Bring yourself up to date with everything from the National Championships in our Daily Wrap.

Summary: Under 18 Women

After the ACT scored the opening run, Queensland dominated their last Round 2 game, scoring nine unanswered runs in a 9-1 win. The middle order did the damage for Queensland, with Syren Letizia and Emilee Solomon recording three hits each.

Western Australia upset South Australia to register their first win for the tournament and finish the tournament on a high. Haylee Nelson batted in two runners, while Naomi Todd and Amy Mather kept SA to just three runs in the 4-3 win.

After scoring six runs at the top of the 1^st inning, NSW were never troubled in their game against Victoria. Kiera Trim registered four RBI’s while Lauren Taylor was also impressive with three runs and two RBI’s in the 13-3 win.

Final 1: Chelsea Zunker books Queensland a place in the Grand Final.

Queensland advanced to the grand final on a near perfect performance in their final against New South Wales. The visitors gave up only two hits and one run on the way to a 7-1 victory, with Chelsea Zunker stunning NSW with 12 strikeouts from the pitching circle. The Blue Bloods did not help their cause with five errors on the day, but Queensland showed few weaknesses from start to finish.

Final 2: South Australia rallies to advance to the Preliminary Final

South Australia has progressed to the Preliminary Final, twice coming from behind to defeat Victoria. The Big V scored a brace in the 1^st innings, before SA answered with three runs of their own. Victoria then added another two runs in the 3^rd, but wouldn’t score again as South Australia added another three runs in the run home to secure the win. Georgia King delivered a pair of hits and two runs for SA, while Abi Jorgensen added another two hits to go with two RBI’s.

Preliminary Final: Six-run innings sets up SA win over NSW.

South Australia have toppled the home state to set up a grand final clash against Queensland. New South Wales led 3-2 going into the 4^th, but SA rounded in six runners in the inning and added another in the 5^th to lead 9-4 with two innings to play. The Blue Bloods rallied in the 6^th and reduced the lead to one with an innings to play, but SA was able to hold on for the 9-8 win. Charlize Callaghan and Georgia Burr combined for four runs, with Callaghan adding two RBI’s.

Grand Final: Queensland lift the Elinor McKenzie Shield as 2022 National Champions.

Queensland have completed a fairy tale weekend, winning the Elinor McKenzie Shield and remaining undefeated at the 2022 National Championship. The grand final was anyone’s game until the 5^th inning, when a series of singles and errors allowed three Queensland runners to cross home plate, and they closed out the final two South Australian innings to win 4-1. Chelsea Zunker was rock solid from the pitching circle, claiming Grand Final MVP, while Matisse Sorbello and Emilee Solomon scored two runs each for the Queenslanders. This is Queensland’s first title since 2018.

Individual Tournament winners:

Most Valuable Player: Chelsea Te Whata (WA)

Best Pitcher: Chelsea Zunker (QLD)

Best Batter: Alex Maiden (ACT)

Grand Final MVP: Chelsea Zunker (QLD)

Day 4 Results:

VIC 3 def by NSW 13

QLD 9 def ACT 1

SA 3 def by WA 4

Final 1: QLD 7 def NSW 1

Final 2: SA 6 def VIC 4

Prelim Final: NSW 8 def by SA 9

Grand Final: QLD 4 def SA 1

For completed game reports, please click here.

For complete standings, please click here.

For the complete schedule, please click here.

Summary: Under 18 Men

Final 1: Undefeated run comes to a shuddering halt for NSW

Queensland booked their place in the 2022 Under 18 grand final with a resounding 11-3 victory over the previously undefeated NSW in the first final. The visitors signalled their intent early, scoring seven runs over the first two innings. NSW attempted to rally in the 3^rd, scoring two runs of their own, but Queensland shut out any hope of a comeback in the 6^th inning, scoring four more times. Corie List the pick of the Queensland batters with three hits and two runs from four at-bats.

Final 2: Victoria require extra innings to overcome Western Australia

Western Australia fell agonisingly short of upsetting third-placed Victoria in the 3^rd vs 4^th playoff. Victoria looked to be in the box seat through five innings, ahead 7-2, but they gave up six runs to one over the las two innings, sending the game into an 8^th inning. WA then scored to lead by one, only for Victoria to score a wild pitch and an error for a 10-9 win. Tyler Corlett was impressive for WA, notching two runs, four hits, and two RBI’s, while Zavier Paki had three RBI’s for the Big V.

Preliminary Final: NSW advance to the grand final on a walk off home run

A walk off home run by Cameron Taylor sent New South Wales into the grand final in a riveting preliminary final against Victoria. The visitors edged out to a 2-0 lead through the first five innings, until the Blue Bloods surged back into the lead with four runs in the 6^th inning. Victoria returned fire with three runs of their own in the 7^th and were one out away from the win, but Taylor delivered the two-run killer blow over centre field.

Grand Final: Queensland reign supreme on final day of Nox Bailey Shield

Queensland have beaten the previously undefeated NSW twice in a day to claim the Nox Baily Shield. Queensland shutout the NSW line-up, with pitcher Corie List recording no hits, no runs, and 11 strikeouts, and was just one walk away from a perfect game. The Blue Bloods defence was sound, keeping Queensland to just four hits, but it wasn’t enough, with a three-run home run in the 3^rd inning by grand final MVP Haydan Dobe the highlight of the 6-0 win. This is Queensland’s fifth straight National Championship, and first since 2020 after the event was cancelled last year.

Individual Tournament winners:

Most Valuable Player: William Richters (VIC)

Best Pitcher: Luke Russell (VIC)

Best Batter: Ayden Champneys (QLD)

Grand Final MVP: Haydan Dobe (QLD)

Day 4 Results:

Final 1: NSW 3 def by QLD 11

Final 2: VIC 10 def WA 9

Prelim Final: NSW 6 def VIC 5

Grand Final: QLD 6 def NSW 0

For completed game reports, please click here.

For complete standings, please click here.

For the complete schedule, please click here.

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