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Australia has won their first game at the Senior League World Series (U17) in South Carolina, holding off a late surge from Mexico to win 3-1.

Australia, represented by Senior League national champion Ryde Hawks (NSW), raced out to an early 3-0 lead and had to stand up to a relentless Mexican challenge late in the game.

Some tidy defense and clutch double plays helped Australia escape some tricky situations. Mexico had the bases-loaded with one-out in the sixth, and two runners on with no-out in the seventh. Australia induced inning ending double-plays on both occasions to keep Mexico off the board.

Lachlan Heap’s two-RBI single in the second inning was the offensive difference maker. Bradley Dalton also had two hits and scored.

Daniel Thwaites pitched the lion’s share of the game for Australia. He went 4.0 innings and allowed just one run.

Australia advances to the next round of this double-elimination tournament. They will play Curacao, the Carribean representative team, in the next round on Wednesday 2 August at 9:30AM AEST (Tuesday @ 7:30PM local time).

If they win that game, they will advance to the weekend’s international Championship Game, aka the semi-final of the Senior League World Series – a competition to determine the best club team in the world.

GAME RECAP

Things were scoreless early, large in part due to the efforts of Australia’s first female pitcher at the Senior League World Series. Isobel Lambert delivered a 1.2 inning performance allowing no runs, no hits and walking just two batters.

Congratulations to Isobel Lambert, who becomes the first Australian female to participate at the @slbws! #GirlsWithGame pic.twitter.com/HVE27HDZE0

— Little League (@LittleLeague) July 30, 2023

The Hawks had an initial breakthrough in the second inning. With bases loaded and two-outs, Lachlan Heap delivered a line drive single to score two runs and put Australia up 3-0.

From there, Ryde pitcher Daniel Thwaites took over. He navigated his first few innings cleanly, but Mexico started a rally in the late innings.

Mexico first pegged one back in the fifth. Back-to-back hits put the opposition in a threatening position with runners on second and third with just one out. Thwaites conceded just a sacrifice fly and Australia escaped by only allowing one run.

Then came the real pressure moment – a bases loaded jam in the sixth.

A walk and two straight singles put Australia on the ropes and juiced up the bases for Mexico. However, Thwaites induced an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play to keep Australia out of trouble.

In the end, it was a tidy little stat line for Thwaites. He tossed 4.0 innings of five-hit ball and allowed just the one run.

Australia had to work out of another tough situation in the seventh and final inning.

An error and a single and suddenly Mexico was threatening again with runners on first and second and nobody out.

Simon Slapeta induced a ground ball for a fielder’s choice, followed by a game-ending double play to seal it for Australia.

LATIN AMERICA (MEXICO): 1 Run, 6 Hits, 1 Errors.
0-0-0-0-1-0-0

AUSTRALIA REGION (RYDE HAWKS): 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Errors.
0-3-0-0-0-0-x

Hits: Lachlan Heap, Christian Lane, Bradley Dalton (2)
RBI: Lachlan Heap (2)

Pitchers
M. Harris: 0.1IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 1SO
Isobel Lambert: 1.2IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 1SO
Daniel Thwaites: 4.0IP, 5H, 1R, 1BB, 1SO
Simon Slapeta (Save): 1.0IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0SO,

Venezuela scored early and often in a 19-2 win over Australia in the second game of the WBSC Under 12 World Cup.

It’s Australia’s second loss of the tournament after falling to Germany on Saturday afternoon, despite a valiant comeback effort.

Australia may have dropped their opening game of the Under-12 World Cup by a 7-3 scoreline to Germany but a resilient never-say-die effort, some nice defensive plays and a wonderful display of sportsmanship leaves plenty of reasons to be proud.

To be fair, Australia’s youngest national team ran into a heck-of-a-pitcher.

German starting pitcher Felipe Morales took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. He delivered a big-time performance on the global stage he’ll never forget. He struck out seven batters and was looking confident all afternoon, dancing the baseball all around the strike-zone.

Above: Felipe Morales (Photo: WBSC)

Australia could have folded over and packed it in, but they didn’t. Despite being down seven runs going into the final inning, the team grinded out some tough at-bats vs Morales. The Green & Gold punched back with three late runs to apply some serious pressure on the Germans. That’s the never-say-die attitude we love to see.

Then there’s the sportsmanship.

Morales left the game with bases loaded in the sixth after fooling the Australian batters all game. When he left the game, Australian first baseman Oliver Allen (VIC) gave the German pitcher a cool little fist bump to the opposition in a tremendous display of respect and sportsmanship.

The final line on Morales reads 5.1 innings with two hit, four walks, three earned runs and seven strikeouts. The damage came from the final three batters he faced – he allowed a walk, hit-by-pitch and a double in his final three batters – not indicative of his start at all.

In another positive note for the Green & Gold, not many German-batters were able to power a ball to the outfield. They scored most of their runs off Australian walks, infield-hits and a handful of errors.

In total, Germany had five hits and Australia had three. Litsu Tamura (QLD) was the one that broke up the no-hitter and recorded Australia’s first base knock of the tournament.

The German infield was sensational most of the game. They made a number of athletic plays to retire Australian batters off hard-hit balls in play. Perhaps the Aussies would have reached base in club ball, but not at this World Cup.

Germany jumped Australia early. A patient approach at the plate led to four walks for the Germans and lots of pressure on the base paths.

Box Score: Australia vs Germany – U-12 World Cup

There weren’t many hard-hit balls, but singles to Liam Hagen and Willem Lenhart helped bring home three first inning scores for Germany.

It could have been more if it weren’t for a nifty backhanded catch from third baseman Toby Kelman (NSW) and a sharp line-drive snag from Oliver Allen (VIC) at first. Both those plays limited damage and kept the German bats at bay.

Australia had difficulty responding to the initial German strike, thanks in large part to the pitching from Morales.

After allowing a lead-off walk in the first inning, Morales proceeded to sit down the next eleven batters in order.

Germany added four more runs in the third inning. Only one ball left the infield that entire frame – a shallow pop fly to end an inning. Once again, Germany took advantage of walks and hits.

Australia’s push back came in the sixth inning. With bases loaded and one out, Allen had a deep left-field double that bounced off the wall to score a run. Mark Howell (WA) and Litsu Tamura (QLD) both had RBIs.

The spark was just too little, too late for Australia – but lots of positive signs to build from. Let’s hope it’s a great learning experience heading into their next game.

Australia will take on Venezuela at 11:00AM local time (1:00PM AEST) on Sunday. It won’t be easy – Venezuela didn’t allow a hit in their Saturday afternoon victory over Mexico.

A mass amount of rain due to a Typhoon passing by Taiwan has forced the postponement of Day 1 of the Under-12 World Cup.

The teams are not in any danger and are safe. There’s just a lot of rain.

WBSC is working hard on a revised schedule of play. Stay tuned to this page and Team Australia Baseball channels for updates.

UPDATE (6:50AEST): WBSC is still working on a revised schedule, but Day 2 of the U12 World Cup will continue as originally planned. Australia will play one game on Saturday 29 July – Germany at 4:30PM.

Seven Australian representative teams will be playing in a major global tournament between July 28 and September 10.

Head to our “International Hub” at www.baseball.com.au/internationalhub for all the latest links, story and coverage.

Alternatively, click on the “Events” tab for information.

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Australia has four representative teams heading to the United States for the Little League, Intermediate League, Junior League and Senior League World Series.

These prestigious tournaments are broadcast on ESPN and garner huge crowds and media attention across the USA.

Here’s what you need to know.

World Cup and International Baseball Silly Season is just days away. Australia’s Under-12 national team will be the ones kickstarting the party.

Australia has teams in the Under-12 World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Under-18 World Cup, Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Intermediate League World Series.

This team is a collection of elite 12 & under talent from across the great Australian lands who will head to Taiwan to battle the best kids from other countries.

There are two groups in the tournament. Australia is in Group A with Taiwan, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Venezuela. Group B features Czechia, Dominican Republic, South Korea, New Zealand, Panama and the USA.

The group stage runs from July 28 – August 1. Australia must finish in the Top 3 to qualify for the ‘Super Round’ vs the other Group’s Top 3 teams if they wish to medal at this event.

There is no doubt this tournament will be a life-changing experience for the players and their families. A trip to a ‘baseball-first’ country, new friends, competitive baseball and a lot of learning opportunities are on the horizon.

We’ll be providing coverage via our social media. Make sure you follow Team Australia Baseball on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The games will be broadcast via the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) GameTime App.

It’s an exciting experience for the kids, many of whom haven’t met each other before.

“I can’t wait until we’re at the airport,” says Australia’s U12 coach Phil Hemmer (NSW).

“You know what kids are like. They all have baseball in common, they’re all representing their country. They’ll walk up to each other and be best of mates.”

Players from around the country have been training with their high performances managers, or with coaches in their respective states. They’ve yet to play together – but they’ll be well acquainted soon.

Hemmer says wearing the Green & Gold and representing your country isn’t something you get to do every day.

“I hope and want everyone to feel the pride that I’m feeling,” he says. “I’d love to do something special. Can you imagine if we did something cool? Let’s go win some games do something nobody in this country has done before.”

The whole experience will be different. No longer will the players be battling on suburban grounds. They’re going to Taiwan – a country that is baseball mad with facilities many of these athletes haven’t seen before.

“I hope they learn a lot. I want them to experience and see things they haven’t seen before,” he says.

“I also want them to learn. I want them to succeed but I also want them to fail – I want them to see challenges and continue to learn to work things out. Baseball and life aren’t perfect. This will be great for them.”

We’re sure they’ll represent us with honour.

Here they are…

PLAYING ROSTER – 2023 U-12 WORLD CUP

Oliver Allen – VIC – 1B / Pitcher: A power guy. He’s a big Victorian hitter who has the ability to drive in some runs for his team.

Ignatius Carter – NSW – Utility: He can play all over the infield, outfield and even step on the mound. A tall, athletic kid that brings some versatility to the squad.

Chase Crew – QLD – 1B /P : Chase will be relied on to drive in some runs and play some good defense. He had a solid Little League National Championship and was serviceable across the diamond – a cool kid!

Jacob Cruz – NSW – Utility: Coach Phil Hemmer says he’s got a “heck of a swing.” He can handle any position asked and is a great athlete.

Ashton Diplock – SA – Utility: South Australia’s only representee on the squad. Ashton can play nearly everywhere – he had a stand out Little League Nationals that put him on the radar.

Bodhi Evans – VIC – Utility: Don’t be fooled by his size – he may be smaller than others on the field but he can flat out play. He moves on the infield like he’s been doing it his whole life. Anywhere Bodhi plays is slick – very sure handed.

Travis Holborrow – NSW – Catcher:  One of the main catchers on the squad. He is little but has a great defender with no issues throwing guys out at second base. Travis is a good lefty bat and a refined catcher for his age who works hard at his craft.

Mark Howell – WA – OF: Mark made an impression on selectors at the Little League Championships with some standout plays in centrefield. He has a bazooka – an absolute cannon of an arm. He runs around the outfield like it’s his day job.

Hugh Kelly – NSW – P/INF: He’s already put a stamp to his name as a candidate to be a real leader of the team. He’s a big, strong, tall kid that will likely pitch some big games. He can be sent out on short notice and will just throw strikes.

Toby Kelman – NSW – P/C/INF: What can’t he do?! A power bat who hit the ball really hard at nationals. He’s the complete package who can pitch and catch as well as play infield.

Zavier Leigh – QLD – OF / P: One of Australia’s only left-handed bats on the team. From all reports, his nationals were stellar – he played so well he pushed his way on the team. He should be proud of how he played. “I can see him being a big contributor,” says coach Phil.

Max Minard – NSW – P/OF: A late addition to the team but make no mistake – he deserves to be here. He’s shown a lot of improvement and can really let things fly with the call-up. A versatile player.

Archer Peterson – QLD – P/INF: One of the main arms and could be in a leadership role with the team. He is a great competitor and won some epic duals with great players at the Little League Nationals.

Maisen Ricketts – VIC – C: One of the main catchers on the squad. He didn’t go to the Little League National championships (his charter didn’t make it) but coaches in Victoria speak highly of him. He is a solid defender with a good arm.

Harry Roberts – NSW – P/Util: He’s a very controlled guy who can throw a lot of innings and can play outfield and infield. He asks a lot of questions and is a good student of the game.

Litsu Tamura  – QLD – C/INF: Didn’t go to Little League Nationals because his charter didn’t make it. But Litsu trialed after the fact and made an impression. He’s another C / INF with versatility. He will play a big role. A tall kid with a big bat.

Jacob Tayler – VIC – OF / P: A fantastic young man who is very polite and an astute student of the game. he is very disciplined at training. Jacob has a strong bat that will play – a run scoring potential guy.

Harrison Thomas McLean – NSW – P: A tall leader on the team.  He is strong, throws hard and hits hard. Harrison does everything with intent.

A talented team of youngsters will put on the green and gold for the first time in their baseball careers as they represent Australia in the 2023 WBSC Under 12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan from July 28th to August 6th.

The Australian squad finds themselves in Group A, featuring powerhouses Japan, Mexico and Chinese Taipei. The top three finishers of each group in the Open Round will then advance to the Super Round, while the other six teams will play the Placement Round.

The first and second-place teams of the Super Round will play for the U-12 World Title, while the third and fourth-place finishers will compete for a bronze medal.

Fresh off the 2023 Australian Little League Championships, the World Cup provides an opportunity for Australian players to showcase their abilities and cement their status as global baseball contenders.

WBSC event hub – click here.