LISMORE -- For the first time in history, a NSW side will represent Australia at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, USA. After trailing early, Cronulla rallied for four runs in the fifth innings to beat Swan Hills 7-3, and win the 2015 Bendigo Bank Australian Little League Championships.
“We knew that we had a pretty special group here but as you know, you come up to something like this and you need a little bit of luck along the way,” Cronulla Head Coach Darren Fullerton said.
Swan Hills got on the board first in the championship game, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the second innings on a fielder’s choice and an error. Cronulla rebounded to take a one-run lead in the bottom of the same frame. Blake Cavill led off the inning with a double and scored on Luke Krkovski’s single. Two more runs crossed the plate on a groundout and a single, and by mid-game Cronulla had a close 3-2 lead.
But the WA side wouldn’t go down without a fight and Swan Hills tied the game on a solo shot by Benjamin Hewett in the top of the fifth innings. The pressure was on for Cronulla, and the Sharks responded with the same bite they’d shown all throughout the tournament. With the bases loaded and no outs, Andrews hit a sacrifice fly that drove home the go-ahead run and started a string of Shark offence. By the inning’s end, Cronulla led by four runs, and held on to win the game 7-3.
“The hallmark of this team has been that we execute all the way down the order,” Fullerton said. “You saw that here today, not only swinging the bats but understanding what the situation is. We had guys put the ball in play when they had to, we had the bunts get down when they had to, you know I couldn’t be more impressed with this group of kids".
The tournament was deemed a major success in Lismore, with NSW Government representatives closely following the action.
“Congratulations to Cronulla on being crowned Australia’s best Little League team, following six fantastic days of competition here at the Albert Park Baseball and Softball Complex in Lismore," Member for Lismore Thomas George said.
“The Australian Little League Championships has demonstrated to hundreds of visitors why Lismore is a top destination for events, and also for enjoying spectacular scenery, great dining and visitor attractions," Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said. “I’m very proud the NSW Government secured this event through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, in partnership with Lismore City Council.”
Final standings:
*Bottom four teams in no order
Cronulla
Swan Hills
Ryde North
Hills
Perth Metro Central
Perth Metro East
Perth Metro North
Southern Mariners
Manly
Adelaide West
Adelaide North
Central Coast
Northern Diamondbacks
Ryde South
Yarra Rangers
Gold Coast
West Coast
Northern Territory
Canberra
Brisbane North
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LISMORE -- For the first time in history, a NSW side will represent Australia at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, USA. After trailing early, Cronulla rallied for four runs in the fifth innings to beat Swan Hills 7-3, and win the 2015 Bendigo Bank Australian Little League Championships.
“We knew that we had a pretty special group here but as you know, you come up to something like this and you need a little bit of luck along the way,” Cronulla Head Coach Darren Fullerton said.
Swan Hills got on the board first in the championship game, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the second innings on a fielder’s choice and an error. Cronulla rebounded to take a one-run lead in the bottom of the same frame. Blake Cavill led off the inning with a double and scored on Luke Krkovski’s single. Two more runs crossed the plate on a groundout and a single, and by mid-game Cronulla had a close 3-2 lead.
But the WA side wouldn’t go down without a fight and Swan Hills tied the game on a solo shot by Benjamin Hewett in the top of the fifth innings. The pressure was on for Cronulla, and the Sharks responded with the same bite they’d shown all throughout the tournament. With the bases loaded and no outs, Andrews hit a sacrifice fly that drove home the go-ahead run and started a string of Shark offence. By the inning’s end, Cronulla led by four runs, and held on to win the game 7-3.
“The hallmark of this team has been that we execute all the way down the order,” Fullerton said. “You saw that here today, not only swinging the bats but understanding what the situation is. We had guys put the ball in play when they had to, we had the bunts get down when they had to, you know I couldn’t be more impressed with this group of kids".
The tournament was deemed a major success in Lismore, with NSW Government representatives closely following the action.
“Congratulations to Cronulla on being crowned Australia’s best Little League team, following six fantastic days of competition here at the Albert Park Baseball and Softball Complex in Lismore," Member for Lismore Thomas George said.
“The Australian Little League Championships has demonstrated to hundreds of visitors why Lismore is a top destination for events, and also for enjoying spectacular scenery, great dining and visitor attractions," Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said. “I’m very proud the NSW Government secured this event through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, in partnership with Lismore City Council.”
Final standings:
*Bottom four teams in no order
Cronulla
Swan Hills
Ryde North
Hills
Perth Metro Central
Perth Metro East
Perth Metro North
Southern Mariners
Manly
Adelaide West
Adelaide North
Central Coast
Northern Diamondbacks
Ryde South
Yarra Rangers
Gold Coast
West Coast
Northern Territory
Canberra
Brisbane North
WATCH GAME REPLAYS AND HIGHLIGHTS
FULL EVENT INFORMATION AND LINKS