Claxton Shield

[Thiele]

After 8 Innings

NSW 0
SA 1

SA 3 outs away from the final

[Thiele]

SA Through to the final

Final Score

NSW 0
SA 1

We play the Vics next weekend

[Big Phil]

Official press release from the SA side...

SOUTH AUSTRALIA GREAT

While many other South Australia sporting teams have fallen by the wayside in recent times, SA's baseball side has risen from the ashes to make the 2009/2010 Dominos Claxton Shield grand final against Victoria, starting next Friday in Melbourne.

Not since winning the Claxton Shield in 1980 has a South Australian team played in a baseball grand final, making this year's effort one out of the box.

After losing Friday night's game one of the three-game semi-final series 1-0 against NSW, South Australia fought back to win Saturday's game 3-2, then Sunday's decider 1-0, in an awesome display of baseball at Norwood Oval.

The hero of the game was Ryan Murphy, who in his first start on the mound this season, pitched a complete game shut-out, while also accounting for SA's only run, when he blasted a shot out of the park in the second inning.

Murphy only gave up two hits and one walk in the game, while striking out eight batters. Except for Michael Lysaught's double in the sixth inning for NSW, not one batter advanced past first base for the visitors.

Lysaught was NSW's most dangerous threat with the bat, as he could have tied the game in the third frame when his shot was headed for the other side of the home run fence, only to see rightfielder Dan Wilson reach over and pull in a sensational catch.

Now its on to Victoria for South Australia's best chance at a baseball championship in 30 years.

_______________________________________________________________________

NSW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0
SA 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 x – 1
Hits: NSW – Lysaught, Dening; SA – Welch 3 Cresswell 2, Murphy (hr), Collins.
WP: R. Murphy; LP: C. Anderson.

_______________________________________________________________________

South Australia's Michael Collins has been announced as the Claxton Shield offensive player of the season, while Matthew Smith earned Rookie of the Year honours.

[Real McCoy]

Don't suppose any TV stations might pick this up being a final ???

[schimma]

Don't suppose any TV stations might pick this up being a final ???

well Sa baseball have been having live feeds from the website for home games only. hopefully do the same for the final

[Big Phil]

A great piece on the 2 major highlights from the recent Claxton Shield Finals v NSW...

Check out the video link for the unbelievable catch by Dan Wilson...

http://www.baseballsa.com.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=104

HIGHLIGHTS OF THRILLING CONTEST

With South Australia’s 1-0 victory in game three of the 2009/2010 Dominos Claxton Shield semi-final series against NSW on Sunday at Norwood Oval – to qualify for its first grand final in 30 years – there were at least two spectacular highlights.

One was pitcher Ryan Murphy’s home run in the second inning and the other rightfielder Dan Wilson’s sensational catch in the third.

Both players have unique perspectives of their ‘moment’ in the spotlight.

“The funny thing is on the Wednesday before at training the outfielders practiced catching balls hit over our heads and finding the fence,” Wilson said.

“So on Sunday when Lysaught hit that ball, I felt it was almost routine, which is the way I approached it at the time. I tracked back, took a quick peak over my shoulder at the fence, jumped and took the catch.

“I knew right off the bat I was going to make the play. But I did have a lot of help from D-Wash (centrefielder Dave Washington). When going back it is important to have communication and he was calling me in.

“Only afterwards when looking at the footage did it seem a bit more impressive than what I thought at the time. It actually seemed a lot slower off the bat. The way the wind was blowing I think perhaps the cosmic stars were aligned.

“Thinking back now I remember looking over the fence as I caught it and seeing the grass on the other side, then landing back with the ball in my glove and feeling pretty good.”

After the game the players gathered to watch the catch on video, with Washington’s reaction saying it all. One minute he looks down-trodden as the ball went over the fence, but was pumping his fists when he realised Wilson had actually taken the catch.

As for Murphy’s effort, not only did he hit the home run for the only score of the night, he pitched a complete game two-hit shut-out.

“For me, I went up to bat in the second inning thinking the pitcher was a soft-throwing lefty and had the attitude I would wait for the right pitch to hit,” Murphy said.

“With so much off-speed stuff coming down, I just thought I’d sit back and wait for a good pitch to drive the other way. He threw three off speed pitches and then tried a fast ball, which I was right on top of.

“It was exactly what I wanted, to hit it the other way, and it happened to get out of the ball-park. I knew it was gone off the bat. For the rest of the game I just focused on pitching, I didn’t think too much about the home run.

“I have to admit it was one of the biggest and most exciting games I’ve pitched in. I’ve thrown in some important games in Holland and here for Port Adelaide in finals, which were pretty intense, but this was obviously another step up. It was a great feeling, I’ve probably never pitched in a game of this magnitude.”

South Australian manager Tony Harris has been around the game in Australia and around the world for over 30 years and said Wilson’s catch was as good as it gets.

“You see a lot of great catches on highlight reels but rarely do you get to see one in real life,” Harris said. “We were blessed to see it, and it was a game-winning catch.

“And Ryan’s effort was an amazing performance. You do not see too many complete game shutouts, and his approach to that at bat was very good. He got his pitch to drive the other way, which is his strength, and it stood up.”

South Australia will play Victoria at Latrobe University in Melbourne for the 2009/2010 Dominos Claxton Shield title from 7.30pm on Friday. Game two will be played at 7.30pm on Saturday, with, if required, game three on Sunday at 1.30pm.

[Big Phil]

Game 1 of the Grand Final underway at Latrobe Uni Grounds in Melbourne...

SA v Victoria

Currently in the top of thr 4th inning...

Scores locked away at 2-2 a piece...

SA currently have runners on first and second with just 1 out, got to score from here...

[Big Phil]

SA scored that run in the top of the 4th to take the lead 3 runs to 2...

If you want to watch the game live via webcam, check out the link below...

http://www.claxtonshield.baseball.com.au/?ID=62314

[Booney]

Im tuning in now. What a great feed,hey Phil?

[Big Phil]

Im tuning in now. What a great feed,hey Phil?

It's good to be able to not only hear live commentary, but to be able to get a live TV feed is brilliant... (especially considering I was hoping to be there in Melbourne !!)

Sadly, the Vics have got back in the game and have taken the lead...

Bottom of the 6th inning, Victoria Aces leading SA 5 runs to 3...

C'mon SA, let's rally late and pinch the win...

[Big Phil]

Sadly the boys lost game 1

Final scores - Vic 5 def. SA 3

Game 2 tomorrow night at Latrobe Uni again

[Strawb]

Sadly the boys lost game 1

Final scores - Vic 5 def. SA 3

Game 2 tomorrow night at Latrobe Uni again

WTF Melbourne has a purpose built baseball stadium at Altona and they are playing at Latrobe Uni. What a f**king joke

[Jimmy_041]

What time tonight?

[Thiele]

What time tonight?

Has started

After 2 innings

Victoria 0
SA 0

[Jimmy_041]

what's the webcam link Thiele?

[Thiele]

what's the webcam link Thiele?

I Cant find it tonight tried the one Big Phil had up last night but nothing

After 3 Innings

Victoria 1
SA0

[Jimmy_041]

SA - 4-3 up - bottom of the 7th

[Jimmy_041]

Top of the 8th - Vic batting

1 out

[Jimmy_041]

Victoria - WEARNE doubled to center field, advanced to third, RBI (2-1 FBB); McDONALD scored

4-4 top of the 8th

[Jimmy_041]

Wearne on 3rd