came home with a wet sail in the Australian Women’s Championship, winning their last two games to claim seventh, as they defeated South Australia 22-2.
Both ACT and SA were tied at two after the first inning, but the ACT pulled away in the middle stages, piling on 20 runs in two innings to put the result beyond doubt.
Meredith Wells only gave up two hits in her four innings of work, striking out five in a strong performance.
Claire Stephens finished the tournament well with bat in hand, going 2-for-3 with 4RBI. Kristol Pyke and Caitlyn Elliott also drove in four runs apiece, with Elliott picking up three hits.
Carly Moore and Emma Young claimed SA’s two RBI, while Julie Wadham also managed a hit.
FINAL STANDINGS:
1. Victoria Blue
2. Western Australia
3. Queensland
4. New South Wales
5. Victoria White
6. Country New South Wales
7. Australian Capital Territory
8. South Australia