Victoria's U18s are national champions after a thrilling finish at #AYC2024!
The 2024 Australian Youth Championships came down to the wire with a final decider between U18 VIC and WA on Tuesday night. VIC needed the win to secure gold, while a WA win with three or more runs would give SA the title after a 2-0 win over NSW in the afternoon.
They had to do it the hard way, but Victoria are your 2024 Australian U18 National Champions.
Addison Bishop-Worn’s RBI triple in the fourth inning completed a four-run comeback on a base hit that sent the ballpark into bedlam.
Western Australia raced out to an early 4-0 lead, and put South Australia in pole position to win it all.
But Victoria’s comeback win secured them a 3-0 record in the second round, and a national title.
Had Victoria lost this game, they would have finished with the Bronze.
Victoria made their move in the third inning. A Jayden Kim single, followed by a slew of walks and wild pitches, allowed Victoria to score four and tie it up.
Then, the Addison Bishop Worn triple. Bedlam.
Ben Howard also starred for Victoria, collecting three hits in the win.
Jai Hewitt had a booming 2-RBI double for WA.
Jack Ratcliffe consolidated his incredible tournament performance by pitching out the final two innings of the game, holding WA scoreless. He won the tournament MVP.
Under 18
1. VIC (3-0)
2. SA (2-1)
3. WA (1-1)
4. NSW (0-3)
VIC def NSW 5-2
SA def WA 3-1
VIC def SA 1-0 (extras)
WA def NSW 5-4
SA 2 def NSW 0
VIC 5 def WA 4