Eastern Phantoms Blow Past Carine Cats Early
SL Eastern Phantoms didn’t waste any time on Saturday, piling on six runs in the first inning to set the tone for a commanding 12-1 win over SL Carine Cats at Empire Ballpark.
Carine actually struck first, with Lachlan Clinton’s RBI single giving them the early edge. But the Phantoms came out swinging in the bottom half, with Marcus White launching a bases-clearing triple as part of a five-hit onslaught.
Things didn’t get any easier for the Cats from there. The Phantoms tacked on more runs in the third through Thomas Allpike, Arata Samukawa, and Kayden Prosper, stretching the lead to 9-1.
On the hill, Cody Joss kept things tidy for the Phantoms, giving up just one hit and no earned runs through his outing. Archer Rolfe started for the Cats but struggled to contain the damage.
White led all players with four RBIs, while Prosper was perfect at the plate and busy on the bases. The Phantoms stole nine bags and showed discipline, drawing six walks along the way. Clinton was a lone bright spot for Carine, going 2-for-2.
Tigers Maul Aces With Nine-Run Second
SL Western Tigers lit up Empire Ballpark with a massive second inning, scoring nine runs on their way to a 15-3 thumping of SL Swan Hills Aces.
After taking a 4-0 lead in the first, the Tigers went wild in the second with a string of hits, walks, and aggressive baserunning. Eban Raymond and Enzel Takuta both doubled, while Tyson Kolk’s three-run single was the standout moment of the innings.
The Aces couldn’t claw their way back, despite runs from Drew Jenkins, Aidan Lewis, and Harry Schurmann. Tigers pitcher Jett Dipane was solid across five innings, conceding just three runs while keeping the Aces’ bats quiet.
Takuta was a force, going 3-for-4 and driving in two runs. Jordan Trainer also had a strong day with two hits, two walks, and some tidy fielding. The Tigers were ruthless on the basepaths, keeping the pressure on from start to finish.
Benseman’s Big Bat Powers Wanneroo Over Titans
Chayce Benseman delivered a clutch performance for SL Wanneroo Giants, driving in four runs to lead his side to a dominant 13-1 win over SL Southern Titans.
Benseman was in everything — drawing a walk to score a run early, and then blasting a bases-clearing double in the fifth. Quinn Fatai also doubled and brought in two runs during that same five-run fifth inning, which proved decisive.
Wanneroo’s pitching was top shelf, too. Cooper Barber and Jaxon Elliott combined to hold the Titans to just one unearned run across the game. Barber struck out five in just over two innings, while Elliott allowed only one walk in his three-inning stint.
Benseman and Fatai both picked up two hits each, while the Giants racked up 13 walks and stole nine bases in a complete all-round display. For the Titans, Lachlan Wilson was a lone bright spark, going 2-for-2 at the top of the order.
Giants Roll Again with Shutout Over Firebirds
SL Wanneroo Giants made it two from two on Saturday, blanking SL Central Firebirds 10-0 thanks to a massive fourth inning and a dominant outing on the mound.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the second, the Giants exploded in the fourth for six runs. Cooper Barber drove in three with a single, while Blake Thompson and Sebastian Beazley each added sacrifice flies.
Pitcher Dylan Bandy was electric, striking out eight and giving up just three hits in a little over four innings. The Firebirds couldn’t get anything going, with just three hits across the game and no answers for the Giants’ power and pace.
Mitchell Elliott starred at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 outing, while Barber, Beazley and Wooden all collected two RBIs each. The Giants walked six times, stole plenty of bases, and didn’t make a single error in the field.
It was a clinical, all-round performance by a Wanneroo side hitting their stride at the right time.
