ROUND 2 WRAP: Emotional night at Gawler, big offensive performances and another thrilling round of women's baseball
Round 2 of the 2026–27 South Australian Baseball League (SABL) delivered an unforgettable weekend of baseball, with an emotional tribute at Gawler, impressive pitching performances, home run celebrations and close contests across the Aethelon State League Division 1 and Belgravia Women's League Division 1.
The weekend was highlighted by the first official Division 1 night baseball game at a club ground, as Gawler Rangers hosted reigning premiers Henley & Grange in a special tribute match honouring Ryan Prokopec.
AETHELON STATE LEAGUE DIVISION 1
Match reports by Robert Laidlaw
Emotional Night at Gawler as Henley & Grange Hold On
Henley & Grange 6 defeated Gawler Rangers 5
It was an emotional and historic occasion at Karbeethan Reserve as Gawler Rangers hosted Henley & Grange in the first official Division 1 night baseball game at a club ground.
The match was dedicated to young Gawler player Ryan Prokopec, who tragically lost his life in a car accident.
In a moving tribute, Ryan's brother Aiden Prokopec threw the ceremonial first pitch, while club coach Dylan Child and Ryan's grandfather Ken Prokopec addressed the crowd.
Gawler also honoured Ryan by taking the field with eight players, leaving right field open for the first pitch in recognition of Ryan and his place in the team.
On the diamond, the contest proved just as memorable.
Both starting pitchers impressed early, with Gawler's Seb Heintze-Unger recording eight strikeouts while conceding just two hits and one run across four innings. Henley & Grange's AJ Verastegui was equally impressive, striking out five without allowing a hit.
Henley & Grange built a 4–0 advantage through home runs from Jack Partington and Wilson Lee, before Gawler responded with three runs in the seventh inning.
Jet Clohessy added another home run for the Rams in the eighth, and Darcy Barry's sacrifice fly extended their lead to 6–3 in the ninth.
But the Rangers refused to go quietly.
A late rally featuring an RBI double from Zak Heintze-Unger and an RBI single from Dylan Child brought Gawler within one run, before Henley & Grange secured the final out to claim a narrow 6–5 victory.
While the Rams took home the points, the night was about much more than baseball, as the community came together to celebrate Ryan's life and legacy.
#95Strong
Yeatman Stars as Adelaide Defeat Glenelg
Adelaide 7 defeated Glenelg 2
A dominant performance from Riley Yeatman with both bat and ball helped Adelaide secure a 7–2 victory over Glenelg.
After five scoreless innings, the Angels broke through in the sixth when Taj Williams doubled to bring home Ben Ganley.
Adelaide then exploded for six runs in the seventh, highlighted by Ganley's two-run double and Yeatman's three-run home run.
Yeatman was outstanding on the mound, pitching seven innings, allowing just two hits and recording an impressive 13 strikeouts.
Glenelg's Connor Hickey provided a late highlight with a two-run home run in the ninth, but Adelaide had already done enough to secure the win.
Port Adelaide Bounce Back Against Golden Grove Central Districts
Port Adelaide 8 defeated Golden Grove Central Districts 2
Port Adelaide recorded its first victory of the season with an 8–2 win over Golden Grove Central Districts at Semaphore.
After GGCD opened the scoring, Jack Stead levelled the game with a solo home run in the second inning.
The Magpies then took control with a three-run third inning, featuring a double from Tommy Bird and a two-run single from Kyan Taufui.
Bird continued his strong performance with three hits, while Sammy Steigert also collected three hits and earned the pitching win after recording five strikeouts across four innings.
Port Adelaide's offence continued to build throughout the contest, securing a convincing six-run victory.
Sturt Continue Winning Form Against Woodville
Sturt 6 defeated Woodville 1
Three crucial extra-base hits powered Sturt to a 6–1 victory over Woodville at Mitcham.
Harry Knuckey opened the scoring with a two-run double in the third inning before Jackson Brebner-Russ cleared the bases with a three-run double in the fifth.
Mitch Lightbody added a solo home run in the seventh to extend the Saints' advantage.
Woodville managed a late run through Alfredo Rodriguez's RBI double, but Sturt's pitching and timely hitting proved too strong.
Jack Hutton earned the win with three relief innings, allowing two hits and recording four strikeouts.
Southern Districts Power Past Kensington
Southern Districts 14 defeated Kensington 3
Southern Districts produced one of the biggest offensive performances of Round 2, defeating Kensington 14–3 in seven innings at Erindale.
The Hawks launched six home runs, with Dayton Mitchell and Jake Campbell each hitting two, while Brendan Daley and Riley Moore also cleared the fence.
Southern established an early 6–0 lead before Kensington responded with three runs in the sixth to close the gap.
However, the Hawks put the result beyond doubt with an eight-run seventh inning, capped off by Campbell's second home run of the afternoon.
Jacob Morin earned the pitching win, recording eight strikeouts across six innings.
East Torrens Pull Away from Northern Districts
East Torrens 11 defeated Northern Districts 5
East Torrens secured an 11–5 victory over Northern Districts at Payneham after a competitive contest that saw the Reds repeatedly fight their way back into contention.
The Redsox established an early 4–0 lead, highlighted by Elijah Maris' home run in the fourth inning.
Northern Districts responded with three runs in the fifth, including a two-run home run from Cam Dziego, to reduce the margin to one.
East Torrens immediately answered with three runs of its own, with Maris delivering a two-run triple and Harry Deliyannis adding an RBI single.
The Reds rallied again in the seventh, but East Torrens finished strongly to secure the win.
Deliyannis was impressive on the mound, recording nine strikeouts across five innings.
West Torrens Overpower Goodwood
West Torrens 13 defeated Goodwood 3
West Torrens continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 13–3 victory over Goodwood at Colonel Light Gardens.
The contest remained close through five innings, with the Eagles holding a narrow 3–2 advantage.
Home runs from James McFarlane and Austin Gallagher in the sixth helped West Torrens extend its lead.
The Eagles then capitalised on pitching struggles in the closing innings, scoring eight runs across the eighth and ninth without recording a hit.
West Torrens finished with a ten-run victory to maintain its strong early-season momentum.
Aethelon State League Division 1 – Round 2 Results
Henley & Grange 6–5 Gawler Rangers
Adelaide 7–2 Glenelg
Port Adelaide 8–2 Golden Grove Central Districts
Sturt 6–1 Woodville
Southern Districts 14–3 Kensington
East Torrens 11–5 Northern Districts
West Torrens 13–3 Goodwood
Premiership Standings Following Round 2
Adelaide, West Torrens, Sturt and Southern Districts lead the competition with four premiership points each.
Henley & Grange, Golden Grove Central Districts, Goodwood, Port Adelaide and East Torrens sit on two points, while Gawler Rangers, Glenelg, Kensington, Northern Districts and Woodville are yet to register a win.
BELGRAVIA WOMEN'S LEAGUE DIVISION 1
Round 2 of the Belgravia Women's League Division 1 delivered another exciting weekend, featuring a thrilling draw, dominant pitching performances and impressive offensive displays.
Glenelg and Kensington Battle to a Thrilling Draw
Glenelg 5 drew with Kensington 5
For the second consecutive week, Glenelg found itself involved in a nail-biting finish.
With the potential winning run at third base, the Tigers looked poised to claim victory, but Kensington's Ellie Tucker secured the final out to end the contest in a 5–5 draw.
Glenelg's Rebecca Williams was impressive at the plate, collecting three hits, while Kensington's Maxine Saunders delivered an outstanding pitching performance with 12 strikeouts.
Neither team could find the decisive breakthrough, with both sides sharing the points after another closely contested game.
Davis Sisters Shine in Adelaide's Dominant Victory
Adelaide 18 defeated Golden Grove Central Districts 0
Adelaide delivered an emphatic 18–0 victory over Golden Grove Central Districts, with sisters Lucy and Georgia Davis producing standout performances.
Lucy Davis led the offensive charge, driving in six runs with two doubles in an impressive display at the plate.
On the mound, Georgia Davis flirted with perfection, delivering a dominant pitching performance to keep GGCD scoreless.
Regan O'Rielley added another highlight for the Angels, racing around the bases for an inside-the-park home run.
It was a commanding all-round performance from Adelaide, combining powerful hitting with outstanding pitching.
Woodville Continue Strong Start Against Southern Districts
Woodville 14 defeated Southern Districts 3
Reigning premiers Woodville continued their strong start to the season with a convincing 14–3 victory over Southern Districts.
Dakota Ding was once again outstanding on the mound, recording nine strikeouts across just three innings.
The Senators established an early lead and continued to build their advantage through consistent offensive pressure.
Amara Quinn and Alice Brown both contributed doubles as Woodville's batting lineup delivered another impressive performance.
The result keeps Woodville's early-season momentum rolling as they continue their premiership defence.
Belgravia Women's League Division 1 – Round 2 Results
Glenelg 5–5 Kensington
Adelaide 18–0 Golden Grove Central Districts
Woodville 14–3 Southern Districts
Looking Ahead to Round 3
With two rounds now complete, the 2026–27 SABL season is already delivering memorable moments across both competitions.
From the emotional tribute at Gawler and big home run performances in the Aethelon State League Division 1 to another thrilling finish and dominant displays in the Belgravia Women's League Division 1, the season is gathering momentum.
Stay connected with Baseball SA for Round 3 fixtures, game-day updates, results and all the latest action from around the diamonds.
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