GBA Women claim inaugural Winter State Champs

ABOVE: Geelong Baseball Association has created history, winning Baseball Victoria's inaugural Women's State Winter Championship. Photos: MARK LAZARUS

GEELONG Baseball Association (GBA) has created history, being crowned Victoria’s inaugural Women’s State Winter champions.

Geelong stunned Dandenong in the decider 10-3 to win the state’s first tournament dedicated to Victoria’s female circuit.

GBA coach Bronwyn Gell said she was proud beyond words to be a part of the team’s historic championship win.

“I’m super proud of how my team conducted themselves on and off the field.

“It not only resulted in on-field success, but it also paves the future for women’s sport, showing the wider community that we belong, and this is just the start.”

Kira Kuwamoto was awarded MVP for her efforts during the tournament.

GBA and three of the state’s premier baseball associations (Melbourne, Dandenong and Bendigo) battled it out in a big day of action at Geelong Baseball Centre on Saturday.

The host association got off to a hot start from the first inning with a massive 16-4 win over Bendigo, started by a walk and stolen base by Nyah O’Brien, a walk by Dianne Tompkins, and a double by Alanah Rose in the opening frame.

GBA had six hits in the game, including two apiece for Ruby Wright and Rose. Kira Kuwamoto stole two bases as the team had eight stolen bases overall.

GBA then continued its momentum with a 12-4 win over Dandenong headlined by Kuwamoto’s two home runs.

A whole-team effort capped off a three-win pool stage with a 10-7 win over Melbourne and secured GBA a grand final spot against Dandenong.

Geelong’s young gun and state representative Nyah O’Brien threw three solid innings with five hits, three runs, and six strikeouts in the championship decider.

Dandenong’s one run in the first inning and two runs in the second were not enough to keep pace against GBA’s big bats, with Sophia Law and Ruby Benne picking up two hits apiece.

Kuwamoto, Jessica Curnow, Wright, Claire Costa, and Rose had one hit each during the contest, as Geelong won the game 10-3.

“I’ve been blessed to have had some pretty incredible coaching moments all around the country and world, and have met a lot of amazing ball players, but this weekend is definitely special and ranks high,” Gell said.