Division 2
Qualifying final – Central 10 d Tigers 3
IN the Mount Gambier and District Baseball League Division 2 competition, Central has won a grand final berth after it defeated Tigers in the qualifying final on the weekend.
The Central batters put pressure on the field all game, picking up eight safe hits and forcing six Tigers errors to score 10 runs over two innings.
Ben Green batted three hits from three plate appearances, while Tigers could only manage six scattered hits and force just three errors to score their three runs.
Jayden Ballintyne was the outstanding batter for Tigers, picking up three of those hits.
Elimination final – Millicent 15 d South Indians 2
THE Millicent Bandits out-hit South 16 safe hits to two in the Division 2 elimination final, advancing to next week’s preliminary final against Tigers.
Millicent was outstanding in the batting box, with Matthew Webber picking up four hits from four plate appearances.
Jack Hateley and Leigh Kent both had three runs batted in, while Darcy Pink had the mound under control, only giving up two hits in four innings.
Division 3
Qualifying final – Central 15 Naracoorte 4
IN the Division 3 qualifying final, the mercy rule came into play when top team Naracoorte was defeated by Central on the weekend.
With Naracoorte holding the majority of wins in the teams’ three clashes, Central came out firing to secure its upset win.
A total of 11 safe hits, six base-on-ball, 11 stolen bases and 12 runs batted in tells the story of the game.
Central’s Anthony Ridding, Scott Page, Steve Kuhl and Brett Hosking recorded two safe hits each for the match, while Naracoorte’s only multiple safe-hitter was Ashley Fox, with three.
This single performance was not enough for the ladder leaders, with Naracoorte now set to battle South Indians in the preliminary final.
Elimination final – South Indians 14 d Millicent 12
THE elimination final between Millicent and South Indians was a high-scoring affair, which saw the latter with a narrow two-run victory and the respective chance to face Naracoorte in the preliminary final.
The batters held sway over the pitching of both teams, with South’s Rian Boyd, Jason Henke and Rick Poole all picking up three safe hits from four at bats, while Millicent’s Michael Pink did the same.
Under 15
Qualifying final – Central 12 d Tigers 8
THE qualifying final in the Under 15 competition saw top team Central earn itself a grand final berth when it defeated Tigers thirteen runs to eight.
Tigers scored six runs in the first two innings of the game to have a solid start, but Central then replied with seven of its own in the bottom of the second.
Three safe hits and four base-on-balls saw Central score a further six runs in the bottom of the third to give them the clear advantage.
Tigers pulled the score back by two in the top of the fourth, but it was not enough when the game was called.
Central’s Josh Chuck was the only multiple safe-hitter for his team, as was Tigers’ Tyrone May.
The Magpies relieving pitcher, Alex Ridding, pitched 3.1 innings for eight strikeouts.
Elimination final – Federal 13 d Naracoorte 4
FOURTH-placed Federal overcame the more fancied Naracoorte to find itself in next Saturday’s preliminary final.
Federal pitchers, starter Roy Hutchesson and reliever Thomas Graney, shut out the Rangers’ batters and did not give up a single hit, picking up six strikeouts.
However, they did give up eight walks.
On the other side, Naracoorte pitchers Brady Fox and Kristopher Keeping gave up seven hits and eight walks.
Cameron Harris and Max Moody were the only multiple safe-hitters for the match, with both players from Federal.
Under 13 Gold
Qualifying final – Millicent 9 d Central 5
AFTER an undefeated minor season, Central’s Under 13 Gold team went down to a determined Millicent in the qualifying final on the weekend, now finding itself in next week’s preliminary final.
Millicent had seven safe hits in the eventual upset victory, with 10 walks from the Central pitching staff helping the Bandits on their way.
Daniel Hateley was Millicent’s best hitter with three safe hits, while Skye Fox had two.
Central’s only safe hit came from Justin Tzioutziouklaris.
Elimination final – South Indians 15 d Federal 1
SOUTH will now battle for the last place in the grand final next week, after it claimed a convincing victory over Federal in the elimination final on the weekend.
The Indians’ pitching kept the Federal batters hit-less, while South was flawless with both bat and ball.
Deklin Joyce led the way for the victors, as he was the only multiple safe-hitter, with two to his name.
