Baseball NSW congratulates the Cronulla Sharks for winning the U18 NSW State League after defeating the Ryde Hawks 5-4 on Saturday, 5 April.
The Sharks had erupted for a five-run lead in the second inning, but the Hawks dug deep and clawed back all the way to within a single-run deficit. During their rally, Ryde scored on two fielder’s choices and a double.
Lewis Gardner opened up the scoring for the Sharks in the first, hitting a sacrifice fly to score one run. Another sacrifice fly pushed them to a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the second, Cronulla took control of the game with three more runs courtesy of RBI singles from Colm Sheehan and Liam Cavanough.
Sheehan also led the team with two runs batted in, going 2-5 at the plate overall.
Cronulla’s starting pitcher Dylan Mogensen pitched over five innings, surrendering five hits and two runs while striking out two and walking three. Meanwhile, Sharks relief pitcher Jack Fletcher pitched two innings, giving up only one hit, striking out none and walking one.
Ryde U18 relied on Cash Robinson to give them some burst in the middle of the lineup, as he had two runs batted in. He also went 2-5 at bat. Both Robinson and Christian Lane contributed to the comeback, each making two hits, while Miguel Nixon had two walks for Ryde.