Doncaster (13-3-1) 5 defeated Werribee (15-4) 1
Getting only three base hits against the top team is not usually a recipe for success. But the Doncaster Dragons began 2017 with a 5-1 win over the Werribee Giants at Deep Creek despite a lukewarm offensive performance.
The key to success for the Dragons was taking advantage of early scoring opportunities and keeping Werribee to a low score with high-quality pitching and solid defence.
After the Giants scored one run in the first inning, the Dragons wasted no time erasing the lead. Nic Unland led off with a walk and went to second when Scott Carr singled. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, then Unland scored on Ben Utting's groundout to tie the scores. Rhys Aldenhoven followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Carr and gave the Dragons a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.
Werribee lent a helping hand in the third inning. Unland again walked, as did Carr, and both advanced on a wild pitch. Aldenhoven then hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, whose throw was late and wayward as Unland scored. On the same play, the Werribee catcher's throw sailed over the pitcher’s head, allowing Carr to score and give Doncaster a 4-1 lead.
With Tyler Cooklin on the mound, that lead never looked in danger of being erased. Cooklin pitched five innings, allowing four hits and three walks, with six strikeouts.
And if an insurance run was needed, who better to provide it than Cooklin himself? His solo home run over the left field fence made it 5-1.
Carr switched from right field to the mound in the sixth inning and continued where Cooklin had left off, allowing just two hits and no walks in three innings, while striking out three.
Aldenhoven finished off the pitching work with a scoreless ninth, including two strikeouts, to ice the win.
The win lifted the Dragons to top place in the standings, leapfrogging over the Giants. That top position will be up for grabs again when the two teams meet at La Trobe University on Tuesday night.
Sunshine (13-4-1) 5 defeated Upwey FTG (12-6) 0
No summary provided
Bonbeach (18-10-1) 4 defeated Berwick (7-10-1) 2
No summary provided
Malvern (4-14) 5 defeated Port Melbourne (1-17) 2
No summary provided
Williamstown (9-8-1) 6 defeated Ballarat (5-11-1) 1
No summary provided
Mid-week fixtures
- Malvern v Sunshine
- Ballarat v Williamstown
- Berwick v Bonbeach
- Upwey FTG v Port Melbourne
- Werribee v Doncaster
Sunshine (13-4-1) 5 defeated Upwey FTG (12-6) 0
No summary provided
Bonbeach (18-10-1) 4 defeated Berwick (7-10-1) 2
No summary provided
Malvern (4-14) 5 defeated Port Melbourne (1-17) 2
No summary provided
Williamstown (9-8-1) 6 defeated Ballarat (5-11-1) 1
No summary provided
Mid-week fixtures
- Malvern v Sunshine
- Ballarat v Williamstown
- Berwick v Bonbeach
- Upwey FTG v Port Melbourne
- Werribee v Doncaster
Bonbeach (18-10-1) 4 defeated Berwick (7-10-1) 2
No summary provided
Malvern (4-14) 5 defeated Port Melbourne (1-17) 2
No summary provided
Williamstown (9-8-1) 6 defeated Ballarat (5-11-1) 1
No summary provided
Mid-week fixtures
- Malvern v Sunshine
- Ballarat v Williamstown
- Berwick v Bonbeach
- Upwey FTG v Port Melbourne
- Werribee v Doncaster
Malvern (4-14) 5 defeated Port Melbourne (1-17) 2
No summary provided
Williamstown (9-8-1) 6 defeated Ballarat (5-11-1) 1
No summary provided
Williamstown (9-8-1) 6 defeated Ballarat (5-11-1) 1
No summary provided
Mid-week fixtures
As Little League International announced the umpiring cohort for their Little League World Series tournaments, Australian trio Matt Wagner, Marc Roberts and Paul Carthy have made history, as the first Australians to be invited to the Little League World Series tournaments.
Wagner, a native of Appin, NSW, will officiate at the Senior League World Series in Easley, South Carolina between July 30-August 5. Wagner has been involved in the Australian Little League Championships since 2012, and in 2016, made his way to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the home of Little League, to participate in the Little League Umpiring School.
Carthy will make his way to the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan. Carthy officiated at the 2012 Asia-Pacific tournament, and the Melbournian has been involved as a volunteer official at the Little League level for over 10 years.
Marc Roberts will head to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the 71st Little League World Series in August 2017, having officiated in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Australian Little League Championships. Roberts also made his way to the 2016 Australian Senior League Championship and has 15+ years experience umpiring at the Little League level.
Baseball Australia extends its heartfelt congratulations to all three men, and we know they'll do us all proud on the international stage.
Southern Mariners (SL) v Northern Diamondbacks (SL)
The Southern Mariners Senior League flexed its muscles from the very start of the game plating 7 runs in the bottom of the first innings. They never headed from the beginning with Ben Frienzi in control throwing 88 pitches over 5 complete innings only giving up 5 hits.
Southern Mariners will now play the Eastern Athletics to determine who will be crowned Victorian Senior League Champions
Sunraysia Giants (JL) v Geelong Baycats (JL)
The Sunraysia Giants played the Baycats for 4th and 5th. In what seemed a mirror image of yesterdays game, the Giants jumped out to an 11-1 lead after . A Mini fight back by the Baycats saw them plate 6 runs of their own, however that would be the last time they troubled the scorers. Awesome fielding by the Giants restricted the Baycats hitters. A Jordan Spratt home run that scored three was a highlight for the Giants batters.
Sunraysia Giants finished 4th, and the Baycats ended the tournament 5th.
Eastern Athletics (JL) v Northern Diamondbacks (JL)
In the game to decide who would be facing the Southern Mariners in the final, Kurtis Smith (Athletics) and Harvey Hadlow (Diamondbacks) did stirling jobs for their respective teams. The Game could have gone either way, with the Athletics taking the early lead and fought hard to keep it that way.
For the Athletics, Finn O'Connell and Henry Hayman were the batters of note, with both blasting home runs in this game. For the Diamondbacks, Harvey Hadlow and Trenell Hutchins dropping round trippers.
The Eastern Athletics now face the Southern Mariners for the Junior League Championship
JUNIOR LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
Southern Mariners (JL) v Eastern Athletics (JL)
This final was a pitchers dual, Josh Smith (Mariners) and Henry Hayman (Athletics) did stirling jobs for their respective teams. The Game could have gone either way, with the Athletics taking the early lead and fought hard to keep it that way.
For the Athletics, Finn O'Connell and Henry Hayman were the batters of note, with both blasting home runs in this game. For the Mariners, Adam Harris and Blake Holding both produced a long ball.
This final had everything and it was a fitting final, the two best teams going at it hard. With the Eastern Athletics prevailing in the end
This final was a pitchers dual, Josh Smith (Mariners) and Henry Hayman (Athletics) did stirling jobs for their respective teams. The Game could have gone either way, with the Athletics taking the early lead and fought hard to keep it that way.
For the Athletics, Finn O'Connell and Henry Hayman were the batters of note, with both blasting home runs in this game. For the Mariners, Adam Harris and Blake Holding both produced a long ball.
This final had everything and it was a fitting final, the two best teams going at it hard. With the Eastern Athletics prevailing in the end
SENIOR LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
SENIOR LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
This game was one for the ages. Quality pitching between Declan Croker (Mariners) and Blake Townsend (Athletics) going toe to toe for 7 innings. For Declan it was 7 innings with 7 hits and 4 runs over 90 pitches. For Blake, 6 innings, 93 pitches for 3 runs and 7 hits.
On the hitting side of things, JP Calill for the Mariners had 3 hits, Julian Vance had 3 hits for the Athletics and Liam Evans had 2.
The deciding play of the game was a Walk off Sac Fly to Centrefield to win the game for the Athletics
Following the culmination of the U12 and U18 teams
qualifying for their respective World Cup’s Australia has catapulted into the
top 10 of the WBSC World Rankings for the first time since 2012.
Australia’s U18 team was unstoppable during their qualifier,
with their pitchers striking out 35 hitters and only giving up two earned runs
in 25 innings of work, while the offence continually dominated. Australia hit
.350 as a team, with 36 hits and 36 RBI across four games, as well as an on
base percentage of .493.
Our U12 team had to make the unenviable trip to Guam where
they took on the host nation and American Samoa for a spot in the U12 World
Cup. After an early loss to Guam and two victories over American Samoa,
Australia needed to defeat Guam twice in order to qualify. A thrilling extra
innings win over Guam gave Australia a chance, and that was all they needed,
defeating Guam in dominant fashion in the final game of the tournament to seal
qualification.
Another incredible performance which recently lifted Australia’s
world ranking was claiming the Silver Medal at the U23 World Cup in November
2016.
Baseball Australia’s High Performance Manager Glenn Williams
is excited for Australia to get back into the top 10 baseball nations in the
world.
“There has been a lot of hard work from a lot of people
behind the scenes to give our players the best opportunity to succeed,”
Williams said.
“It’s a great achievement for us to climb to 10th
in the world, we’ve had a plan all along to attend international events with
ranking points, and it’s great to have success leading up to such an important
international tournament cycle.”
March 2017 sees another chance for Australia to increase
their World Ranking, with the World Baseball Classic (WBC) taking place in
Tokyo. Australia will play #1 ranked Japan, #5 ranked Cuba and #18 ranked
China. One win at the WBC will guarantee qualification for the next WBC, while
two wins will see Australia progress to the second round of the tournament for
the first time ever.
Stay tuned to the Baseball
Australia website for all of your World Baseball Classic and U12/U18 World
Cup information.
The Australian U18 team has qualified for the U18 World Cup in Thunder Bay, Canada later this year after defeating New Zealand in a rain-affected finale at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Jack O'Loughlin threw four scoreless innings for Australia, striking out eight and only giving up two hits in the process. Rixon Wingrove had a pair of hits and an RBI, while WA star Dawson Summers claimed two RBI.
Jarryd Dale finished the tournament with 12 RBI from four games, including a batting average of .613, while Australia's pitching staff, lead by former MLB-er and Baseball Australia Hall of Famer Micheal Nakamura were simply untouchable. Australia's pitchers struck out 35 hitters and only gave up two earned runs in 25 innings of work, while the offence continually dominated. Australia hit .350 as a team, with 36 hits and 36 RBI across four games, as well as an on base percentage of .493.
As a consequence of the U18 World Cup Qualification and the recent U12 World Cup Qualification, Australia has moved into 10th place in the WBSC World Rankings. This is the first time since 2012 that Australia has been inside the top 10.
The U18 Baseball World Cup will be played in Thunder Bay, Canada, and will begin on 1 September this year. Stay tuned to the U18 World Cup homepage for more information.
Australia only needs a win this afternoon against New Zealand to seal qualification for the U18 Baseball World Cup in September this year, after defeating Guam 12-1 at Blacktown International Sportspark last night.
Jackson Riley got through six innings of work for Australia, striking out six and only conceding the one earned run. Local Hills lad Liam Holm came in and finished the job for Australia, striking out two in a perfect final inning.
Guam took an early lead in the third, but two quick runs in the bottom half of the frame saw Australia hold a narrow 2-1 lead.
Guam continued to threaten in the fifth inning, however Queenslander Dermot Fritsch turned a fantastic double play to kill the Guamanian rally.
The Australian bats exploded in the sixth inning, with 10 runs crossing the plate, and a number of Australian hitters getting two at bats in the inning. Jarryd Dale continued his incredible tournament, with another two hits and three RBI, while catcher Rixon Wingrove had two RBI from his three hits.
From here, a win against New Zealand seals qualification for the U18 Baseball World Cup, however a loss sees Australia match up with New Zealand again on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the U18 World Cup.
Western Mets (SL) v Eastern Athletics (SL)
The Eastern Athletics went with Nick Dimatrakopolous who proceeded to go "LIGHTS", 80 pitches and 3 earnt runs over 6 innings. With the bat, Connor Hughes connected with a triple, however the bats were very quiet for the Western Mets. For the Athletics, Riley Light, Harvey Mitchell-Hill and Will Macrokanis feasted on the Mets pitching to record 8 hits between them.
The Eastern Athletics now proceed to the 1 V 2 Final at 6pm on Diamond 1, against the Southern Mariners.
The Western Mets meet the Northern Diamondbacks at 2:30pm on Diamond 1
Northern Diamondbacks (JL) v Sunraysia (JL)
Sunraysia displayed amazing infield fielding with lightening reflexes. Jordan Spratt and Raiden Wakefield were amongst the best with several beyond reasonable effort plays for Sunraysia.
A Home Run to Jaycob Paccuzzi in the 11 hits for the DBacks. Jonah Hope threw 4 innigns holding Sunraysia to 1 run
Southern Mariners (SL) v Northern Diamondbacks (SL)
Constant scoring for the Southern MAriners, ended the game in just over 2 hours. Hits from all players combined to score all the runs. The DBacks were outclassed, however put some runs on the board in the 5 innings.
The Mariners now proceed to the 1 V 2 Final at 6pm on Diamond 1, against the Eastern Athletics
The Northern Diamondbacks meet the Western Mets at 2:30pm on Diamond 1
Eastern Athletics (JL) v Geelong Baycats (JL)
More Home Runs to the Eastern Athletics, who had the Baycats covered.
Home Runs to Charlie O'Connell, Charlie Collins, Henry Hayman and Teagan Otter accounted for the Baycats pitching. A Really tough battle for the first innings that went for 46 minutes. A great game played by all and played in Good Spirits and effort despite the final scoreline
Eastern Athletics (JL) v Southern Mariners (JL)
In an epic battle between two pitchers Adam Harris (6 innings and 82 pitches) for the Southern Mariners and Cody Caulfield (74 pitches over 6 innings) for the Eastern Athletics turned this game into one of the closest games this tournament.
Hitting wise, Joshua Smith (Mariners) connected for the Grand Slam and Cameron Zimmerman continued his hot form with the bat to also register another home run.
Cody Caulfield, behind a wonderful pitching display, also proved that his bat is powerful, with a home run as well. Henry Hayman also connected with a long ball as well.
The Eastern Athletics await the final game between the Mariners and Dbacks to confirm there final placing
Sunraysia (JL) v Geelong Baycats (JL)
The Giants of Sunraysia came out in their final game of the regular tournament and registered their first win. Jordan Spratt (Sunraysia) registered a Massive Grand Slam for the game. This game left the Baycats at the bottom, but get a chance at revenge tomorrow morning against the Giants at 9am on Diamond 2
Northern Diamondbacks (JL) v Southern Mariners (JL)
Sam Skinner (Mariners) took the win with great pitching performance over 5 innings. Josh Smith hit another grand slam and Adam Harris hit his first home run for the tournament.
For the DBacks, Connor Schibeci was the man of the day. A stellar 93 pitching effort in gale force winds, and with the bat, also hit a home run.
Southern Mariners are into the final, while the DBacks face a rampant Eastern Athletics Outfit who are looking to make the finals.
Northern Diamondback (SL) v Western Mets (SL)
WOW. What a game. The DBacks and Mets fought out a classic game. Up and Down, Injuries, Great Plays, Great Fielding.
All players should be congratulated on the way the game was played. No singleling out of players. Both teams were fantastic. Unfortunately there can be only one winner and the DBacks progress to tomorrows Preliminary Final
Southern Mariners (SL) v Eastern Athletics(SL)
A very interesting 1 v 2 final. Eastern Athletics jumped the Southern Mariners.
For the Athletics, 3 hits to David Hurley, 2 hits to Kaioh Sato, Liam Evans, Ryan Pahos and Blake Townsend.
Liam Evans was the star for the Athletics, 5.1 innings for 3 runs, 5 hits and a stellar 95 pitches.
For the Mariners, singles to Ben Fierenzi and JP Callil, and doubles to Connor Myles, Dante Caruso, and Zac Skinner
The Mariners back up tomorrow morning against Northern Diamondbacks in an attempt to get back into final tomorrow afternoon
Behind a pitching staff that only gave up five hits through 13 innings, and a 9-RBI day from Victorian star Jarryd Dale, Australia moved to 2-0 after two games at the U18 World Cup Qualifier at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Australia proved too strong for New Zealand in the opening game of the day, scoring early and often to defeat New Zealand 11-1. A bases clearing triple from Jarryd Dale in the fourth extended Australia's lead, with the Melbourne Aces star going 3-for-4 with 6 RBI on the day.
Josh Bedggood and Jake Green combined for three hits through seven innings, with Bedggood picking up eight strikeouts. Dawson Summers and Aidan Willis picked up two hits each.
The second game of the day saw Matt Beattie get the start against Guam, and from the get-go, it was all Australia as they claimed a 15-0 victory. Beattie struck out seven and only gave up two hits in his four innings. Jarryd Dale had another three RBI, as did leadoff man Jess Williams. Nic Anderson-Vine had four hits, while in the designated hitter spot, Alex Hall had two RBI.
Canberra Cavalry representative Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis finished the Guamanian's off, striking out three in two scoreless innings.
Australia's next game sees them match up with Guam at 7pm tonight. For a full schedule of the U18 BCO Qualifier, click here.
Eastern Athletics (SL) v Southern Mariners (SL)
The Defending Champions Southern Mariners took on the Eastern Athletics in game 1 . A quick start saw mariners score 5 in the first two innings and kept the Athletics scoreless behind a Declan Croker start. The 2nd innings saw a big double play to shut the Athletics down.
Back and forth for the remainder of the game saw the Mariners push the lead out to 6 -2 Lead. The top of the 6th score 2 runs to bring the game back to 6 - 4. The bottom of the 6th saw the Mariners extend their lead to 9 -4. The top of the 7th came around and a big double to the left field fence by Julian Vance score another run, however a fly out and a bullet throw to the plate by John Paul Calill stopped the Athletics from scoring.
Final score Southern Mariners 9 Eastern Athletics 5
Geelong Baycats (JL) v Southern Mariners (JL)
Southern Mariners JL team pitchers, Josh Smith, Jai Cebular, Sam Skinner and Adam Harris combined to shut down the Geelong Baycats on the morning of Day 1 of the Junior League Champs. The 4 pitchers combined to only give up 2 hits and 11 K's between all 4.
The Baycats trio of Sam Lazarus, William More and Hayden Peoples struggled to hold the Mariner lineup who scored constantly to force the first 10 run defeat.
Final Score was Southern Mariners 13, Geelong Baycats 0
Northern Diamondbacks (SL) v Western Mets (SL)
A tough day at the office for Connor Hughes of the Western Mets who threw his full compliment of 93 pitches while struggling to hold a rampant Diamondback offence who plated 11. The remaining 4 pitches for the Mets combined to hold the Diamondbacks to 3 runs. The pick of the Diamondback hitters were Nicholas Pascuzzi and Jaidyn Wild who both connected for Triples.
For the trio of Diamondback pitchers, Tim Reid, Cody Rodwell and Samuel Wild combined to hold the Mets hitters to 3 hits.
The Diamondbacks look forward to facing the Eastern Athletics while the Western Mets will face the Southern Mariners at 6pm on Diamond 1
Eastern Athletics (JL) v Northern Diamondbacks (JL)
Home Runs, Home Runs and more Home Runs were the flavour of the day on Diamond 4 where the Eastern Athletics feasted on the the Diamondback pitching to, as a combined team, hit 7 home runs, with Sadi Nergiz connecting with three round trippers and not far behind him, Charlie Collins, connecting with 2 bombs of his own to be the pick of the Athletic hitters.
The Diamondback look to bounce back against Baycats, while the Athletics have a break before facing the Giants of Sunraysia
Eastern Athletics (SL) v Northern Diamondbacks (SL)
The Eastern Athletic SL team jumped out to commanding 19 - 3 lead until the bottom of 5 innings. The Diamondbacks need 7 runs to force game into the 6th innings. A spirited fight back from the Diamondbacks saw runners at 2nd and 3rd (tying run at 2nd). A single to right field scored the runner from 3, and with a head full of steam, the runner from 2 rounded 3rd and headed to home. A perfectly excuted cut play saw a throw from Rightfield to the first baseman, who in turn delivered a perfect strike to the plate saw the runner cut down and the final out made.
Geelong Baycats (JL) v Northern Diamondbacks (JL)
Sunraysia (JL) v Southern Mariners (JL)
The Southern Mariners jumped the Sunraysia Giants in the 2nd innings scoring 8 runs. They were never really headed adding to the score consistantly over the 5 innings to take the game out 19 - 5.
Highlights for the game included
Cameron Zimmerman (Mariners) and Mitchell Shane (Mariners) put a long ball over the fence, with Raiden Wakefield ( Giants) depositing one for himself.
Western Mets (SL) v Southern Mariners (SL)
In the final game, the Western Mets shocked the Southern Mariners by scoring 7 runs in the top of the first innings. Some hits and uncharacteristic errors from the Mariners put the mariners in the unsuspecting game location of having to chase up 7 runs. The Mets added another 2 over the next two innings, however the Mariners chipped away at the lead before finally taking it in the bottom of the 4th innings. A couple more zeros by the Mets and the Mariners plating another two, and the game was complete with the Southern Mariners escaping out of a tight situation to win 12 - 9
Eastern Athletics (JL) v Sunraysia (JL)
On the final game of the Junior League tournament for Day 1, the Eastern Athletics accounted for another 6 home runs with the stand out being Mitch Thomas hitting a grand salami.
And Lindsay Barbany for Sunraysia has hit his first home run, a great effort.
Follow all of the Junior League results here
After Day 1, the Junior League ladder looks like the following
The Senior Ladder after Round 2