The 2023 Australian Youth Championships are underway at Blacktown International Sportspark, with Victoria's U16 and U18 State Teams starting off strong following an impressive showcase.
U16: SA 6, Vic 4
In the U16 competition, Victoria put up a great effort but fell just short, finishing 6-4 behind South Australia. SA led 2-0 going into the fifth when Victoria tied it up on a double from Ty Daniels.
A back-and-forth battle ensued, with SA adding four more across the next two innings before Victoria staged a seventh-inning rally with two outs. Three straight singles from Devin Leahy, Daniels, and Andrew Land brought Victoria within two before the final out.
Victoria saw the ball well, racking up ten hits in the game. Brooklyn Riwaka, Land, and Daniels had two hits apiece while Leahy, Mitchell Langworthy, William Kent, and Jordan Ellis had one hit each. Leahy led the side with two stolen bases.
Robinson Smith, Riley Peoples, and Hudson Pallay took turns on the mound, striking out five in total.
U18: Vic 5, SA 3
It was a close battle in the U18s too, with Victoria holding on for a 5-3 victory over South Australia.
SA got on the board first before Victoria took a 2-1 lead in the third with RBIs from Lachlan Smith and Evan Maury.
They extended their lead by two in the fifth, which started with Jack Ratcliffe reaching on an error. Smith singled, Declan Speirs doubled, and Maury singled to make it a 4-1 ballgame.
Harper Rickard, Jayden Kim, and Smith singled in the sixth, bringing the score to 5-1. SA scored two in the bottom frame, but a double play got Victoria out of the pinch.
A strikeout, walk, and double play ended the game with Victoria in front 5-3. The team collected eight hits while giving up just two, with Smith going 3-for-3 and Maury recording multiple hits as well.
Starting pitcher Cooper Drummond threw three innings, giving up just one hit and a run with two strikeouts. Ryder Wilson and Alex Duske pitched in relief while Ryan Williams led the team defensively with 12 chances in an error-free game.
#AYC2023 Day 2
Victoria's U16 team has a doubleheader on Friday, first facing NSW Country at 10am, followed by Western Australia at 12:45pm. The U18 team takes on NSW Country at 3:30pm and then WA at 6:15pm.
View schedules, GameChanger, and livestream information below:
Stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates from Victoria’s #AYC2023 campaign.