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This is the running story of Australia at the 2024 Little League Baseball World Series.

It is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with a group of 12-year-olds from Sydney set to play in front of a global TV audience of millions.

Australia are represented by Sydney’s Hills, who won the qualifying event at the Australian Little League Championship in June. They are in Williamsport taking on the best teams from the best leagues around the world of the same age group.

It’s considered one of the best sporting events on the planet and a junior baseball team from Sydney gets to play in it.

The 2024 Little League World Series starts August 14 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Twenty local baseball teams from around the world qualified through various events to play in the crown jewel of the Little League events.

The Hills won Australia’s national Little League Championships in June and will battle it out with the likes of Japan, Latin-America, Canada, the Caribbean and four other teams in the international half of the bracket.

About the Little League World Series – an experience like no other

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Little League is, after all, is the world’s largest organised youth sports program. This tournament is for the U13 age group.

This tournament is something else. All games are broadcast on ESPN. A game between 11- and 12-year-olds gathers over 3,000,000 people watching on television.

It’s wild. Games in the Little League World Series outdraw MLB baseball games played at the same time.

MLB Broadcasted Dan Ravech explains this phenomenon well to Baseball America.

“A Major League Baseball game during the regular season, you’re getting fans of those teams,” Ravech said. “With the Little League World Series you’re getting fans of baseball, fans of nostalgia, fans of memories.”

“You’re getting fans who once played baseball and really enjoy watching kids smile. They like watching kids perform. They like watching kids make mistakes. They like the goofiness. They like the reactions. There’s a part of seeing 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls do things that bring you back to a time in your life that maybe you remember more fondly.”

Major League Baseball even schedules a regular season game on the same field these players from Hills will play on. This year, the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers will play in front of the world’s best 12-year-old baseball players.

Australia’s team in this competition hails from the Hills of Sydney, made up of players from the baseball clubs of Rouse Hill, Baulkham Hills, Quakers Hill, Castle Hills. More on them below.

They’re in for a wild experience that includes playing in front of millions on TV, over 10,000 in the stadium, attending an MLB baseball game, and partaking in a parade.

HOW THE TOURNAMENT WORKS (and streaming details)

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It’s a double-elimination tournament, meaning you have to lose two games to be eliminated.

Australia’s first game is Friday 16 August at 5:00PM local time (7:00AM in Sydney). They’ll play the winner of Asia-Pacific (Chinese-Taipei) and Canada (team yet to qualify).

It’s a knockout bracket that can be viewed here. 

You can watch games in Australia via the ESPN App, or follow along on GameChanger.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

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Hills qualified by winning the 2024 Australian Little League Championships. They also won the NSW State Championships.

Many of these players won the 2023 Australian Division II title.

Here is some more information:

State: New South Wales
Clubs: Sydney’s Hills – Rouse Hill, Baulkham Hills, Quakers Hill, Castle Hills
Australian Senior League Championship Record: 5-2 (outscored opponents 42-19)

It wasn’t easy for Hills but they persevered and battled their way through. The showed a tremendous amount of resiliency throughout the tournament.

Hills emerged through Group A with a 3-2 record. They advanced to the semi-finals by winning a four-team tiebreaker.

Memorable group stage wins included a 1-0 nailbiter over state rivals Cronulla and an epic 9-4 tussle over Eastern Athletics.

They showed their moxie in the finals. Hills trailed in both their games but still ended up winning. To make it more impressive, they won two games in one day. You can read about the hectic final day here.

They defeated Adelaide Rays 8-2 in the semi finals and the Central Firebirds 16-3 in the Gold Medal game. Watch the highlights below.

Hills showed their true team spirit in the Gold Medal game. In fact, every member of the Hills reached base during the game, emphasising the great team effort they had in the win.

Spencer Dobb pitched 3.1 innings in his start, striking out six and allowing two runs.

Hudson Dobb took a fantastic diving catch to secure the win in run-rule fashion.

Hills will be making a little bit of history at this tournament. Emma Gainsford will become the first female from Australia to play in the Little League World Series, and the Dobb brothers will become the first triplets to ever play together at this internationally famous event.

It’s time to meet the players.

Let’s meet the Hills, your Australian representatives

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Chase Newell (Quakers Hill Pirates) – 12-year-old Chase was part of Hills’ Division II win in 2023 as well as this year’s gold medal squad. Chase had three hits and an RBI at nationals. He says: “I love playing with my all my team mates, When I’m older I would love to play baseball with all my brothers and my Dad coaching us.” Newell hit a key walk-off double to win the game in the semi-finals of the NSW state championships to help Hills qualify for nationals.

Emma Gainsford (Quakers Hill Pirates) – 12-year-old Emma had a huge charter season. She won Australia’s first Little League Girls championship for NSW in May, and then played a big role in the Little League titles in June. Her triple in the Gold Medal game was a decisive moment. She also pitched 2.1 innings of shutout ball in the tournament. Emma says: “Pitching is my favourite thing to do in baseball but I enjoy all the different parts of the game and all the little battles to try and win the game.” Emma dominated on the mound at Little League girls and says NSW state team player / Brisbane Bandit Isobel Lambert is a role model.

Ethan Cross (Quakers Hill Pirates) – 12-year-old Ethan says he loves to hit dingers and his favourite player is Fernando Tatis Jr. Ethan had four hits at nationals and was second on the team with 4 runs batted in. He also pitched five innings, allowing just two runs. He says he is proud of how his teammates bounce back after adversity. “We switched on after our loss on the first day of state and won the rest of our games and made it this far so far.”

Finn Kennedy (Castle Hill Knights) – Finn recovered from a broken arm which caused him to miss half-a-season not too long ago. At nationals, Finn had four hits and also pitched 0.2 innings. His favourite ABL player is Solomon Maguire, who is also from Castle Hill. Finn just loves baseball. Why does he love the game? “Friends, Fun – and because it’s baseball.” Well said, Finn.

Hugh Graham (Rouse Hill Wildcats) – 12-year-old Hugh went to a come and try event at Rouse Hill when he was 10 and the rest of history. In fact, this is his first year of representative baseball. Now, he’s off to America as an important part of the Australian squad. At nationals, Hugh had four hits! “My favorite thing is catching and he friendships I have made.”

Noah Whittle (Castle Hill Knights): Part of last year’s Division II winner, White made a seamless jump to the next level showing he can contribute on both sides of the ball. He pitched five innings at nationals and also had an RBI with the bat. His favourite player is former ABL star Ronald Acuna Jr on the Atlanta Braves. Why does he love baseball? “Friendships with new team mates and enjoyment of playing baseball.”

Sayre Howick (Castle Hill Knights): Sayre was one of the best pitchers at the Little League national championships. He also led Hills with eight hits. No player pitched more innings than Sayre for Hills. He logged 10.2 innings and allowed just one earned run. Sayre says he takes a lot of pride in is pitching abilities at all levels he’s played. He’s had some impressive performances. It’s earned him a reputation. Says Sayre: “I love pitching and striking batters out. I’m also pretty famous at Castle Hill for always having many different flavours of sunflower seeds in my kit bag. At training we like playing blitz ball.”

Talen Lachmund-Davis (Quakers Hill Pirates): Talen says he takes a lot of pride in his athletics ability. “I was doing little athletics and then found baseball. I was 7 turning 8, my uncle played baseball and my nan convinced my parents to let me play and that’s when we fell in love with the game. I love pitching and running bases, it never gets old.” Talen collected three hits and scored a pair of runs at nationals.

William Bennett (Baulkham Hills): Bennett has been super reliable for Hills over the past two seasons, and two championships. He tallied a pair of hits at nationals, including an important one in the Gold Medal game. Bennett also contributed with two innings pitched.

Fletcher Dobb (Quaker Hills Pirates): A dual threat, and one of three triplets. Fletcher Dobb starred on the mound in a game vs the Athletics, tossing 5.0 innings of shutout ball. He struck out five and chipped in with two hits with the bat that game. Fletcher collected a big hit in the Gold Medal game, too. Fletcher was equal second on the team with seven hits.

Hudson Dobb (Quaker Hills Pirates): Want a big highlight? Call on Hudson. He took multiple screaming catches at second base during the national championships, including this one to end the tournament. Dobb also made this play to end a game in the group stages. He’s handy with the bat, too. Hudson was equal second on the team with seven hits.

Spencer Dobb (Quaker Hills Pirates): Cometh the moment, cometh the (growing) man. Spencer was entrusted with the Gold Medal game start. He was great. He pitched 3.1 innings in his start, striking out six and allowing two runs. You’ll never guess it but just like his brothers Spencer had seven hits at nationals.

Sydney’s Hills Red have won The 2024 Australian Little League Championships after winning two games on a hectic final day.

They defeated Adelaide Rays in the semi-finals and the Central Firebirds in the Gold Medal Day.

Here’s how the day unfolded. Watch the replay, free & around the world on Baseball+, or the highlights below.

The final day schedule of the 2024 Australian Little League Division I & II Championships has been released.

Please see below.

Thank you to Greenway Giants Baseball Club for stepping up as an alternate venue for Day 5 and 6.

All Division II Games + Division I Consolation Games (including the Bronze Medal) are two hours.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS, STANDINGS AND INFORMATION

Little League Division 1 Hub – Click Here

Little League Division 2 Hub – Click Here 

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The event is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Nick Bottaro

This was one of the craziest final days of an Australian Little League Division I Championship. Eight teams entered the day in contention to advance to the semi-finals. Only four could advance.

We saw a three-way tie in one group, a four-way tie in another, and a sensational comeback. Read about the day below as it unfolded. 

For past scores, visit our Little League Division 1 Hub.

Today’s Schedule

Follow along all the stats on GameChanger. Broadcast of Diamond 1 is on Baseball+.

Canberra Rangers 18 def Melbourne Mariners 1
Ryde Red 17 def Brisbane SouthWest 3

Central Firebirds 11 def Melbourne Athletics 0
Cronulla Black 6 def Adelaide Marlins 0

Brisbane North 6 def Hills Red 2
Adelaide Rays 13 def Eastern Phantoms 4

FINAL STANDINGS

*top two advance to semi-finals

First tiebreaker is head-to-head. Second is runs allowed ratio (total runs allowed / 6)

POOL A 

1. Central Firebirds: 3-2 (14)*
2. Hills Red: 3-2 (14)*
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3. Cronulla Black: 3-2 (19)
4. Melbourne Athletics: 3-2 (30)
5. Adelaide Marlins: 2-3 (24)
6. Brisbane North: 0-4 (31)

POOL B

1. Adelaide Rays: 4-1 (6)*
2. Ryde Red: 4-1 (22)*
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3. Eastern Phantoms: 4-1 (25)
4. Canberra Rangers: 1-4 (33)
5. Brisbane SouthWest: 1-4 (43)
6. Melbourne Mariners: 1-4 (80)

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9:00AM – Canberra Rangers 18 def Melbourne Mariners 1

A fifth inning spurt helped power Canberra to their first win of the tournament.

The Rangers scored eleven runs in the fifth. Overall, Canberra tallied 18 hits as a team.

It was a total team effort. Every player reached base and eleven different Rangers had at least a hit. Jaxen Bently led all Rangers with three hits.

Lucas Tanouye allowed just one run in his 4.0 inning start, striking out six.

9:30AM – Ryde Red 17 def Brisbane SouthWest 3

The Ryde bats were hot, as they finish Pool B with a 4-1 record and 22 runs allowed.

Their fate now rests on the final game of the group (Adelaide Rays vs Eastern Phantoms at 3:00PM). If the Phantoms win, Ryde will play in the semi-finals. If the Rays win, there will be a three-way tiebreaker required to determine who finishes top two, with runs allowed being a key tiebreaker.

Ryde piled on fifteen hits as a team. Every player in the line-up reached base. Benjamin Corner-Rutgers, Marcus Morrison, Hayden Love and Aleksander Puleo all had two hits. Kian Peterson had three.

Love had four RBI on the day.

Ryde had an early 4-0 lead before Brisbane scored three in the third. Ryde pulled away with five runs in the fourth and 13 unanswered overall.

Rodrigo Hernandez led Brisbane SouthWest with two hits.

The event is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Central Firebirds 10 def Melbourne Athletics 0

The Central Firebirds have moved into a top two spot for the time being, bringing in to play multiple tiebreaker scenarios at 3-2.

Taj Humble was great on the mound. He pitched 4.0 shutout innings with eight strikeouts and just one hit. He also had a day with the bat, going 2-for-2 with two runs.

Eight other Firebirds had hits.

Central Firebirds needed less than hour to reach a ten run rule margin.

They’ve won their last two games and will hope results fall their way to confirm a spot in the Top 2 and the semi-finals.

Cronulla Black 6 def Adelaide Marlins 2

Lincoln Potter pitched five shutout innings, striking out eleven, while allowing just three hits in a stellar performance.

Cronulla Black finish the group with a 3-2 record and need Hills to lose and allow 12 or more runs to advance to the semi-finals (note: unofficial).

Cronulla scored three in the first and three in the third to pull away. Mason Hayes-Conway and Christopher Blyton each had two hits and two runs driven in.

Brisbane North 6 def Hills Red 2

WE HAVE A FOUR WAY TIE!

Brisbane North picked up their first win of the tournament, improving to 1-4. Significantly, it’s a loss for Hills Red, which drops them into a four-way tie for the top-two spots at 3-2 with Cronulla Black, Melbourne Athletics and Central Firebirds.

Brisbane surged ahead to a 3-0 lead thanks to Aaron Bell and Auston Terlea RBIs. After Hills Red pegged one back, Callum Wheeler extended it to a 4-1 lead and Brisbane never looked back

Bell and Terlea each had two hits for Brisbane North. Patrick Fogg pitched 6.0 innings allowing just two runs.

The tournament committee now will confirm who the top two teams are to advance.

Update: Firebirds (first) and Hills (second) advance as top two finishers with 14 runs allowed, winning a four-way tiebreaker.

Adelaide Rays 13 def Eastern Phantoms 4

Genuine insanity. Adelaide needed to win to advance to the semi-finals. A loss? They’re outside the top two.

The Phantoms could afford a loss but couldn’t allow more than 11 runs.

Adelaide fell behind 4-0 early and were trailing by that margin in the fourth inning.

Then the Rays made their move.

They scored two in the fourth. 4-2.

They then rattled off eleven runs in the fifth inning before closing it out in the sixth.

From the brink of elimination, to finishing top of the group with a 4-1 record.

The Phantoms unfortunately fall on the outside of the Top 2, falling third in a three way tiebreak (25 runs allowed).

Every player on the Rays reached base. They totalled eleven hits.

The 2024 Little League Championship (U13) is here.

From June 5-10 in Blacktown, NSW, twelve teams from across Australia will vie for the title of national champion and a spot in the 2024 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Here you will find the schedule, results, standings, important links and information on each of the teams. The event runs alongside the Little League Division 2.

BROADCAST & LIVE SCORING

You can watch all Diamond 1 games on Baseball+ live, free and around the world. Head to www.baseball.com.au/baseballplus for more information.

GAMECHANGER LINK FOR LIVE SCORING: CLICK HERE.

You can follow Diamond 2-4 action on GameChanger. Download GameChanger from the App Store to follow (not GameChanger Classic). Search your team name and with ‘LL’ or ‘LLD2′ at the end. For example, “Adelaide Rays LLD1’ or ‘NT Buffaloes – LLD2’. Follow as a fan or family member.

FINAL STANDINGS

*top two advance to semi-finals
First tiebreaker is head-to-head. Second is runs allowed ratio (total runs allowed / 6)

POOL A 

1. Central Firebirds: 3-2 (14)
2. Hills Red: 3-2 (14)
3. Cronulla Black: 3-2 (19)
4. Melbourne Athletics: 3-2 (30)
5. Adelaide Marlins: 2-3 (24)
6. Brisbane North: 1-4 (31)

Pool B

1. Adelaide Rays: 41 (6) [Next: Adelaide Rays]
2. Ryde Red: 4-1 (22)
3. Eastern Phantoms: 4-1 (25)
4. Canberra Rangers: 1-4 (33)
5. Brisbane SouthWest: 1-4 (43)
6. Melbourne Mariners: 1-4 (80)

SCHEDULE / RESULTS

Day 6 Results | RECAP | GameChanger | Watch on Baseball+

Semi Final 1 – Central Firebirds 10 def Ryde Red 2
Semi Final 2 – Hills Red 8 def Adelaide Rays 2

Bronze Medal – Ryde Red 11 def Adelaide Rays 9

Gold Medal – Hills Red 16 def Central Firebirds 3

Consolation Bracket Scores

Adelaide Marlins 4 def Brisbane SouthWest 1
Cronulla Black 5 def Eastern Phantoms 4
1:00PM – Canberra Rangers vs Melbourne Athletics, Greenway
Brisbane North 12 def Melbourne Mariners 1

Day 5 Results |  RECAP | GameChanger

Canberra Rangers 18 def Melbourne Mariners 1
Ryde Red 17 def Brisbane SouthWest 3

Central Firebirds 10 def Melbourne Athletics 0
Cronulla Black 6 def Adelaide Marlins 2

Brisbane North 6 def Hills Red 2
Adelaide Rays 13 def Eastern Phantoms 4

Day 4 | GameChanger | Recap

Adelaide Rays 16 def Melbourne Mariners 0
Melbourne Mariners 8 def Brisbane SouthWest 5

Melbourne Athletics 7 def Cronulla Black 6 (Extra Innings)
Brisbane SouthWest 3 def Canberra Rangers 2

Adelaide Marlins 6 def Brisbane North 2
Eastern Phantoms 9 def Ryde Red 4

Hills Red 6 def Adelaide Marlins 2
Central Firebirds 2 def Hills Red 0

Day 3 | GameChanger | Recap

Adelaide Marlins 2 def Central Firebirds 0
Hills Red 9 def Melbourne Athletics 4
Eastern Phantoms 6 def Brisbane SouthWest 0

Day 2 | GameChanger | Recap / Scores

Four games were played at Greenway Baseball Club due to weather. Thank you to them! Scores below.

Adelaide Rays 10 def Canberra Rangers 0
Melbourne Athletics 5 def Brisbane North 3

Eastern Phantoms 8 def Canberra Rangers 2
Ryde Red 21 def Melbourne Mariners 0

Cronulla Black 10 def Central Firebirds 9

Day 1 | GameChanger | Recap

Cronulla Black 3 def Brisbane North 2
Melbourne Athletics 10 def Adelaide Marlins 2

Adelaide Rays 10 def Brisbane SouthWest 0
Central Firebirds 17 def Brisbane North 2

Ryde Red 11 def Canberra 9 (extra innings)
Hills Red 1 def Cronulla Black 0

Eastern Phantoms 20 def Melbourne Mariners 6
Ryde Red 2 def Adelaide Rays 1

The event is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

The remaining schedule for Division I and II of the 2024 Australian Little League Championships has been announced.

Thank you to Greenway Giants Baseball Club for stepping up as an alternate venue for Day 5 and 6.

The final schedule for the remainder Division II pool will be announced later in Day 5, Sunday 9 June.

All Division II games will return to two hours. Please note, the schedule below will complete pool play, with venues and time slots to be confirmed.

Division 1 Game Times will begin 20-30 minutes after previous game concludes. Please be ready to play.

Please note this schedule is subject to change. We will endeavour to fit in a consolation game for each team, if possible, on Monday.

Tournament Results, Standings and Information

Little League Division 1 Hub – Click Here

Little League Division 2 Hub – Click Here 

Below schedule for Division II will complete pool play, with venues and time slots to be confirmed.

It’s the fourth day of a rain-affected Australian Little League Championship.

Today, four Division 1 games are slated for Blacktown International Sportspark. The other four will be played at Chifley Sports Reserve, home of the Eastern Suburbs Dolphins.

Here you will find schedule, results, standings and recaps. Here is a link to the Division 1 Hub, where you will find all results and useful links + schedule.

Tiebreaker info and tomorrow’s schedule at bottom of the article

RESULTS

Follow along all the stats on GameChanger. Broadcast of Diamond 1 is on Baseball+.

Adelaide Rays 16 def Melbourne Mariners 0

Melbourne Mariners 8 def Brisbane SouthWest 5
Melbourne Athletics 7 def Cronulla Black 6 (extras)

Adelaide Marlins 6 def Brisbane North 2
Brisbane SouthWest 3 def Canberra Rangers 2

Hills Red 6 def Adelaide Marlins 2
Eastern Phantoms 9 def Ryde Red 4

Central Firebirds 2 def Hills Red 0

CURRENT STANDINGS

*top two advance to semi-finals
First tiebreaker is head-to-head. Second is runs allowed ratio (total runs allowed / 6)

POOL A 

1. Hills Red: 3-1 (8) [Next: Brisbane North]
2. Melbourne Athletics: 3-1 (20) [Next: Central Firebirds]
3. Central Firebirds: 2-2 (14) [Next: Melbourne Athletics]
4. Adelaide Marlins: 2-2 (18) [Next: Cronulla Black]
5. Cronulla Black: 2-2 (19) [Next: Adelaide Marlins]
6. Brisbane North: 0-4 (31) [Next: Hills Red]

POOL B

1. Eastern Phantoms: 4-0 (12) [Next: Adelaide Rays]
2. Ryde Red: 3-1 (19) [Next: Brisbane SouthWest]
3. Adelaide Rays: 3-1 (2) [Next: Eastern Phantoms]
4. Melbourne Mariners: 1-3 (62) [Next: Canberra Rangers]
5. Brisbane SouthWest: 1-3 (26) [Next: Ryde Red]
6. Canberra Rangers: 0-4 (32) [Next: Melbourne Mariners]

RECAPS

Adelaide Rays 16 def Melbourne Mariners 0 

Cooper Povey opened the scoring with his second inside-the-park homer of the season, and the Rays never looked back in a big win.

The Rays scored sixteen runs off 11 hits before the game was called due to run rule. Cooper Povey and Ed Taintey led the team with three hits. Max Schenk and Lucas Povey each had two hits. Lucas and Cooper Povey had three runs driven in each.

Ethan Zootjens, Callan Rowe and Mason Rann pitched an inning each and allowed no hits.

The Rays have allowed just two runs in four games and have a 3-1 record – no team has conceded less. It sets up an epic clash on Sunday with the Eastern Phantoms (3-0) in a game which will likely help determine who finishes top two and will be playing for a spot in the USA.

Melbourne Athletics 7 def Cronulla Black 6

The Athletics walked off Cronulla Black in extra innings, in a crucial Pool A clash that could go a long way to determining who advances to the semi-finals.

Jack Downs stepped up to the plate with bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of extra innings. He dropped two-out, two-RBI hit to the outfield to walk it off and win it for the Athletics. Oliver Friend slid under a tag in a play at the plate to score the winning run.

Cronulla scored two runs off three straight hits in the sixth inning to force the tie-breaking inning.

It was a back-and-forth battle the entire game. There were five lead changes in this thriller.

Leo Vigil, Kai Shibata, and Ben Napier had two hits for Cronulla. Kobe Chu led Cronulla with three hits and two RBI.

Jack Downs and Leo Moulton had two hits each, with Downs leading the charge with two-RBI.

The Athletics are 3-1 and play the Central Firebirds (1-1) tomorrow for their final contest. Cronulla (2-2) play the Marlins (1-1) in their final game.

Melbourne Mariners 8 def Brisbane SouthWest 5

The Mariners rattled off seven runs in the fifth inning, to storm back from four runs down to stun Brisbane SouthWest to pick up their first win of the tournament.

Mia Wang broke a 5-5 tie in the penultimate inning. She also pitched the final two innings, shutting out the opposition.

Before Wang’s deadlock breaking hit, Spencer Evans and Sam Wang had hits. The Mariners worked six walks in the inning to help plate seven runs.

Brisbane raced out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth, when Ky Jackson sent a thrilling two-RBI triple before scoring himself on an error.

Melbourne also benefitted from tidy defensive plays.

Brisbane SouthWest 3 def Canberra 2

Brisbane SouthWest came from behind to claim their first ever win at a national charter championship.

It was a pitcher’s duel early. Ky Jackson chucked 5.1 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out nine for Brisbane SouthWest.  Eric Cochrane allowed six hits and one earned run while striking out six for Canberra.

John Catchpole struck out a batter to end the game and claim the historic win for Brisbane SouthWest.

Parker Stone broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning with an RBI single. Brisbane entered the innings down 2-1. Stone led all Brisbane batters with two hits.

Cochrane also had two hits for Canberra at the plate.

Adelaide Marlins 6 def Brisbane North 2

The Marlins moved up the standings in Pool B, keeping their hopes a live for a top two spot and a place in the semi-finals.

Archer Spratt rang up ten strikeouts in the Marlins win over his 6.0 innings of work while allowing just six hits, two runs and two walks.

Jack Zischke had a big day with the bat. He went 3-for-3. William Page and Charlie De Vizio each collected two hits in the win. Five different Marlins had RBIs.

Spratt’s pitching performance provided a springboard for the offence. While the Marlins never trailed, they pulled away with two runs in the fifth inning to move the score to 6-1.

Hills Red 6 def Adelaide Marlins 2

Hills Red are on the cusp of clinching a semi-final spot after a 6-2 win at Chifley.

The game was tied 2-2 in the third, but Hills exploded for three runs. Hudson Dobb and Ethan Cross had RBIs in the third.

Hudson Dobb also had a big day on the mound. He pitched 4.1 shutout innings of no-hit baseball, striking out four and allowing one walk. He led the team with two hits.

Five different Marlins had hits.

The Hills move to 3-0 and are a win away from clinching a spot in the semi-finals.

Eastern Phantoms 9 def Ryde Red 4

The Phantoms piled on 12 hits to improve to 4-0 and remain the only unbeaten team in Pool B.

Riley Malcolm, Lincoln Ellis, Brody Warner and Shu Kamata had two hits. Harry Mann led the team with three RBI.

Warner and Kamata drove in three runs in the third to push the Phantoms out to a 7-1 advantage. Ryde clawed back with three runs in the third, including a triple from Marcus Morrison.

They pulled away with a pair in the fifth.

Central Firebirds 2 def Hills Red 0

The Firebirds shutout Hills Red to improve to 2-2 and open up a world of tie-breaking scenarios on Sunday, the final day of Division 1 pool play.

Summer Hiscock allowed just three hits in 6.0 innings of shutout work, striking out seven in a complete game effort.

Austin Parry had an RBI single in the third for the Firebirds. Jackson Howarth added another run to the Firebirds’ tally in the fifth.

Ethan Cross allowed just one earned run off three hits in his 5.0 innings for Hills Red.

It’s turned into a five horse race for the top two spots and a place in the semi-finals in Group A. There is just one day to go and one game each. Sunday will go down to the wire.

The first tiebreaker is head-to-head, and the second is runs against ratio (total runs allowed / six).

Hills (3-1, 8 runs allowed) are in first. They play Brisbane North (0-4) on Sunday.

Melbourne Athletics (3-1, 20 runs allowed) are currently in second. They play Central Firebirds (2-2, 14 runs allowed).

Adelaide Marlins (2-2, 18 runs allowed) play Cronulla Black (2-2, 19 runs allowed).

Please note this is just the media guy’s story. This is not tournament official.

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The event is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

UPDATE (6:55AM): Due to rain overnight, and this morning (currently raining at time of post), there is a delay for the games at Chifley. Fields will require some work to be playable once the rain has stopped.We will send next update at approximately at 830AM.

Blacktown Field 1 will start as scheduled

UPDATE (8:45AM): There is a new schedule. All teams will play today. Decision on time and location of TBA games at 10:00AM and communicated shortly after.

 

Rain bombarded Sydney, with some areas of the city receiving over 100mm of rain.

Because of weather, most of Day 2 & 3 at the 2024 Australian Little League Championships were postponed due to rain, with just eight Division 1 games played. You can read our updates and statements on Day 3 here.

Here is the intended schedule of play for Day 4 on Saturday 8 June, which is subject to change. Day 5 schedule will be released on Saturday.

All fields will be assessed first thing in the morning.

Division 1

Four games are scheduled to be played at Blacktown International Sports Park.

Four games are scheduled to be played at Chifley Sports Reserve on Bunnerong Road, Chifley. It is home to the Eastern Suburbs Dolphins and Australia’s first Little League only field. Thank you, Dolphins!

Some notes:

• The intention is to complete pool play by Sunday 9 June. Sunday’s schedule will be released on Saturday.
• Semi-finals and the Gold Medal Game will be played on Monday 10 June, at times to be confirmed later.
• We will endeavour to schedule consolation games, where possible.
• Day 4 schedule is subject to change time and venue

For current standings and results, visit our Little League Division 1 Hub here.

Division 2 

At this stage, seven games are scheduled to be played at Chifley Sports Reserve on Bunnerong Road. It is home to the Eastern Suburbs Dolphins and Australia’s first Little League only field. Thank you, Dolphins!

One game is scheduled to be played at Blacktown International Sports Park.

Please note, this schedule could change due to potential alternate venue availability & field conditions which would allow for games to be played earlier, including at Blacktown.

The first three games at Chifley will not be changed.

Games after the first three scheduled Division II games at Chifley may be moved and relocated to facilitate earlier start times.

Those who could potentially move will not play before 10AM – we will consider notice period and travel time in our decision. Team EOs will be immediately updated, as well as news on Baseball.com.au.

For now, work off this schedule.

Some notes:

• All Division 2 games will be 90 minutes on Day 4
• The intention is to finish Pool Play by Monday afternoon. The Gold Medal Game will be played on Monday 10 June, at times to be confirmed later, between the first place finisher of Pool A and the first place finisher of Pool B.
• We will endeavour to schedule consolation games, where possible.

For current standings and results, visit our Little League Division 2 Hub here.

recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Nick Bottaro

Only three Division 1 games are able to be played on Day 3 of the Australian Little League Championships.

Saturday 8 June schedule for Division 1 & 2 has been released, as of 5:30PM on Friday. View it here.

A mass amount of rain across all of metropolitan Sydney has made fields all around the city unplayable. So, we play three on Diamond 1 in Blacktown! And here are all your results…

For a full statement and updates on Day 3 Weather, click here. 

Head to the Division 1 Hub for previous results. Here is the Day 4 Schedule.

BROADCAST

You can watch all Diamond 1 games on Baseball+ live, free and around the world. Head to www.baseball.com.au/baseballplus for more information.

GAMECHANGER LINK FOR LIVE SCORING: CLICK HERE.

RESULTS

Adelaide Marlins 2 def Central Firebirds 0
Hills Red 9 def Melbourne Athletics 4
Eastern Phantoms 6 def Brisbane SouthWest 0

Recaps below.

STANDINGS (CURRENT)

(runs allowed in parenthesis, top two teams advance to semi-finals)

POOL A 

1. Hills Red: 2-0 (4)
2. Cronulla Black: 2-1 (12)
3. Melbourne Athletics: 2-1 (14)
4. Adelaide Marlins: 1-1 (10)
5. Central Firebirds: 1-2 (14)
6. Brisbane North: 0-3 (25)

Pool B

1. Ryde Red: 3-0 (10)
2. Eastern Phantoms: 3-0 (8)
3. Adelaide Rays: 2-1 (2)
4. Brisbane SouthWest: 0-2 (16)
5. Melbourne Mariners: 0-2 (41)
6. Canberra Rangers: 0-3 (29)

Below is tomorrow’s schedule. Please note it is subject to change – both times and venue.

RECAPS

Adelaide Marlins 2 def Central Firebirds 0

The Marlins started this afternoon with a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second, after starting their game over 24 hours ago.

The strong pitching trend continued. Jack Bowden was throwing rockets for the Marlins. The Adelaide pitcher pitched four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out eight. His one hit came in the last inning.

Tyrone Cutler had a two-out RBI single in the third to push the lead to 2-0.

Archer Spratt pitched two innings yesterday for the Marlins. The Firebirds used four pitchers in the loss.

Hills 9 def Athletics 4 

Hills came-from-behind twice to improve to 2-0 and score a win between two teams near the top of the table of Group A. This game had more twists & turns than a bikram yoga class!

Melbourne seized an early 2-0 lead thanks to a Haydn Doganay two-out single in the first inning.

Hudson Dobb had a pair of RBI in the bottom of the first, as Hills responded with three scores to lead 3-2.

The Athletics grabbed the lead right back in the second, leading 4-3.

There was even an outrageous diving catch in the third inning, when the Athletics’ Leo Moulton stretched out to rob Hills of at least a pair of runs.

Then, the Hills took over.

Emma Gainsford put Hills in front in the top of the fourth. With two-outs, two-on, and her team down 4-3, Gainsford ripped a double to plate a pair.

They pulled away in the fifth inning, scoring three more runs to lead 9-4.

Fletcher Dobb starred on the mound, tossing 5.0 innings of shutout ball. He struck out five.

Ten different Hills players combined for twelve hits. Sayre Howick and Fletcher Dobb led the team with two hits. Hudson Dodd and Emma Gainsford led the team with two RBI.

Hudson Dodd finished the game with a fantastic diving stop.

Hills improve to 2-0 while the Athletics fall to 2-1.

Eastern Phantoms 6 def Brisbane SouthWest 0 

The Phantoms improved to 3-0 behind big-time pitching displays from Brody Warner and Bremer Renwick.

Warner allowed just one hit in 4.0 innings while striking out seven. Renwick allowed one hit with two strikeouts.

The Phantoms scored early. Lincoln Ellis doubled a run in the first to extend his big streak to start the tournament. Ryder Canny drove in two more in the second.

They pulled away in the middle innings.

Canny and Riley Malcolm each had two hits to lead the Phantoms, who improve to 3-0.