The Baseball Victoria Under 16 Winter State Championships held in Mildura on 5 and 6 July have been won by Dandenong (Division 1) and Bendigo (Division 2).
Heading into the final round Ringwood lead Dandenong by 1 point, with the two team facing each other knowing the winner would take out the Division 1 title. Dandenong raced out to a 5 -0 lead after the first innings. Despite Ringwood clawing back two runs in the second innings Dandenong were able to retain a five run lead, scoring two runs themselves.
A comeback in the fourth inning by Ringwood saw them tie the scores 7-7 before Dandenong scored twice in the bottom of the fourth innings to lead by two runs. Ringwood tied up the game in the fifth inning and then went ahead 11-9 however the clock was their biggest enemy. Unable to get three Dandenong outs before time elapsed scores reverted back to the fourth innings, giving Dandenong the win and the Division 1 title.
Diamond Valley Black
In Division 2 host Sunraysia and Bendigo finished the preliminary rounds first and second respectively and progressed to the main play-off game. In tight low scoring Final Bendigo starting pitcher Billy Parsons threw 9 strikeouts through the first four innings without giving up a run. On the back of tight pitching Bendigo were able to defend their three runs, giving up just one run to Sunraysia through seven innings.
The vision from all games played on Diamond 1 as well as the presentations can still be watched on www.mysportlive.com.au
Sunraysia – Nick Tregeagle
Baseball Victoria would like to acknowledge all the volunteers from Sunraysia Baseball League and their clubs, Mildura Rural City Council and My Sport Live for their outstanding support to make the Under 16 Winter State Championships a success.