“From the Diamond” Round 19
State league Division One | 21ST February
Henley & Grange remain in control of the minor premiership race after splitting their double-header with Adelaide at Plympton.
The Rams claimed game one 12–4 before the Angels responded with a 5–3 win in the late contest, keeping the top-three race alive heading into the final minor round.
Henley now controls its own destiny a win over Kensington next Saturday will secure the minor premiership. Adelaide and Southern Districts remain locked on 46 points, two behind the Rams, with South holding the head-to-head advantage over both sides and still a mathematical chance at a remarkable late surge to the top.
Rams fire early, Angels respond late
Henley exploded in game one, piling on seven runs in the seventh inning to break the game open. Rolando Heredia-Bustos was dominant on the mound, tossing six innings and conceding just three hits. Jack Partington was outstanding in centre field, finishing with six catches.
Adelaide bounced back in game two. Trailing 3–1 entering the sixth, the Angels rallied with four runs, highlighted by Stefan Welch’s three-run home run, to secure the split.
Port surge into finals contention
Port Adelaide moved into sixth place after sweeping Kensington 10–0 and 8–4 at Semaphore.
Joe Cedano struck out eight across five innings in the opener, while Sammy Steigert went the distance in game two. The Magpies can now lock in a finals berth with a win over Goodwood next week.
Southern keep pressure on
Southern Districts may have ended Woodville’s finals hopes with two wins at Christie’s Beach (4–3, 7–0).
Game one ended in dramatic fashion, with Andrew Rodgers scoring the walk-off run in the seventh. Jacob Moran was electric in game two, striking out 13 in a dominant shutout performance.
Eagles soar with no-hitter and power display
West Torrens produced one of the performances of the season against Sturt (10–0, 6–1).
Arlo Marynczak threw a five-inning no-hitter in game one, while Tom McGarry blasted three home runs in a remarkable display. Mason Clavell added two home runs in game two to complete the Eagles’ dominant day.
Rangers and Dodgers share the spoils
Gawler Rangers and Golden Grove Central Districts played out two thrilling draws (4–4, 7–7) at Karbeethan Reserve, with both contests going down to the wire.
Glenelg and Goodwood split
Glenelg claimed game one 6–3 before Goodwood walked off game two 5–4 in dramatic fashion at Mortlock Park, with Peter Paech drawing a bases-loaded walk to seal the win.
East Torrens lock in finals
East Torrens secured their finals berth with two strong wins over Northern Districts (9–1, 9–4).
Aiden Lucas hit two home runs in game one, while Harry Deliyannis struck out 12 in a complete game performance. The Redsox now head into the final round with momentum.
Premiership Points (Top 6):
Henley & Grange 48
Adelaide 46
Southern Districts 46
West Torrens 40
East Torrens 40
Port Adelaide 35
Women’s league Division 1 | 22ND February
Sturt 11 def. Kensington 5
Lucy Davis threw a complete game and drove in three runs as Sturt defeated Kensington 11–5.
Sakura Collins collected her first double of the season, driving in two runs. For the Cardinals, Bree White and Kylie Butterwick both recorded their first hits of the season.
Woodville 16 def. Adelaide 1
Woodville completed the minor round sweep over Adelaide with a dominant 16–1 win at Plympton.
Alice Brown continued her outstanding season, taking her strikeout tally to 79 across 47.1 innings. Woodville piled on 11 hits across the fourth and fifth innings to break the game open.
Adelaide’s Regan O’Reilly made her season debut on the mound, pitching three innings with three strikeouts.
Southern Districts 8 def. Glenelg 3
Southern Districts made it back-to-back wins with an 8–3 victory over Glenelg in their final home game of the season.
The Hawks exploded for six runs in the second inning. Hayley Barnes went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Corrie Champion collected her first Women’s League hit with a shot to left field.
State League Article by: Robert Laidlaw
Photos courtesy of Paul Taeuber