Two late runs weren't quite enough for Hills at the Junior League World Series, as they were defeated 7-2 by Mexico.
That result means Hills are eliminated from Junior League World Series contention, after falling in consecutive games.
Despite the losses, Hills made history as the first team from the Australia region to win consecutive games at the Junior League World Series, claiming victories against Europe-Africa and Canada in the first two days of competition.
Mexico piled on the runs in the first three innings, opening up a seven run lead.
Will Edwards capped off a solid tournament with a spectacular relief outing for Hills, keeping the Mexican offence at bay with four scoreless innings. Edwards also chimed in with the bat, picking up a double in the second inning.
Hills plated two late runs care of Stephen Courtney scoring on a wild pitch and an RBI from Cole Buck, however Mexico held on to advance to the International Championship game.
Despite a late rally by the Australian U15 World Cup team, they fell narrowly 3-2 against Brazil this morning.
James Nati and Solomon Maguire reached base safely in the final frame, however it wasn't to be as fellow NSW young gun Jake Burns narrowly missed out on a homer to right field.
Brazil took an early lead care of two runs in the opening frame, however South Australian Riley Yeatman settled well in his second start of the tournament.
Maddux Stivey was one of Australia's best on the day as he walked and scored on a Charlie Collins base hit to score his team's first run. The Western Australian wasn't done there, as he tossed 3.1 innings of one-hit ball against a Brazillian offence which has fired this week.
Stivey tied ballgame on a wild-pitch in the fourth inning, however Brazil scored the winning run in the bottom of the sixth on a bases-loaded walk.
Australia's penultimate game of the U15 World Cup comes against China, with first pitch scheduled for 5am AEST on Saturday 18 August.
It took until the final play of the game, but Mexico overcame Gold Coast in an all-time classic at the Little League World Series.
Oscar Hyde was simply outstanding for Gold Coast, tossing 5.2 stellar innings, striking out 11 and only allowing three hits.
Hyde also scored Gold Coast's only two runs of the ballgame, with a two-run blast in the first inning.
Oscar Hyde. Launched. #LLWS pic.twitter.com/ppYkmaG5bg
Both Hyde and Mexico starting pitcher Gael Ponce took a few innings to settle, however both shone in the middle innings, striking out a combined 23 hitters.
Gold Coast did a great job of extending at-bats, which ate into Ponce's pitch count. Mexico were forced to make a pitching change and it almost paid off for Gold Coast, as they loaded the bases in the fifth.
Jett Grimmond made some solid plays in right-field which kept Mexico off the bases, while in the fifth, Zac Smith made a stellar play at shortstop, giving Gold Coast a chance in the sixth.
Angel Martinez was the hero for Mexico, nailing a two-RBI single which sealed the win.
Gold Coast's next game of the Little League World Series will take place on Sunday morning against the Caribbean. Watch it live from 3am AEST on ESPN Australia/NZ.
Shae Lillywhite has played at more World Cups than any other Australian.
But this legend of Australian baseball has redemption on her mind as the 2018 edition begins next week.
30 minutes before the end of the 2016 World Cup training camp on the Gold Coast, Lillywhite dove for a ball and injured two discs in her neck.
“I was at my fittest in 2016,” Lillywhite said.
“I still went on the trip and played a different role, I felt like I couldn’t contribute on field.”
Lillywhite went 2-for-6 with two RBI in the 2016 World Cup, where the Australian Emeralds finished 5th.
It took Lillywhite eight months to fully recover from the injury, and on the eve of her eighth World Cup, the 33 year old is optimistic about the Emeralds chances.
“We have the depth and skill to match it with the best in the world, it’s just finding that skill in those key moments.”
“The rookies we have this year don’t feel like rookies, as they’ve all been around the high performance programs for a little while now.
“There are a lot of us that were there in 2016, and we’re committed to a better performance this time around.”
Australia’s 2016 World Cup campaign was highlighted by dominant wins over host nation South Korea and baseball powerhouse the USA, however a super round loss to Venezuela meant a fifth place finish.
Lillywhite’s only two hits of the tournament came in that game against Venezuela, and despite this being her eighth tilt at a World Cup, the fire burns deeper than ever to make 2018 a memorable year in Australian baseball.
Despite a 10-0 loss to Asia-Pacific this morning, Hills has one more opportunity to reach the International Championship Game at the Junior League World Series.
No team from the Australia Region has ever played in an International Championship game.
Stephen Courtney smacked the first pitch of the ballgame for a double, however from there the Asia-Pacific defence tightened up, as Australia couldn't string together regular baserunners.
Asia-Pacific proved why they've won the past five Junior League World Series', racking up 10 hits in five innings.
Despite the two hits, Hills did a great job of putting the ball in play and making the Asia-Pacific defence work.
Hills will take on Mexico at 9am AEST tomorrow morning, with the winner advancing to the International Championship game to face Asia-Pacific.
Baseball Victoria’s Umpires Association would like to invite members of the baseball community to participate in a weekend of umpiring seminars aimed at improving your understanding of the role of an umpire and encouraging you to pursue your own umpiring goals. All levels of umpiring experience are welcome.
The sessions run from 9am – 5pm over the weekend 22nd – 23rd September.
Saturday 22nd will be held at Melbourne Baseball Club located at Surrey Park, Surrey Dr, Box Hill VIC 3128.
Sunday 23rd will be held at the Cheltenham Baseball Club located at Farm Rd, Cheltenham VIC 3192
The cost to be a part of the day is;
$40 for Adults
$20 for Juniors and Students Under 18
The sessions are looking to support umpires in;
To register please contact either Stewart Howe or David Milton.
Stewart Howe: E - stewart.howe@baseballvictoria.com.au
Ph - 0412 145 282
David Milton: E – dmilton2@bigpond.com
Ph – 0418 342 162
Registration for the seminar will close on Wednesday 12th September 2019.
Despite falling behind in the first few innings, Australia fought back before eventually going down 9-3 to two-time defending champions Cuba at the U15 World Cup.
Australia threatened early with the bases loaded in the first, however couldn't capitalise, which opened the door for Cuba to plate four runs of their own in the second inning.
Hits were shared among the Australians, with Jaime Fox reaching base three times care of a triple, walk and a hit-by-pitch.
The Aussie bats came to life in the fourth, with Fox's triple and a double from Charlie Collins. When Matt West singled to drive his Victorian counterpart Collins in, the Australians had pulled it back to a two-run ballgame.
South Australian Riley Yeatman tossed a scoreless inning to start the ballgame, while Queenslander Ian Lee kept the Cuban offence quiet late, only surrendering three base-runners in 1.2 innings.
The second round of U15 World Cup action begins in Panama on Friday morning, with Australia's schedule to be confirmed by the WBSC.
Baseball Victoria is now accepting applications for Head Coach and Executive Officer positions for our 2019 Women's State Teams.
OVERVIEW
The primary aim of the State Team programs is to develop and maximize the opportunities for our athletes to develop their skills and get exposure to the highest standard of baseball available to them. In many cases the State Team Program is an athlete's first step towards representing Australia and/or providing them a necessary platform to progress into Senior National Competitions, the US College system or professional ranks.
THE PROGRAM
In 2019, we anticipate once again sending two teams (Blue/White) with each team's staff consisting of a Head Coach, team of Assistant Coaches and an Executive Officer.
REQUIREMENTS
Appointed Coaches and Executive Officers (EOs) will be required to coordinate, implement and attend trials, squad training, training sessions and other events as directed by Baseball Victoria. Coordination and servicing of the teams during the National Championships will also be required from Sunday 14th April through until Sunday 21st April 2019.
POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
MORE INFORMATION & QUERIES
Damian Shanahan
e. damian.shanahan@baseballvictoria.com.au
TO APPLY, PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM BELOW;
http://baseballvictoria.com.au/Portals/34/Documents/2017%20Winter%20Champs/Club%20Ads/Women's%20State%20Applications.pdf?timestamp=1534310179025
Baseball Victoria and Baseball Australia are pleased to announce that FS Entertainment has acquired the license for the Melbourne Aces with immediate effect.
Executive Chairman of FS Entertainment, Simon Sallka, will take over ownership of the Aces in what will be a positive long-term partnership for the Melbourne Aces and Baseball in Victoria.
In an effort to ensure a smooth transition, Baseball Victoria will continue to lead the day-to-day functions of the Aces in partnership with Baseball Australia throughout the upcoming 2018/19 season. FS Entertainment will take over complete operational control of the team for the 2019/20 season.
The Board of Baseball Victoria is proud to have played an instrumental role in developing a long-term strategy for success on behalf of the Melbourne Aces and the team’s dedicated fans. Through difficult decision-making and thoughtful planning, the Board has ensured the Aces is best positioned for a promising future of professional baseball for years to come.
Baseball Victoria CEO Justin Huber is looking forward to the change, which will allow the organisation to leverage the increased profile FS Entertainment will bring the Aces and realign operational resources at the grassroots level to continue providing valuable experiences for members including players, coaches, club volunteers and supporters.
“We have secured the Aces operating license this season as stewards of baseball in Victoria,” Huber said. “Allowing our Melbourne professional team and traditional senior men’s state team competing for a Claxton Shield, to falter was out of the question for the Baseball Victoria Board. It is 100% in the best interests of our sport collectively that we’ve remained stewards of this team throughout this period.”
Baseball Victoria recognises the essential role played by Baseball Australia in securing new ownership for the Aces. “This was made possible by the vision of Baseball Australia who have lead the ABL through this new private investment model.”
This season, Baseball Victoria and Baseball Australia will work together to provide an improved guest experience for fans at Melbourne Ballpark, where the Aces will host their home games, including Round 1 vs. the Canberra Cavalry. Baseball Australia will oversee commercial operations and event experiences at Aces game days, while Baseball Victoria will handle team operations.
President of Baseball Victoria – Myles Foreman is thrilled that the hard work of Justin Huber with the strong support of the Baseball Victoria Board has resulted in today’s announcement.
“With private ownership of the Melbourne Aces we look forward to further unlocking the potential the Australian Baseball League and Melbourne Aces provides in helping to raise the profile of our sport, provide development and pathway opportunities while increasing awareness and participation. Victoria has a long and proud history of success at all levels of our sport and an incredibly passionate and dedicated baseball community. We look forward to partnering with FS Entertainment to leverage the opportunities private ownership will provide to build a long-term future for the Melbourne Aces.
With an ongoing commitment to continually improve how Baseball Victoria supports the grassroots of our sport through the delivery of competitions, pathways and member services, the Baseball Victoria team are focused on this outcome which will now be supported in a way not previously possible through the additional opportunity private ownership of the Melbourne Aces provides”.
The long-term outlook is bright now that the license is secured for the 2019/20 season and beyond. With two Victorian based professional teams competing in the ABL we look forward to a bright future for our sport.