SA ON THE NATIONAL CHARTER STAGE
South Australia’s charter teams — the Adelaide Marlins (Little League), Adelaide Rays (Junior League) and Adelaide Armada (Senior League) — have been flying the flag proudly at the 2025 Australian Championships, with standout moments, gritty performances and plenty to build on.
Adelaide Marlins (Little League Nationals – Blacktown 8-13th June)
The Marlins are still in action in Blacktown and continue to turn heads with their consistent performances and team-first approach. So far, they’ve secured two strong wins, including a dramatic 11-10 walk-off victory over Gold Coast, and remain firmly in the hunt as the tournament heads into the pointy end.
Led by the likes of Zachary Gratton, Flynn Dinelt, Hunter Ung, and Ryder Macguire-Thomas, the Marlins have combined timely hitting, disciplined plate appearances, and confident pitching to keep themselves in contention. With strong defense and patience at the plate, this team has proven they belong on the national stage — and they’re not done yet.
Stay tuned as the Marlins push for a spot in the finals!
Adelaide Rays (Junior League Nationals – Surfers Paradise/Lismore 28th May - 1st June)
The Adelaide Rays were unfortunately cut short by a washed out tournament, but not before showing real firepower and fight in their tournament run. After dropping a tight opener, they rebounded with a dominant win over Canberra and stayed in the contest in all remaining games before the weather intervened.
Players like Logan Stephens, Rory Rowe, Kobe Rann, and Cooper Povey stood out with strong efforts on the mound and at the plate. A major positive to take away was Rays out-hitting opponents in back-to-back games.
They played with heart, and showed just how much depth and promise SA has coming through the ranks.
Adelaide Armada (Senior League Nationals – Geelong May 21st - 25th)
The Adelaide Armada put on a gritty, determined showing at the Senior League Nationals in Geelong, finishing with a 3-3 record. The Armada found their rhythm towards the end and closed out the tournament with two strong wins that showcased their depth and determination.
They came from behind in to defeat Cronulla Blue and Brisbane South, proving they were never out of the fight. The team’s speed, defense, and clutch hitting kept them competitive in every contest.
Standout contributors included Liem Pham-Ellickson, Alexander Gray, Ollie Fielder, and William Matthews, who all stepped up at the plate, while pitchers like Riley Perrin and Diesel Fallon delivered under pressure. The group played clean defense and stayed composed in tight moments — a sign of a team that’s building toward something big.
The Armada may not have reached the finals, but their performance reflected the strength of South Australia’s charter system and the competitive spirit that runs deep through the squad.
What’s next?
From Little League to Senior League, South Australia’s charter teams have shown what we’re made of: resilience, teamwork, and love for the game.
With the Marlins still in the fight, and the Rays and Armada walking away with wins, experience and belief, it’s clear our pathway is strong — and the next generation is ready.
Over July 8th-12th, the Little League Girls Seahorses and the inaugural Little League Invitational Armada will head to Redcliffe, Queensland!
Well done, teams. Let’s go, SA!