Australian Baseball

 

 
 
 
  

Cal Ripken Update 5

CAL RIPKEN AROO'S UPDATE NUMBER 5

 

The young Aussie boys guaranteed a second round berth in the World Series with an impressive 7-4 victory over Korea. Australia battled hard through the first innings after Scott Cameron replaced starting pitcher Shannon Lyon who showed a lot of character in recording two outs before succumbing to tenderness in his shoulder after giving up an early run. The Aroo's answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the innings all scored with 2 out, highlights being catcher Tim Zurrer's triple which scored 2 runs and AJ Elderkin's RBI single to right field.

 

The Koreans came back with 2 runs in the 2nd innings and the scored remained locked up at 3-3 until the 3rd innings when an uncharacteristic fielding error gave Korea the lead 4-3. Again the boys answered the challenge with 2 down when Josh Warner's single scored Harley Yochim to once again lock the scores up at 4 all. In the 4th a great diving defensive play from 1st baseman Warner with two out and runners on shut down the Korean offense for the innings. Yet again the 2 down rally boys answered the call scoring three runs with hits from Preston Yochim, Harley Yochim and Tim Zurrer to regain the lead 7-4.

 

Matthew Bright came on in relief and was backed up by a sensational double play in the fifth from centre field by Preston Yochim who took a great catch and threw out the advancing runner at third base. By now the Koreans were out of gas and with three up, three down in the final innings, the team had recorded its second win in as many starts to be a prefect 2 and 0.

 

The team appears to be growing in confidence as well as character. In an amazing statistic, all 7 runs were scored with two out, but this is just a reflection of the attitude of these young men. For the second game in a row, the large Aussie contingent, who have traveled to see their boys play, left the ballpark as proud Aussies. Tomorrow the side takes on Mexico at Cal Senior's Yard which is potentially a playoff for first spot in the preliminary rounds.