Game - Saturday 1st July v Redlands

[Wayne Michel]

Under 16

The 16’s game at the beginning was very close with the Expos leading for the first three innings with a great pitching performance from Anthony Hubbard and top quality defense with the glove and finding the gaps in the batters box.

After that point when Redlands came bat in the fourth innings, they were ready to hit whilst we weren’t putting our bodies on the line and letting the ball go past in the infield and in that innings Redlands scored 11 runs, when we finally got the three outs we tried our hardest but only managed to score 3 runs, Making the score 13-7.

But after that innings we kept Redlands scoreless but for the last two innings thanks to the pitching from Garth Caulder and Max Warren, but in the final innings we could only manage to score just one run, which wasn’t enough to get us over the line to win the game. So the final score was Redlands 15 Expos 8.

The series is now tied 2-2, after the inspiring win from the 18’s who come to win it in the last innings this afternoon, the 16’s are fired up and we know where we need to improve. All the boys are anxious to get on the field for the game tomorrow and clinch the series so that we can show up the 18’s.

Chris Connell,

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Total
Redlands	2	0	0	11	0	2				15
Expos	2	2	0	3	0	1				8

Under 18

In very trying and heat wave conditions today (110 degrees Fahrenheit) the Under 18 team wrapped up the series by winning 3-2 in the last innings behind another great pitching performance from Simon. After last night's "tied" game the series record stood at 2 wins 1 draw 0 losses.

WE couldn't lose the series from this point but nobody wanted to draw the series either as that would be unacceptable to us all. After Redlands scored a run in the first and what you would call a "suspect call" on Tom Pascoe at Home plate in the 1st innings the boys battled away the entire game and it was 1-2 to Redlands coming into the last innings. Simon led off the last innings with a great at bat to work the count to 3-2 and drew a walk. Nick Bachono (Eddie Murphy to us
tourists!)helped Simon steal second with a fake bunt & steal play. The Redlands defense was playing in for the sacrifice bunt but we let Nick hit away to try and get the ball through the very shallow infield defense. Nick comes up with a hit to right centre and Simon advances to third but the right fielder makes a wild throw to empty space and I send him home for the tying run. Nick on 2nd and none out. Again the Redlands defense is playing bunt and Alpha mover him up with a ground ball to 2B. Nick now at 3rd and J-Rod at the plate. We put on the sac bunt and again Redlands are playing all in so he drops a sweet bunt just in front of Home plate and Redlands have nobody at 1B. J-Rod safe at 1st, Nick at 3rd, 1 out. Who steps up to the plate but my main man Knighty. "Stay back and drive the ball over the infield kid". He takes a strike then let loose a line drive over the infield all playing in and the out field playing shallow. GAME OVER!!!!!!!!

These guys in the 18 & Under team(every single one of them) have played very well as a close knit group and deserve everything they have achieved by being the first 18 & Under Expos team to win a series in about 13 years. If the 16's win their final game here tomorrow history will be made as we have never won both ages series.

Alpha (Matty Prybysczuck)has been struggling with his own confidence the past few through his own self belief but today he exhibited the skills, leadership and respect which he has earn't as a veteran and tour captain and he thoroughly deserves acknowledgement for his efforts. I am now certain that the majority of these players will want to return next year to defend this great series win and I hope they get the chance to do so.

To all the parents back home in Australia I thank you for giving me the privilege of coaching your son's on this tour and they are a sensational group of fine, respectful young men and I am very proud to have been a small part of this personal success which they have achieved today.

Greg.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Total
Redlands	0	1	1	0	0	0	0			2
Expos	0	0	0	0	0	1	2			3