There were two big wins for NSW teams in Lismore today as two national titles were decided at Albert Park.

The Hills, Sydney, defeated the Melbourne Athletics in the Intermediate Baseball League, and in the Junior League, Cronulla Blacks defeated the hard-to-beat Brisbane North team in a clincher that is being touted as “an all-time great Gold Medal Game.”  

Both winners will be heading to the U.S.A. to compete on the international stage at the 2024 League World Series.

Junior League Championship (U15) Day 5 results

Gold Medal Final - Cronulla Black 3 def Brisbane North 2 (extras)

Bronze Medal – Southern Hills Warriors 5 def Adelaide Marlins 4

Consolation – Manly Maroon 18 def Adelaide Rays 0

Consolation – Central Firebirds 6 def Melbourne Rangers 2 (extra innings)

Consolation – Central Firebirds 7 def Melbourne Athletics 5

Intermediate League Championship (U14) Day 5 results

Gold Medal Game – Hills 12 def Melbourne Athletics 0

Bronze Medal – Ryde Hawks 7 def Melbourne Mets 2

Consolation – Gold Coast 7 def Brisbane Metro 3

Consolation – Southern Titans 7 tie Central Firebirds 7

Junior Gold Match

Cronulla Black 3 defeated Brisbane North 2 (extras)

The match of the day went to the Junior Gold Medal Finals. Eric Balnar, from Baseball Australia, told us how it went down.

“Cronulla Black won one of the all-time great Gold Medal games 3-2 in extra-innings over Brisbane North.

“This game had everything. Great pitching. Insane defensive plays. A late comeback. A couple runs thrown out at the plate. High-drama. And of course, a championship.

“They were trailing 2-0 entering the last inning, but scored the tying run while down to their final strike.

“In the bottom of the seventh, they threw a runner out at home on what would have been Brisbane’s winning run to extend the game.

“In the bottom of the eighth, they had the Championship run on third, but worked three outs to extend the game again.

“Archie Sampson drove in the winning run in the ninth.

“The full recap is here, as well as links to YouTube highlights of the game and individual plays.

“They advance to the 2024 Junior League World Series later in the year in Michigan.

Intermediate Gold Match

“Hills (NSW) have claimed Australian Intermediate League (U14) Gold after a tremendous 12-0 victory over the Melbourne Athletics.

“Jet Creamer starred on the mound. He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, with a final stat line of 4.2 innings pitched, two hits conceded, no runs allowed and eleven strikeouts.

“It was a great display of team batting, as eight different players from the Hills had hits, seven had runs batted in and ten reached base.

“Hills are the only Intermediate League team to finish the tournament unbeaten.

“This group of kids won the 2023 Australian Little League Championships and played in the World Series last year before aging up into Intermediate League in 2024.”

Check out more details on the plays and a highlights reel.

Having these games has meant a lot to Lismore, and Baseball Australia has enjoyed every minute of it. Eric Balnar said, “This game was a perfect end to a great month of baseball. The stands were full to the brim of supporters and players with a great energy. Lismore is a perfect place to host a tournament. 

“There are four fields, so we can be dynamic, but importantly, the people truly care and go the extra effort to make it a special experience for the kids. The locals just get it done. It's great to be around. 

“There's lots of great food and accommodation options, and the community supports us in so many different ways. Even the media coverage makes people feel important and what they do matters. Truly, thank you to Lismore and Far North Coast Baseball Association.  

“We will be back in Lismore in May 2025 for another national championship and certainly hope to keep hosting events here in the future.”