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We are through three days of the Little League Championships Group Stage. Amazingly, no team has clinched a spot in the top two.

Pool A and Pool B both have four teams battling for two spots, with multiple tiebreaker scenarios in play. Runs allowed and head-to-head will be at the top of every coach’s mind. Coaches will be all over the Little League Handbook tonight making sure they know all the tiebreaking procedures.

This is your Newspaper Story. Each day we will publish results with a ‘newspaper style’ recap with stats, highlights and photos. Scroll for standings.

Watch live on Baseball+ and follow on GameChanger.

Yesterday’s recap: click here. Original PDF Schedule: click here.

DAY 3 SCHEDULE – FRIDAY 5 JUNE

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– Pool A: Canberra Rangers 13 def Melbourne Rangers 3
– Pool A: Ryde Red 11 def Brisbane North 7
– Pool A: Cronulla Black 13 def Canberra Rangers 3
– Pool A: Central Firebirds 19 def Cronulla Black 2

– Pool B: Ryde Black 8 def Eastern Phantoms 0 (Baseball+)
– Pool B: Eastern Phantoms 21 def Melbourne Athletics 7
– Pool B: Brisbane Metro 18 def Northern Territory Buffaloes 3 (Baseball+)
– Pool B: Adelaide Marlins 4 def Melbourne Athletics 1

CLICK HERE FOR SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Live Scoring: GameChanger | Watch on Baseball+ 

CURRENT STANDINGS

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Top Two teams advance to the semi-finals.

Pool A (Runs allowed)

Ryde Red 3-1 (21)
Central Firebirds 3-1 (18)
Melbourne Rangers 2-2 (20)
Cronulla Black 2-2 (23)
Brisbane North 1-3
Canberra Rangers 1-3

Pool B (Runs Allowed)

Adelaide Marlins 4-0 (16)
Ryde Black 3-1 (10)
Eastern Phantoms 3-1 (22)
Brisbane Metro 2-2 (15)
Melbourne Athletics 0-4
NT Buffaloes 0-4

Tiebreakers:
1. Head-to-head
2. Runs Allowed Ratio

RECAPS

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BRISBANE METRO 18 def NT BUFFALOES 3 | Brisbane stay in finals contention with a convincing win

Brisbane Metro have improved to 2-2 with one game to play in Pool B. They’ll need to beat Ryde Black (currently 2-1) and get some help to navigate their way into the top two of the tournament.

They did their job today. Brisbane Metro scored 13 runs in the second inning to race away.

Lars Van Der Hook, Noah Akahoshi, Toby Sheeran, Hamish McMahon and Kai McKenna all had RBI base hits in the 13-run inning. In fact, Van Der Hook had two hits in the frame. He finished the day with four RBI to lead all players.

Akahoshi went 2-for-3 with an inside-the-park homer to help pace the offense.

Benji Robertson and Axel Holmstrong pitched for Brisbane Metro, each tallying three strikeouts.

Tobias Howell and Korey Sleigh had RBI base hits for the Buffaloes, who drop to 0-4.

Check out the stats below.

Brisbane Metro (2-2) next play Saturday at 11:15AM vs Ryde Black (2-1). The Buffaloes finish Pool Play against the Athletics (0-3) tomorrow morning.

BRISBANE METRO

Hits: Kai McKenna 2, Noah Akahoshi 2, Anderson Wild 2, Axel Holmstrom, Noah Chang 2, Hamish McMahon 2, Lincoln Wood, Lars Van Der Hoek 2

RBI: Lars Van Der Hoek 4, Noah Akahoshi 3, Noah Chang 2, Kai McKenna, Toby Sheeran, Hamish McMahon

HR: Noah Akahoshi

Pitching:
– Benji Robertson — 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
– Axel Holmstrom — 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Hits: Tobias Howell, Korey Sleigh
RBI: Tobias Howell, Korey Sleigh

Pitching:
– Tobias Howell — 1.1 IP, 10 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
– Sam Follayttar — 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

CANBERRA RANGERS 13 def MELBOURNE RANGERS | Teddy Tudor helps lead Canberra to first victory, sending Pool A into wild scenarios

Teddy Tudor went 3-for-3 with a triple, double and two RBI. He also tossed 3.0 innings,  allowing two hits, two runs and struck out five.

He was a key part of a full team effort that sees Canberra pick up their first win of the tournament and improve to 1-2.

It creates some pretty crazy scenarios for Pool A. Every team has at least one win. No team has more than two. There’s 24 hours left of Pool Play.

Canberra’s offense was steady throughout the game. They scored four in the first, four in the second, three in the third and two in the fourth to win it on the run rule. Seven different Rangers had hits and eleven reached base.

Check out the stats below.

Canberra (1-2) will look to build on momentum later this afternoon vs Cronulla Black (1-2). The Melbourne Rangers (2-2) next play Ryde Red (2-1) in the final game of the minor rounds tomorrow afternoon.

All five teams are still mathematically alive for a top two spot.

CANBERRA RANGERS

Hits: T. Tudor 3, B. MacDonald, L. McIntyre, H. Kerns, D. Hurley, K. Hayashi, T. Matavesi
RBI: T. Tudor 2, K. Hayashi

Pitching:
– T. Tudor: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
– C. Hackett: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K

MELBOURNE RANGERS

Hits: A. Watt-Sinclair 2, P. Lane, C. McGowan
RBI: A. Watt-Sinclair, P. Lane

Pitching:
-F. Fleiner: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
– H. Reeman: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
– E. Andrzejewski: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

EASTERN PHANTOMS 21 def MELBOURNE ATHLETICS 7  | Flurry of runs brings Phantoms to perfect 3-0 record

The Eastern Phantoms scored a flurry of runs to bring themselves within striking distance of finals.

The scenario is this: if the Eastern Phantoms defeat Ryde Black, they will advance to the semi-finals at 4-0. They play at 1:30PM on Baseball+.

While the scoreline was flattering, the Phantoms had to do it the hard way. The Phantoms were down 4-1 after two innings before they rattled off 14 unanswered runs. They scored six in the third, eight in the fourth and six in the fifth.

12 different Phantoms had a hit and all players in the line-up reached base. Darcy Brewis went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI to pace the attack.

Jack McCay, Lachlan Kendall, Mitchell Renwick and Ashton Westwood each had a pair of base-hits.

Oscar Allen had two hits for the Athletics

The Phantoms improve to 3-0. The Athletics drop to 0-3.

EASTERN PHANTOMS

Hits: D. Brewis 3, J. McCay 2, L. Kendall 2, M. Renwick 2, A. Westwood 2, N. Rowland, O. Duck, A. Kelly, C. Stingers, H. Nicholls, O. A

RBI: N. Rowland 3, D. Brewis 3, M. Renwick 2, A. Westwood 2, J. McCay, L. Kendall, O. Duck, A. Kelly, H. Nicholls

Pitching:
– N. Rowland: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
– J. McCay: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
– A. Westwood: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

MELBOURNE ATHLETICS

Hits: O. Allen 2, N. Singline, L. Giles, T. Needham

RBI: O. Allen 2, N. Singline

Pitching:
– O. Allen: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
– N. Singline: 1.1 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
– T. Needham: 1.2 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

ADELAIDE MARLINS 4 def MELBOURNE ATHLETICS 1 | Hamish Lee tosses tournament high 13 strikeouts as Marlins improve to 4-0

Hamish Lee delivered the best pitching performance of the tournament so far.

The 11-year-old left-hander threw 5.2 shutout innings, allowing just two hits, two walks and posted 2026 tournament high 13 strikeouts.

He needed to be every bit as great as he was. The Athletics Luca Lidgett was also excellent.

Adelaide scored four runs in the top of the first and Lidgett took over from there. He finished with 5.0 innings pitched,  allowing just three earned runs with five hits, one walk and 10 strikeouts.

A sequence of back-to-back-to-back hits from Jack Robertson, Oscar Patman and Cameron Majewski spurred on a four run first inning for the Marlins and Lee took over from there.

The Athletics pressured in the last, scoring a run and loading the bases before Will Miles struck out the final batter.

The Marlins are now 4-0. They turn their attention to the upcoming Eastern Phantoms (3-0) vs Ryde Black (2-1) game. If the Phantoms win, the Marlins are through. If Ryde Black win, the Marlins will likely need to defeat the Phantoms tomorrow to reach the semi finals. In event of a three-way tie, runs allowed may come into factor.

ADELAIDE MARLINS

Hits: O. Patman 2, C. Roach, J. Robertson, C. Majewski
RBI: J. Robertson, O. Patman, C. Majewski, M. Guo

Pitching:
– H. Lee: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 13 K
– W. Miles: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

MELBOURNE ATHLETICS
Hits: L. Lidgett, O. Allen, S. Yang, T. Wilkinson, T. Needham
RBI: O. Allen

Pitching:
– L. Lidgett: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

CENTRAL FIREBIRDS 19 def CRONULLA BLACK 2 | Firebirds first to three wins in Pool A after overpowering Cronulla

The Firebirds stormed out of the gate for five runs in the fifth, and finished with 10 runs in the last.

The win puts Central Firebirds in first place in Pool A and a win away from securing a semi-finals spot.

Ashton Fisher led the way with three hits. and three RBI. Beau Price, Kai Ogilvie and Harrison Welton all had three RBI.

As a team, the Firebirds combined for 11 hits and 12 walks. Everybody in the line-up reached base at least once.

Declan Strain went the distance, going 4.0 innings. with four hits,  two runs, two walks and six strikeouts.

The Firebirds (3-1) move to first place in Pool A. They play Canberra Rangers (1-2) tomorrow to wrap up Pool Play. If they win that, they are through to the finals.

Cronulla Black (1-2) play Canberra Rangers (1-2) in a must-win game this afternoon.

CRONULLA BLACK

Hits: L. Grant 2, E. Wall, H. Castillo
RBI: E. Wall, J. Smith

Pitching:
– L. Percey: 1.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
– E. Wall: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
– C. Wooden: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 7 BB, 1 K
– B. Saunders: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

CENTRAL FIREBIRDS

Hits: A. Fisher 3, F. Kalin 2, B. Price 2, K. Ogilvie, K. Aizlewood, H. Welten, V. Buckley
RBI: A. Fisher 3, F. Kalin, B. Price 3, K. Ogilvie 3, H. Welten 3, C. Moffat, V. Buckley

Pitching:
–  D. Strain: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

RYDE BLACK vs EASTERN PHANTOMS | Ryde Black take home must-win game to send Pool A to the final day thanks to shutout effort from Koji Komine

The pre-game scenario was simple. Eastern Phantoms win? They’re in with Adelaide and Ryde Black would be eliminated. Ryde Black win? They bring Pool B to the final day.

Ryde score six runs in the first two innings and never looked back. 8-0 your final.

Koji Komine was terrific on the mound. He threw 5.1 shutout innings, allowing just two hits, four walks and had nine strikeouts.

Eight different Ryde Black players had hits. Haruki Sawa had two RBI.

It leaves Pool B with four teams fighting for two spots. Runs allowed will factor into the equation should we go to a three-way tiebreaker and head-to-head can’t be used.

Ryde Black (3-1) finish tomorrow vs Brisbane Metro (2-2). Adelaide (4-0) play Eastern Phantoms (3-1).

RYDE BLACK

Hits: L. Punch, H. Myles, Y. Otsuka, J. Valente, J. Melhem, L. Wolstenholme, K. Komine, I. Choi
RBI: H. Myles, Y. Otsuka, J. Valente, J. Melhem, N. Fernie, H. Sawa 2

Pitching:
– K. Komine: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 9 K
– L. Punch: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

EASTERN PHANTOMS

Hits: L. Kendall, H. Nicholls

Pitching:
– P. Thomas: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
– M. Renwick: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
– H. Nicholls: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

RYDE RED 11 vs BRISBANE NORTH 7 | Ryde Red are a win away from finals 

Ryde Red scored six runs in the last inning to pull away from Brisbane North in a pivotal Pool A battle.

They became their group team to a 3-1 record. Their 11-7 win moves them just a win away from a semi-final sport and a chance at Williamsport.

Ryde Red built up a 5-1 lead before Brisbane clawed back within one.

Entering the sixth inning up 5-4, Ryde Red scored six runs on three hits to push the score out to an 11-4 margin. Edin Becerivic and Frederick Coats heat had two-RBI base hits.

Brisbane North push pushed back in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs and loading the bases.

Becerivic had two hits for Ryde Red. Jasper Pearse had three RBI. Loats had three stolen bases.

Ryde Red improve to 3-1. They play their final game vs the Melbourne Rangers (2-2) on Baseball+. If they win that, they are in the semi finals.

RYDE RED

Hits: D. Warwick, H. Kaneko, J. Lee, N. Robson, E. Becirevic 2, F. Loats, K. Bosman
RBI: H. Kaneko, N. Robson, E. Becirevic 2, F. Loats, J. Pearse 3, C. Dillon

Pitching:
– H. Kaneko: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
– K. Bosman: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
– J. Lee: 0.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
– C. Dillon: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

BRISBANE NORTH

Hits: H. Lokeni, A. Griffin 2, T. Hession 2, J. Land, J. Young

RBI: E. Grobler, M. Fogg 2, A. Gaskell

Pitching:
– T. Lyall: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
– M. Fogg: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
– H. Campbell-Manfield: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

CRONULLA BLACK 13 def  CANBERRA RANGERS 3| Cronulla bounce back with nine run inning to keep finals hopes alive

Cronulla need to win their final two games and find some help to get into the finals.

They accomplished part the challenge on Friday afternoon with a resounding win over Canberra.

The game was close until it wasn’t. Cronulla led 4-0 in the fourth before exploding for nine runs. Hudson Castillo, Charlie Wooden, Leonardo Percey, Lucas Grant and Jack Smith each had RBI base hits in the inning.

The hits from Wooden and Grant were triples.

Hudson Castillo pitched all four innings, surviving a three-run charge in the final inning by Canberra.

Teddy Tudor built on a three-hit day earlier for Canberra, tallying two more in the afternoon.

The win moves Cronulla to 2-2. They face Brisbane North (1-3) tomorrow at 9:00AM on Baseball+. To make the finals, Cronulla will need to win the game, then hope Canberra Rangers (1-3) to defeat the Central Firebirds (3-1), and Melbourne Rangers (2-2) to defeat Ryde Red (3-2). From there, they would need to hope to come out in a four-way tiebreaker.

CRONULLA BLACK

Hits: L. Percey, X. Dunn, L. Grant, E. Wall, F. Donnelly, A. Fils-Aime, O. Fowler, C. Wooden
RBI: L. Percey, L. Grant, E. Wall, J. Smith, F. Donnelly, H. Castillo, C. Wooden 2
Pitching:
– H. Castillo — 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
– A. Fils-Aime — 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

CANBERRA RANGERS
Hits: T. Tudor 2, C. Hackett, E. Tunningley, T. Matavesi

Pitching:
– D. Hurley — 0.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
– K. Hayashi — 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
– K. Herath — 0.1 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
– E. Tunningley — 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

END OF DAY STANDINGS AND SCHEDULE

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Top Two teams advance to the semi-finals.

Pool A (Runs allowed)

Ryde Red 3-1 (21)
Central Firebirds 3-1 (18)
Melbourne Rangers 2-2 (20)
Cronulla Black 2-2 (23)
Brisbane North 1-3
Canberra Rangers 1-3

Pool B (Runs Allowed)

Adelaide Marlins 4-0 (16)
Ryde Black 3-1 (10)
Eastern Phantoms 3-1 (22)
Brisbane Metro 2-2 (15)
Melbourne Athletics 0-4
NT Buffaloes 0-4

Tiebreakers:
1. Head-to-head
2. Runs Allowed Ratio