14 May 2024
recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Field of View Photography
Welcome to the Day 2 Recap of the 2024 Australian Senior League Championships. A trip to the Senior League World Series in the USA is on the line.
Only one day of pool play remains after today. The top two teams will advance to the semi-finals on Thursday. No team has clinched.
13 May 2024
recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Field of View Photography
A trip to the Senior League World Series in the USA is on the line in addition to the title of ‘National Champion’, as the 2024 Australian Senior League Championships launched on Monday morning.
Ten teams from across the country are divided into two groups of five. Over the first three days of the tournament, each team will play each other once in the group, with the top 2 advancing to Thursday’s semi finals.
Here you will find scores, results, recaps and standings. Scroll down to bottom for the recaps and stat leaders after Day 1.
You can join Phil Herden for all Diamond 1 Broadcasts through Baseball+ at www.baseball.com.au/baseballplus.
We will be logging all results and information at the Senior League Hub.
LIVE SCORING & GAME CHANGER: Click Here.
Cronulla Blue 4 def Canberra Rangers 1
Adelaide Athletics 17 def Melbourne Athletics 6
Gold Coast 15 def Canberra Rangers 0
Wanneroo Giants 23 def NT Buffaloes 0
Cronulla Black 45 def NT Buffaloes 2
Eastern Phantoms 20 def Melbourne Rangers 5
Top 2 teams advance to Thursday’s semi-finals.
Cronulla Blue 4 def Canberra Rangers 1
Cronulla Blue scored all four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to pick up their first win.
Cameron Crowles, Joseph Hutt and Jacob Hazan strung together three straight hits which scored the four runs in the decisive inning.
It spoiled what was a fantastic pitching performance by Canberra’s Nathan Adams to that point who had pitched 3.1 scoreless. Jack Blundell worked 2.2 scoreless for the Rangers.
Blundell also had two hits in the loss. Cayden Herbert led the Cronulla pace with two hits to his name.
Adelaide Armada 17 def Melbourne Athletics 6
It was the Luke Kennedy experience in a big win for the Armada. Kennedy did it on the mound and at the plate.
With the bat, he went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in. On the bump, Kennedy tossed 3.0 innings allowing one hit and zero earned runs.
All ten players who entered the game contributed. Nine players scored runs, nine players had RBIs, and every player reached base. Lucas Doyle and Alex Gellert scored three times. Diesel Fallon, who has an elite baseball name, led the balanced attack with 3RBI.
Trailing 10-3 entering the fourth, Melbourne made it interesting by pegging four in the top of the inning before Adelaide pulled away.
Zach Locklier had four RBI for the Athletics.
Gold Coast 15 def Canberra Rangers 0
Andre Chang drove in four runs off his three hits in an impressive Gold Coast batting display. Asher Kwok also had three hits.
Joining Chang and Kwok with multi-hit games were Cooper Reed, Toby Muller and Cody Harrison who each had two base knocks.
Kota Murayama had three RBI, too, as every player in the Gold Coast line-up reached base. Lawson Muller allowed one hit with four strikeouts in 2.2 innings on the mound.
Wanneroo Giants 23 def NT Buffaloes 0
A 20-run third inning was the story in the Giants’ big win on Monday afternoon.
The Giants’ tallied seven hits and 18 walks in the win, while eleven different players scored runs.
Chayce Benseman had two hits and 3RBI to lead the Wanneroo offence. Dylan Bandy and Rafael DiBlasi combined for a 4.0 inning no-hitter while striking out nine.
Cronulla Black 45 def NT Buffaloes 2
It was a big day for the Cronulla bats.
Three players went deep for Cronulla – reigning U16 National Championship MVP Tahlan Cavill, Gabriel Tentomas, and Lewis Gardner.
We’ll leave you to explore the Box Score on GameChanger, but there were some standouts.
Colm Sheehan had four hits and seven RBI. Tentomas had four hits, six RBI and a homer. Ryan Nicholas, Liam Cavanough and Gardner each had three hits.
In total, Cronulla amassed 20 hits.
Blake Kimber and Charlie Casey had the RBIs for Northern Territory, who are entering a squad with only NT players for the first time in tournament history.
Eastern Phantoms 20 def Melbourne Rangers 5
A powerful top of the Phantoms line-up helped drive the Phantoms passed the Rangers.
Ben Nesbit (3 hits), Eita Samukawa (2 hits) and George Calverley (3 hits) combined to go 8-for-12 with six RBI, two walks and eight runs. Ryan Warner also had three hits from the nine-hole.
Calverley hit a homer.
In total, the Phantoms tallied sixteen hits and every player in the starting nine reached base and scored.
Adam Taylor opened the game well on the mound for the Phantoms, tossing 2.0 innings and struck out four.
Zak Stafilis had a two-hit afternoon for the Rangers and Sam Walk had three RBI.
12 May 2024
- Little League Women's Baseball
A group of girls from NSW have made herstory by becoming the first national Little League Girls Champions in the world.
That’s right – no country in the world has ever hosted a national Little League Championships for Girls only.
NSW defeated Victoria Belles 15-1 to become the inaugural national Australian Little League Champion.
Here you will find the game recap from the Gold Medal match, as well as the Bronze and Consolation games.
Head to the Tournament Hub for a full rundown of scores, schedule and tournament information.
Don’t forget, the Gold Medal Game of the Australian Women’s Showcase goes Sunday at 5:00PM on Baseball+
GOLD MEDAL GAME – NSW Blue 15 def Victoria 1
It was a game played with tremendous spirit from the start.
New South Wales are deserving champions, after going undefeated in the group stage and winning big in the Gold Medal match.
In the end, NSW Blue scored 89 runs in just six games.
Emma Gainsford was brilliant on the mound for NSW. She pitched all 4.0 innings, allowing just two hits, one run and tallied nine strikeouts.
Hannah O’Keefe and Adele Acosta each had two hits. O’Keefe had two runs batted in, while Acosta led the team with three. Lilly Farrell also had a big game, going 1-for-1 with two RBI and a walk.
“We just the first national championship for girls,” said Lilly after the game. “We all worked together very well as a team and it took a long way to get here but we did it. I loved playing with the team and my friends and that.”
NSW Blue jumped out of the gates with a six run first inning. They added three in the second and six in the third. The team totalled nine hits. In a true team effort, twelve players scored runs.
Still, there were great plays made throughout the game, including a great defensive relay made by the Belles on what was also a 2-RBI base-knock
The names of the national champion players are: Adele Acosta, Taylor O’Keefe, Juno Bromley, Lilly Farrell, Neveah Fungalei, Emma Gainsford, Caitlyn Gainsford, Chilli Hanlon, Isla Metuisela, Miranda Murray, Hannah O’Keefe, Riviera Harris, Yvette Wild & Ashleigh Rose-Thompson.
This is the first national championship of its kind anywhere in the world. This article from ABC explains it well.
BRONZE MEDAL – West Coast Rays 10 def Brisbane Rebels 7
In one of the games of the tournament, the Rays held off a furious comeback effort from the Rebels to claim bronze.
The West Coast Rays scored the first eight runs of the game. Isla Kalebic and Heather Fielding each had two hits. Lucy Purvis had two runs batted in. Meanwhile, Remy Ellis struck out nine batters in her 4.1 innings of work.
But Brisbane clawed their way back. A five-run fifth inning pushed the Rebels within striking distance, pushing the score to 8-6 before the Rays pulled two back in the bottom half of the frame.
Chloe Coppleman had a pair of hits and two RBI to lead the Brisbane attack.
Onlookers often commented on some standout defensive plays.
CONSOLATION GAME – Adelaide Seahorses 18 def NSW White 4
The Seahorses piled it on to finish the tournament in fifth place.
Kylah Ding was excellent on the mound, tossing 3.0 innings of two hit ball with six strikeouts.
Kira Murray followed and allowed just one hit and struck out three.
The Seahorses stormed out of the gate by scoring five runs in the first. By the end of the third, they led 9-1. They scored their last eight runs in the top of the fifth.
Brooke McKechnie was solid with the bat, going 3-for-3 with three RBI. Mackenzie Wigmore also had two hits.
Georgia Gately was solid on the mound for NSW, striking out six batters.
11 May 2024
by Eric Balnar
NOTE: FOR FINAL DAY RECAP + STATS + END OF DAY LEADERS, CLICK HERE.
This is the 2024 Senior League Hub. All schedule, information, links to recaps, and results will be posted here. Just keep scrolling.
The bottom of the article features how each team qualified.
A spot in the Senior League World Series in the United States and the title of National Champion is on the line for ten teams. The 2024 Australian Senior League Championships (U17) are here.
From May 13-17 in Geelong, ten qualified charter teams will fight for a crown and that ticket to the World Series in July in Easley, South Carolina.
Congratulations to the Eastern Phantoms – our champion!
11 May 2024
- Little League Women's Baseball
photos by Erin Honsa, recap by Eric Balnar
Ding dong! We have the world’s first home run in a national little league girls championship!
The honour belongs to the Belles’ Audrey Cheung! You can read about it in the recaps below.
Before we rip in to the daily summary, I’d love to point out some excellent news coverage we’ve got. Like this story from ABC News which is getting national traction.
Another quick note – because of weather and field conditions, we’ve moved tomorrow’s Gold Medal Game between the Victoria Belles and NSW Blue to 9:00AM. You can watch it on Baseball+.
The updated schedule is at the 2024 Little League Girls Hub.
Scroll down for recaps.
Victoria Belles 13 def NSW White 8
The Belles and NSW White exchanged runs all day, but the big highlight was watching the first Little League Girls’ national championship home run.
The Belles were trailing 6-2 in the top of the third, but a two-run homer from Audrey Cheung helped flip the game on its head. The two run shot was part of a six run inning that put the Belles in front for good.
Her two run homer to centre field was her first deep fly ever over a fence.
“All my coaches have always told me to focus on hitting a line drive and if you’re early you will hit it over the fences,” she says. “I was thinking line drive, line drive and try to hit it right centre to score the run from second and then it went over.”
Audrey says the experience at this national championship has been unforgettable.
“This is the biggest tournament I’ve ever had in my life to play baseball. I’m meeting so many people like girls from New South Wales, South Australia and other states that I’m definitely going to see if I want to play up on women’s teams and hope to see them as professionals one day too,” she says.
For New South Wales White, Isabella K had a two hit performance and drove in a run. Skyla C struck out five batters in her 1.2 innings of work on the mound.
New South Wales 13 def Adelaide Seahorses 6
New South Wales Blue continued their fine form, winning 13-6 to finish the group portion of the tournament undefeated.
After the Seahorses took an early second inning lead off an Brooke McKechnie RBI, NSW poured it on.
They scored four runs in the second, six in the third and three in the fourth. Taylor O’Keefe and Yvette Wild each had two RBIs in the victory.
Despite the loss, the Seahorses’ Kira Murray says she’s been having a ball.
“I’ve made lots of new friends and became a lot better at baseball,” she says. “The Seahorses are very kind, always cheer you on and are very enthusiastic.”
The Seahorses will play NSW White tomorrow, while NSW Blue will play for gold.
West Coast Rays 15 def Brisbane Rebels 5
It was a close game until West Coast Rays pulled away late.
It was only 7-5 entering the sixth inning before the Rays piled on eight runs.
Emerson Padfield had a huge day with the bat, going 3-for-3. Zoe Dusenberg had three RBI.
Amy Summers Elliot had two of Brisbane’s four hits.
The Rays and Rebels will meet again tomorrow at 11:45AM in the Bronze Medal match.
10 May 2024
- Little League Women's Baseball
recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Studio Honsa
It’s the end of Day 3 and with three games remaining tomorrow, we already know who will be playing for gold!
Who? Well, you’ll have to read to find out. The Gold Medal Game will be played Sunday at 12:00PM.
Here is how the day unfolded. There were dominant pitching performances, a no-hitter and some sensational stories!
The day started with a rain delay, but no worries – the girls danced it off. Check it out below:
We’ve just posted some photos from Studio Honsa on our Facebook page. Make sure you check them out?
Don’t forget – the 2024 Australian Women’s Showcase continues today at 3:30PM. You can follow the action on Baseball+.
For stats and standings from Game Changer, click here.
West Coast Rays 12 def Adelaide Seahorses 2
It was a close game until it wasn’t as the Rays pulled away by scoring 11 runs in the final three innings.
The Seahorses actually outhit the West Coast Rays 6-4, but the Rays pulled away with timely late hitting.
Stevie Oates starred on the mound for the Rays, allowing one earned run in 4.0 innings with four strikeouts.
Kylah Ding struck out five batters and allowed just one run for the Seahorses, including an impressive inning where she struck out the side looking.
The Rays improve to 2-1 while the Seahorses drop to 1-3.
Victoria Belles 7 def Brisbane Rebels 1
An impressive pitching and defensive display helped the Belles to a 7-1 win.
Lucy Gale was dominant on the hill for the Belles, as the righty rang up ten strikeouts, while conceding just four hits and one run in four innings of work.
Emily Mills followed up her walk-off yesterday by logging two hits today.
Monica Arcuri led the Brisbane attack with two hits of her own. Lily Perkins also tossed two scoreless innings.
The Victoria Belles led narrowly by a score of 2-1 before pulling away with two runs in the third and three in the fourth.
NSW Blue 15 def NSW White 5
No hitter alert!!!!
New South Wales Blue booked their ticket in the first ever Australian Little League Girls Championship Game with another big win and by throwing a no hitter!
They scored at least 15 runs for their fourth consecutive game. They have scored 61 runs and a 4-0 record.
Like all of their games, NSW Blue had a full team effort.
Twelve players reached base, led by multi-hit efforts from Miranda Murray, Juno Bromley and Adele Acosta.
NSW Blue stormed out to a 6-0 lead before White cut back with four runs. But NSW Blue scored nine unanswered to end the game.
Emma Gainsford (2.2 innings), Chilli Hanlon (1.0 innings) and Miranda M combined to toss the no hitter.
Victoria Belles 16 def West Coast Rays 9
The Belles withstood a late West Coast Rays charge to win their third straight game and officially clinch a Top 2 spot in the group stages. They’ll play in Sunday’s championship game!
Despite allowing the first run of the game, the Belles scored eleven unanswered runs to lead 11-1. The Rays pushed back with six in the top of the fourth to make it 11-7 and say “Game on!”
However, the Belles immediately responded with a couple runs to push the lead back out.
Emily Mills had her second two-hit game of the day. Isabella McKenner, Hannah Wilson-Powell and Georgia Lovell all had two-hit performances as well.
Michaela Bucholz and Aubrey Mills had two RBIs for the Rays.
09 May 2024
- Little League Women's Baseball
photos by Studio Honsa, recap by Eric Balnar
A crazy comeback, a walk-off, a tie, lead changes and some singing in the rain highlighted Day 2 at the Australian Little League Girls Championships.
Scroll down for recaps. Results, standings and schedule below.
Victoria Belles 11 def Adelaide Seahorses 10
Victoria are 1-1 in the tournament, the Seahorses are 1-2.
NSW Blue improved to 2-0 on the tournament with a commanding win.
Emma Gainsford (above) and Hannah O’Keefe each had multi-hit games. Overall, the team combined for 10 hits and seven walks with every player reaching base.
Isla Metuisela starred on the mound, striking out five batters in 2.2 innings allowing no runs. Emma Gainsford (below) had five strikeouts in 1.1 innings pitched. Gainsford also had an RBI.
Brisbane Rebels 15 tie NSW White 15
How do you even describe this game? It had more emotional up & downs than an early season episode of Lost.
Brisbane scored five to start the game. New South Wales responded with four. 5-4 after 1.
Brisbane added one in the second. New South Wales scored five. 9-6 NSW through 2.
Brisbane popped off for six in the third. 12-9 Brisbane. New South Wales responded with four. 13-12 NSW.
Brisbane scored three in the fourth and final inning to push their lead to 15-13. New South Wales scored two in the bottom of the last to leave the game drawn at 15-15.
Wow. Five lead changes in a great battle.
Ryleigh Graf-Pretorious, Isla Mullavey, Ilya Saade, Alfana Roscrow and Amy Summer Ellio each had two runs for Brisbane Rebels.
Georgia Gately had three RBI for NSW White, backing up a strong day on Wednesday. Isabella Kosanic and Lily Wostenholme each drove in a pair.
NSW White improve to 0-2-1 and Brisbane move to 1-1-1.
NSW Blue 16 def West Coast Rays 5
New South Wales Blue improved to 3-0 after racing out to a 10-0 lead after two innings. They added six more in the top of the fourth to round out scoring.
In the bottom of the fourth, West Coast kept trucking on and scored five runs with great spirit.
Aubree Mills had a pair of hits and an RBI for West Coast Rays.
Hannah O’Keefe had her second multi-hit game of the day, collecting two base knocks for NSW Blue. Caitlyn Gainsford had six strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched to open the game.
08 May 2024
- Little League Women's Baseball
There will only ever be “one” Day 1 in the global history of national Little Girls Championships.
Today was that day.
For the first time in herstory, there is a Little League tournament on a national level just for girls.
Here are the recaps and results from Day 1. Scroll down for standings, recaps and a couple great photos from Studio Honsa.
Watch the action tomorrow on Baseball+ live, free and around the world.
Tomorrow, the Australian Women’s Showcase starts. It features the best Australian talent and nine international World Cup stars.
Media
From radio interviews, television and digital, there was no shortage of interest in the event.
Story from NBN News: Click here.
Story in Lismore City News: Click here.
Story from NewsCorp (National): Click here.
ABC News Update (time stamp 2.11): Click here.
Ticara Geldenhuis interviewed on ABC News in the morning.
Feature from South Australia on the Adelaide Seahorses: Listen here.
Stay tuned to ABC North Coast Thursday morning for a feature on the Showcase and Little League Girls.
Thank you to Regional NSW and Lismore Council for making this event possible.
photos by Studio Honsa
NSW Blue 15 def Victoria Belles 6
In the first official game of national Little League Girls tournament history, NSW Blue piled it on in a high spirited contest.
NSW scored fifteen runs off 10 hits and secured an early 9-1 lead. Victoria Belles came on late, scoring five runs in their last two innings but fell just short.
Yvette Wyld, Caitlyn Gainsford and Emma G each had two hits and two RBI for NSW.
Emily Perks was impressive on the mound for the Belles, striking out four and allowing 0ER in 1.1 innings.
Adelaide Seahorses 13 def NSW White 5
The Seahorses mounted a ten run fifth inning to complete a mini-comeback.
Kylah Ding started strong for Adelaide, tossing 2.0 innings with five strikeouts in her start. The offence backed her up, giving the Seahorses an early 3-0 advantage.
But NSW White tallied five runs in the bottom of the fourth to move into a 5-3 lead heading into the fifth.
That’s when the Seahorses piled it on with ten in the fifth.
The Seahorses totalled eleven hits in the game and twelve players reached base. Their pitchers walked just three batters.
Georgia Gately led the charge for NSW White with two hits and an RBI.
Kylah Ding and Sasha Boundy had two hits apiece for Adelaide.
Brisbane Rebels 14 def Adelaide Seahorses 12
The Rebels pulled away early and held on late in an exciting, high-scoring win.
A patient approach at the plate led to an early 12-4 lead after two innings. Nine players from Brisbane’s roster scored a run in a total team effort where everyone contributed.
Sophia Bregonje had two hits and four RBI. Sienna Cameron struck out three batters and allowed zero earned runs on the mound for Brisbane.
The Seahorses scored eight runs in the final two innings before the game was called for time. Charlotte Wigomore led the offence with a hit and two-RBI.
West Coast Rays 10 def NSW White 9
A see-saw game for the ages.
Trailing 6-1 in the fourth inning, West Coast scored six to take the lead.
NSW White responded right away by scoring three in the top of the fifth. West Coast scored a quick couple to tie it in the bottom of the last, before Aambar Mawani cashed in the game’s winning run.
Skyla Coyle and Kali Hanrahan had two hits each for NSW White, white Georgia Gately struck out eight.
Madani had 2RBI to lead West Coast Rays.
07 May 2024
- Little League Women's Baseball
It’s the world’s first Little League Girls National Championships, and it’s happening in Australia.
Here you will find schedule, running results, broadcast, Game Changer scoring links and information.
From May 8-12 in Lismore in the beautiful Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, six Little League (U13) girls teams from across Australia will compete for the title of national champion.
For the initial announcement and basic information, click here.
Games will run from 9:00AM to approximately 2:00PM each day before the professional showcase games begin featuring the best Australian players and nine World Cup players from around the world.
The Gold Medal Game will be played Sunday at 12:00PM.
Games are free to attend.
Download here, or run to results tab.
Watch Diamond 3 Coverage on Baseball+ live & free around the world.
Watch Diamond 4 Coverage on a single feed through Game Changer. Click this link or search Little League Girls Division in Lismore.
DAY 5 – SCHEDULE – RECAP HERE
9:00AM – Gold Medal Game – NSW Blue 15 def Victoria Belles 1 – Recap
11:45AM – Bronze Medal Game – West Coast Rays 10 def Brisbane Rebels 7 – Recap
11:45AM – Consolation Game – Adelaide Seahorses 18 def NSW White 4
Day 1 – RECAP HERE
NSW Blue 15 def Victoria Belles 6
Adelaide Seahorses 13 def NSW White 5
West Coast Rays 10 def NSW White 9
Brisbane Rebels 14 def Adelaide Seahorses 12
Day 2 – RECAP HERE
NSW Blue 15 def Brisbane Rebels 2
Victoria Belles 11 def Adelaide Seahorses 10
NSW Blue 16 def West Coast Rays 5
NSW White 15 tie Brisbane Rebels 15
Day 3- RECAP HERE
West Coast Rays 12 def Adelaide Seahorses 2
Victoria Belles 7 def Brisbane Rebels 1
Victoria Belles 16 def West Coast Rays 9
NSW Blue 15 def NSW White 5
Day 4 – RECAP HERE
9:00AM – Victoria Belles 13 def NSW White 8
11:45AM – West Coast Rays vs Brisbane Rebels
11:45AM – NSW Blue 13 def Adelaide Seahorses 6
MORE INFO / TEAMS
Click here for initial release and information.
Victoria Belles: The Little League Girls squad who helped push this momentum forward. In 2023, Victoria entered an all girls team for the first time in Australian history at the national Little League Division 2 championships. Tryouts were held with representatives from various clubs across the state.
West Coast Rays: In a similar fashion to the Rays, this group of girls from Perth are made up of players from across the state and metro Perth. The West is in a resurgence in junior girls baseball, finishing with a bronze medal at the recent U16 championships and hosting the Barclay Cup in late 2023.
NSW Blue + White: With a surge of popularity and a large number of players expressing interest to play in the Little League Girls tournament, NSW decided to enter two teams and divide them up in even numbers.
Adelaide Seahorses: South Australia has experienced growth in girls baseball and now the results are showing. In just their second ever year of having a U16 Youth Women’s State Team, South Australia won gold this April past. Their Seahorses team / name has a silver medal at the Barclay Cup. Now we see the next generation come through.
Brisbane Rebels: Queensland held a three-team qualifying tournament to determine their representative and a collection of metro Brisbane players took home the chocolates. They selected a Rebels name and now head to Lismore.
01 May 2024
Head to theabl.com.au for all Australian Women’s Showcase information.
The Showcase will feature Australia’s best players competing on the Brisbane Bandits, Adelaide Giants and Victoria Aces.
HUB, SCHEDULE, RORSTERS INFO: Click here.
Watch on Baseball+ at www.theabl.com.au/baseballplus.
29 April 2024
- Aussies Abroad Aussies Sign Pro
We’re one month into the minor league season.
Want to know how all our Australian players are doing in their professional North American leagues? You’ve come to the right spot.
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