Hall of Fame Chats: Samantha Hamilton

23 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Hall of Fame Chats: Samantha Hamilton

Early this year, Baseball Australia revealed six new additions to the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame.

It’s a rightfully a hard group to crack. You have to be among the best to ever to it in this country.

I’ve decided to try to talk to all of our newest inductees to learn a little bit more about their journey in baseball, some of their great moments and ultimately how their hall of frame brains work.

I’ve started with Samantha Hamilton. She’s one of the most decorated players in women’s baseball history.

Her resume and some notes on her career can be found below. What’s amazing about Samantha is she did not start playing baseball until she was in her 20s.

It adds remarkable context to an extraordinary career in a phenomenal era of women’s baseball.

Samantha is among just six players globally to have competed in all of the first five IBAF Women’s World Cups between 2004 and 2012. She competed in three World Series before then, playing in Major League stadiums.

Across a 13-year national team career, she delivered consistently elite performances and played a key role in Australia’s early international success, including bronze (2001), gold (2002) and silver (2003) at the Women’s World Series, along with a silver medal at the 2010 World Cup and the 2006 stolen bases title.

She played a crucial role both defensively and offensively during Australia’s historic silver medal campaign at the 2010 World Cup in Venezuela. That tournament, by the way, was crazy. You HAVE to hear her accounts of it…

You can listen on Spotify…or Apple…or wherever you get your pods. Search baseball.com.au.

Across a 16-year career with Victoria at the Australian Women’s Championships, Hamilton was an integral part of the squad that secured ten national titles. She delivered a walk-off double in the 2011 National Championship Gold Medal game and was awarded the National Championship Hitting Award and All-Star Team honours in 2012.

She also went overseas.

In 2005, Hamilton was among the first Australians to play semi-professionally, completing a season in Japan with Taiken Wellness of Tokyo College.

At club level, she was a founding member of Doncaster Baseball Club and became the first woman to reach 350 games.

It’s an incredible career.

Listen to the conversation below.

22 July 2026 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Community

Baseball Australia confirms 2025-26 national participation increase

Baseball Australia has recorded significant participation growth across the country, with numbers up 6.8% to just over 34,600 registered players.

Over 41,000 participants, including volunteers, are now registered within the sport marking an increase of 23% from the last financial year (2024-25).

The numbers come off the back of Baseball Australia’s newly launched National Participation Plan, “Play Ball, Play Well,” which was unveiled in June in alignment with the Australian Sports Commission’s national Play Well Strategy.

The growth has been driven by a collaborative effort across clubs, associations and state members, creating more opportunities for Australians of all ages to access and enjoy baseball.

Other areas featuring strong increases include junior participation, Little League T-Ball, volunteer engagement and school programs.

There are now nearly 13,000 players are aged 13 and under, with a sharp increase in Little League T-Ball participation.

A membership increase was recorded in six state associations, with Western Australia polling the biggest increase.

“It was great to see so many new people connect with our great sport this season. A credit to the baseball community right across the country for creating welcoming, enjoyable experiences that encourage people to give baseball a go, while ensuring those who already love the game continue to come back year after year,” says Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.

“The growth we’ve seen is the result of a tremendous collective effort by volunteers, clubs, associations and members across Australia.”

Read the Participation Plan: ‘Play Well, Play Ball’

KEY NUMBERS – A SNAPSHOT

Club Finder: Find your baseball home today

Here are some numbers from the 2025-26 financial year period that stand out:

– Playing participation increased by 6.8 percent year-on-year, rising from to just over 34,500 in 2025-26;

– Junior baseball continues to drive much of that growth, with participation among players aged under 18 increasing by 7.2 percent;

– Nearly 13,000 players are now aged 15 or younger, highlighting the strength of baseball’s grassroots pathway and the growing number of children entering the sport through local clubs, T-Ball and community programs;

– Retention Rate at 69%, a benchmark marked higher than industry standard

– Growth was also recorded at the senior level, with participation among players aged 18 and over increasing by 6.4 percent.

– The rise in participation extends beyond those taking the field. Registered volunteer numbers increased dramatically from approximately 1,500 to more than 7,000, underlining the important role volunteers continue to play in supporting clubs, competitions and events across Australia;

– Participation increased in six states and territories, with New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory all recording year-on-year growth;

– New South Wales remains the largest baseball community in the country with more than 16,000 participants, while Western Australia recorded the biggest increase and now boasts a membership base exceeding 5,000;

– Women’s participation also remains an important area of focus, with females representing 17.5 percent of Australia’s playing population. It reflects great work undertaken by an Australian Women’s Working Group, identifying key areas to address in our game. Last year, this number sat at 15%;

– School participation is approaching 45,000 students nationwide, representing an increase of nearly 25 percent since 2024 and providing a strong foundation for future participation growth.

The figures reflect continued momentum for the sport at all levels, from introductory school programs and junior competitions through to senior community baseball. It is not possible without the tremendous work done at the grassroots level by the clubs.

Baseball Australia was also a recipient of a Play Well Grant to support participation efforts.

With over 34,500 players, more than 7,000 volunteers and tens of thousands of students being introduced to baseball each year, the sport continues to build a strong platform for future growth across Australia.

21 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

College Baseball

South Australia's Haru Riley set for College Baseball opportunity at Sussex County

Adelaide pitcher Haru Riley will continue his baseball journey in the United States after committing to Sussex County Community College.

The right-hander out of Kensington Baseball Club will study Business Administration while developing his baseball skills on the mound.

He leaves July 30 and will be joined by Victoria’s Ryder Wilson, who committed to Sussex County early this year.

While Riley was developed in Australia, he has Japanese heritage. It was by watching on of Japan’s most famous baseball events that made him fall in love with the game.

“I fell in love with baseball when I watched the Japanese Koshien High School Baseball Tournament,” Riley says.

The right-hander has developed into a crafty pitcher, relying on a varied repertoire rather than pure velocity.

His arsenal features a fastball, two-seam fastball, slider and a forkball with an intention of inducing soft contact.

“My strengths are using off-speed pitches such as my slider and forkball to get weak ground balls and pop-ups,” Riley said. “My forkball knuckles a bit and it can surprise the batter.”

Riley hopes his time in the American college system will help him add another dimension to his game.

“I want to improve my velocity on the mound while learning to take care of my body and become a more effective pitcher,” he said. “I’m also hoping to improve my physicality through gaining weight and strength.”

Before earning his college opportunity, Riley built valuable experience through Baseball Australia’s pathway, representing South Australia at both the Under-16 and Under-18 Australian Youth Championships while also competing in Division 1 senior club baseball in South Australia.

MORE COLLEGE STORIES: Click here

“Playing in the Australian Youth Championships at the Under-16 and Under-18 levels, along with Division 1 senior club baseball, has given me experience playing against the best players and dealing with pressure situations,” Riley said.

He credits both his parents for his improved skill and success over the last few years.

“My parents were influential in encouraging me to work hard and improve my skills.”

Riley joins a growing list of Australian players choosing the US college pathway. Follow Australians abroad at www.aussiebaseballtracker.com.

20 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Community

Five young Australians to attend World Children's Baseball Fair in Japan

Five young Australian baseball players will represent the country at this year’s World Children’s Baseball Fair in Japan, where baseball becomes the vehicle for friendship, cultural exchange and lifelong memories.

Hosted by the World Children’s Baseball Foundation (WCBF), the annual event brings together kids from around the globe for 10 days of baseball clinics, cultural activities and international friendships.

Founded by baseball legends Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron, the program was created to use baseball to connect young people from different countries while promoting goodwill and understanding.

Australia has once again been invited to participate in the prestigious event, with five players from Melbourne’s Moorabbin Baseball Club earning the opportunity to travel to Japan later this month.

Moorabbin was selected due to the club’s sustained and genuine commitment to creating inclusive, positive sporting experiences for all. Moorabbin Baseball Club’s work supporting young people, particularly through involvement with Team Sports 4 All, reflects what the sport in Australia stands for.

Representing Australia will be:
– Isabelle Gammal
– Cooper Gammal
– Max Ciccarella
– Mark Bramwell
– Issac Kim

The group will be accompanied by Stephanie Campbell, a tireless Moorabbin Baseball Club volunteer whose dedication behind the scenes has helped make the trip possible despite several late changes to the travelling party.

The World Children’s Baseball Fair will be held from 30 July to 8 August, with the Australian group departing on 29 July.

While baseball is at the heart of the program, the experience is designed to be about much more than wins and losses.

Children from countries across the world live, learn and play together, building friendships that often last well beyond the final day of the event.

The lasting impact of the program has already been seen through previous Australian participants. Logan McCargill attended the World Children’s Baseball Fair in 2024, and just two years later returned to Japan during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Through the relationships built by the World Children’s Baseball Foundation, McCargill was invited to meet Japanese baseball icon Sadaharu Oh alongside Team Australia stars Robbie Perkins and Robbie Glendinning.

Perkins and Glendinning themselves attended the World Children’s Baseball Fair as children.

Best of luck and enjoy the experience!

20 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad Aussies Sign Pro

Stanford graduate and Sydney product Jimmy Nati signs with Kansas City Royals

Jimmy Nati has become the latest Australian to begin his professional baseball career, signing with the Kansas City Royals as a free agent following four standout seasons at Stanford University.

The New South Wales infielder is now the 27th Australian currently under contract with a Major League Baseball organisation and continues a growing trend of Australians using the NCAA pathway to reach professional baseball.

Since 2024, the likes of Travis Bazzana (Cleveland Guardians), Brent Iredale (Pittsburgh Pirates), Kailen Hamson (Baltimore Orioles), John Lemm (St. Louis Cardinals) and now Nati have all either been drafted or signed affiliated contracts after completing their college careers.

For Nati, the journey began in the Ryde junior baseball system.

He developed as a junior with the Greenway Giants before representing Ryde at Australian National Little League Championships and his state at Australian Youth Championships.

As one of Australia’s most highly regarded young prospects, he attracted significant professional interest while still a teenager. Rather than beginning his professional career immediately, Nati chose a different path.

He committed to Stanford University, one of the world’s leading academic institutions and one of college baseball’s premier programs, backing himself to develop both on and off the field.

The decision – evidently – paid dividends. Not only does he have a college degree in science, technology and society, but he’s just become professional player.

AUSSIE PLAYER TRACKER: Follow Australians in the pro system around the world

Nati earned ACC All-Academic Team honours twice during his collegiate career, establishing himself as one of Australia’s top student-athletes while becoming a mainstay in the Cardinal lineup.

His baseball numbers stack up, too.

Across four seasons, he appeared in 174 games, making 159 starts while batting .278 with an .850 OPS. He collected 173 hits, including 40 doubles, scored 108 runs and drove in 87.

After breaking into the lineup as a freshman, Nati enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2024, hitting .308 with a .905 OPS across 54 starts. He followed that with another outstanding season in 2025, batting .300 with a career-best .948 OPS before finishing his senior year with 45 starts for the Cardinal.

Although his name wasn’t called during the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, it didn’t take long for the Royals to come calling. Jimmy made it official on the weekend.

Nati will report to the Royals organisation in the coming days before receiving his first assignment within Kansas City’s minor league system.

He officially signed his contract on Sunday.

14 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

Australian John Lemm signs with St. Louis Cardinals after standout college season

Queensland baseball player John Lemm has signed with Major League Baseball franchise the St. Louis Cardinals following a standout senior season in US college baseball.

The Narangba product, who plays catcher and outfield, hit .322 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs for the University of Alabama in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference (SEC). It was his lone season with the Crimson Tide after spending two years in junior college and one season at Southern Illinois.

The 23-year-old played a key role in Alabama’s run to the College World Series, helping the program reach Omaha for the first time since 1999.

Although Lemm went unselected in last weekend’s MLB Draft, he has since signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent.

He becomes the 26th Australian currently signed to a Major League organisation. His professional career begins immediately, with Lemm reporting to the Cardinals’ player development complex before being assigned to a club within the minor league system.

Fans can track the progress of Australians playing overseas via Aussie Baseball Tracker: https://aussiebaseballtracker.com/.

Lemm is a product of Windsor Royals Baseball Club.

Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball are currently on the All-Star break, with Sydney’s Travis Bazzana set to represent the American League in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Wednesday morning (AEST).

11 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

Girls and Invitational Little League Newspaper July 11: Manly and Cronulla claim Little League Gold Medals in Redcliffe | Recap and Highlights

It’s Gold Medal Day at Redcliffe Baseball Club in beautiful Moreton Bay for the Little League Girls and Invitational tournaments.

Who will go to bed tonight as a national champion?

The Gold Medal Games are streamed live and free on Baseball+ (plus.baseball.com.au).

To follow the scoring of the tournament and a single camera feed on Diamonds 3 and 4, check out the respective GameChanger link.

Scroll down for recaps and highlights.

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Hub / Past Results: www.baseball.com.au/redcliffe

This tournamement is proudly brought to you by the City of Moreton Bay.

DAY 5 | SCHEDULE AND RESULTS – JULY 11 |

GOLD MEDAL GAMES
watch on Baseball+

– Invitational Gold Medal Game: Manly 8 def Adelaide Marlins 0

– Girls Gold: Cronulla 2 def West Coast Rays Blue 1

CONSOLATION GAMES
follow on Baseball+

– Girls Bronze: West Coast Rays Gold 12 def Hills 2
– Girls 5th Place Game: Belles 15 def Adelaide Seahorses 4

– Invitational Consolation: Sunshine Coast 16 def Wanneroo Giants 6

– Invitational Consolation: Wanneroo Giants 17 def Melbourne Rangers 7

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

GOLD MEDAL RECAPS

GIRLS GOLD: Millie May has a day as Cronulla win Little League Girls title in epic pitcher’s duel

It was Matilda May Day in Redcliffe.

The Cronulla Sharks starter brought her best on the biggest of ocassions. Her final line: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 SO.

The only hit she conceded was an infield single in the bottom of the last inning as West Coast Blues tried to rally.

Haley Bone came through with a two-out, two-RBI single in the third inning to score both of Cronulla’s runs. Bone later struck out the last batter to record the final out.

It was one of only two Cronulla hits on the day because West Coast pitchers Amelia Castle and Rachel Hosken were both excellent. Castle started, allowing two hits and two runs in 2.0 innings. Rachel Hosken threw 3.0 hitless, shutout innings with eight strikeouts.

Who had the other base hit, you ask? Matilda May. Of course.

West Coast rallied late, thanks to Amelia Castle putting the ball in play to score a run.

Congratulations to Cronulla on their first Little League Girls title. They are: Emma Vuljanic, Kelsey Streater, Tayah Perrin, Haley Bone, Matilda May, Ruby Kosanic, Charli Hilley-Hulme, Isabelle Hutton, Emily Pekert, Catalina David, Gisele Streater, Emilia Maclean, Holly Fordyce, Charlize Anne Davis. COACHES: Matthew Bone, Chris May, Ashley Streater, Kate Vuljanic, Curtis David.

CRONULLA

Hits (2): Haley Bone, Matilda May
RBI: Bone (2)

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (1): Mackenzie M

INVITATIONAL GOLD: Manly shutout Adelaide to claim Invitational Gold

Manly have claimed 2026 Australian Little League Invitational Gold after a dominating display at Redcliffe.

Starting pitcher Oli Curtin was excellent. He threw 5.0 shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out six.

The offense gave Curtin a boost.

Blaise Reid opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first. Max Brennan and Sidney Prevost followed with back-to-back RBI singles the second to open up a 3-0 lead.

Manly pulled away with a four run third. Ryder Macpherson’s bases-clearing RBI double proved to be the getaway moment, pushing the Eagles out to a 7-0 advantage.

Manly outhit Adelaide 10-3. Macpherson and Curtin led the team with two hits apiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVuVMD7j8YY

Congrats to Manly on their national title.

The winning players are: Lachy Addison, Ziggy Avalon, Eli Austin, Max Brannan, Oli Curtin, Noah Donnelly, Cameron MacBride, Ryder MacPherson, Kitt Mote, Ayden Prevost, Sidney Prevost, Blaise Reid, August Ropiha.

MANLY

Hits (10): Oliver Curtin (2), Ryder Macpherson (2), Blaise Reid, Noah Donnelly, Max Brannan, Ayden Prevost, Sidney Prevost, Lachy Addison

RBI: Macpherson (3), Reid (2), Brannon, S. Prevost, Addison

Pitching – Oliver Curtin: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO

MARLINS

Hits (3): Oliver Wilson, Riley Clifton, Henry Duits

Pitching – Riley Clifton: 4.0 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO

NOTES ON CONSOLATION GAMES

– West Coast Rays Gold claimed Little League Girls Bronze after defeating Hills 12-2. The girls combined for 14 hits, led by Mia Green who had three. Tamryn Nairn drove in three runs. Chloe Waight pitched the whole game, allowing four hits, two runs and struck out seven.

– The Victoria Belles won their second straight game, this time a 15-4 win over the Adelaide Seahorses. They finish with a 2-3-1 record and fifth place overall. The Belles scored 15 runs off three hits, two of them from Mahlia Rutgers. Aleayah Marshall threw 2.1 hitless innings with five strikeouts.

– Sunshine Coast piled on the runs in a 16-6 win over the Wanneroo Giants. The Bronze medalists won their third game of the tournament. Jackson Caton continued his superb week by going 2-for-3 with an RBI. George Collins also had two hits and drove in pair. Jaxon Brown had two hits and 2 RBI for Wanneroo.

– Wanneroo Giants rolled to a 17-7 win over Melbourne to conclude consolation play. Connor Scott led the offensive output with three hits while driving in a pair. As a group, the Giants combined for 14 base hits.

Welcome to Moreton Bay – a region full of hidden gems! Whether you’re exploring the beautiful open beaches and coastal towns or wandering the peaceful trails of charming hinterland villages, the Moreton Bay region offers natural beauty paired with a welcoming charm.

Just under an hour from both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay invites you to discover its diverse offerings. From the peaceful hinterland retreats of Woodford and Dayboro to the lively buzz of the Redcliffe Peninsula and the relaxing shores of Bribie Island, there’s something for everyone, just waiting to be uncovered!

Head to www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au to plan your adventure while visiting for baseball.

Or, upgrade your weekend! Visit www.whatsonmoretonbay.com.au/ for more information.

10 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

Girls and Invitational Newspaper: July 10 | Six walk-offs in seven games - Scores, Recaps, Highlights

Redcliffe Baseball Club was home to perhaps the most epic national championship day of the 2026 season with the League Girls and Invitational tournaments.

On the final day of Girls Pool Play and the first day of Invitational Finals, we were treated to six (!!!) walk-offs in seven games.

Our Gold Medal Games are now set.

Read about each game below with stats, photos and / or highlights.

To watch Diamond 1 coverage free, visit Baseball+ (plus.baseball.com.au). To follow the scoring of the tournament and a single camera feed on Diamonds 2 and 3, check out the respective GameChanger link.

Scroll down for recaps.

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Hub / Past Results: www.baseball.com.au/redcliffe

This tournamement is proudly brought to you by the City of Moreton Bay.

DAY 4 | SCHEDULE AND RESULTS – FRIDAY 10 JULY |

LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS
Watch free on Baseball+

– Cronulla 8 def Adelaide Seahorses 7
– Victoria Belles 8 def West Coast Rays Gold 7
– West Coast Rays Blue 6 def Hills 5

LITTLE LEAGUE INVITATIONAL
Follow / Watch on GameChanger

– Finals: Adelaide Marlins 8 def Sunshine Coast Riptides 4
– Finals: Manly 3 def Sunshine Coast Riptides 2
– Finals: Adelaide Marlins 14 def Manly 13

– Consolation: Wanneroo Giants 10 def Melbourne Rangers 9

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

CURRENT STANDINGS

GIRLS
*top two qualify for Gold Medal Game

Cronulla 4-1*
West Coast Rays Blue 3-1-1*
Hills 2-3
West Coast Rays Gold 2-3
Adelaide Seahorses 2-3
Victoria Belles 1-3-1

Cronulla and West Coast Rays Blue advance to Gold Medal Game at 1:30PM on Saturday on Baseball+.

INVITATIONAL FINALS STANDINGS
*top two advance to Gold Medal Game

Adelaide Marlins 2-0*
Manly 1-1*
Sunshine Coast Riptides 0-2

Adelaide and Manly advance the Gold Medal Game, Saturday at 11:15PM on Baseball+.

Tiebreaker: 1. Head-to-Head, 2. runs allowed.

DAY 5 SCHEDULE (SATURDAY 11 JULY) – CLICK HERE

RECAP STORIES

INVITATIONAL: Adelaide Marlins 8 def Sunshine Coast Riptides 1 | Marlins explode for five runs in the fourth inning to pull away

The Adelaide Marlins broke up a tense pitcher’s duel with a five run fourth inning to pick up their first win of the Finals Round Robin bracket.

They scored five runs off six hits, highlighted by a bases clearing single by Finn Diment that plated three runs.

Diment played a big role on the mound. He threw 4.0 innings, allowing one run and two hits in his start.

Eight different Marlins had hits, led by Allesandro Vadagnini who had two.

George Collins and Jackson Caton both had two hits for Sunshine Coast, who played three key runs in the last inning. The runs could be crucial because runs allowed is a tiebreaker in event of a three way tie.

Sunshine Coast must defeat Manly to keep their Gold Medal hopes alive.

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits (9): Braxton B, Armando Gabriele Cerquozzi-Rodriguez, Jonte Nottage, Riley Clifton, Kai Abe, Finn Diment, Henry Duits, Allesandro Vadagnini (2)

RBI: Cerquozzi-Rodriguez, Nottage, Clifton, Diment

SUNSHINE COAST

Hits (4): Jackson Caton (2), George Collins (2)
RBI: Caton, Collins

INVITATIONAL: Manly 3 def Sunshine Coast 2 | Manly score all runs in last inning, walk-off Sunshine Coast to advance to Gold Medal Game

Manly are playing for Gold.

After managing just one hit through five innings, Manly scored three times in the bottom of the last inning to walk-off Sunshine Coast and secure a place in the Gold Medal Game.

Sidney Prevost tied the game with a 2-RBI double. Moments later, Ziggy Avalon doubled in the winning run.

It spoiled an almight effort from Sunshine Coast starting pitcher Jackson Caton. He threw 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, three runs and three walks with 11 striekouts.

He had a one-hitter going through five.

Manly pitching was also up for the task. Kitt Mote struck out nine in 4.2 innings. He allowed two runs and four hits. Noah Donnelly allowed one hit in 1.1 innings of relief to keep Manly in with a fighting chance.

Sunshine Coast grinded out a run in the fourth and fifth inning to lead 2-0 heading into the last.

Unfortunately, it drops Sunshine Coast’s finals record to 0-2 and makes it impossibel to advance to the Gold Medal Game. They will win bronze.

Manly and the Marlins will play-off for Championship Gold on Saturday at 11:15AM on Baseball+.

MANLY

Hits (4): Cameron Macbride, Max Branna, Sidney Prevost, Ziggy Avalon
RBI: Prevost (2), Avalaon

SUNSHINE COAST

Hits (5): Rafael Monroy (2), Max Calner, Levi Ngaha, Blake D
RBI: George Collins

INVITATIONAL: Adelaide Marlins 14 def Manly 13| Marlins walk-off to win wild shoutout in Grand Final preview

Both teams entered the game knowing they would be playing each other for gold tomorrow.

That didn’t stop either side from giving us a show.

Allesandro Vadagnini came through with a walk-off RBI double to secure a 14-13 win for the Marlins. It was his third hit and fifth RBI of the game.

The game featured a combined 31 hits between two teams.

Adelaide scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-4 lead. They added two in the third and six in the fourth to lead 13-5 and look in command.

But Manly rattled off eight straight runs – including six in the top of the sixth – to tie the game.

Vadagnini led all batters by going 3-for-3 with 5 RBI.

Ryder Macpherson and Noah Donnelly each had two hits for Manly.

The teams meet again tomorrow at 11:15 AM in the Gold Medal Game.

MANLY

Hits (19): Eli A, Ayden Prevost (2), Cameron Prevost (2), Oliver Curtin, Ryder Macpherson (3), Blaise Reed (2), Kitt Mote, Noah Donnelly (3), Max Brannan, August R, Lachlan Addison

RBI: A. Prevost, Curtin (3), Macpherson (2), Mote, Donnelly, August

MARLINS

Hits: Armando Gabriele Cerquozzi-Rodriguez, Oliver Wilson, Jonte Nottage, Riley Clifton, Kai Abe, Allesandro Vadagnini (3), Finn Diment (2), Leonard Vadagnini

RBI: A. Vadagnini (5), Diment (3)

GIRLS: Cronulla 8 def Adelaide Seahorses 7 | Emilia Maclean the hero has Cronulla comeback to win ‘game of the tournament’ and secure place in Gold Medal Game

Awesome.

Cronulla scored four dramatic runs in the last inning, coming back from 7-4 down, to edge the Seahorses by one and book a spot in the Little League Gold Medal Game.

This game had it all.

Three lead changes. Two comebacks. Last inning dramatics. A pair of unbelievable national championship performances. A spot in the gold medal game secured.

Epic.

Where do we start? It has to be with Emilia Maclean.

The dual-threat Cronulla player started her big day in the first inning. She had an RBI single that plated two runs to put Cronulla up 4-0 in the first.

Adelaide scored the next seven runs, including six in the third inning. The Seahorsese rallied for six hits in the big inning, including a critical 2-RBI single from Adele Neiswander. 7-4.

All the while, Layla O’Reilly was turning in one of the best performances of the 2026 National Championship season.

The 12-year-old from Adelaide Angels struck out 14 in 4.0 no-hit innings to allow the Seahorses to come back. It’s the most strikeouts in any of the 2026 Little League events.

Back to Maclean.

The 10-year-old Cronulla pitcher entered the game in the the third inning. She stunted Adelaide momentum by throwing 3.0 innings of hitless ball, allowing just one walk, no run and struck out seven.

She then provided a two-RBI single in a four-run sixth inning that put Cronulla in front. She struck out a batter for the last of the game.

Maclean finished with a game high two hits and 4 RBI.

There were some excellent defensive plays in this game, too. Let’s start with Adelaide’s Macy Qualmann, who made a great diving effortin the outfield to rob Cronulla of some runs.

Cronulla starter Charli Hilley-Hulme also turned a wicked line-drive double play.

Cronulla will play for Gold on Saturday afternoon at 1:30PM.

ADELAIDE SEAHORSES

Hits (8): Maddy Kenny-Kleinig, Mia-Grace Walton, Winter Moroney, Layla O’Reilly, Alyssa Marrich, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Sophie Marrich, Adele Neiswander

RBI (7): Layla O’Reilly (2), Adele Neiswander (2), Maddy Kenny-Kleinig, Mia-Grace Walton, Kaylee Ratcliffe

Pitching: Winter Moroney, Layla O’Reilly, Alyssa Marrich, Shem Hawkes, Kaylee Ratcliffe

CRONULLA LLG

Hits (3): Emilia Maclean (2), Matilda May

RBI (4): Emilia Maclean (4)

Pitching: Charli Hilley-Hulme, Emilia Maclean

GIRLS: Victoria Belles 8 def West Coast Rays Gold 7 | Belles win first game thanks to Penna masterclass and two epic game ending tags by Zoe Mudford

The Belles can thank a hot start and a wild finish for their first win of the tournament.

A patient approach helped the Belles build a 7-0 lead through two innings.

Meanwhile, Imogen Penna dominated on the mound, compiling 13 strikeouts through 5.0 innings. She surrendered just three hits and two runs while walking two.

West Coast Rays didn’t go down without a fight. They needed to win this game to have a chance at playing for gold.

Katie Cross kickstarted a comeback with an inside-the-park homer in the third.

Savannah Carnaby helped settle the ship in relief for the Rays. She allowed one hit and one run with eight strikeouts in three innings.

Trailing 8-2 entering the last, the Rays scored five runs to get within one. Sophie Anderson had a bases clearing double.

With one out and two runners on, the Rays looked like they were going to take the lead.

But Belles catcher Zoe Mudford made back-to-back sensational diving efforts to tag out the would be tying run(s) at home end the game.

The Belles pick up their first win of the tournament.

WEST COAST RAYS GOLD

Hits (7): Sophie Anderson (2), Chloe Waight, Mia Green, Tamryn Nairn, Kathleen Cross (2)

HR: Kathleen Cross

RBI (7): Sophie Anderson (3), Tamryn Nairn, Mia Green, Kathleen Cross (2)

Pitching: Laylah Newell, Kathleen Cross, Savannah Carnaby

BELLES

Hits (3): Aleayah Marshall, Lexi Quaine, April Friend

RBI (2): Aleayah Marshall, Abbie McPhail

Pitching: Imogene Penna, Lexi Quaine, Aleayah Marshall

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Blue 6 def Hills 5 | Elsie Shaw’s bases clearing walk-off double sends West Coast Rays Blue the Gold Medal Game

Pre-Game Scenario: Winner goes to the Gold Medal Game

Elsie Shaw had the swing of her young life.

With two outs in the bottom of the last, bases loaded, her team own by two, and a Gold Medal Game spot on the line, Shaw crunched a ball to centrefield to clear the bases.

Walk-off pandemonium.

Hills were looking the goods early. They built a 4-0 lead by the fourth inning.

Tamara Jarczewski had a key RBI single in the process. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Caitlin Jefferies struck out 10 in 4.1 innings while allowing just two runs.
The drama unfolded in the sixth. Hills added an insurance marker to lead 5-2.

Then came the Rays.

They loaded the bases with two outs and drew a walk to cut the deficit to 5-3.

Enter Elsie Shaw for her moment.

Shaw also threw 3.2. relief innings, allowing two runs and struck out nine.

West Coast Rays Blue will play Cronulla on Saturday afternoon for Gold.

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (9): Elsie Shaw (2), Monet Padfield, Mackenzie Magorian, Penny Homer, Amelia Castle (2), Annabelle Vague, Astrid Young

RBI (6): Elsie Shaw (3), Penny Homer (2), Heidi Foley

Pitching: Amelia Castle, Elsie Shaw, Abigail Sibly

HILLS

Hits (9): Maia Voinea (2), Audrey Jackson, Sophie Lotan, Caitlin Jefferies, Emerson McAdam, Saphera Lachmund-Davis, Tamara Jarczewski, Amelia Yates

RBI (3): Amelia Yates (2), Tamara Jarczewski

Pitching: Caitlin Jefferies, Saphera Lachmund-Davis

INVITATIONAL CONSOLATION: Wanneroo Giants 10 def Melbourne Rangers 9 | Giants score four in the last to walk off Rangers

Liam Fisher delivered a walk-off winning hit in the last inning, capping off a four run inning and five run comeback in the Consolation bracket.

Melbourne led 8-3 in the fourth and 9-6 in the last.

Oliver Wimhurst doubled in three runs to tie the game before Fisher’s heroics.

Wimhurst led all batters by going 2-for-3 with 4 RBI.

Tatian H also had two hits for Wanneroo.

Big shoutout to Tanner Karlsen who struck out ten in his start for the Rangers.

Head to www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au to plan your adventure while visiting for baseball.

Or, upgrade your weekend! Visit www.whatsonmoretonbay.com.au/ for more information.

09 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

Girls and Invitational Newspaper: July 9, Day 3 - Scores, Recaps, Highlights and More

Welcome to Redcliffe Baseball Club in beautiful Moreton Bay for the Little League Girls and Invitational tournaments. It’s Day 3.

Each day we will publish a story with recaps, stats, highlights and information on the tournament.

To watch Diamond 1 coverage free, visit Baseball+ (plus.baseball.com.au). To follow the scoring of the tournament and a single camera feed on Diamonds 3 and 4, check out the respective GameChanger link.

Scroll down for recaps.

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Day 4 Schedule (Friday): Tournament Schedule

Hub / Past Results: www.baseball.com.au/redcliffe

This tournamement is proudly brought to you by the City of Moreton Bay.

DAY 3 | SCHEDULE AND RESULTS – JULY 9 |

LITTLE LEAGUE INVITATIONAL
Watch free on Baseball+

– Adelaide Marlins 9 def Manly 1 | Watch Replay on Baseball+
– Sunshine Coast Riptides 6 def Melbourne Rangers 0 | Watch Replay on Baseball+
– Adelaide Marlins 4 def Wanneroo Giants 3

LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS
Follow / Watch on GameChanger

– Hills 15 def Adelaide Seahorses 4
– Cronulla 12 def Victoria Belles 2
– West Coast Rays Gold 12 def West Coast Rays Blue 1

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

CURRENT STANDINGS

GIRLS
*top two qualify for Gold Medal Game

Cronulla 3-1
West Coast Rays Blue 2-1-1
Hills 2-2
Adelaide Seahorses 2-2
West Coast Rays Gold 2-2
Victoria Belles 0-3-1

INVITATIONAL
*top three make finals (*clinched)

1. Adelaide Marlins 3-1
2. Manly 3-1
3. Sunshine Coast Riptides 2-2
—
4. Melbourne Rangers 1-3
5. Wanneroo Giants 1-3

Marlins, Manly and Riptides advance to finals on Friday. They play in a round robin. The records reset and top two advance to Gold Medal Game on Saturday.

RECAP STORIES

INVITATIONAL: Marlins 9 def Manly 1 | Superb defense puts Marlins on doorsteps of the finals

Adelaide used great pitching, defense and a big inning to secure a crucial win at Redcliffe to improve to 2-1 on the tournament and inch closer to the Finals.

The victory does not secure a Top 3 spot, but it guarantees they will at least be in a three-way tie-breaker. If they win their last game vs Wanneroo, the Marlins will advance. Manly have secured a spot.

Jonte Nottage had a big performance for the Marlins. He threw all 6.0 innings, allowing nine hits with one walk and one run. He was helped by some great Marlins defense who turned two double plays and took some great catches in the outfield.

Adelaide scored six runs in the fourth to pull away. Oliver Wilson and Kai Abe both doubled in a pair of runs in the big inning.

Eight different Marlins recorded hits, led by Leonardo Vadagnini (2).

Lachlan Addison led Manly with two hits, who await their final Top 3 placing before tomorrow’s playoffs begin.

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits (9): Harvey Sampson, Braxton B, Kai Abe, Armando Gabriele Cerquozzi-Rodriguez, Oliver Wilson, Henry Duits, Leonardo Vadagnini (2), Allesandro Vandagnini

RBI: Wilson (2), Riley Clifton, Abe, Duits (2), L. Vadagnini, A. Vadagnini

MANLY

Hits (9): Ayden Prevost, Cameron MacBride, Oliver Curtin, Ryder Macpherson, Noah Donnelly, August R, Lachlan Addison, Eli A

RBI: Curtin

INVITATIONAL: Sunshine Coast Riptides 6 def Melbourne Rangers 0 | Rafael Monroy shutout pitches Sunshine Coast to the finals

A day after winning their first game in Australian baseball national championship history, Sunshine Coast Riptides are guaranteed a finals spot and a medal after a 6-0 victory over the Melbourne Rangers.

Rafael Monroy was the star of the show.

The little legend tossed 5.2 innings, allowing just six hits, no runs and three walks with five strikeouts. He also delivered two base hits in the win.

His counterpart Zeph Fleiner was also excellent for the Melbourne Rangers, allowing just one run with nine strikeouts in 4.0 innings.

It was a close 1-0 game at the start of the fifth before the Riptides rattled off five runs. Jackson Caton had a critical RBI single and Christian Martin drove in a pair in the big inning.

Caton, the catcher, later threw out the winning run at first base to end the game.

The win places Sunshine Coast with a 2-2 record to finish Pool Play. Only Adelaide Marlins (2-1) and Wanneroo Giants (1-2) are left to play. However, if Adelaide wins, Sunshine Coast will advance on record. If Wanneroo wins, Sunshine Coast defeated Adelaide yesterday and would own the head-to-head.

SUNSHINE COAST

Hits (6): Jackson Caton (2), Max Calner, Christian Martin, Rafael Monroy (2)
RBI: Martin (2), Caton, Hunter L

MELBOURNE RANGERS

Hits (6): Reeve Sadler, Miles Winton, Keigo Takei, Tanner Karlsen, Sam Furness, Archer Gibson

INVITATIONAL: Marlins 4 def Wanneroo Giants 3 | Marlins win dramatic game to send themselves to the finals

The pre-game scenario was clear for both teams. Win? You’re in the finals and guaranteed a medal. Lose? You play in the consolation round.

The game delivered drama in spades.

By the fourth inning Wanneroo looked in command. A Hunter Downey triple helped. score two runs in the second. They made it 3-0 in the fourth off a passed ball.

Adelaide scored one in the fourth. But the real drama happened in the bottom of the fifth.

Riley Clifton cashed in a pair of runs with a big time double to tie the game. The very next batter, Clifton scampered home on a ground out by Kai Abe. 4-3 Marlins.

Suddenly, Adelaide were three outs away from playing in the Finals.

Abe got the ball for the final three outs. With two outs, two on, and the potential winning run in scoring position, the game was in the balance. Abe delivered to catcher Harvey Sampson but the ball slipped away.

Sampson recovered and desperately tossed the ball to Abe who tagged the potential tying run out at home to end the game.

Adelaide go through as the number one seed. Jubilation for the Marlins.

Abe tossed 4.1 innings of gutsy relief, allowing no earned runs off just one hit.

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits (6): Harvey Sampson (2), Braxton B, Oliver Wilson, Jonte Nottage, Riley Clifton.

RBI: Clifton (2), Braxton B, Abe

WANNEROO

Hits (3): Jamie Mastai (2), Hunter Downey
RBI: Downey

GIRLS: Hills 15 def Adelaide Seahorses 4| Hills keep gold medal dreams alive with big win

Hills had to win this game to keep any hopes of finishing Top 2 in the group alive.

Behind great team batting and a sensational effort from pitcher Sophie Lotan, Hills did just that.

Adelaide jumped to an early 3-0 lead. Enter Sophie Lotan. The reliever threw 3.1 innings, allowing just three hits, no walks, no earned runs and recorded a tournament high nine strikeouts.

The offense used the stability to take flight. They scored six in the second and six in the fourth to pull away.

Audrey Jackson led the team with two hits, while Evangeline Godden drove in a pair.

Hills and Adelaide both have a 2-2 record with one game to play tomorrow. They’ll both try to win and hope results fall their way to try to secure a spot in the Gold Medal Game.

HILLS

Hits (7): Maia Voinea, Audrey Jackson (2), Sophie Lotan, Elizabeth Stathers, Saphera Lachmund-Davis, Evangeline Godden

RBI (5): Maia Voinea, Audrey Jackson, Quinn Sargent, Evangeline Godden (2)

Pitching: Hayley Ettridge, Sophie Lotan

SEAHORSES

Hits (5): Alyssa Marrich, Sarah Handy, Winter Moroney, Zara Sims, Shem Hawkes

RBI (2): Alyssa Marrich, Sarah Handy

Pitching: Sophie Marrich, Sarah Handy, Madelyn Kenny Kleinig, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Violet Harvey

GIRLS: Cronulla 12 def Victoria Belles 2 | Cronulla knocking on Gold Medals door after resounding win

After today’s big win for Cronulla, the formula is simple for the sharks: defeat the Seahorses on Friday morning and advance to the Gold Medal Game.

It’s all because of a run-rule victory over the Belles today to improve to 3-1.

Tayah Perrin conceeded just one hit and one earned run while striking out nine in 3.0 innings of work in her start.

The Sharks flew out of the gates by scoring five runs in the first. They went on to score every inning in the win.

Matilda May led the way with two hits.

CRONULLA

Hits (5): Matilda May (2), Kelsey Streater, Charlize Davis, Isabelle Hutton

RBI (5): Kelsey Streater, Charlize Davis, Charli Hilley-Hulme, Isabelle Hutton, Haley Bone

Pitching: Tayah Perrin, Ruby Kosanic

BELLES

Hits (2): Zoe Mudford, Madeline Jarvis

RBI (1): Zoe Mudford
Pitching: Jacey, April Friend, Isla Lochhead

GIRLS: West Coast Rays GOLD 12 def West Coast Rays Blue 1| Girls tournament to go down to the wire after Gold triumph

West Coast Rays Gold have made things interesting.

Had Blue won, they would be in the Gold Medal Game while Gold’s dreams would have been dashed.

Instead, Gold rolled their way to a 12-1 win to set up a grandstand finish tomorrow. More on that below.

Gold combined for 11 hits on the afternoon. They were led by the combination of Mylani-Ann Ngoungou (3), Chloe Waight (2), Laylah Newell (2) and Savannah Carnaby (2). The quartet combined for nine hits and nine RBI.

Sophie Anderson as stellar on the mound. She pitched the whole game, 5.0 innings, and struck out 10.

There are three games tomorrow on Baseball+ nobody has clinched a spot in the Gold Medal Game. Five teams have a mathematical chance of advancing. The standings and schedule is below.

WEST COAST RAYS GOLD

Hits (11): Mylani-Ann Ngoungou (3), Chloe Waight (2), Laylah Newell (2), Savannah Carnaby (2), Sophie Anderson, Makybe Castelli

RBI (11): Chloe Waight (5), Mylani-Ann Ngoungou (4), Savannah Carnaby, Olivia Hooper

Pitching: Sophie Anderson

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (5): Elsie Shaw (2), Amelia Castle, Bridget Foley, Andie Norvilas

RBI (1): Elsie Shaw

Pitching: Annabelle Vague, Elsie Shaw, Monet Padfield, Abigail Sibly

Head to www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au to plan your adventure while visiting for baseball.

Or, upgrade your weekend! Visit www.whatsonmoretonbay.com.au/ for more information.

08 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

Girls and Invitational Newspaper: July 8, Day 2 - Scores, Recaps, Highlights and More

Welcome to Redcliffe Baseball Club in beautiful Moreton Bay for the Little League Girls and Invitational tournaments. It’s Day 2.

Each day we will publish a story with recaps, stats, highlights and information on the tournament.

Scroll down for recaps.

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

Hub / Past Results: www.baseball.com.au/redcliffe

This tournamement is proudly brought to you by the City of Moreton Bay.

DAY 2 | SCHEDULE AND RESULTS – JULY 8 |

LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS
Watch free on Baseball+

– Hills 9 def Victoria Belles 7 | Replay on Baseball+
– Cronulla 12 def West Coast Rays Gold 11 | Replay on Baseball+
– West Coast Rays Blue 7 def Adelaide Seashorses 2 | Replay on Baseball+

LITTLE LEAGUE INVITATIONAL
Follow / Watch on GameChanger

– Melbourne Rangers 5 def Wanneroo Giants 3
– Sunshine Coast Riptides 9 def Adelaide Marlins 6

– Manly 15 def Melbourne Rangers 10
– Wanneroo Giants 12 def Sunshine Coast Riptides 10

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

CURRENT STANDINGS

GIRLS
*top two qualify for Gold Medal Game

West Coast Rays Blue 2-0-1
Adelaide Seahorses 2-1
Cronulla 2-1
West Coast Rays Gold 1-2
Hills 1-2
Victoria Belles 0-2-1

INVITATIONAL
*top three make finals (*clinched)

Manly 3-0*
Adelaide Marlins 1-1
Sunshine Coast Riptides 1-2
Melbourne Rangers 1-2
Wanneroo Giants 1-2

Finals Format for Invitational: Top three teams advance to Finals Friday. Records reset. Teams play each other once. Top two advance to Gold.

RECAP STORIES

GIRLS: Hills 9 def Victoria Belles 7 | Hills hold on for first win in game that went down to the wire

An epic back-and-forth battle.

After building an early 6-2 lead, Hills withstood a furious Belles comeback attempt to win 9-7. In fact, the feisty Belles came back to tie it at seven before Hills scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to clinch the victory.

The win was as complete of a team effort as you could have. Six different players recorded a hit, and six different players had an RBI.

They were even alert on a crazy defensive play:

Sophie Lotan starred. She had two hits, including a two-RBI double to push the Hills lead to 6-2.

Then the Belles came back. April Friend and Imogene Penna had key RBI in a four run fifth to knot the game. at seven.

Two ground outs cashed in the winning runs in the fifth for Hills. Tamara Jarczewski pitched a nervey final inning (and three in the game!).

Zoe Mudford and Lexi Quiane combined for ten strikeouts for the Belles. Quaine was pivitol in the Belles’ comeback attempt. She threw two innings with no hits or earned runs.

HILLS

Hits (6): Maia Voinea, Sophie Lotan, Elizabeth Stathers, Saphera Lachmund-Davis, Tamara Jarczewski, Evangeline Godden

RBI (8): Sophie Lotan (2), Elizabeth Stathers, Saphera Lachmund-Davis, Tamara Jarczewski (2), Evangeline Godden, Emerson McAdam

Pitching: Maia Voinea, Evangeline Godden, Tamara Jarczewski

BELLES

Hits (9): Zoe Mudford, Mahlia Rutgers, Aleayah Marshall (2), Jacey Lindsey, Madeline Jarvis, Abbie McPhail, Imogene Penna (2)

RBI (7): Jacey Lindsey, April Friend (2), Imogene Penna (2), Tanneale Marshall, Zoe Mudford

Pitching: Zoe Mudford, Lexi Quaine

GIRLS: Cronulla 12 def West Coast Rays Gold 11 | Crazy comeback from Cronulla to walk off West Coast Rays

By the third inning, Cronulla trailed 8-0. By the end of the game, they were celebrating a walk-off win.

Cronulla never quit in resilient 12-11 comeback victory to improve to 2-1.

Gold surged ahead early. Savannah Carnaby and Sophie Anderson combined for back-to-back hits in the third to jump out to a commanding eight run lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Cronulla scored six, capitalising off a series of walks. 8-6.

Gold slowly re-established a cushion, leading 10-6 in the bottom of the fifth. But, Cronulla scored three in the fifth and three in the sixth to secure a remarkable win.

In the final inning, Emily Pekert had a double, Haley Bone lined into a fielder’s choice and Emma Vuljanic absorbed a hit-by-pitch to tie the game at eleven. With bases loaded, Emilia Maclean worked a walk to win the game.

The win was emblematic of a heartwarming moment.

In the sixth, Emily Pekert injured herself while making a tag at home. She soldiered on only to take a great catch the next pitch, and double off the first pitch of the bottom of the inning.

Ameliah Nairn, Savannah Carnaby, Sophie Anderson and Mylani-Ann Ngoungou had two hits for West Coast Rays Gold. Chloe Waight pitched well, striking out six in two innings.

Catalina David and Emily Pekert combined for 10 strikeouts on the mound.

WEST COAST RAYS

Hits (10): Ameliah Nairn (2), Savannah Carnaby (2), Sophie Anderson (2), Chloe Waight, Mylani-Ann Ngoungou (2), Kathleen Cross

RBI (6): Savannah Carnaby (2), Sophie Anderson, Mylani-Ann Ngoungou, Magnolia Stone, Laylah Newell

Pitching: Chloe Waight, Magnolia Stone, Olivia Hooper, Makybe Castelli, Tamryn Nairn

CRONULLA

Hits (4): Catalina David, Emily Pekert, Ruby Kosanic, Haley Bone

RBI (12): Emilia Maclean (2), Kelsey Streater (2), Charlize Davis (2), Catalina David (2), Holly Fordyce, Emma Vuljanic, Tayah Perrin, Emily Pekert

Pitching: Catalina David, Emily Pekert

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Blue 7 def Adelaide Seahorses 2 | Pitching propels West Coast Rays Blue to top of standings

In a battle of the undefeateds, West Coast Rays Blue came out on top.

Amelia Castle and Rachel Hosken were excellent on the mound. They allowed just three hits across 5.0 combined innings, with just one walk and 13 strikeouts.

It allowed the offense to do it’s thing. Leading 3-1 after three, Blue fired off four runs in the fifth to build a commanding lead.

Defense also loomed large for Blue:

At the plate, Elsie Shaw and Amelia Castle led the way with two hits each.

More runs were scored in the sixth, but with a 13-4 lead, the score was reverted back to the end of the last completed inning due to time.

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (7): Elsie Shaw (2), Rachel Hosken, Amelia Castle (2), Abigail Sibly, Harper Wakefield

RBI (7): Lucy Homer, Amelia Castle (2), Annabelle Vague, Abigail Sibly, Bridget Foley, Harper Wakefield (2)

Pitching: Amelia Castle, Rachel Hosken, Astrid Young

ADELAIDE SEAHORSES

Hits (3): Mia-Grace Walton, Layla O’Reilly (2)
RBI (2): Layla O’Reilly (2)

Pitching: Layla O’Reilly, Shem Hawkes, Macy Qualmann, Winter Moroney, Audrey Capps, Zara Sims

INVITATIONAL: Melbourne Rangers 5 def Wanneroo Giants 3 | Rangers score five in the fifth to secure comeback win

The Melbourne Rangers were trailing 3-0 in the fifth before they went bang.

Melbourne scored five runs off four hits in a plucky team effort to secure their first win of the tournament.

Tanner Karlsen had two RBI. Chelsea Chambers had the other.

Wanneroo built up an early 3-0 advantage by the third inning. Connor Scott and Tatian H each drove in a run.

Hunter Downey, meanwhile, was cruising on the mound for the Giants. He threw 2.2 shutout innings, allowing two hits, one walk, no run and had four strikeouts.

Joey Cannazaro, Miles Winton and Keigo Takei each threw two innings for Melbourne, combining for eight strikeouts. Takei led all players with two hits.

MELBOURNE RANGERS

Hits (8): Archer Gibson, Zeph Fleiner, Reeve Sadler, Vincent Ratcliffe, Andre E, Keigo Taikei (2), Chelsea Chambers

RBI: Karlsen, Chambers

WANNEROO GIANTS

Hits (6): Connor Scott, Jaxon Brown, Tatian H, Liam Fisher, William Bergmann, Hamish McLachlan

RBI: Scott, Tatian H

INVITATIONAL: Sunshine Coast Riptides 9 def Adelaide Marlins 6 | Riptides claim first ever win at an Australian national championship

The Sunshine Coast Riptides have their first ever win at a national baseball championships.

They did it in style.

The Riptides stormed back from a 6-1 deficit by scoring four runs in the fourth and fifth innings to win 9-6.

The Marlins looked the goods early. Jonte Nottage doubled in a pair of runs in a seven hit first inning to give Adelaide a 6-1 lead.

But steady pitching from Braydon H and Max Calner helped give the Riptides a chance.

Rafael Monroy doubled in a run in the fourth – one of four scores to help move the Riptides within one. It was one of two hits for Monroy on the morning.

The big moment came in the fifth inning.

With the bases loaded, Jackson Caton singled which triggered a wild Little League style of events that scored all of the runs – including Caton. From 6-5 down to 9-6 up just like that.

The Marlins did have a cool moment in the last with Miles Johnston tossing an elusive three pitch inning.

Congrats to Sunshine Coast on their historic achievement.

SUNSHINE COAST

Hits (10): Max Calner, Jackson Caton, Levi Ngaha (2), Morgun Stanley, Rafael Monroy (2), Hunter L, Satori Refiti, Blake D

RBI: Monroy (2), Caton (2), Christian Martin, George Collins

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits (8): Oliver Wimhurst, Riley Clifton, Armando Gabriele Cerquozzi-Rodriguez, Harvey Sampson (2), Jonte Nottage, Kai Abe, Braxton B

RBI: Wimhurst, Sampson, Nottage (2), Abe, Braxton B

INVITATIONAL: Manly 15 def Melbourne Rangers 10 | Manly seal up top three spot and place in finals with a big win

Manly are 3-0! There’s hot start has guaranteed them a place in Friday’s finals.

Manly started hot, building a 13-2 lead by the middle of the fifth. It was important because Melbourne had a late charge.

Oliver Curtin played a big role in the win. He started the game and threw 3.0 innings, allowing just one hit, one run and had eight strikeouts. Curtin also chipped in with two hits at the plate.

Ayden Prevost, Cameron MacBride, Ryder Macpherson and Noah Donnelly all collected two hits in the win.

Manly scored in every inning, with their biggest dents to the scoreboard coming in a four run first and fourth.

Melbourne never quit. Down 13-2, the Rangers. scored a pair of runs the fourth and fifth before planting. a five-spot on in the last.

Tanner Karlsen led the team with two hits. Andre Earhart-Sedman had two RBI. Samuel Furness pitched well to keep the Rangers in it. He allowed struck out seven in five innings.

Manly improve to first place with a 3-0 record. Melbourne Rangers fall to 1-2 ahead of their game tomorrow vs Sunshine Coast Riptides (1-2).

In the finals, records reset and the top three teams from pool play will play each other again to determine who goes through to the Gold Medal game.

MANLY

Hits (12): Kitt Mote, Ayden Prevost (2), Cameron MacBride (2), Oliver Curtin (2), Ryder Macpherson (2), Noah Donnelly (2), Ziggy Avalon

RBI: Mote (2), MacBride (2), Curtin, Macpherson (2), Donnelly

MELBOURNE RANGERS

Hits (6): Tanner Karlsen (2), Andre Earhart-Sedman, Joey Cannizaro, Chelsea Chambers, Vincent Ratcliffe

RBI: Andre Earhart-Sedman (2), Chambers

INVITATIONAL: Wanneroo Giants 12 def Sunshine Coast Riptides 10 | Wanneroo comeback from six runs down to keep playoff hopes alive

Wanneroo have thrown the Invitational side of the tournament into chaos by scoring five runs in the last to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Needing a win to keep their top three playoff hopes alive, Wanneroo battled back from six runs down to claim their first win of the tournament.

It creates a log-jam heading into the final day, with the Giants, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne Rangers and Adelaide Armada all planted on one win. Only two teams will advance.

Things started well for Wanneroo. They led 3-0 early.

But Sunshine Coast ripped off five runs in the bottom of the first off of five hits.

A triple by Jackson Caton extended the Riptide lead to 9-3 in the second.

Wanneroo slowly chipped away to move within striking. distance by scoring in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings. They trailed 10-7 entering the last.

They proceeded to rattle off five runs on four hits. The biggest blow came from a single from Oliver Wimhurst. The Little Leaguer battled through a seven-pitch at bat, to drive a single to the outfield and score two runs.

Connor Scott pitched five innings in releif for the Giants, giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out five.

Jackson Caton had another big outing for Sunshine Coast, driving in a game-high three runs.

WANNEROO GIANTS

Hits (7): Chase Littlelow, Matthew Stone, Matthew Castle, Oliver Wimhurst, Liam Fisher, William Bergmann, Hamish McLachlin

RBI: Littleow, Jaxon B, Castle, Wimhust, Fisher, McLachlan

SUNSHINE COAST

Hits (10): Max Calner, Jackson Caton, Christian Martin, Levi Ngaha (2), Morgun Stanley (2), Rafael Monroy, George Collins (2)

RBI: Caton (3), Martin, Stanley, Monroy, Collins

Head to www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au to plan your adventure while visiting for baseball.

Or, upgrade your weekend! Visit www.whatsonmoretonbay.com.au/ for more information.

06 July 2026 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Little League

Girls and Invitational Newspaper: Day 1 - Scores, Recaps, Highlights and More

Welcome to Redcliffe Baseball Club in beautiful Moreton Bay for the Little League Girls and Invitational tournaments.

Each day we will publish a story with recaps, stats, highlights and information on the tournament.

Scroll down for recaps.

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

This tournamement is proudly brought to you by the City of Moreton Bay.

DAY 1 | RECAP, SCHEDULE AND RESULTS – JULY 7 |

LITTLE LEAGUE INVITATIONAL
Watch free on Baseball+

– Manly 4 def Wanneroo 3 | Replay on Baseball+
– Adelaide Marlins 6 def Melbourne Rangers 5 | Replay on Baseball+
– Manly 7 def Sunshine Coast 4

LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS
Follow / Watch on GameChanger

– Victoria Belles 9 TIE West Coast Rays Blue 9
– West Coast Rays Gold 15 def Hills 3
– Adelaide Seahorses 15 def Belles 10
– Cronulla 5 def Hills 4
– West Coast Rays Blue 9 def Cronulla 4
– Adelaide Seahorses 14 def West Coast Rays 8

Scoring: Girls | Invitational

Master Schedule: Tournament Schedule

STANDINGS

GIRLS

Adelaide Seahorses 2-0
West Coast Rays Blue 1-0-1
Cronulla 1-1
West Coast Rays Gold 1-1
Victoria Belles 0-1-1
Hills 0-2

INVITATIONAL

Manly 2-0
Adelaide Marlins 1-0
Sunshine Coast Riptides 0-1
Melbourne Rangers 0-1
Wanneroo Giants 0-1

RECAPS

INVITATIONAL: Manly 4 def Wanneroo Giants 3 | Max Brannan delivers walk-off hit as Manly stage epic comeback

Better late than never, right?

Manly scored four runs in the bottom of the last to storm back and stun the Giants in the first game of the Invitational tournament.

Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, Lachy Addison, Sidney Prevost, and Ryder Macpherson all had RBI to tie the game up. Then, with two outs and bases loaded, Max Brannan crunched a ball to centrefield to win the game.

Before that, it was all Wanneroo pitching. Jaxon Brown and Matthew Castle comined to allowed just three hits, one walk and no runs with 14 strikeouts through the first 5.1 innings of the game. Then? The Manly explosion.

Chase Littlelow had two hits for Wanneroo including the first RBI of the tournmanent.

Kitt MacBride, Noah Donnelly, and Blaise Reid combined to allow just three runs with 8 hits and three walks in 6.0 innings of work for the victors.

MANLY

Hits (5): Max Brannan, Cameron MacBride, Ayden Prevost, August, Kitt Mote
RBI: MacBride, Brannan, L. Addison, S. Prevost

WANNEROO

Hits (8): Chase Littlelow (2), Jaxon Brown, Matthew Castle, Hunter Downey, Matthew Stone, Oliver Curtin, Liam Fisher

RBI: Littlelow, Brown, Stone

INVITATIONAL: Adelaide Marlins 6 def Melbourne Rangers 5 | Kai Abe steals home as Marlins surge back to walk-off Rangers

With two outs, bases-loaded, the game-tied an a full count, Kai Abe bolted from third base in a risky play to steal home and win the game.

6-5 Marlins, your final.

The Fish entered the bottom of the last inning down 5-3, before using aggressive base running to capitalise off a series of walks.

The Rangers led most of the game, thanks to two-hit performances from Keigo Takei and Zeph Fleiner. Tanner Karlsen struck out seven in 3.0 innings while not allowing an earned. Karlsen also picked up an RBI.

Overall, Melbourne’s pitching combo of Karlsen, Joey Cannizaro, Miles Winton and Zeph Fleiner struck out 13.

Four Marlins – Riley Clifton, Kai Abe, Jonte Nottage and Finn Diment – combined to strike out 11.

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits (4): Harvey Sampson, Braxton B, Jonte Newell, Kai Abe
RBI: None

MELBOURNE RANGERS

Hits (7): K. Takei (2), Z. Fleiner (2), T. Karlsen, A. Gibson, L. Gardner
RBI: Karslen, Gardner

INVITATIONAL: Manly 7 def Sunshine Coast 4 | Manly overcome early deficit to start tournament 2-0

Two games, two wins! What a start for Manly.

Sunshine Coast scored a run in the first inning and led 1-0 in the third before Manly rattled off seven unansweed in the win.

Ayden Prevost had his second straight big game, this time tallying a pair of hits and an RBI.

Cameron MacBride looked the goods on the mound, striking out four in 1.1 innings. Ryder Macpherson had six strikeouts in 3.0 innings while Max Brannan closed the game out with three punch outs in 1.2 frames.

Christian Martin led the Riptides with three walks to get on base, and 1.0 innings of perfect work on the mound. Jackson Caton had two hits.

SUNSHINE COAST

Hits (4): Jackson Caton (2), Levi Ngaha, Blake D
RBI: Caton

MANLY

Hits (9): Ryder Macpherson, Cameron Macbride, Blaise Reid, Ayden Prevost (2), August R, Kitt Mote, Lachy Addison, Sidney Prevost

RBI: Reid, Macpherson, Prevost, Addison

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Gold 15 def Hills 3 | Dominating start for West Coast Rays Gold in run-rule victory

West Coast Rays Gold needed just over four innings to win their first game, 15-3 over Sydney’s Hills.

Rays Gold scored their 15 runs off four hits. Hills scored their three runs off three hits.

Savannah Carnaby was impressive for Gold. She threw 1.2 innings, allowing no hits and no runs with four strikeouts. She also went 1-for-1 with two walks, 3 RBI and a pair of runs.

Every player on the Gold roster reached base.

WEST COAST RAYS GOLD

Hits (4): S. Carnaby, C. Waight, M. Green, Mylani-Ann Ngoungou
RBI: Ngoungou, A. Nairn, Carnaby (3), T. Nairn, L. Newell, K. Cross, O. Hooper,

HILLS

Hits (3): M. Voinea, E. Stathers, A. Jackson
RBI: Voinea

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Blue 9 TIE Belles 9 | Belles score four runs in final inning to force tie

A back-and-forth contest saw the tournament’s first tie.

Moments after West Coast Rays Blue piled on six runs in the top of the fifth to take a 9-5 lead, the Belles poured on four of their own.

Imogene Penna (above) delivered a crucial two-RBI double in the last.

Monet Padfield led Blue with two RBI, both coming off a single in the six run inning.

Rachel Hosken, Annabelle Vague and Elsie Shaw combined for 11 strikeouts for Blue.

Imogene Penna, Jacey, Alia Friend and April Friend combined for 10 strikeouts for the Belles. Penna had six.

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (8): Heidi Foley, Elsie Shaw, Monet Padfield, Makenzie Magorian, Lucy Homer, Abigail Sibly, Bridget Foley, Harper Wakefield

RBI (5): Monet Padfield (2), Elsie Shaw, Lucy Homer, Harper Wakefield

BELLES

Hits (3): Aleayah Marshall (2), Imogene Penna
RBI (2): Imogene Penna (2)

GIRLS: Adelaide Seahorses 17 def Belles 10 | Seahorses score 11 unanswered in comeback win

The Adelaide Seahorses kicked it into high gear after falling behind 9-3 early. They proceeded to rip off eleven unanswered runs in the bottom of the second and third in a 15-10 victory.

Adelaide scored three in the first, five in the second and six in the third. In fact, it was 9-9 after two.

Sarah Handy played a big role in the comback. She pitched 1.1 innings with four strikeouts and no earned runs, acting as a settling force in the comeback win.

Layla O’Rielly had a triple for the Seahorses.

ADELAIDE SEAHORSES

Hits (6): Layla O’Rielly, Alyssa Marrich, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Shem Hawkes, Winter Moroney, Audrey Capps

RBI (6): Layla O’Rielly, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Macy Qualmann, Shem Hawkes, Winter Moroney, Audrey Capps

VICTORIA BELLES

Hits (4): Zoe Mudford, Lexi Quaine, Isla Lochhead, Erin White
RBI (2): Zoe Mudford, Abbie McPhail

GIRLS: Cronulla 5 def Hills 4 | Matilda May comes through with walk-off hit for Cronulla

Cronulla mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the final inning to erase a 4-2 deficit and win 5-4. Matilda May came through with a line-drive single to deliver. t he inning. run.

The winning moment came just minutes after Hills took the lead. They scored two runs in the top of the inning, capitalising off base-path chaos.

Caitlin Jefferies had six strikeouts in her relief appearance for the Hills.

Matilda May (above) had six strikeouts in 2.0 innings for Cronulla.

HILLS

Hits (7): Maia Voinea, Amelia Yates, Sophie Lotan (2), Caitlin Jefferies (2), Audrey Jackson

RBI (2): Sophie Lotan (2)

CRONULLA

Hits (3): Catalina David, Holly Fordyce (2), Matilda May

RBI (2): Catalina David, Holly Fordyce, Matilda May

GIRLS: West Coast Rays Blue 9 def Cronulla 4 | Rays Blue stay undefeated

Six runs in the first, three in the second. That was the power from West Coast Blue needed in their second game of the day.

Monet Padfield delivered the biggest blow of the game. Her bases clearing triple helped plate three runs and race Blue out to a 6-2 lead in the first inning.

Lucy Horner was also sensational on the mound. She pitched 4.1 innings in releif, giving up two hits, one run while striking out eight.

WEST COAST RAYS BLUE

Hits (5): Rachel Hosken, Elsie Shaw, Monet Padfield, Abigail Sibly, Harper Wakefield

RBI (7): Monet Padfield (3), Heidi Foley (2), Amelia Castle, Abigail Sibly
Cronulla LLG

CRONULL

Hits (2): Emily Pekert, Holly Fordyce
RBI (1): Kelsey Streater

GIRLS: Adelaide Seahorses 14 def West Coast Rays Gold 8 | Seahorses scores 11 unanswered AGAIN in comeback win

This isn’t a repeat of an earlier story. Although, it may read like it.

Down 6-3 in the second, the Seahorses scored 11 straight runs between the second and the fourth inning to improve to 2-0.

They did the same thing earlier today in a 17-10 win over the Belles.

Violet Harvey led the offensive outputs for either team, recording two hits and two RBI.

Six different Seahorses pitched (Ratfcliffe, Quallman, Moroney, O’Reilly, Harvey and Marrich) to combine for 13 strikeouts.

The Seahorses go to bed on top of the tournament with a 2-0 record.

SEAHORSES

Hits (7): Sophie Marrich, Layla O’Rielly, Alyssa Marrich, Kaylee Ratcliffe, Violet Harvey (2), Zara Sims

RBI (8): Sophie Marrich, Layla O’Rielly, Alyssa Marrich, Mia-Grace Walton, Audrey Capps, Violet Harvey (2), Zara Sims

WEST COAST RAYS GOLD

Hits (5): Ameliah Nairn, Sophie Anderson, Mylani-Ann Ngoungou, Chloe Waight, Laylah Newell

RBI (1): Laylah Newell

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