31 July 2024
This is the running story of Australia at the 2024 Senior League World Series.
Australia are represented by Perth’s Eastern Phantoms, who won the qualifying event at the Australian Senior League Championships in May. They are in Easley South Carolina ready to take on the best teams in the world at the U17 age-group.
18 July 2024
story by Eric Balnar / Photos by Dylan from Field of View
The Eastern Phantoms are off to the United States this week to prepare for the 2024 Senior League World Series.
The Western Australian outfit, comprised of players in the U17 age group, won the 2024 Australian Senior League national titles in May. With the national Gold Medal, comes the right to represent their country vs the world’s best at this age group in a double-elimination tournament in Easley, South Carolina.
The Phantoms – made up of players from UWA Magpies, Morley Eagles and Perth Baseball Club – play their first game on Sunday 28 July at 4:00PM local – that’s 6:00AM AEST (4:00AM in Perth) on Monday 29 July in Australia.
You can watch the game on the ESPN App with a Foxtel subscription. Or, follow this handy guide.
The box scores and live scoring can be found via GameChanger.
Their first game is against the winner of the Latin-American region and Asia-Pacific region. Their second game all depends on the result of this one.
Recaps will be posted here.
It’s a double elimination tournament, meaning you have to lose two games to be knocked out of medal contention. It will be played out in front of huge TV audiences. You’ll be able to watch the games on ESPN+.
Many of these players represented their country – and the Eastern Phantoms – at the 2022 Junior League (U15) World Series. They’re ready for a second taste of international baseball.
Despite starting on July 28, the Phantoms chose to arrive in the USA nine days early. They head straight to Atlanta to play a series of games vs a local travel ball team in preparation for the event. The Phantoms will play the Atlanta Angles at the East Cobb Perfect Game Complex.
“Our last game was Friday 17 May in less than balmy conditions at the wonderful Geelong Baseball Complex,” says Phantoms head Coach Dan Calverley. “Our next scheduled game is Sunday 28 August in 33-degree, 90% humidity conditions in South Carolina. That’s 72 days between games. It was imperative we get a chance to acclimatise to the conditions.”
Calverley notes a double-elimination format is tough.
“Lose two games and you’re done, some players may not have even seen the field by that stage,” he says. “Having extra games means the lads can get some live at-bats in the heat and be ready to go.”
It’s time to meet the Phantoms.
State: Western Australia
Clubs: East Metro Perth – UWA Magpies, Morley Eagles, Perth Baseball Club
Australian Senior League Championship Record: 6-0 (outscored opponents 83-1)
The Phantoms claimed gold at the Western Australian state championships to qualify for the national tournament. It is the sixth straight state title this Phantoms’ age group has won.
Their fine form carried over vs the rest of Australia. The Eastern Phantoms stormed their way through the group stages, amassing a 4-0 record while outscoring opponents 62-6.
Eastern Phantoms pipped Cronulla Blue 9-3 in the semi-final – the closest any opponent came to them.
A total team performance saw a 12-1 run-rule victory over state rivals Wanneroo Giants in the Gold Medal match.
You can check out the highlights below, or visit the 2024 Senior League Hub for extensive recaps.
“This group has pretty much been together since Little League,” says head coach Calverley. “They bought into the process that we had in place and have really decided as a collective that they want to be the best they can. There are different skill levels, as with any team, but the drive to be the best they can be, for the good of the team is what makes this group special.”
Calverley says this group gels well together, noting they love to compete “against the opposition, themselves and with each other.”
“That’s what makes this group hard to beat,” he says. “From here, many of them will branch into other areas. Some will continue with the high performance side of baseball, some college, hopefully a pro or two. Some will just go back to clubland, all of which are awesome.”
“But they have achieved something special as a group over three years. I think over time they will look back with a sense of accomplishment and hopefully a few life lessons that might stand them in good stead for whatever they choose to pursue.”
Awesome.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Eastern Phantoms, their players, how they qualified, and why they decided to head to the USA early.
Cooper Murphy (Perth Baseball Club), IF / OF – This isn’t Cooper’s first World Series trip. He represented his country at the 2022 Junior League titles. Cooper went 2-for-4 with a pair of walks at nationals.
Tex Prisov (Morley Eagles), C / P – Tex capped off a big 2024 with a Senior League win. He played for WA at the 2024 U16 National Championships. At the Senior League nationals, he pitched 4.0 scoreless innings while tallying two hits with the bat.
Tyson Edwards (UWA Magpies), Utility – The World Series nod is the latest in a series of representative selections for Tyson. He played for the Phantoms at the Intermediate League, Junior League and now Senior League. He played for Western Australia at the U16 National Championships, too. Edwards had three hits and three RBI at Senior League nationals.
Toby Franklin (Morley Eagles), Pitcher – Toby pitched 3.0 innings of scoreless baseball at the national tournament. He represented Australia at the 2022 Junior League World Series, so this is his second trip to the USA. Toby plays in the reserves and in A-Grade in the WA State League.
Ryan Warner (UWA Magpies), IF – Ryan had a phenomenal national championship, going 10-for-15 with a number of highlight reel defensive plays. He led the tournament with 13 RBI. Warner won a Junior League National Championship in 2022 and went to the Junior League World Series. Ryan was named to the U16 Australian National Squad.
George Calverley (Morley Eagles), Util – All he does is win. Locally in WA, George has been part of six straight premierships. He made his senior state league debut this season. George was part of the Junior League World Series team in 2022. He showed his power at the recent nationals, slugging a massive grand slam.
Brady Manning (Morley Eagles), P / Util – Brady makes his second trip to the USA after playing on the 2022 Junior League squad. He played for WA’s U18 team at the Australian Youth Championships earlier this year. Brady broke into the A-Grade squad at Morley this season. At the Senior League Nationals, Brady went 4-for-7 with four walks at the plate. He also pitched 7.2 innings, allowing just two runs with seven strikeouts.
Ben Nesbit (Perth Baseball Club), INF – Nesbit has a pretty solid baseball resume already. He was the 2022 U16 Nationals Gold Glove winner, attended the 2023 U16 Australian Camp. He was also named to the 2024 U18 National Squad heading to Florida later this year. He also went away to the 2022 Junior League World Series. Nesbit led the Phantoms in batting, going 13-for-20 with 8 RBI, a triple, and great defense at third base.
Dylan Palethorpe (Morley Eagles), P – No Phantoms player pitched more than Dylan at the Senior League Nationals. He tossed 8.0 innings, including a start in the Gold Medal game, allowing one run off eight hits with 11 strikeouts. Palethorpe has pitched a perfect game in his WA junior career, and been part of six straight state charter titles with the Phantoms.
Aaron Hugo (Perth Baseball Club), P / UTIL – Hugo’s resume includes a Junior League World Series appearance, a 2024 U18 WA State Squad selection, and multiple overseas trips. Hugo collected a pair of hits in May’s national event.
Adam Taylor (Morley Eagles) – P – Taylor is another one of those 2022 Junior League Phantoms who went to the USA. He’s been part of the Phantoms program since the 2021 Intermediate League Championships. Taylor did not concede an earned run in 7.0 innings pitched at Senior League Nationals, while going 2-for-3 at the plate. Taylor was named to the U16 Australian National Squad.
Tom Williams (Morley Eagles) – OF – Tom provided some of the Phantoms’ most clutch moments at Senior League Nationals. He had a pivotal triple in the Gold Medal Game and a grand slam in the semi-final. He was 7-for-14 in the tournament with a homer and six RBI. This is Williams’ first trip overseas.
Cameron Bahr (Morley Eagles) – C – A three-time member of the WA U16 state team, Bahr won his first national title with the Phantoms this year. In the May tournament he had three hits with five RBI and six runs while managing a strong pitching staff. Cameron was named to the U16 Australian National Squad.
Zai Gordon (Morley Eagles) – P – Gordon has been part of the Phantoms charter program since 2021 and played for Western Australia at the 2024 U16 National Championships. Gordon collected a hit and also tossed an inning of scoreless baseball in the national championships.
Eita Samukawa (UWA Magpies) – INF – Eita had a huge Gold Medal game, collecting three hits and driving in five. He’s represented WA at the U16 level from 2022-2024 and travelled with the Phantoms to the Junior League World Series in 2022. He went 8-for-17 in the tournament with 10 RBI. Eita was named to the U16 Australian National Squad.
Luke Del Borello (Perth Baseball Club) – P – Unfortunately, Luke fractured his elbow in the 2024 State League Championships. But he is a big part of the Phantoms community and much loved by teammates. We hope his recovery is going well!
17 May 2024
recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Field of View Photography
The Eastern Phantoms have won the 2024 Senior League Championships and will represent Australia at the World Series in America!
Here’s how the day unfolded.
16 May 2024
Recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Field of View Photography
Two words: Finals Baseball, baby.
Okay, that’s three but you get the point. Today was semi-final day at the 2024 Australian Senior League Championships.
Cronulla Blue, Eastern Phantoms, Wanneroo Giants and Cronulla Black emerged from the group portion of the tournament and were fighting for a spot in the Gold Medal Game. Win the Gold Medal Game? You represent Australia at the Senior League World Series in the USA.
Welcome to the Day 3 update story. Here you will find scores, game recaps, highlights stat leaders and information you may just care about.
To catch up on the tournament and get all the necessities, don’t forget to visit the Tournament Hub. You’ll find final standings, tournament leaders and links to past recaps there.
You can join Phil Herden for the two semi-final broadcasts. through Baseball+ at www.baseball.com.au/baseballplus.
LIVE SCORING & GAME CHANGER: Click Here.
Consolation Game 1 (C1) – Melbourne Athletics 9 def Gold Coast Cougars 5
5th Place Game – Canberra Rangers 13 def NT Buffaloes 3
12:15PM – Consolation Game 2 (C2) – Adelaide Armada 6 def Melbourne Rangers 5
12:15PM – Semi Final 1 (SF1) – Wanneroo Giants 9 def Cronulla Blue 5
3:00PM – Semi Final 2 (SF2) – Eastern Phantoms 9 def Cronulla Black 3
Wanneroo Giants 9 def Cronulla Blue 5
The Wanneroo Giants scored five runs in the first inning and held on for a semi-final victory to advance to the Gold Medal game.
For seven members of this group, it’s their third straight national charter national championship game. The Wanneroo Giants won the 2023 Junior League (U15) Championship and the 2022 Intermediate League (U14) Title, earning trips to America on both occasions.
Now, they look for a Triple Crown.
Judd MacNeil provided the biggest thud in the five-run first with a 2-RBI single. The rest of the runs were scored on walks.
Dylan Bandy kept Cronulla in check most of the afternoon, tossing 5.0 innings in his start, allowing six hits, three runs and striking out five. He also benefited from some nice defensive efforts in the field.
Every time Cronulla scored, Wanneroo seemed to have an answer. Cronulla scored one in the top of third, only for Chayce Benseman to double in a run in a two-score inning for the Giants.
Cronulla scored again in the fourth, but Ben Hannan’s 2-RBI double pushed the lead to 9-2. Cronulla would score two late runs in the last.
Eight different Giants had hits in a full-team effort. Benseman was the only player with two hits. Six different players and RBIs.
Mitchell Elliot didn’t allow an earned run in his 2.0 innings of relief, closing the door on the win.
Lucas Gallardo had two hits to lead the stat sheet for Cronulla, who advance to tomorrow’s 12:15pm Bronze Medal Game.
The Giants will look to complete the three-peat tomorrow at 3:00PM on Baseball+.
Eastern Phantoms 9 def Cronulla Black 3
Don’t let the scoreline deceive you – this game was tight. But, the Eastern Phantoms pulled ahead in the fifth and slammed it home in the sixth during an epic arm-wrestle to set up an all Western Australia showdown at the Senior League Championship.
It was a low scoring affair until the fourth, when Cronulla’s Lewis Gardner sent a booming 2-RBI double to the wall to put Cronulla Black up 2-1.
The Phantoms tied it in the fourth and broke the deadlock in the fifth.
Heads up base-running from Ben Nesbit on what could have been an inning ending double play moved the Phantoms in front. The very next batter, Ryan Warner cashed in an insurance run to make it 4-2.
Things really escalated in the fifth. After one run scored on a bases loaded walk, Thomas Williams put the game beyond doubt with a huge grand slam to push the scoreline to 9-2.
Williams went 2-for-4 with a homer, walk, and four runs batted in. Ben Nesbit was superb at the top of the order, finishing with a 3-for-4 stat line. Four other Phantoms had hits.
Brady Manning struck out five and allowed just one earned run in his 3.2 innings of work. Adam Taylor finished the job, pitching the final 3.1 innings, allowing two hits and one unearned run.
A potent Cronulla line-up, which led the tournament in scoring, managed just three five off the two pitchers.
They didn’t go down without a fight. Cronulla loaded the bases in the seventh but couldn’t bring any home.
Eastern Phantoms will progress to Friday’s Gold Medal Game vs a foe from their state – the Wanneroo Giants. These teams met in the WA State League titles last month. First pitch is at 3:00PM.
Cronulla Black will play Cronulla Blue at 12:15PM.
Adelaide Armada 6 def Melbourne Rangers 5
Offense early, pitching late.
Lucas Doyle and Alex Gray drove in three runs combined in the bottom of the second inning to break an early 3-3 tie and put the Armada up 6-3. Little did we know, that’s all they would score.
The Rangers pegged one back in the third and Sam Walk’s fourth-inning RBI-double brought the Rangers within one run of Adelaide, but then the scoring ran dry.
Luke Kennedy showed his nerves of steal in the last few innings on the mound for the Armada, holding off a valiant Rangers comeback attempt. He pitched 4.0 innings in relief giving up just two earned runs.
Seven different members of the Armada had hits in a balanced attack.
Sam Walk led the charge for the Rangers, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Ollie Hill picked up his tenth RBI of the tournament. Daniel Williams also had two hits.
Adelaide advances to play the Melbourne Athletics tomorrow.
Melbourne Athletics 9 def Gold Coast 5
The Athletics used a five run third inning to erase an early three-run deficit to pick up their second win of the tournament and advance to the fifth place game.
Declan Marshall send line drive double to left field which cashed in a pair of runs in the third to put Melbourne up 6-5 and they never looked back.
Lachlan Brennan, Angus Saggers and Patrick Watson all had two hit performances. Saggers pitched all 5.0 innings for Melbourne, giving up just two earned runs.
Andre Chang had two of the three Gold Coast hits. His two-RBI double helped give Gold Coast their first lead of the game in a three-run first. They added two more in the second to lead 5-2, before Gold Coast scored seven unanswered.
Gold Coast will play Canberra Rangers tomorrow to finish the tournament, while the Athletics will play either the Adelaide Armada or Melbourne Rangers.
Canberra Rangers 13 def NT Buffaloes 3
Canberra used a five-run second and six-run third inning to power to their first win of the tournament. Liam Shyer and Riley Watson had two hits apiece to lead the Ranger attack.
Eli Tanouye had two RBI in the victory to lead the Rangers. Aiden Bates tossed 3.0 innings of scoreless work in his start.
Andrea McVeigh had a two-RBI single in the fifth to score a pair for NT Buffaloes, who put up their biggest total of the tournament.
15 May 2024
recaps by Eric Balnar, photos by Field of View Photography
It’s Day 3, the final day of the group stage of the 2024 Australian Senior League Championships.
A trip to the Senior League World Series in the USA is on the line for the tournament winner. Today, we discovered which four teams advance to the semi-finals and remain in gold medal contention.
Congratulations to the Eastern Phantoms, Wanneroo Giants, Cronulla Blue & Cronulla Black on advancing to the semi-finals.
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.
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!
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