Kingsley Collins

January 18 2016

 

 

UNDER 16 HOME PAGE          UNDER 18 HOMEPAGE          WOMEN’S NATIONALS          WOMEN’S YOUTH NATIONALS

 

 

Country New South Wales and South Australia create NYC history

 

UPDATE:     Monday 18 January 2016

 

Gold medallist in the UNDER 18 group, Country New South Wales won its first ever National Youth Championship, while South Australia UNDER 16 upset Victoria Blue for its first national title since 1979. 

 

Australian Baseball Alumni extends its hearty congratulations to the winning squads. We say very well done, too, to all of the players, the coaches, the staff, the parents and the supporters of the sixteen teams who took the time and made the effort to make the National Youth Championships another unqualified success - an outstanding national baseball event that continues to provide our emerging youngsters with the very best playing opportunities in the sport.

 

All are winners. As is our sport at times such as these.

 

South Australia is the UNDER 16 national champion – for the first time in 37 years - after a gripping 7-4 win over the heavily favoured Victoria Blue at Blacktown this afternoon.

 

Entering the game with ten straight wins, the Vics conceded a huge early lead as the South Australian bats knocked Liam Madden from the mound in the second. With Luke Townsend outstanding in relief, Victoria fought their way back into the game and were still a chance in the last – when they stranded three runners on base. Starter Ky Hampton was superb over six for South Australia, which produced damaging offence led by Curtis Mead (three hits, including a triple, for three RBIs), Mason Clavell (one and two) and Jarrod Miller (two and one), while Harvey Chinn (three and two) and Jean-Paul Callil (two and two) were best of the Victoria Blue offence.

 

An outstanding all-round game by Chase Diggins helped guide Western Australia to the bronze medal with an 8-0 result over Victoria White, which made five defensive errors in conceding five unearned runs. With two in the first and four in the fifth, W.A. remained well in control of a White offence that could muster just four hits as Diggins dominated over six scoreless innings while himself collecting two hits and two RBIs in a team effort that saw seven players contribute with the bat.

 

Queensland has finished in fifth placing overall by dispensing with New South Wales 7-4 after scoring early and getting away for an insurmountable lead mid-game. Queenslander James Franco tossed five innings for two runs as his side amassed thirteen hits to seven, headlined by Callum MacDonald (three hits and two RBIs), Tyson Zamora (three hits), Daniel Shannon (two and one) and JD Winlaw (two and one) – while Patrick Glover was the sole multiple for New South Wales (two and one).

 

Country New South Wales has finished seventh overall in the Under 16 Championship with a thrilling 4-3 result over Australian Capital Territory (eighth). After the game went scoreless through four, Country gained a break, withstood a challenge and plated the go-ahead in the top of the last. Using three pitchers to nail the result, Country out-hit its opponent ten to two, with Mitch Ellison (two hits and an RBI), Sam McClean (one and two) and Chase Karn (two hits) all figuring prominently.

 

FINAL UNDER 16 PLACINGS:   South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, Victoria White, Queensland, New South Wales, Country New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory

 

Country New South Wales is the UNDER 18 national champion – for the first time ever – after coming from behind to down Victoria Blue 4-1.

 

Scoring a run in the top of the first, Victoria Blue looked sharp behind the hard-throwing Matthew Beattie – who racked up the strike outs while Country New South Wales tested its depth by using six pitchers to get through the first five innings. Riding a no-hitter into the sixth, Beattie conceded a double and a single before a stolen base and a timely single to Jacob Amos plated two as the game suddenly changed complexion. With Victoria going to the pen in the seventh, Country scored another two on a triple, a squeeze and a run-scoring grounder for a three-run break. While its pitching strategy proved to be a stroke of genius, Country owed much to the situational hitting of Jacob Amos (a hit and three RBIs) and Jake Bramble (two hits), while Liam Spence (two hits) was one of the few offensive contributors for Victoria Blue after such a promising start.

 

New South Wales has emerged with the bronze medal after its 4-3 win over Queensland, which scored two in the first but struggled to create the scoring opportunities that its opponent earned. Amassing thirteen hits to four, New South Wales kept the pressure on consistently through the likes of Ben Tsui (three hits and two RBIs), Harrison Fullerton (three hits), James Sammes (two hits) and Isaac Whatson (whose triple scored the go-ahead in the seventh), while Liam Taylor posted two of the Queensland hits. Living up to his name, Coen Wynne was the pitcher of record for NSW, whose four hurlers did an outstanding job.

 

Scoring was at a premium early in the clash between Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory to decide fifth and six, although the west edged away with two in the seventh and another in the eighth despite its pitchers conceding a truckload of walks to keep ACT in the contest. Wrapping up the game 5-3, Western Australia produced decisive hitting from Josh Diggins and Josh Rawlinson, while Mitch Edwards (a triple and a double for an RBI) was a standout for ACT.

 

South Australia has wound up in seventh placing overall with a thumping 14-3 over Victoria White (eighth). Scoring in every innings – with four in the first and five in the sixth – South Australia gave up three unearned runs but was far too strong in offence. Its fifteen hits to six outing was sparked by Dylan Ridding (three hits and an RBI), Dalton Probert (two and three), Mitchell Lightbody (two and one) and Blayke McMillan (two and one), while the White tally was shared between six players.

 

FINAL UNDER 18 PLACINGS:     Country New South Wales, Victoria Blue, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Victoria White.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE:    Sunday 17 January 2016

 

The second day of Pool Play continued for the National Youth Championships at Blacktown, while the Women’s Nationals were wrapped up in Canberra, with New South Wales emerging as a worthy gold medal winner over Victoria. Western Australia won bronze with a convincing victory over Queensland (see report below).

 

Finals of the National Youth Championships will be held on Monday 18 January. Please check Baseball Australia links for scheduling and for links to live streaming.

 

Whatever happens on the morrow, our congratulations to all players, all officials, families and supporters for delivering another fantastic emerging for our emerging young baseball players.

 

Scoring in five of the six innings played – including four in the first – South Australia had an 11-2 win over Victoria White in Pool A of the UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP. While the Victorians did not help their cause by committing five errors – for five unearned runs – they were overpowered in offence by South Australia as Nick George (three hits and an RBI), Brodie Arriola (two and two), Jarrod Miller (two and two) and Curtis Mead (two and two) did the scoring damage. Cooper Veal (three hits) and Declan Croker (two and one) were best with the bat for Victoria.

 

New South Wales enjoyed a 7-1 result over Queensland in their Pool B game, with Ky Jackson tossing an impressive 4.2 innings for one hit (three strikeouts) and his team offence delivering eleven hits to two overall – led by Lachlan McCarthy (three hits and three RBIs), Luke Clapson (three hits) and Jo Stevens (one and two).

 

Australian Capital Territory made short work of Country New South Wales with a 12-0 Pool B whitewash in which they scored in five of the seven innings. Playing errorless defence, ACT was gifted twelve walks that were fully exploited by an offence led by Zach Rauter (a hit and three RBIs), Lachlan Brear (two and two) and Nick Hosie (one and two).

 

Victoria Blue had a comprehensive 7-1 win over Western Australia in Pool A after blasting four in the first and playing errorless defence behind three pitchers who conceded a total of just two hits. For its part committing four defensive errors, Western Australia was unable to contain a Victoria Blue offence that cashed in on limited opportunities, compliments of timely hitting by Aidin Willis (two hits and an RBI), Blake Townsend (two and one) and Ciaran Palmer (one and two). The win guarantees Victoria Blue a place in the gold medal game on Monday.

 

Queensland defeated Country New South Wales 6-5 after a thriller that was decided in the bottom of the ninth. While Queensland held the early break, Country hit back and took a one-run lead into the decider, when a James Franco single delivered the go-ahead. Cashing in on ten hits and three Country errors, Queensland had great contributors in Callum Pike (two and one), Franco (two and one), Callum MacDonald (two hits) and Nick Johnstone (two hits), while Rhys Nuehold (three hits and four RBIs) and Cameron Henderson (two and one) were standouts.

 

New South Wales brought Australian Capital Territory back to earth with a 5-2 Pool B result that was wide open until NSW edged away with two in the fifth. Scattering four hits for two earned runs over 4.1 innings, Ayden Dever was solid for the winner, which out-hit its opponent seven to five. Eadan McLeod (a hit and two RBIs) and Thomas Horne (two hits) were productive for New South Wales, while Zacary McLeod (three and one) was a shining light for the Territory.

 

Although Victoria gained an early break over South Australia in their UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP Pool B clash, S.A. belted four in the fourth and went on to a 7-3 win despite making four defensive errors. Of ten hits posted by each side, Jack Partington (two hits and two RBIs) and Jordan McArdle (two and one) showed the way for South Australia, while Victoria White was best served by Hamish Foreman, Tim Lane and Jesse Hunter (all with two knocks).

 

Maclain Wilson tossed a complete-game shutout (6 hits and 6 strikeouts) in leading Western Australia to an 8-0 win over South Australia in Pool B. Playing errorless defence, the west established an early lead and was never threatened. Ulrich Bojarski (a hit and four RBIs) and Riley Spring (two and two) led the Western Australian offence, while Damon Arnold (two hits) was best of a subdued South Australia lineup.

 

Scoring heavily and often, Victoria White enjoyed a thumping 12-3 Pool B win over Australian Capital Territory, which struggled against White starter Ben Wilson (5.4 innings for four hits) and Tyson Cox, who closed out the game. Eight Victorian contributed to the hit parade - with the more prominent being Grant Svikulis (three hits and two RBIs), Malachi Kere (two and two) and Warwick Purchase (two and two) – while Kai Cooper-Vassalakis posted two knocks for the Territory.

 

Starter Max Barrett tossed a superb seven innings of work (five hits for one earned run) to guide Victoria Blue to a 6-3 Pool A win over New South Wales, which threatened to make a game of this with a late flourish. Both having terrific games, Oliver Dunn (three hits – including two triples – for two RBIs) and Aaron Ouwehand (two and two) headed the Blue offence, while Matthew Martinson posted two hits for New South Wales.

 

Country New South Wales finished its Pool A series on a high by downing Queensland 5-3 in a high-standard game, after scoring all of its runs in singles throughout the contest. Each side posted eight hits, with Nick Anderson-Vine (two hits and an RBI) and Alex Fisher (two hits) the standouts for Country, while Luke Cronan and Brodie Lyon had two hits apiece for Queensland.

 

Australian Capital Territory completed its Pool B play with a solid 6-4 win over Western Australia, which scored all of its runs in the first but was henceforth held by ACT pitcher Minami Matsumoto, who went the complete game. While Western Australia used its entire roster – including five pitchers – ACT had telling offensive contributions from Julian Paramonov (two hits), Christian Angelis (a hit and an RBI) and Kai Cooper-Vassalakis (one and one).

 

A large crowd was in attendance for the final day of the WOMEN’S NATIONALS held at Narrabundah, where Western Australia secured the bronze medal in overpowering fashion with a 7-0 whitewash of a gallant Queensland, who tried four on the hill. Playing errorless defence, the west provided impeccable support for Kaila Burgomastro – who threw the complete game shutout for three hits while striking out five. Getting away from its opponent with three in the sixth, Western Australia posted seven hits – from seven different players - with the telling contributions coming from Tabitha Callander (three RBIs) and Burgomastro (two).

 

New South Wales made it a hat-trick in the Women's National Championship with a hard-fought 10-7 over Victoria, which was unable to cash in on a far greater number of scoring opportunities after New South Wales blasted six in the first. Brittney Cedelland was solid in relief for the Vics, who toughed out the game against a quality NSW arm in Brittany Hepburn. While both sides made four defensive errors, the game produced some excellent hitting led by Tahnee Lovering (two hits and two RBIs), Kim McMillan (two and one), Georgia Bower (one and two) and Laura Neads (two hits), while Belinda Cannington was a standout for Victoria with three knocks.

 

Congratulations to New South Wales! Very well done to runner-up Victoria and to bronze medallist Western Australia.

 

 

UPDATE:   Saturday 16 January 2016

 

With all interrupted round robin games completed, the action moved into Pool Play phase for the National Youth Championships, while the Women’s Nationals played their semi-finals prior to medals games on Sunday.

 

Four Pool A games and two Pool B games were completed at the UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP. In Pool A, South Australia whitewashed Western Australia 10-0 in a contest called on the mercy rule as S.A. racked up twelve hits and scored heavily in two of the five innings played. However, Western Australia rebounded for a thumping 11-2 win over Victoria White, which could muster just four hits to its opponent’s fifteen. Blasting seven in the first, Western Australia had terrific contributions from Josh Greenham (four hits and an RBI), Dylan Walsh (two and three, Lochlan Southee (two and two) and Jett Wright (two and two), while Curtis Cox picked up half of the hits for Victoria.

 

Extending its unbeaten record at this tournament, Victoria Blue was never headed in crushing South Australia 12-2 – a result that featured an outstanding individual game by Victorian Jarryd Dale, who smacked a double and a grand slam to drive in five of his side’s runs.

 

Dale kept up the offence to smack another home run as one of the leading hitters in a 14-4 win for Victoria Blue over Victoria White in the evening game. Scoring in six of the seven innings, the Blue side racked up fifteen hits to seven, with seven players making a contribution – led by Joshua Meyer (three hits and two RBIs), Ciaran Palmer (two and four) and Dale (two and three). For Victoria White, Lucas Taylor and Max Leuga were the best with two hits apiece.

 

Queensland fought off a determined Australia Capital Territory for a 9-7 result in Pool B. In a see-sawing contest, both scored three in the first before Queensland gained a break, ACT drew level in the fifth and Queensland plated a game-breaking two more in the top of the last. James Franco (three and four), Ray Easton (three and one), Daniel Shannon (three and one) and Liam Sherer (two and two) did the scoring damage for the winner, while Lachlan Brear (three and one) was a standout for Australian Capital Territory.

 

Scoring regularly while strangling its opponent to one hit for the game, New South Wales defeated New South Wales Country 5-1, with Daniel Bannon (two hits), Jo Stevens (two hits) and Josh Gessner (a hit and two ribbies) providing the offence in a hard-fought Pool B contest.

 

Similarly in the UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP, four Pool A games were played, with two in Pool B. In one of the games of the tournament thus far, Victoria Blue beat Queensland 3-1 in a Pool A thriller in which Jayson Arthur earned the win (5.0 innings for one earned run) before Matthew Beattie slammed the gate. In a clash dominated by the pitchers – and in which both sides made errors – the Vics scored two in the first and one in the sixth, while the sole Queensland score was in the bottom of the first. Each side managed five hits – with Aaron Ouwehand (two hits and two RBIs) the star.

 

A strong chance in this tournament, Queensland had earlier in the day downed New South Wales 8-4 by scoring early and often in support of a quality six innings thrown by Josh Bedggood. Nate Vankan, Luke Cronan and Oakley McMahon picked up all of the Queensland hits – with two each – while Dylan Mitchell and Ben Sheppard were best in offence for New South Wales.

 

For New South Wales supporters the news became no better when they were edged out 2-0 by New South Wales Country in quality pitching and defensive duel. Country out-hit its opponent five to one, with Jacob Amos outstanding in posting three hits and driving in the only runs scored.

 

Country New South Wales triumphed 4-0 over Victoria after scoring a run in the third and three for insurance in the top of the last of a quality Pool A defensive contest. Out-hitting the Vics six to four, Country had solid contributors in Ismail Adra (a hit and two RBIs) and Dylan Smider (two hits), while Justin Burke posted half of the Victorian hitting output.

 

Despite their modest winning record in Pool B, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory fought out a nine innings corker that was decided in the bottom of the last with a sacrifice fly that delivered ACT a 5-4 win. With the lead changing several times, neither side was able to gain the decisive break despite great offence by the likes of Sam Kimmorley (two hits for Canberra), along with Jordan McArdle (three and one) and Jordan Fleri (two and one) for South Australia. The star of the show, though, was ACT rightfield Kai Cooper-Vassalakis with two hits (including a two-run homer in the sixth) and two walks.

 

Western Australia defeated Victoria White 11-7 in another Pool B ripper that went right to the wire. After the west had swatted four in the first and another three in the second, Victoria White replied with four of their own as the game tightened up. Drawing level in the seventh – on a fielding error – Vic White left bags loaded and paid dearly when W.A. cashed in on errors and some errant pitching to put up a four-spot in the top of nine.

 

Risa Tanaka (3.1 innings) carded the win for Victoria as it overcame Queensland 7-3 in the first of the WOMEN’S NATIONALS Semi-Finals. Although making four defensive errors, the Vics gained a break with four in the fourth before Queensland made a belated recovery that came up short. Best with the bat for Victoria were Abe Reiko (two hits and two RBIs), Abbey Kelly (one and two) and Bronwyn Gell (two hits), while Tammy McMillan (two and one) and Kate West (two hits) provided the offence for Queensland.

 

In a one-sided contest, Western Australia had a 20-5 win over Canberra after an early scoring blitz that delivered nine in the first and five in the second before Canberra fought back with four in the fourth along the way to giving up eleven unearned runs on seven errors. Amassing sixteen hits to four, Western Australia had standout players in Morgan Doty (four hits and two RBIs), Kaila Borgomastro (three and four) and Aleisha Tinker (two and two), while Ashleigh Eldridge (three hits) played a lone hand in offence for Canberra.

 

Queensland will meet Western Australia in the bronze medal game on Sunday, followed by what should be a ripping gold medal clash between New South Wales and Victoria.  

 

UPDATE:   Friday 15 January 2016

 

While it remained a challenge to decide all postponed games at Blacktown today, the Under 16 round robin was able to be completed and the Under 18s were on target by early evening. Meantime, action continued in the Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships at Narrabundah, where the younger players wrapped up their series in style.

 

Resuming at 2-2 in the fifth innings after the rainout yesterday, the UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP game between Victoria and Blue was completed fairly quickly as the Vics tacked on a run in the fifth and another three in the sixth for a 6-2 result over New South Wales Country. The result completed an unbeaten round robin series for Victoria Blue, who out-hit their opponent seven to one, with the main contributors being Aidin Willis (two hits and an RBI), Jai Lyttleton (one and one) and Conor Myles (one and one).

 

See Baseball Australia website and social media for the schedule on Pool Play starting on Saturday.

 

UNDER 16 STANDINGS AFTER ROUND ROBIN (unofficial):   Victoria Blue (7-0), South Australia (5-2), Western Australia (5-2), Queensland (3-4), Victoria White (3-4), New South Wales (2-5), New South Wales Country (2-5), Australian Capital Territory (1-6)

 

New South Wales Country assured itself of a top-two finish in the UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP with a 4-1 win over Queensland after a tight nine innings contest. Out-hitting Queensland five to three, NSWC broke the game open with three in the fourth, compliments of some timely hitting by Nick-Anderson Vine (two hits) and Alex Fisher (a hit and two RBIs). Carter Bell was the shining light for Queensland with two of three team hits.

 

Rescheduled from Thursday, the Victoria Blue versus Victoria White clash was decided 13-1 in favour of the Blue squad, which scored in five of the seven innings played. Jamie Young earned the win as Blue scattered six hits while itself amassing fourteen – due largely to the contributions of Oliver Dunn (three hits), Jordan Barnett (two hits and three RBIs), Aaron Ouwehand (two and three) and Nathan Piccioni (two and two).

 

UNDER 18 STANDINGS AFTER ROUND ROBIN:   New South Wales Country, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria Blue, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Victoria White.

 

For the WOMEN’S NATIONALS it was the last of the round robin contests before finals commence on Saturday – and some extraordinary play was generated. With Tegan Rowe tossing a complete-game no-hitter, Western Australia cranked out twenty-two hits to pulverise Canberra 31-0. Contributing most to the offence were Tabitha Callander (five hits for six RBIs) and Morgan Doty (three and six), while Rowe completed an outstanding game with three hits and four of her side’s ribbies.

 

Leading by eight into the bottom of the fifth, New South Wales appeared to have their game in hand – although Victoria had other ideas, by blasting thirteen in the bottom of the frame and emerging as a 25-21 winner on the back of fearsome hitting provided by Belinda Cannington (five hits and four RBIs), Bronwyn Gell (four and five), Abbey Kelly (five and two) and Abe Reiko (three and three). Scoring in every innings of the slugfest, Kim McMillan (four and one), Laura Neads (three and five), Tahnee Lovering (three and two), Mindy Latimer (three and two) and Belinda Hay (three and one) did the offensive damage.

 

With both sides destined to finish in third and fourth placing, Queensland jumped Western Australia early – with six in the first – and tacked on another five in the fourth to set the base for a 13-3 win in which W.A. pitcher Morgan Doty conceded nine earned runs and Queensland shared mound duties between three. Emma Flatley, Karina Connors and Kate West were productive in offence for Queensland, whose opponent was best served by Doty and Kaila Borgomastro (both with three hits).

 

Women’s finals will be played over Saturday and Sunday. Check Baseball Australia website for games and times.

 

It was play-off time for the WOMEN’S YOUTH NATIONALS and the bronze medal game was a cracker despite something of a blowout towards the end. With both sides producing solid pitching and just a handful of walks being issued for the game, New South Wales held a skinny two-run break into the bottom of six – when they exploded for another eight to post a stunning 13-3 win over New South Wales Country. Although Caitlin Wilde posted a hit and two ribbies for Country, her side was out-slugged eleven to three as Lauren Hughes (two hits and three RBIs), Jordan Richardson (two and one) and Maddison Heath (two and one) led the New South Wales offence.

 

The gold medal game was another outstanding contest that was decided in the bottom of the last, when Western Australia broke the deadlock with Queensland to come away with a 5-4 win highlighted by solid pitching on the part of both sides. Facing a two-run deficit into the last innings, Queensland drew level as the Western Australia defence faltered under pressure before a two-out single by Mikayla Hyde scored the walk-off in the equaliser. Out-hitting Queensland nine to two, Western Australia had grand contributors in Caitlin Gordon (two hits and two RBIs), Tamikah Turner-Hames (two and one), winning pitcher Emma Froemke (one and one) and of course Hyde with the winning blow.

 

Congratulations to Western Australia. Very well done to the other medallists and to all five teams on their participation in what is always an exciting, fun tournament.

 

 

UPDATE:   Thursday 14 January 2016

 

With no double-headers scheduled, it promised to be a far less frenetic Day Five for the Youth Championships, notwithstanding the spirit and the competitiveness in which important games were expected to be played as sides sought to finalise their positions leading to Pool Play starting on Friday.

 

Mother Nature had plenty to say about this state of affairs, however, with wild weather moving in mid-afternoon and rendering conditions unplayable – probably for the rest of the day, although tournament organisers will make that call.

 

Supporters should consult the Baseball Australia website and stay apprised of announcements on social media regarding what will need to be a revised schedule for coming days.

 

Victoria White posted its third win in the UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP with a 4-3 result over New South Wales, which committed a damaging seven errors that accounted for all four runs being unearned. Out-hitting New South five to four, Victoria plated two in the first and two in a crucial fifth innings after its opponent put up a three-spot in the fourth.

 

South Australia continued its strong showing at the tournament with a 4-2 win over Queensland, which drew level in the fifth before S.A. gained the decisive break with two in the sixth of a quality contest. With three hits and an RBI, Tom Rundle was a standout for South Australia, while Tyson Zamora collected two hits and an RBI for Queensland.

 

Scoring five in the second, Western Australia was never headed in its errorless 7-2 win over Australian Capital Territory, which battled out the game strongly. Using three of its pitchers to seal the result, W.A. had terrific contributors in Dawson Summers (three hits and an RBI), Dylan Walsh (two and one) and Jett Wright (one and two), while Luke Passmore and Dean Pousini-Hilton posted two knocks apiece for ACT.

 

The Victoria Blue versus New South Wales Country game has not been completed at the time of this update. It will resume in the fifth innings on Friday at 10.00 AM (Diamond One).

 

Blasting seven in the first of an entertaining slugfest in the UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP, New South Wales withstood a late challenge to emerge an 11-8 winner over Western Australia, with reliever Oliver Howitt earning the win. Of its team tally of fifteen knocks, Ulrich Bojarski (four hits and four RBIs) was outstanding for Western Australia – who had another four multiple hitters – while New South Wales shared its thirteen hits among nine players (four with two apiece). 

 

Of the other scheduled fixtures for Thursday 14 January, South Australia has been deemed the winner of its rain-shortened game against Australia Capital Territory, with both teams not scheduled to play again until Saturday.

 

The Under 18 Country New South Wales versus Queensland game has been reschuled to Friday 11.30 start (Diamond One). It will be followed by the Under 18 Victoria Blue versus Victoria White clash at 2.45 (Diamond One).

 

The final round robin games of the WOMEN’S NATIONALS are scheduled to be played on Friday 15 January, with New South Wales and Victoria already having broken away from the other three teams. With a 15-0 result today over winless Canberra (0-7), New South Wales remains unbeaten (7-0), while second-placed Victoria (6-1) handed an 18-6 defeat to Queensland (2-5), which in turn beat Canberra 15-5. In the other Thursday game, Victoria had a thumping win 12-1 over Western Australia (2-4), which will face a double-header in the Friday contests.

 

Although beaten 14-10 by Queensland in the WOMEN’S YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP, Western Australia heads the five-team table, while New South Wales had a 10-2 win over New South Wales Country and we believe Queensland was deemed a 5-4 victor over New South Wales. The Victoria versus New South Wales Country game remains under a cloud – in a manner of speaking – and supporters should remain cognisant of announcements by Baseball Australia to ascertain any changes to the programme for Friday, when finals are scheduled to be played. At this point it is clear that Western Australia and Queensland will be playing off for the gold medal.

 

 

UPDATE:   Wednesday 13 January 2016

 

It was another hectic day of competition at Blacktown Sportspark, as our emerging young ball players again strove to produce their personal best while representing their states with the competitiveness and the commitment that has ever been the hallmark of the championships.

 

South Australia strengthened its position in the UNDER 16 group with a 7-0 whitewash over Victoria White, which was unable to counter a complete game outing by Ky Hampton – who spun a four hit win while Harrison Knuckey (two hits and three RBIs) and Arriola Brodie (two and two) brought the offence for their side.

 

Languishing at the bottom of the table after Day Three, Australian Capital Territory fought out a dead-set thriller with New South Wales, which emerged a 5-4 victor after plating a run in the top of the last, while Queensland edged past New South Wales Country 2-1 in another tense encounter featuring quality defence by both sides. Duane Johannsen carded the win in scattering three hits over five innings, while Kane Swanson (a hit and and two RBIs) did the scoring damage for Queensland and Riley Donnelly posted two knocks. Mitchell Ellison was best with the stick for Country, who face a tough contest against Victoria Blue on Thursday.

 

Using four of its pitching staff, Western Australia was unable to contain a Victoria Blue outfit that stretched its unbeaten lead with a 5-1 win featuring errorless defence and conceding just four hits as McKenzie Salmon and Brock Wells applied the clamps. Scoring in four of the seven innings played, Vic Blue had seven players contributing hits against a quality opponent that will be hard to toss later in the tournament.

 

UNDER 16 STANDINGS AFTER DAY FOUR (unofficial):   Victoria Blue (6-0), Western Australia (4-2), South Australia (4-2), Queensland (3-3), New South Wales Country (2-4), Victoria White (2-4), New South Wales (2-4), Australian Capital Territory (1-5)

 

Facing the first of its Wednesday double-header in the UNDER 18 Championship, Victoria Blue was too strong for Australian Capital Territory, which out-hit the Vics eleven to seven while conceding eight damaging passes. Mitch Wilcox earned the win with a solid relief stint, Jamie Young (three hits and two RBIs) and Oliver Dunn (two and one) were productive with the bat, while South Australia had four players collecting two hits apiece.

 

Western Australia dealt New South Wales Country its first loss of the tournament – a 7-4 result after Country had blasted three in the fourth before the west responded with four in the second and a match-breaking three more in the fifth. Jackson Riley took the win for Western Australia, who had three players with two hits in an even spread – while Nick Anderson-Vine (two hits and an RBI) and Ismail Adra led the Country offence.

 

A much-anticipated clash between fierce rivals New South Wales and Victoria would have disappointed no neutral baseball aficionado, although the 5-4 result in favour of New South Wales – decided in the last – was not what its southern neighbour ordered. Tom Roberts earned the win with a scoreless relieving stint as each side amassed nine hits. Ben Sheppard (two hits and two ribbies), James Sammes (two and one) and Harrison Fullerton (two hits) were productive for New South, while Nathan Piccioni (three and one) was a standout for the Vics.

 

New South Wales completed a successful day with an 8-4 win over Victoria White in a clash that was effectively decided with a four-spot in the top of the last to which the Vics could respond with just one. Both sides used three pitchers as New South out-hit their opponent eight to four – led by Matthew Martinson (two hits and three RBIs), Ben Sheppard (two and one) and Ben Tsui (two hits), while Malachi Kere was best for the Vics in driving in two runs.

 

Scattering four hits, James Cappello was the pitcher of record as Australian Capital Territory posted its second win of the tournament – a 5-3 result over a powerful Western Australian outfit. Scoring two in the first and three in the fifth, the Territory had offensive contributions through an order led by Julian Paramonov (two hits and an RBI) and Mitch Edwards (one and one, with a walk).

 

Strong among the leading group, Queensland won the first of its double-header 7-5 over South Australia, which battled valiantly despite being out-hit nine to four as its opponent spanked a telling five-spot in third behind winning pitcher Conor Laverty. An even Queensland offence was led by Luke Cronan (two hits and two ribbies) and Dermot Fritsch (two and two), while Jordan McArdle was a standout for South Australia with a hit and three of his side’s ribbies.

 

Queensland wrapped up its nightcap in imperious fashion, blanking Victoria White 10-0 under the mercy rule to hand Josh Bedggood the win with a complete game one-hitter including four punchouts. Liam Taylor was the offensive star for the winner with three hits and four RBIs, receiving grand support from Oakley McMahon (two and three).

 

In a game where the sides committed a combined seven defensive errors, Country New South Wales made better use of its scoring opportunities to run out a 4-3 winner over South Australia, which was unable to capitalise on the offensive contributions of Mitchell Lightbody (two hits and two RBIs) and Jordan Fleri (two hits).

 

UNDER 18 STANDINGS AFTER DAY FOUR (unofficial):   New South Wales Country (5-1), Queensland (5-1), Western Australia (4-2), Victoria Blue (3-3), New South Wales (3-3), Australian Capital Territory (2-4), Victoria White (1-5), South Australia (1-5)

 

Down in Canberra, the WOMEN’S NATIONALS and the WOMEN’S YOUTH NATIONALS are both at an interesting stage heading into Day Five of competition on Thursday. Check the Baseball Australia or state association inks for more comprehensive coverage.

 

Now undefeated (6-0), New South Wales had a hard-fought 11-8 win over third-placed Western Australia (2-3) and a thumping 13-2 result over Queensland (1-4) in the WOMEN'S NATIONALS, while Victoria (4-1) retained second placing clearly with a 13-8 win over winless Canberra (0-5). A double round robin event, the Women’s Championship will be decided with finals on Saturday and Sunday.

 

Also a double round-robin but with finals scheduled for Friday, the WOMEN’S YOUTH NATIONALS have thus far been dominated by Western Australia (6-0), which dispensed 16-4 with New South Wales (3-3). Playing a Wednesday double-header, Queensland (4-1, with a draw) snatched second placing by virtue of its 9-6 win over Victoria (0-5, with a draw) and a 12-4 result over fourth-placed Country New South Wales (1-5).   

 

12 January 2016

 

NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE

 

Having a grand DAY THREE, Victoria White won both of its games at the UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP, a 3-1 result over Australian Capital Territory and a nail-biting 10-9 win in extra innings over Queensland. Continuing his hot hitting streak, Ben Fierenzi amassed four hits for the Vics, whose Declan Croker was winning pitcher with 6.1 innings for just two hits.

 

With neither side able to gain in break in the extra-innings contest, Victoria White plated four in the top of the eighth and held on despite Queensland hitting back with three. Queensland had standout hitters in Callum Pike (four hits and two RBIs) and Ray Easton (one and three), while Lucas Taylor (two and three) led the Victoria White offence.

 

In its other game, Queensland scored in five of its seven innings to post a comfortable 10-2 win over New South Wales - Andrew Cusick leading an offensive barrage with four of his side’s ribbies.

 

It was not a good day at all for New South Wales, outslugged 10-7 by Victoria Blue, which plated four in the first and scored in six of the seven innings. Winning pitcher Liam Madden received terrific support from the likes of Jarryd Dale (four hits and four RBIs), while Lachlan Giulieri (two and four) was a standout for New South Wales.

 

Undefeated Victoria Blue continued its winnings ways with a nail-biting 8-7 result over South Australia, which came from a six-zip deficit and plated five in the bottom of the last. Out-hitting their opponent twelve to eight, Victoria had standouts in Aidin Willis (three hits and two RBIs), the in-form Jarryd Dale (three and one) and Kyle Morrison (three hits).

 

Rebounding from a deficit in the later innings, the Western Australian offence came alive to hand a 9-4 loss to South Australia, whose cause was not helped by committing eight defensive errors in the contest.

 

Australian Capital Territory posted its first win in this division with a 6-1 result over New South Wales Country, which faced the might of Western Australia in the evening game and came up big after the west had blasted four in the first. Steadily pegging back the lead, Country put up a four-spot in the fifth and went on to a 9-7 win. Chase Karn, Rhys Neuhold and Mitchell Pearce all drove in two runs for Country, while Sam Collier and Lochlan Southee were best with the bat for Western Australia,

 

UNDER 16 STANDINGS AFTER DAY THREE (unofficial):  Victoria Blue (5-0), Western Australia (4-1), South Australia (3-2), New South Wales Country (2-3), Queensland (2-3), Victoria White (2-3), Australian Capital Territory (1-4), New South Wales (1-4)

 

New South Wales Country remains unbeaten after DAY THREE of the UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP, although Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria Blue are well in touch with four Round Robin games still to play.

 

With Jackson Boyd carding the win, Victoria Blue scored three in the eighth to post an important 5-1 over Western Australia, which committed an uncharacteristic seven errors and was made to pay by an opponent that made the very best of its six hits – led by Oliver Dunn with a double and two RBIs.

 

Queensland starter Taliesin O’Meara earned the win in his side’s 11-5 result over Australian Capital Territory. Scoring three in the first and two in the second – and amassing nine hits to six, highlighted by Jacob Nilsson’s two knocks for four RBIs – the Queenslanders were never seriously threatened despite Mitch Edwards  driving in two of the ACT runs.

 

New South Wales downed South Australia 3-2 in a quality defensive contest, with Isaac Whatson carding the win after scattering five hits over 5.2 innings. Despite making five defensive errors and being out-hit six to five, New South Wales was better able to exploit its scoring opportunities.

 

Although staying in the game early on, Victoria White was no match for New South Wales Country, which blasted nine in the fifth and another four in the seventh to force an early end to a mismatch that saw four Victorian pitchers concede a total of twelve walks as nine of their opponents recorded base hits.

 

UNDER 18 STANDINGS AFTER DAY THREE (unofficial):   New South Wales Country (4-0), Western Australia (3-1), Queensland (3-1), Victoria Blue (2-2), Victoria White (1-3), South Australia (1-3), New South Wales (1-3), Australian Capital Territory (1-3).

 

11 January 2016

 

UNDER 16 NYC UPDATE

 

South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria Blue have made the early running in the Under 16 National Championship that commenced on Sunday.

 

In an action-packed first day that saw eight games played in this group, reigning titleholder Victoria Blue had a thrilling 3-2 win over Canberra and whitewashed Queensland 10-0, while South Australia edged home in both of its games – 3-2 against ACT and 5-4 over perennial power New South Wales.

 

Thumping Victoria White 15-2 – with nine players posting hits - Western Australia showed great early form that was backed up with a 4-3 win over Queensland.

 

Day Two saw the leaders continue their winnings ways, with South Australia plating eight in the sixth for a 10-1 win over New South Wales Country, while Western Australia edged out New South Wales 10-9 and Victoria Blue triumphed in a 16-11 slugfest over Victoria White, which is still to open its winning account along with Australian Capital Territory – which was defeated by Queensland 6-1.

 

With one win each, New South Wales, New South Wales Country and Queensland will be looking to improve their positions at the tournament heads to Day Three.

 

UNDER 16 STANDINGS AFTER DAY TWO (unofficial):     South Australia (3-0), Western Australia (3-0), Victoria Blue (3-0), New South Wales (1-2), New South Wales Country (1-2), Queensland (1-2), Victoria White (0-3), Australian Capital Territory (0-3).

 

UNDER 18 NYC UPDATE

 

Western Australia and New South Wales Country remain undefeated after Day Two of the Under 18 tournament, while both five other teams have enjoyed playing success and New South Wales is yet to open its account.

 

Australian Capital Territory had a stunning 6-5 win over reigning titleholder New South Wales on Day One, while South Australia started its campaign brightly with a 14-11 result over Victoria White in a slugfest. Not such good news for the ACT on the Monday, though, as it was pipped 7-6 by Victoria White and whitewashed 3-0 by New South Wales Country.

 

Western Australia downed Queensland 7-2 on Sunday, followed with a 6-0 result over Victoria White and a comfortable 7-2 result against South Australia on Day Two, while Country New South Wales backed up its 8-4 victory over Victoria Blue with the 3-0 whitewash over Australian Capital Territory and a 6-1 win against an error-affected New South Wales squad that will looking for better tidings on the morrow.

 

Winnings both of its Monday  games – 6-4 over Victoria Blue and 9-7 against New South Wales, Queensland is well among the action ahead of Victoria White, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia – which dropped both of its Monday fixtures, 2-7 to Western Australia and 3-5 to Victoria Blue.

 

UNDER 18 STANDINGS AFTER DAY TWO (unofficial):     Western Australia (3-0), New South Wales Country (3-0), Queensland (2-1), Victoria White (1-2), Australian Capital Territory (1-2), Victoria Blue (1-2), South Australia (1-2), New South Wales (0-3).