History will be created tomorrow night in the Mount Gambier and District Baseball League’s Division 1 grand final best of three game series.
Not since baseball started in Mount Gambier in 1931 and not since the 1970s when Central had two teams in Minor A have two teams from the same club appeared in a grand final.
The number of finals won in the 1970s between the older and younger teams would be fairly similar.
And that is the difference between the current two Division 1 teams – younger and older.
Central are going for a three-peat while the young Magpies have stepped up from Division 2 last year.
Experts cannot see Central being beaten, they should win in two games, but the Magpies will certainly keep them honest.
There is so much experience in the older team lead well by Coach Kyall McClean – the league’s current Batting Average and Runs Batted In award winner.
McClean was also selected as coach and designated hitter in the Team of the Year along with seven others from the club.
Of course, the team has great depth in their pitching staff lead by eight-time league Best and Fairest Dylan Chuck.
The money is on Chuck pitching game one on Friday night to give them a first up win with a pick from Koby Chant, Alex Ridding or Dylan Gull to kick off in game two on Saturday afternoon and a toss up who starts game three if
required.
Their batting strength involves all of these players even before you add in Nathan Meinck, Dave Harris, Colby Muller, Josh Chuck and a host of Big League players.
However, the Magpies held their own in a recent game against the league leaders, only going down by a small margin.
In last Saturday’s preliminary final they had a shaky start and if they can start strong they will certainly push their older clubmates.
They do lack depth in the pitching department so will be in trouble if the series goes to three games.
Youngster Justin Tzioutziouklaris held the South Indians to just 10 safe hits whilst out batting them to pick up 16.
They have back up in Mitch Cutting, Brad Lynagh and Mitch Ruwoldt but do not have the experience at this level.
Batting wise they can keep the team in the game through Jake Turner, Lauchie Tilley, Liam McDonald, Josh Aston and Jordan Carrison.
One thing is for certain – whichever team wins it’s a win for the Central Baseball Club.
DIVISION 2
A tight game is expected between minor premiers Naracoorte and premiership aspirants South Indians.
The Rangers have led the competition all year giving nothing away in the home and away season.
League Best and Fairest and pitcher Ken Sisson will lead from the front and on the mound with his accuracy.
They bat right through their line up with league Batting Average winner Daniel Hallet at the top of the tree followed by Tom Paech, Dawson Fox, Marty Wirper and Daniel Cornford.
They also have a large Asian brigade capable of creating havoc. Yu Kia-ming, Chan Yi-wei and Lui Chih Hslang will bring their A game to the diamond.
On the other hand, South Indians should not be denied a chance in this match up as they have very capable batters and fielders.
Youngster Deegan Habner should start on the hill with back up from Aaron O’Donnell and James Parker.
Their batting strength is in Damien O’Dine, Hayden Timms, Jason Henke and Steve Lewis.
Experts expect the Rangers to win but also would not be surprised if South control the result.
BIG LEAGUE
South Indians have had the wood on Central all season in close tussles.
They have pitching strength in Jett Lewis, Phoenix Cole, Ryan Meek and Brad Walkom.
They also have consistent hitting in a long batting order with Levi Seager, Charlie Clark, Amelia Ireland and Linkon Ratcliffe leading the way.
For Central Bree Ridding and Cooper Smith will do the work on the mound and their hitting brigade includes Jobe Lynagh, Jobe Harten, Daniel Ferguson and Samuel Ruwoldt.
Will the Indians continue their winning record or will the Magpies snatch another win from the jaws of defeat?
JUNIOR LEAGUE
Central are defending their title and will need to be on their mettle to hold out a fast-finishing Tigers outfit.
Central gave Tigers a bit of a touch up last time they played but experts have predicted that was a bit of an anomaly.
Jobe Lynagh leads from the top for the Maggies as a pitcher and batter and also holds his own at the next level of the game.
He has help on the hill from Kye Wren-Mitchell who can also hold his own.
In the batting department the team looks to Aiden Meinck, Alex Hitchon, Jack Odgers and Truman Bryant to do the job.
For Tigers pitchers Sam Marcus and Atticus Mutton will look to do the work on the mound.
They are also capable of batting through a deep line up with Duke Bradley, Titan Dumigan, Dylan Simpson and Fergus Tarr able to consistently get good contact on the ball.
Can Central make it a three-peat or Tigers halt their charge? That question will be answered on Saturday.
LITTLE LEAGUE
Central finished well ahead of Federal on the ladder but that is beside the point in a grand final – all bets are off.
Central is actually playing for six in a row at this level so the pressure is on.
Harvey Gull is following in the footsteps of his dad Dylan as a pitcher and batter and will be backed up by Axel Reeves and Connor Ruwoldt.
These three will look to Kade Lynagh, Levi Fisher and Jed Cutting to help get the job done.
Young gun Banjo Cannon should start atop the hill for Federal backed up by Nathaniel Elletson.
From the batting box they look to Tyekon Kelly, Jack Freckleton, Angus Robinson and Logan Howard to push runners around the diamond.
MINOR LEAGUE
This is the Central Baseball Club’s sixth team to play in the season’s grand final series.
Both teams’ youngsters will play hard to win this one.
Central finished on top but Tigers Black were a little late into the competition.
Jed Cutting and Jordan Scherer head their pitchers with both able batters and backed up by Axel Konings, Archie Little, and Ethan Albert.
Federal look good from the mound through Tyekon Kelly and Connor Bonitatibus with hitters Izac Pearce, Sonni Cannon and Levi Nicholls hoping to go home with the silverware.
