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Welcome! This is the running story of Australia’s run at the 2024 Intermediate League (U14) World Series.

A group of 13-year-olds from Sydney charter ‘Hills’ are in Livermore, California representing Australia.

They’re up against the best junior baseball teams from their age bracket from around the world. They’re playing in a double-elimination tournament, meaning you have to lose twice to be eliminated.

There were plenty of great experiences for this Hills side. They faced the defending champions from Korea, played top talent from around the globe, and even became the first Australian team to ever win a game at an Intermediate League World Series.

Scroll down for match recaps and links to highlights from Eric Balnar.

For many of these players it’s their second trip to a World Series event in the last two years.

PREVIEW: Meet the team here
LIVE SCORING: Follow on GameChanger
BRACKET: View the tournament knockout bracket here
PHOTOS (BILL NALE): Click here

RESULTS, SCHEDULE, LIVE STREAM

– Game 1: South Korea (Asia Pacific) 10 def Australia 0

– Game 2 Knock-out: Australia 3 def Canada (Quebec) 2

– Game 3 Knock-out:  Puerto Rico 8 def Australia 3

You can watch the games via the ESPN App with a Foxtel or Fetch subscription.

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GAME 3 RECAP – PUERTO RICO 8 def AUSTRALIA 3

Livermore, California – July 31, 2024

Australia had a spirited comeback attempted but ultimately Puerto Rico’s early lead was too much to overcome. An 8-3 loss sees Australia’s run come to an end at the Intermediate League World Series.

Hills put forth an effort to be proud of. They became the first Australian squad to ever win a game at this tournament.

“It feels like a good milestone,” said Hills head coach Jarrad Salmon. “I like to think more Australian teams will follow our success. We’re truly humbled by the experience.”

Today just wasn’t quite their day.

Puerto Rico scored two early runs off a passed ball and another of a Jose Berrios RBI to lead 3-0 after one.

Berrios cashed in a couple more in the fourth to help Puerto Rico jump to a 6-0 lead.

A Jasonyell Catala triple in the fifth pushed the lead to 8-0 and the game beyond doubt.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico starter Carlos Ojeda took a no hitter into the sixth.

Jack Drummond and Isaac Meighan broke up the no-no with back-to-back hits in the sixth. Drummond scored on a balk.

Jet Creamer and Jayden Crane followed up with RBIs to make it 8-3.

Australia had a couple base runners in the seventh but couldn’t score.

Jaden Jankuloski started the game for Australia. He pitched 1.0 innings. Zac Martyn followed with 2.1 innings of work before Ben Fogarty worked a couple outs. Jack Drummond finished the last two.

Congratulations to Puerto Rico on advancing to the next round.

HITS: Jack Drummond, Isaac Meighan, Jet Creamer, Jayden Crane
RBI: Jet Creamer, Jayden Crane
RUNS: Drummond, Creamer, Crane

GAME 2 RECAP – AUSTRALIA 3 def CANADA 2

Livermore, California – July 30, 2024

Australia had never won a game at the Intermediate League World Series.

Until today.

When Tom Hayhow dove in below a tag to touch home on a dropped third strike it sent a bed of Australian supporters of rapture and the little team from Hills into the history books.

The incredible 3-2 comeback win over Canada keeps Australia’s tournament alive. A loss would have been the end of the road.

Instead, Australia will play again tomorrow vs the winner of Europe-Africa.

It was a great game from start to finish.

Jet Creamer turned in a performance for the ages on the mound. The same pitcher who started the Gold Medal Game at the Australian nationals was terrific. He tossed a complete game, working 7.0 innings with four hits, one earned run, two walks and 10 strikeouts.

Still, Canada took a 2-0 lead into the fifth off a Matias Audette-Vera RBI and an error in the field.

Hayden Salmon tied the game in the fifth on a two-out, full-count single that cashed in Hayhow and Isaac Meighan. Salmon’s hit was the most important of his two on the day.

Creamer kept chugging along on the mound and Canada never really appeared to threaten.

Australia walked-off Canada in the seventh. Zac Martyn reached on an error to get the ball rolling. Hayhow reached on a fielder’s choice and eventually made his way to third.

Smart base running sealed the win.

Australia now waits the winner of Europe-Africa and Puerto Rico for their next opponent in the knockout stages.

HITS: Hayden Salmon (2), Jet Creamer, Ben Fogarty, Tom Hayhow
RBI: Salmon
RUNS: Hayhow (2), Creamer

PITCHING:
– Jet Creamer: 7.0IP, 10 SO, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB

GAME 1 RECAP – SOUTH KOREA 8 def AUSTRALIA 1

Livermore, California – July 29 2024

Australia took an early lead but ultimately fell to the Asia-Pacific representatives from South Korea at the Intermediate League World Series.

Australia, represented by Sydney’s Hills, will now quickly rest and get ready for a game vs Canada at 9:00AM local on Tuesday morning – or 2:00AM Sydney time on Wednesday 31 July.

It’s a must win game for the Aussies, who have used one of their lives in this double-elimination tournament.

Things looked promising early.

Isaac Meighan had an RBI single in the first inning to put Australia up 1-0. In fact, Australia had three of their five hits for the game in the opening inning. Tom Hayhow and Jaden Jang also recorded a hit.

Australia could have scored more, but Korean pitcher Junhyuk Oh worked his way out of a bases loaded jam.

Oh really was the star of this game for the team from West Seoul, South Korea. He launched a two run homer to break a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the first.

A sacrifice bunt helped score Korea’s fourth run to lead 4-1 after two.

Australia hung tight thanks to some solid pitching and great defensive plays. A nifty snag and tag by Zac Martin helped turn a double play for Australia.

Isaac Meighan also threw a runner out at second.

After a blistering start, Australia’s bats went quiet. Between the end of the first inning and beginning of the fifth, ten straight Australian batters were retired and 13-of-14.

Junghee Jang pitched 3.2 middle innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out seven.

Korean pitching was excellent. They struck out 17 Australian batters throughout the afternoon.

Korea pulled away by pegging two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Australia saw five hits from five different players: Tom Hayhow, Jaden Jang, Jack Drummond, Isaac Meighan and Benji Baitch.

Adrian Jankuloski started on the mound for Australia, allowing three runs in two innings. Jet Creamer pitched 1.2 innings of shutout ball. Jack Drummond and Ben Fogarty each pitched at the end of the game, each allowing two runs.

Canada is up next for this squad.

story by Eric Balnar / Dan Cohen Photography

The Hills are alive with the sound of baseball.

The New South Wales group of baseballers aged 14 & under are off this week to represent Australia the Intermediate League World Series in Livermore, California.
Hills – made up of players from baseball clubs in Sydney’s Hills – were crowned Australian Intermediate League Champions in May at a tournament vs this country’s best in Lismore.

Now, they take on the best in the world at the international tournament broadcast on ESPN.

But, as they say, “this isn’t their first rodeo.” Ten of the 12 players have represented Australia before.

This age group won the Little League championships in 2023, and represented Australia at last year’s Little League World Series in Williamsport.

This year they head to California.

It’s a double elimination tournament, meaning you have to lose two games to be knocked out of medal contention. Hills play their first game on July 30 at 8:00AM AEST (3:00PM on July 29 in California). They face the winner of Europe and Asia. 

You can watch the game on the ESPN App with a Foxtel or Fetch subscription. Or, follow this handy guide.

To follow along the box scores, head to GameChanger by clicking here.

The team flies out to California on Friday 26 July in preparation for their first game.

Let’s meet the Australian representatives.

State: New South Wales
Clubs: Sydney’s Hills – Rouse Hill, Baulkham Hills, Quakers Hill, Oakville, Carlingford & Blacktown
Australian Senior League Championship Record: 5-0 (outscored opponents 52-9)

How they qualified

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It became evident early on that Hills were the team to beat.

They won all three of their group stage games, including a convincing 11-0 win over the Southern Titans (WA) and a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over Gold Coast (QLD).

They beat the Melbourne Mets 15-2 in the semi-final to qualify for the Gold Medal game.

In the Championship decider, Hills toppled the Melbourne Athletics 11-0.

Jet Creamer was dominant on the mound. The lefty took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, finishing with 4.2 innings pitched, zero runs allowed, two hits and an amazing eleven strikeouts.

But it really was a total team effort. The bats were on fire too. Eight different players had hits in the Gold Medal game. Seven had runs batted in, and ten reached base. Everybody contributed in some way.

That team approach was symptomatic all week in Lismore. No team scored more and allowed less runs. The team hit a remarkable eight home runs across their five games.

Meet Hills

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Hayden Salmon (Baulkam Hills) – Hayden returns to the USA after representing Australia at the Little League World Series in Williamsport in 2023. In fact, he scored Australia’s first run of the tournament in Game 1 against the Caribbean. He had four hits and 2RBI at the Australian Intermediate League Championships (AILC).

Zac Martyn (Castle Hill) – The two-way star returns for another trip to America. Zac had four hits, seven runs and a team-high seven walks at the AILC. He also pitched 4.2 innings, allowing no runs, one hit and had eight strikeouts. Zac represented Australia last year at the Little League Championships and played on a travel-ball team that went to the semi-finals of a tournament in Cooperstown.

Tamati Stealey (Carlingford) – The outfielder hit a homer for Hills at nationals. He also chipped in five hits – good for second on the team. He travelled to the Little League World Series in 2023.

Jet Creamer (Quakers Hill) – Creamer starred in the Gold Medal game, tossing 4.2 innings and eleven strikeouts. He took a perfect game into the fifth inning. Jet pitched the most innings of anyone for Hills at nationals. He didn’t allow a run in 7.2 innings while chipping in with a couple hits with the bat. Jet played on the Little League World Series team in 2023.

Benji Baitch (Rouse Hill) – Benji earned a place with Hills for the first time amongst a talented bunch. This is his first trip to a World Series event. Baitch brings power. He hit two homers at nationals.

Adrian Jankuloski (Oakville) – Another powerful bat who hit two homers at nationals. Adrian had four hits and five runs as he returns to another World Series event after playing in Williamsport last year. He also pitched 6.2 innings – the second most on the team.

Benjamin Fogarty (Castle Hill) – Benjamin overcame a broken arm in the summer season to play in nationals. He pitched 5.0 innings, allowing one hit, no earned runs and accumulated eight strikeouts. This is his first appearance at a World Series event.

Isaac Meighan (Baulkham Hills)  – Isaac had four hits and four runs at nationals, providing a consistent bat in the line-up. This is his second trip to a World Series event.

Jack Drummond (Oakville) – Jack had four hits, including a homer, at nationals. He also tossed 3.1 innings of perfect baseball with eight strikeouts. Drummond played for Australia at the Little League World Series in 2023.

Jacob Sawyer (Blacktown) – Jacob went 4-for-9 with four RBI at nationals. He also worked a few walks. This is his second trip to America.

Jaden Jang (Carlingford) – Jaden was one of the most powerful bats in the tournament. He was second on the team with five hits, led the Hills with nine RBI and mashed two homers. He can also jump on the mound if required.

Jayden Crane (Baulkham Hills) – Jayden led Hills in hits with seven at nationals. Six of them were singles, making him a dangerous top of the line-up option. This is Jayden’s second trip to America.

Tom Hayhow (Quakers Hill) – The outfielder made waves at the World Series last year when he made a great catch and ended up on ESPN’s social media. Hayhow had a hit and a couple RBI at nationals this year.

by Eric Balnar / photos from Dan Cohen

Congratulations to Hills (NSW) – your 2024 Australian Intermediate League Champions. They won the gold medal game over the Melbourne Athletics 12-0 and will advance to the Intermediate League World Series.

There were also two consolation games and a bronze medal match today.

Here you will find scores, results, recaps and standings. We’ve also produced mini-match highlights of the gold medal, available just below.

We will be logging all results and information at the Intermediate League Hub. Click here for Day 1 Recap. Here is the Day 2 results story. Here is the Day 3 Recap. And finally, here is Day 4.

The Junior League event is running at same time. You can find details here.

VIDEOS FROM TOURNAMENT: Click here.

Results & Schedule – Day 5

LIVE SCORING & GAME CHANGER: Click Here.

Gold Medal Game – Hills 12 def Melbourne Athletics 0

Bronze Medal – Ryde Hawks 7 def Melbourne Mets 2

Consolation – Gold Coast 7 def Brisbane Metro 3
Consolation – Southern Titans 7 tie Central Firebirds 7

RECAPS

Gold Medal Match – Hills 12 def Melbourne Athletics 0

Strong team hitting and a sensational pitching performance from Jet Creamer has vaulted Hills to a 2024 Intermediate League Championship.

They will now advance as Australia’s representative at the 2024 Intermediate League World Series in Livermore, California later this year.

Jet Creamer was dominant on the mound. The lefty took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, finishing with 4.2 innings pitched, zero runs allowed, two hits and an amazing eleven strikeouts.

The bats were on fire too. Eight different players had hits, seven had runs batted in, and ten reached. Everybody contributed in some way.

Hills scored their first runs of the game in the second inning. Jayden Crane cashed in the opening score. Jacob Sawyer followed with a two-RBI single to centre. 3-0.

The third inning was where Hills really did their damage. They scored seven runs in an inning where six different players had hits and three others walked.

A pair of walks to open the big inning plus singles to Tom Hayhow and Jaden Jang pushed the scoreline to 7-0. Jet Creamer added an RBI single to his stat line. Then, Tamati Stealey sent a booming  double to centre. Jayden Crane picked up his second RBI-single of the day.

Just like that, 10-0 Hills. They added a pair more in the fifth.

Hills will advance to this year’s World Series in August, 2024. It’s the second trip to the USA in as many years for this group of kids, who also won the 2023 Australian Little League (U13) titles.

The Athletics take home the silver medal.

Bronze Medal Match – Ryde Hawks 7 def Melbourne Mets 2

The Ryde Hawks used strong pitching and a balanced team offence to claim a Bronze Medal.

Ryde jumped on the board early when Toby Kelman hit a solo shot. Up 2-0 in the third, Kelman added to his RBI total to push the score to 3-0. Aaron Hsieh followed with a 2-RBI single and just like that it was 5-0 Ryde.

Jeremy Durham was excellent on the mound for Ryde. He tossed 4.0 innings, striking out five, allowing just one run and one hit. Kelman finished it off in relief.

Kelman and Hsieh both led the Ryde offence with two hits. The team combined for eight hits total.

The Mets scored two fifth inning runs before the game was called due to time.

Christian Papadopolous had the lone RBI.

Consolation – Gold Coast 7 def Brisbane Metro 3

In a battle of Queensland, Gold Coast emerged victorious by winning their second straight consolation game. They finish the tournament with a 3-2 record.

There was no scoring until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Gold Coast played four runs. Tyson Weavell cashed in a pair with a 2-RBI single. Kai Tanaka and Charlie Growcott also drove in runs.

Tyson Weavell was sensational on the mound, taking a no-hitter into the fifth. He finished with 5.0 innings, surrendering two hits, three runs and struck out twelve.

Brisbane cut the Gold Coast lead to just one in the sixth inning, making it a 4-3 game. Levi Duke and Phoenix Morton had RBIs.

But Gold Coast scored three quickly in the sixth to blow it back out, before ending the game on a great double play between centerfielder Xavier Leigh and Growcott.

Consolation – Southern Titans 7 tie Central Firebirds 7

Two Western Australian sides played out a wild 7-7 tie.

The Firebirds fired off three runs in the seventh inning to come back from what was once a 6-1 deficit.

The Titans scored six runs in the first inning off four hits. Rylan Hunt had a huge two-run homer.

But the Firebirds kept plugging away. Charlie M played a starring role, collecting three hits going 3-for-3. He also pitched six innings in relief after the first.