Manly win the battle of NSW – Day 2 Wrap Up

Beautiful one day perfect the next is the slogan for QLD unfortunately the Little League Championships forgot to order it for day 2 of the championships at Alleygators Baseball Club.

Day 2 started with drizzle as all three NSW teams were in action in the early time slot. 

The rain didn't affect the Manly and Newcastle sides as they cruised through their opening game. We start first with the Manly side that took care of the Victorian champions, the Southern Mariners.

Kuriyama started on the mound for the Manly side as he weaved his magic keeping the Mariners scoreless through his 2 1/3 innings.

While Kuriyama recorded zeros for the Victorians the Manly offense added strokes to their runs column with a single in the opening frame followed by three in the second.

In the fourth dig the northern beaches boys put the Mariners to the saw thanks to some great hitting. A triple to Brown and a double to Balfour-Ash were the highlights as Manly got out of the drizzle in a hurry invoking the mercy rule, winning 10 - 0.

Newcastle had the same thought process as Manly to score quick runs and finish the game early.

WA Country champions, Batavia was on the receiving end of some hitting from the Newcastle offense as they scored 21 runs in four innings giving them a 2 - 1 record before their second game of the day against Manly.

Henderson started on the mound for Newcastle allowing just the one run through his 3 and 2/3 innings as he kept the Batavia bats quiet.

Ryde North didn't have the start to Day 2 they were looking for as they met the WA runners up in Perth East.

Ryde were put on the back foot immediately as Perth Metro East crossed the plate seven times in the first three innings while the NSW champions could only manage a run in the same period of time.

In the top of the fourth Ryde closed the deficit thanks to some great hitting which they produced on Day 1. The deficit was just one after a six run inning brought the game closer.

Perth retaliated immediately crossing the plate eight times to push what was a slender one run lead into a nine run lead.

Ryde fought valiantly but could only manage one more run in the top of the sixth going down 16 - 8, recording their first loss of the tournament.

In the afternoon time slot Manly and Newcastle had the "TV game" on diamond 1.

Both teams were searching for their elusive third win in order to secure a quarter final spot on Day 3.

Newcastle took the lead immediately with a run in the opening inning thanks to few solid hits from the top of the Newcastle batting order.

Manly replied instantaneously and quickly took the lead back with three runs.

Starting pitcher for Newcastle, Rixon Wingrove tried doing it himself as he stepped up to the plate in the third innings and dispatched his first home run of the tournament to reduce the deficit 

In the bottom of the third Manly flexed their muscle scoring ten runs to lead by 12.

Groves was the chief destroyer claim a 2 run home run, his second of the tournament. Amir’s triple and Kuriyama’s double helped the Manly side claim back to back mercy victories and all but secure a quarter final spot.

In the final time slot of the day, Ryde North had a must win game against the QLD runners up Brisbane South.

As the rain continued throughout the afternoon several games were postponed while one another game was postponed, but the Ryde North game continued through the rain.

In tough conditions somewhat reminiscent to NSW Little League Championships in 2011 at Richmond the Ryde boys fought for their tournament life.

The Hawks didn’t start well as Brisbane opened up their account in the first innings of the game, scoring three runs to take an early lead.

As the Ryde North parents sat on the edge of their seats under cover their kids toughed it out in the wet and they took the lead off Brisbane immediately with four runs of their own in the bottom of the first.

Brisbane’s starting pitcher was chased out of the game with only one Ryde batter making his way back to the dugout. Walks, pass balls coupled with some timely hits saw the Hawks swoop into the lead.

Ryde increased their lead in the second plating another five runs extending their one run lead to a six run lead.

Aiden Murphy pitched outstandingly for Ryde after a slow start to leave his side in a great position as he departed the mound.

The rain was constant and with the light fading by the minute the Hawks ensured the game was not going to go the full distance. Constant pressure and some good hitting saw the Hawks get to that ten run lead they were chasing as the game ended with the Hawks claiming a 14 – 4 victory.

Ryde North now sits with 3 wins and 1 loss in Pool C after their pool games. They will have to wait till the completion of the final pool C games early on Day 3 before they find out where they will finish in the pool.

As Ryde are in the five team pool they need to finish in the top two of the pool to advance to the quarter finals.

Day 3 is sure to be interesting with the possibility of all three NSW teams advancing to the quarter final stage. Both Manly and Newcastle will play tomorrow morning, victory to Manly could see them finish in first or second place in the pool, depending on results.

Newcastle must win to have any chance of qualifying for the quarter finals as they take on the Southern Mariners from Victoria.

Keep up to date with all the action on the official Little League website as the NSW teams look to bring home the Australian Little League Championships for 2012.   

Other Links
	Official Little League Website