This year, Australia had three teams from NSW representing our region at the Little League World Series events.
These teams had to win their State and National Championships to secure their world series tickets! The three teams were Cronulla Black in Junior League, and Hills Red in Intermediate and Little League. It was so great watching these teams take on some of the best baseballers in the world and get to experience top tier competition on an international stage! Here’s how they each individually went.
HILLS RED INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE:
Our first team to set flight for the USA was Hills Red IL. This group of U13 year olds boarded their flight to Livermore, California set on representing Australia with great pride, and that they did! This team went on to make history as the first Australian team to win an Intermediate League World Series game!
With Hills attending the Little League World Series in Williamsport last year, many of these players were attending their second trip to a World Series event in the last two years.
They played a total of 3 games in the double elimination tournament, with reigning Champs South Korea as their first match. Australia took an early lead but ultimately fell to the Asia-Pacific representatives from South Korea 10-0.
When asked before the tournament, who they were most excited to compete against, many of the players said “South Korea”! They knew the Asia Pacific team would be a formidable opponent, but this Hills side we’re eager to come up against strong competition to test their skills!
With one loss down, Game 2 was a must win Knock-out. The incredible 3-2 comeback win over Canada kept Australia’s tournament alive. An eyes up play that saw Tom Hayhow display smart base running, sealed the win.
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. With Canada taking an early 2-0 lead, Hayden Salmon stepped up to the plate to tie up 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.
Australia then 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.
Their Game 3 Knock-out saw an early lead from Puerto Rico that resulted in an 8-3 defeat. Whilst it was the end of the road for our boys, they had still enjoyed every moment of the tournament!
With a history making win to their name, the team were extremely proud of their efforts. “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.”
Congratulations to this Hills side on a successful World Series and Little League season! We cant wait to see them back next year, and we just know they’ll be working for that ‘3peat’ at the next State Championships!
CRONULLA JUNIOR LEAGUE:
Not long following Hills’ take-off, Cronulla Black were on their flight to Taylor, Michigan! The tight knit team were super excited for the world series and full of energy at their final trainings before flying out. Their first game of the tournament was against Canada, and whilst our boys outhit Canada they ultimately fell in their opening game of the Junior League World Series.
The team took it in their stride though! Coach Nathan Fuz had reiterated on several occasions that the World Series “are a great experience for both the boys and coaches.” Competing against high level teams on an international stage provides invaluable experience for their games and the opportunity to make some awesome memories!
Their elimination game was then against Nicaragua (Latin America). Juan Mena pitched one of the greatest Junior League World Series games of all-time as Latin-America pipped Australia 4-0.
Jake Shorey battled hard on the mound for Australia, working deep into the sixth inning. He allowed four runs in 5.2 solid innings of work.
Whilst their run in the World Series had come to end, the team didn’t let it dampen their spirits! Cronulla even organised an extra scrimmage game for themselves against Hawaii which was lots of fun, regardless of the score. They also took a trip up to Lake Huron for a day at the beach and enjoyed the VIP experience at the Toledo Mudhens (Triple A) game in Ohio where they had a tour of the stadium and club house and got to walk on the field and meet the players. The boys were all presented with a ball to remember the experience by. What a trip!!
HILLS LITTLE LEAGUE:
The Little League World Series in Williamsport is the pinnacle event of the Little League season calendar, and this year Australia was represented by Hills Red! It’s arguably the biggest sporting event in the world, as 12-year-olds across the World travel to the USA to play in front of a global TV audience of millions. A feature of the event is the MLB Little League Classic where this year the New York Yankees took on the Detroit Tigers and the participating teams get to attend the game live!
Game 1 our Hills crew took on a class Chinese Taipei outfit, who would go on to be eventual runners up in this year’s Little League World Series! The result may not have gone their way, but this Hills team took it all in their stride, embracing every game opportunity they got, especially against such high level competition. It was in this game that Chase Newell made the Little League highlights with a sweet catch at the wall.
After their first defeat, Coach Adam Dobb said “We demonstrated that Aussie spirit of never saying die. Some great defensive work kept us in the game. The crowd was great and all behind the Aussies”
Their final elimination game was played against Aruba (Carribean) and was the game that took two days to play!! The game started on a Sunday afternoon in Williamsport but was postponed due to lightning and rain in the area. When the teams took the near 24-hour break, it was 3-0 Aruba in the second inning. Aruba went on to win 11-0 to eliminate Australia and advance to the second round.
Although the loss ended their run, there were many remarkable things that this Hills team achieved! Emma Gainsford was a standout of the tournament, being the only female baseballer competing in this year’s Little League World Series. Prior to the championship game, Little League International hosted many of the 23 women and girls who have competed in the LLWS over the years. Emma Gainsford has etched her name in the history books by playing in this year’s summer classic and was given the honour of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the match. Recognising Women in Sport on an international level was a huge step forward in the Little League space.
Alongside that, the Australian team set a LLWS record with the Dobb brothers being the first set of triplets to attend a world series! They have truly made a name for themselves, always bringing the energy to games, lead by their father and Head Coach Adam Dobb. What a memorable experience for the family to be able to attend a Little League World Series together!
