State runners up

Mount Gambier baseballers shine at championships

The October long weekend saw Mount Gambier’s best baseballers head to Glenelg to take on the best of regional baseball at the annual SA Country Baseball Championships. Mount Gambier was aiming for a third straight title and knew it wouild take five wins to make the final, making a strong start critical.

The weekend consisted of a round robin style competition, where Mount Gambier finished on top of the table with five wins and 1 draw, whilst arch rival Sunraysia also finished on five wins and a draw to set up what would be a hotly contested final between the sides.

A warm Monday afternoon in front of a record Glenelg crowd for the carnival saw a hard game played between young sides. Sunraysia proved to be just too strong and defeat Mount Gambier 3-0 in the final to take the championship back to Sunraysia for the first time in three years. Coach Sean Horrigan saidalthough the championship didn’t come home, the Mount Gambier side could hold their heads high as they won the hearts of all the spectators in they way they represented the colours and the town of Mount Gambier and they spirit in which the weekend was played.

Mount Gambier earlier in the weekend defeated Port Pirie to retain the Kevin Ryan Cup which has been held by Mount Gambier since 2009. The Mount Gambier 17 & under team finished runner up in a five game series against Sunraysia.

The Mount Gambier 15 & under team finished champions after defeating Riverland in a five game series.

Results:

Game 1 Mount Gambier 20 d Darwin 0
Game 2 Mount Gambier 7 d Gawler 3
Game 3 Mount Gambier 7 d Riverland 0
Game 4 Mount Gamber 3 drew Sunraysia 3
Game 5 Mount Gambier 8 d Pt Pirie 2
Championship Game Sunraysia 3 d Mount Gambier 0

Award Winners:

Dylan Ridding
Ken Wesslink All-Star Team Infield & Mount Gambier MVP.

Dylan Chuck
Ken Wesslink All-Star Team Catcher & David Mitchell Batting Average (.600) winner

Ethan Chuck
Ken Wesslink All-Star Team Outfield

Riley Parsons
17 & Under MVP

Phoenix Cole
15 & Under MVP

Sean Horrigan
Ken Wesslink All-Star Team Assistant Coach

SENIOR BASEBALL TEAM: Division 1 side with the Kevin Ryan Cup after defeating Port Pirie

MOUNT GAMBIER ALL STARS: Ethan Chuck, Dylan Ridding and Dylan Chuck with the Ken Wisslink All star team medals.