21 May 2026
Day 1 Newspaper | Scores and Stories from Intermediate and Junior League in Lismore
The sun is shining in Lismore as the 2026 Australian Intermediate League and Junior League Championships get underway.
By Monday, two teams will earn the right to represent Australia at their respective World Series events.
Welcome to your Newspaper Story. This will bring you today’s scores, quick game recaps, key stats, highlights, and photos from across both tournaments.
Intermediate League was a lot of fun – and has wrapped up. We saw a triple play, lots of homers, and two teams clinch finals! We have them below.
In Junior League, two teams start undefeated.
To watch live and free, head to Baseball+ via the app or at Baseball+. The master schedule can be found here.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE AND SCORES
JUNIOR LEAGUE – Tournament Hub
– Eastern Phantoms 14 def Canberra Rangers 6
– Hills Blue 4 def Wanneroo Giants 1
– Hills Blue 9 def Gold Coast 1
– Melbourne Athletics 11 def Brisbane North 9
– Adelaide Marlins 8 def Wanneroo Giants 6
– Cronulla Black 10 def Brisbane North 0
– Adelaide Marlins 17 def Melbourne Twins 8
Live Scoring via GameChanger
INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE – Tournament Hub
– Adelaide Armada 9 def Gold Coast 5
– Southern Titans 9 def Melbourne Twins 6
– Ryde Red 11 def Eastern Phantoms 1
– Cronulla Black 5 def Brisbane Metro 4
– Southern Titans 10 def Brisbane Metro 5
– Cronulla Black 15 def Melbourne Twins 1
Live Scoring via GameChanger
STANDINGS
JUNIOR LEAGUE
Top three in each group make finals
Pool A
Hills Blue 2-0
Adelaide Marlins 2-0
Melbourne Twins 0-2
Gold Coast 0-1
Wanneroo Giants 0-2
Pool B
Eastern Phantoms 1-0
Melbourne Athletics 1-0
Cronulla Black 1-0
Canberra Rangers 0-1
Brisbane North 0-2
INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE
Top two in each group make finals
*clinched finals
Pool A
Adelaide Armada 1-0
Ryde Red 1-0
Eastern Phantoms 0-1
Gold Coast 0-1
Pool B
Cronulla Black 2-0*
Southern Titans 2-0*
Brisbane Metro 0-2
Melbourne Twins 0-2
RECAPS – JUNIOR LEAGUE
EASTERN PHANTOMS 14 def CANBERRA RANGERS 6 | Phantoms erase five-run deficit to storm past Canberra Rangers in Junior League opener
After surrendering the first home run of the tournament and falling behind by five runs in the opening inning, Eastern Phantoms responded with 14 of the game’s final 15 runs to defeat Canberra Rangers 14-6 on Thursday.
Canberra exploded out of the gates in the top of the first.
Lincoln Barrett opened the scoring with a two-run double before Eric Cochrane launched the first home run of the 2026 Australian Junior League Championships, a three-run shot to left field that gave the Rangers a quick 5-0 lead.
Eastern Phantoms slowly chipped away before completely flipping the game in the fourth inning.
Trailing 5-4 entering the frame, the Phantoms erupted for six runs on five hits to take control. Lincoln Ellis delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a two-run single as Eastern surged ahead 10-5.
The offense never slowed down.
Eastern added four more runs across the fifth and sixth innings while the bullpen locked things down after the rocky opening frame. Riley Malcolm, Brody Warner, Lincoln Ellis, Jordan Abbot and Bailey Stingers all combined for scoreless relief appearances.
Ellis finished 2-for-3 with three RBI to lead the Phantoms offensively, while Hunter Gordon also drove in three runs. Eastern showed patience throughout the lineup, drawing 13 walks in the win.

Cochrane drove in three runs for Canberra with his first inning homer, while Barrett and Kale McIntyre each collected two hits.
EASTERN PHANTOMS
Hits: Lincoln Ellis 2, Riley Malcolm 1, Hunter Gordon 1, Joshua Watts 1, Samuel Gardiner 1, Troy Kingma 1, Ryder Canny 1
RBI: Hunter Gordon 3, Lincoln Ellis 3, Riley Malcolm 2, Joshua Watts 1, Brody Warner 1, Brody Perkins 1, Ryder Canny 1
WP: Lincoln Ellis 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K
CANBERRA RANGERS
Hits: Kale McIntyre 2, Lincoln Barrett 2, Eric Cochrane 1, J. Bentley 1
RBI: Eric Cochrane 3, Lincoln Barrett 2, E. Lessard 1
HR: Eric Cochrane
LP: K. Blundell 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 K
HILLS BLUE 4 def WANNEROO GIANTS 1 | Three-peat World Series-chasing Hills Blue open with statement win over Wanneroo
A group already etched into Australian youth baseball history took another step toward a third straight World Series appearance on Thursday, with Hills Blue defeating Wanneroo Giants 4-1 to open the 2026 Australian Junior League Championships.
This Hills core continues to attempt to build one of the country’s great junior dynasties.
The team represented Australia at the 2024 Little League World Series before winning the 2025 Intermediate League Championship to secure a second straight international berth. Now, they are chasing a third World Series appearance in as many years across a third division.
Sayre Howick starred in the opener, going 2-for-2 with three RBI to power the Hills offense.

After driving in the opening run in the first inning, Howick added another key RBI knock during a two-run fourth inning that helped Hills create separation.
Harry Hobbs also collected two hits, while the Hills pitching staff combined to allow just four hits and one run across seven innings.
Spencer Dobb opened with 2.2 scoreless innings before Justin Jang struck out five across 3.1 strong innings in relief. Harry Dobb closed out the victory with a scoreless seventh.
Wanneroo continued to pressure on the bases throughout the game, stealing six bags. Tate Oldfield led the Giants with two hits and two stolen bases.
Hills also played flawless defense, finishing without an error.
HILLS BLUE
Hits: Harry Hobbs 2, Sayre Howick 2, Hudson Dobb 1, Fletcher Dobb 1, Thomas Whalley 1
RBI: Sayre Howick 3, Thomas Whalley 1
WP: Justin Jang 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 K
WANNEROO GIANTS
Hits: Tate Oldfield 2, J. Bond 1, C. Bennetts 1
RBI: Declan Burns 1
LP: C. Branch 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 K
HILLS BLUE 9 def GOLD COAST 1 | Sayre Howick announces himself as Hills Blue roll on
The two-time champions and tournament favourites kept rolling on Thursday, with Hills Blue crushing Gold Coast 9-1 behind a huge all-around performance from Sayre Howick.
Howick did it everywhere.
He launched a two-run homer in the first inning to help Hills jump out to an early lead, then dominated on the mound with seven strikeouts across 3.1 innings.
The powerhouse Hills group, chasing a third straight World Series appearance after winning the 2024 Little League and 2025 Intermediate League national titles, never looked back.
Ethan Cross and Hugh Graham slammed the door out of the bullpen, combining for 3.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts as Hills punched out 13 batters as a staff.
Fletcher Dobb collected two hits and two RBI, while the Hills lineup showed patience all game with nine walks.
Hills are 2-0 and in good shape to make finals with two games left to play.
HILLS BLUE
Hits: Fletcher Dobb 2, Levi Lawes 1, Harry Hobbs 1, Sayre Howick 1, Anton Jacovides 1, Ethan Cross 1, Hugh Graham 1
RBI: Sayre Howick 2, Fletcher Dobb 2, Hugh Graham 2, Alex Jacovides 1
HR: Sayre Howick 1
Pitching:
– Sayre Howick: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 7 K
– Ethan Cross: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
– Hugh Graham: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K
GOLD COAST
Hits: Banjo Shearer 1, Nate Marr 1, Benjamin Courts 1, Christopher Hill 1
RBI: Christopher Hill 1
MELBOURNE ATHLETICS 11 def BRISBANE NORTH 9 | Athletics survive frantic Brisbane North comeback attempt

Melbourne Athletics held off a furious late rally from Brisbane North to escape with an 11-9 win in one of the wildest games of Day 1 at the Junior League Championships.
The Athletics looked in complete control after building an 11-2 lead through five innings before Brisbane North erupted for seven unanswered runs to nearly steal it late.
Melbourne jumped ahead early in the opening inning when Charlie Fegan grounded out to score a run before two more crossed on an error.
Haydn Doganay added to the lead with an RBI double in the third before the Athletics blew the game open with a six-run fifth inning.
Doganay drew a bases-loaded walk, Leo Moulton ripped a two-run double, Albert Baragwanath grounded out to score another, and Phillip Toye also drew a run-scoring walk as Melbourne pushed its advantage to nine.
Brisbane North refused to go away.
The Queensland side answered with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to RBI hits from Lachlan Gale, Joshua Campbell-Manfield and Logan Roberson, before continuing to chip away in the sixth.
Despite the pressure, Melbourne’s bullpen managed to hang on.
John Gogos started the game before Alexander Knell, Fegan, Hao (Tony) Huang, Doganay and Toye combined out of the bullpen. Fegan closed things out with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts.
Melbourne collected 12 hits in the victory, with Fegan, Jackson Berg and Doganay all recording two-hit games. Moulton, Baragwanath and Doganay each drove in two runs.
Brisbane North also finished with 12 hits. Issei Hamano collected two hits, while Aaron Bell drove in two runs.
MELBOURNE ATHLETICS
Hits: Jackson Berg 2, Charlie Fegan 2, Haydn Doganay 2, Leo Moulton 1, John Gogos 1, Albert Baragwanath 1, Josh Moulds 1, EvieLane 1, Alexander Knell 1
RBI: Haydn Doganay 2, Leo Moulton 2, Albert Baragwanath 2, Charlie Fegan 1
Pitching:
– John Gogos: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER
– Haydn Doganay: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K
– Hao (Tony) Huang: 1.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 K
– Alexander Knell: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 K
– Phillip Toye: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R
– Charlie Fegan: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
BRISBANE NORTH
Hits: Issei Hamano 2, Logan Roberson 1, Xander Reid 1, Edward Bain 1, Aaron Bell 1, Lachlan Gale 1, Luke Baisley 1, Braxton Black 1, Joshua Campbell-Manfield 1, Patrick Fogg 1, Mitchell Larkin 1
RBI: Aaron Bell 2, Joshua Campbell-Manfield 2, Logan Roberson 1, Lachlan Gale 1, Patrick Fogg 1, Braxton Black 1, Issei Hamano 1
Pitching:
– Patrick Fogg: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 K
– Edward Bain: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 1 K
– Xander Reid: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 K
– Luke Baisley: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
– Lachlan Gale: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K
CRONULLA BLACK 10 def BRISBANE NORTH 0 | Cronulla Black Throw Combined Shutout To Improve To 2-0 At Junior League Championships
Cronulla Black are off to strong start to the 2026 Junior League Championships with a dominant 10-0 win over Brisbane North, who fall to 0-2.
A three-pitcher combined shutout led the way for Cronulla, while Logan Glasheen and Kai Shibata sparked the offence as the side improved to 2-0 in pool play.

Zack Fordyce started and tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Pyke followed with a clean inning before Potter closed the game with three strikeouts in the fifth.
Cronulla struck first in the opening inning when Franklin Pyke walked, Logan Glasheen ripped an RBI double and Christopher Blyton drove in a run with a groundout to make it 3-0.
The lead quickly ballooned in the second inning. Fenix Cutajar doubled home a run, Hudson Shorey drew a bases-loaded walk and two more runs scored on a wild pitch as Cronulla pushed the margin to 7-0.
Cronulla added another in the third when Glasheen singled home a run before closing the scoring in the fifth.
Glasheen finished 2-for-2 with two RBI, while Shibata also collected two hits and stole four bases in an aggressive Cronulla running game that produced nine steals overall.
Cutajar and Lincoln Potter each drove in runs, while Blyton added an RBI. Franklin Pyke scored twice and reached base twice via walk.
Brisbane North managed five hits, with Mitchell Larkin, Issei Hamano, Callum Wheeler, Luke Baisley and Xander Reid all recording singles.
Cronulla Black will now take a 2-0 record into Friday’s matchup against Melbourne Athletics.
CRONULLA BLACK
Hits: Logan Glasheen 2, Kai Shibata 2, Fenix Cutajar, Lincoln Potter, Benjamin Napier
RBI: Logan Glasheen 2, Fenix Cutajar, Lincoln Potter, Christopher Blyton
BRISBANE NORTH
Hits: Mitchell Larkin, Issei Hamano, Callum Wheeler, Xander Reid, Luke Baisley
ADELAIDE MARLINS 8 def WANNEROO GIANTS 6 | Zischke delivers late as Adelaide Marlins edge Wanneroo in Junior League thriller
Adelaide Marlins survived a back-and-forth battle against Wanneroo Giants, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning to secure an 8-6 victory on Thursday to open their tournament with a win.
With the game tied 6-6 entering the final frame, Jack Zischke came through with the decisive hit, ripping a two-run single to put Adelaide back in front and cap a dramatic finish.
The contest swung repeatedly throughout the afternoon.
Wanneroo struck first in the second inning when Harvey Scaife singled home a run, before Adelaide responded with a huge five-run fifth inning to grab a 5-3 lead. Tyrone Cutler’s RBI fielder’s choice highlighted the rally.
But the Giants answered immediately.
Connor Branch drove in a run with a single in the bottom of the fifth before Wanneroo edged ahead 6-5 in the sixth inning after Cody Bennetts laid down a go-ahead sacrifice bunt.
Adelaide refused to go away.
Levi Burns opened the seventh-inning rally with an RBI single before Zischke delivered the game-winning blow moments later, scoring two and giving the Marlins the lead for good.
Zischke starred in the middle of the lineup, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBI. Jet Connor and Jack Bowden also collected two hits apiece as Adelaide piled up 11 hits and swiped eight bases.
Bowden, who was named to Australia’s U15 national team today, started on the mound for Adelaide and struck out four across three innings. Burns, Zischke, and Sam Clarke combined in relief before Clarke recorded the final out to seal the win.
Wanneroo collected nine hits in the loss, with Harvey Scaife leading the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance. Declan Burns added two hits, while the Giants also stole six bases in an aggressive offensive display. Wanneroo fall to 0-1.
ADELAIDE MARLINS
Hits: Jack Zischke 2, Jack Bowden 2, Jet Connor 2, Levi Burns, Haskett, Redding, Camerlengo, Mogg
RBI: Jack Zischke 2, Levi Burns, Tyrone Cutler, Jack Bowden, Charlie Sanders
WANNEROO
Hits: Harvey Scaife 3, Declan Burns 2, Connor Branch, Hayden Thomas, Jacob Bond, B Gordon
RBI: Connor Branch, Cody Bennetts, B Gordon, Harvey Scaife
ADELAIDE MARLINS def MELBOURNE TWINS | Marlins make Statement with explosive 2-0 start at Junior League Championships

The Adelaide Marlins have stormed out of the gates at the 2026 Junior League Championships, opening Day 1 with two impressive wins to sit equal top of Pool A.
After a dramatic 8-6 comeback win over Wanneroo earlier in the day, Adelaide backed it up with an offensive explosion, defeating Melbourne Twins 17-8 on Thursday night.
The Marlins showed they can win in multiple ways.
Game one required late-inning heroics, with Jack Zischke delivering the go-ahead hit in the seventh inning against Wanneroo.
Game two was built on relentless pressure, aggressive baserunning, and timely hitting as Adelaide piled on 17 runs.
One player who stood at the centre of it all was Jack Bowden.
Earlier in the morning, Bowden was named to Australia’s U15 National Team. He then delivered one of the standout individual performances of the tournament so far.
Across the two wins, Bowden finished 4-for-6 with two doubles, four RBI, and five stolen bases while also throwing three innings with just one earned run allowed and four strikeouts.
Against Melbourne, Adelaide erased an early deficit by scoring four runs in the first inning before repeatedly answering every Twins push.
Melbourne tied the game 6-6 in the fourth inning, but the Marlins immediately responded. Casey Sanders delivered a two-run single before Alexander Camerlengo added another run-scoring play to restore control.
Adelaide then blew the game open with a five-run sixth inning, highlighted by another Bowden RBI double as the Marlins raced away for the mercy-rule victory.
The Marlins finished with 10 hits, eight walks, and an astonishing 14 stolen bases in the game. Combined across both victories on Thursday, Adelaide stole 21 bases as a team, including a steal of home.
Even more impressively, all 13 Adelaide players reached base in the win over Melbourne.
Jake Redding started strongly on the mound with five strikeouts across three innings, while Jamie Ferris, Ashton Mogg, Sam Clarke, and Jet Connor combined for shutout relief innings to close the game.
Melbourne Twins collected 11 hits of their own, with Mason Cvetanoski, Isaac Davis, and Jacob Low all recording multi-hit games.
ADELAIDE
Hits: Jack Bowden 2, Sebastien Haskett, Levi Burns, Jack Zischke, Jet Connor, Tyrone Cutler, Casey Sanders, Noah Sutherland, Sam Clarke
RBI: Jack Bowden 3, Casey Sanders 2, Sebastien Haskett, Jack Zischke, Noah Sutherland
MELBOURNE TWINS
Hits: Mason Cvetanoski 2, Isaac Davis 2, Jacob Low 2, Myles McKelvie, Drayden Jo, Tyler Thomas, L. Fazio, Chester Ferguson
RBI: Mason Cvetanoski 2, Chester Ferguson 2, Isaac Davis, Myles McKelvie, Tyler Thomas
RECAPS – INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE
SOUTHERN TITANS 9 def MELBOURNE TWINS 6 | Preston Taylor’s three RBI lead Southern Titans past Melbourne Twins in tournament opener
Preston Taylor delivered the biggest swing of the game with a three-run double as Southern Titans opened the 2026 Australian Intermediate League Championships with a 9-6 win over Melbourne Twins on Thursday.
With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the third, Taylor (bel0w) ripped a bases-clearing double to put the Titans back in front for good. A bases-loaded walk to Brodie Carr later in the inning extended the lead to 6-2.

Southern Titans had jumped out early in the first when Jack Clarke doubled home a run before Archie Golding followed with an RBI single for a quick 2-0 advantage.
Melbourne responded in the third after Brodie Leigh smoked a two-run double down the left field line to even the game.
The Twins kept battling throughout the contest, scoring twice in both the fourth and seventh innings, but Southern Titans continued to pressure on the bases and finished with 11 stolen bases in the win.
Taylor and Golding each collected two hits for Southern Titans, with Golding also driving in two runs. Carr was strong out of the bullpen, striking out five across 2.2 scoreless innings.
Leigh paced Melbourne offensively, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. Tiger Ah-Lit added three stolen bases, while the Twins drew seven walks as a team.
SOUTHERN TITANS
Hits: Preston Taylor 2, Archie Golding 2, Jack Clarke, Cody Knott, Jacob Golding
RBI: Preston Taylor 3, Archie Golding 2, Jack Clarke
WP: Brodie Carr 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 K
MELBOURNE TWINS
Hits: Brodie Leigh 2, Jackson McKenner, Thomas Macaulay
RBI: Brodie Leigh 2, Tiger Ah-Lit, Isaac Low
HR: None
LP: Seleyne Ilievski 1.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 K
ADELAIDE ARMADA 9 def GOLD COAST 5 | Adelaide Armada pitching staff powers opening win over Gold Coast
Adelaide Armada showcased its pitching depth in the opening game of the 2026 Australian Intermediate League Championships, defeating Gold Coast 9-5 behind a dominant performance from six different arms.
The Armada struck first in the opening inning when Ethan Zoontjens delivered an RBI single before Adelaide slowly built separation through the middle innings.
Adelaide’s pitching was the story early.

Archer Spratt (above) overpowered Gold Coast hitters with seven strikeouts across 2.1 scoreless innings to open the game, while Archie Wallis followed with a clean inning and three more strikeouts. In total, Armada pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts while working around eight hits and seven stolen bases.
Gold Coast stayed within striking distance and produced the biggest swing of the game in the sixth inning when Tace Ahu launched a two-run homer to right field to cut into the deficit.
Adelaide responded immediately.
Ethan Zoontjens and Harrison Malec each collected two hits, while Zoontjens, Angus Deer, Cooper Scarabotti and Brock Harding all drove in two runs apiece.
The Armada also showed patience offensively, drawing nine walks. Harvey Ingram and Spratt each walked twice, while Ingram added two stolen bases.
Gold Coast used seven pitchers in the game and received multi-hit performances from Jayden Zheng and Luku Masuda.
ADELAIDE ARMADA
Hits: Ethan Zoontjens 2, Harrison Malec 2, Jack Blanton 1, Brock Harding 1, Angus Deer 1, Cooper Scarabotti 1
RBI: Ethan Zoontjens 2, Angus Deer 2, Cooper Scarabotti 2, Brock Harding 2
WP: Archer Spratt 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 7 K
GOLD COAST
Hits: Luku Masuda 2, Jayden Zheng 2, Aidan Heschl 1, Reef Bevan 1, KeCheng Huang 1, Tace Ahu 1
RBI: Tace Ahu 2, Jayden Zheng 1, Reef Bevan 1, KeCheng Huang 1
HR: Tace Ahu
LP: Kahu Bishop 0.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER
CRONULLA BLACK 5 def BRISBANE METRO 4 | Cronulla Black rally, hold on late to edge Brisbane Metro in Intermediate League opener

Cronulla Black used a three-run fifth inning to break a tie and escape with a 5-4 victory over Brisbane Metro in a back-and-forth Intermediate League battle on Thursday.
Brisbane Metro struck first in the opening inning when Zachary Nolan grounded out to bring home a run before extending the lead to 2-1 in the second on a Parker Blowes RBI groundout.
Cronulla responded.
Zeke Coughlin tied the game in the second with an RBI groundout before Mason Hayes delivered another game-tying RBI single in the fourth inning.
The game turned in the fifth.
Ash Garner ripped a go-ahead double down the right field line before sacrifice flies and walks from Kobe Chu and Axle Stubbs helped Cronulla push across three runs to grab control.
Brisbane Metro had a pushback in the sixth, scoring twice to move the scoreline to 5-4. Thats’ as close as they’d come.
Will Crynes gave Cronulla a strong start on the mound, allowing just one hit across four innings while striking out three. Ethan Uncle followed with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts before Mason Hayes closed the final two innings.
Felix Moncrieff was impressive early for Brisbane Metro, striking out five over 2.1 innings without allowing a hit.
Ash Garner, Ethan Uncle, Axle Stubbs, Cooper Jacenko, Ned Rankin, Mason Hayes and Will Crynes all recorded hits for Cronulla, while Hayes added two stolen bases.
CRONULLA BLACK
Hits: Ash Garner 1, Ethan Uncle 1, Axle Stubbs 1, Mason Hayes 1, Ned Rankin 1, Cooper Jacenko 1, Will Crynes 1
RBI: Ash Garner 1, Kobe Chu 1, Axle Stubbs 1, Mason Hayes 1, Zeke Coughlin 1
WP: Ethan Uncle 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
BRISBANE METRO
Hits: Alex Rosuck 1, Thomas Lamb 1, Riley Kameus 1
RBI: Alex Rosuck 1, Zachary Nolan 1, Parker Blowes 1
LP: Parker Blowes 2.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 K
RYDE RED 11 def EASTERN PHANTOMS 1 | Ryde Red launch four homers in dominant opening game win.
Kye Matthewson, Flynn Helliar, Liam Kelly and Brian Huang all homered as Ryde Red powered past Eastern Phantoms 11-1.
Many of the Ryde players featured in last year’s Little League Championship gold medal game and looked every bit the experienced tournament group in their opening Intermediate League outing.
Eastern Phantoms struck first in the opening inning when Harrison Mann grounded out to score a run, but Ryde answered quickly.
Matthewson launched a two-run homer to centre field in the top of the second to hand Ryde a 2-1 lead before Helliar broke the game open an inning later with a three-run blast.
Ryde continued to pile on throughout the middle innings. Kelly connected for a solo homer in the fourth before Miles Powell added an RBI single. Huang then capped the performance with a two-run shot in the seventh.
The Ryde pitching staff matched the offence.
Matthewson started on the mound and struck out six across 2.2 innings while allowing just one unearned run. Yoh Kaneko, Billy Kiddle and Kevin Park combined to close out the final 4.1 innings as Ryde pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts.
Ryde finished with 10 hits and seven stolen bases in the victory.
Thomas Phelps and Powell each collected two hits, while Helliar drove in a game-high three runs. Madeleine Cesare drew two walks, while Kevin Park and Powell each stole multiple bases.
Eastern Phantoms were led by Bentley Bolton, who collected two hits from the leadoff spot. Mann drove in the team’s lone run.
RYDE RED
Hits: Thomas Phelps 2, Miles Powell 2, Flynn Helliar 1, Jenson Koch 1, Liam Kelly 1, Kye Matthewson 1, Brian Huang 1, Yoh Kaneko 1
RBI: Flynn Helliar 3, Kye Matthewson 2, Brian Huang 2, Jenson Koch 1, Liam Kelly 1, Miles Powell 1
HR: Flynn Helliar, Kye Matthewson, Liam Kelly, Brian Huang
Pitching:
– Kye Matthewson: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 6 K
– Yoh Kaneko: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
– Billy Kiddle: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 K
– Kevin Park: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
EASTERN PHANTOMS
Hits: Bentley Bolton 2, Bremer Renwick 1, Mason Scott 1, Aiden Gianatti 1
RBI: Harrison Mann 1
Pitching:
– Riley Connaughton: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 K
– Mason Scott: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 K
– Harrison Mann: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 K
– Bremer Renwick: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 K
– Judd Moyle: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 K
– Aubree Mills: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 K
CRONULLA BLACK 15 def MELBOURNE TWINS 1 | Two homer as Cronulla Black Stay Perfect With Mercy-Rule Win Over Melbourne Twins
Cronulla Black improved to 2-0 and grabbed a stranglehold on Pool B with a 15-1 run rule win to conclude their double-header day.
Ash Garnero and Tim Wicks both homered for Cronulla, who exploded offensively with five-run innings in both the third and fifth frames.

Cronulla opened the scoring in the first before taking full control in the third inning. Ash Garnero launched a home run as part of the rally, while the lead continued to grow with four runs in the fourth and another five-run outburst in the fifth.
Garnero finished 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI to lead the offence, while Wicks added a two-run homer. Cooper Jacenko continued a strong tournament with two hits, three runs scored, one RBI and three stolen bases.
Will Crynes also collected two hits and drove in two runs, while Zeke Coughlin scored twice and added an RBI. Axle Stubbs, Ned Rankin and Kobe Chu each contributed hits as Cronulla piled up 11 hits and seven walks.
On the mound, Kobe Chu was excellent in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Tyler Rixon started the game before Jacenko closed it out with 1.1 hitless innings and two strikeouts.
Melbourne Twins scored their lone run in the first inning and finished with four hits. Malcolm Scott led the offence with two hits, while Brodie Leigh drove in the team’s only run. Alexander Ward also recorded a hit.
Tiger Ah-Lit started on the mound for Melbourne Twins, with Len Farrow, Nathan Macaulay and Harvey Coone also appearing in relief.
A win for the Southern Titans later today would mean Cronulla clinch a spot in top two.
CRONULLA
Hits: Ash Garnero 2, Cooper Jacenko 2, Will Crynes 2, Kobe Chu, Tim Wicks, Axle Stubbs, Ned Rankin, Zeke Coughlin
RBI : Ash Garnero 4, Tim Wicks 2, Will Crynes 2, Cooper Jacenko, Zeke Coughlin
HR: Ash Garnero, Tim Wicks
MELBOURNE TWINS
Hits:: Malcolm Scott 2, Brodie Leigh, Alexander Ward
RBI:: Brodie Leigh
SOUTHERN TITANS 10 def BRISBANE METRO 5 | Southern Titans storm back, clinch Intermediate League playoff spot after triple play twist

The Southern Titans punched their ticket to the 2026 Intermediate League Championship playoffs with a remarkable 10-5 comeback victory over Brisbane Metro.
The Titans scored nine unanswered runs and erased a four-run deficit in a wild contest that featured one of the tournament’s rarest defensive plays.
Brisbane Metro appeared to seize complete momentum in the top of the fourth inning. After escaping a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam with a stunning triple play in the bottom of the third, Metro exploded for five runs on six hits to take a 5-1 lead.
Felix Moncrieff delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a two-run double, while Zachary Nolan added two hits in the game.
But Southern Titans responded immediately. Jack Clarke singled home a run, Brodie Carr ripped an RBI double and Cody Knott added another RBI single during a four-run fourth inning that tied the game at 5-5.
The Titans then broke the game open in the sixth, ending the 5-5 deadlock.
Southern piled on five runs on three hits, highlighted by Alexander Joseph’s two-run single as the side raced away to secure a crucial victory and playoff berth.
Clarke starred offensively, going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Archie Golding collected two hits, while Carr, Knott and Joseph each drove in runs.
Preston Taylor started for Southern Titans and battled through 3.2 innings before Jack Clarke and Jacob Golding combined for 3.1 scoreless innings in relief. Golding struck out four across the final two innings to close the door.
Brisbane Metro finished with eight hits despite committing nine errors in the field. Moncrieff drove in two runs, while Riley Kameus and Nolan each added RBI hits.
Southern Titans will now face Cronulla Black on Friday with a playoff position already secured.
SOUTHERN TITANS
Hits: Jack Clarke 3, Archie Golding 2, Brodie Carr, Cody Knott, Alexander Joseph, George Fifield, Enzo Lee, Preston Taylor
RBI: Jack Clarke, Archie Golding, Brodie Carr, Cody Knott, Alexander Joseph
BRISBANE METRO
Hits: Zachary Nolan 2, Felix Moncrieff, Alex Rosuck, Crosby Wood, Riley Kameus, Parker Blowes, Sebastian Pedder
RBI: Felix Moncrieff 2, Zachary Nolan, Riley Kameus































