The Queensland Rams emerged
from their fourth game of Claxton Shield 2006 as still the only
undefeated team and, with other results on Day 4, they are now
assured to finish in first place for the start of the finals
They also sent a clear an indisputable message to rival teams
- don't try to out-slug the Queensland Rams who have too many
of their talented hitters at near peak form - and while SA were
not far behind them, 18 hits to 12 is not a classic pitchers duel
We usually start by discussing the pitching, but this game was
more about offence
We may have been guilty of forgetting about Brad Dutton who batted
.333 at Claxton 2003 as a 20yo but his absence from the Australian
big league has not dulled his skills or his hunger
In an incredibly consistent tournament Dutton batted 5-5 today
to take his tournament average to a meagre .700 - the only way
from here is surely down, but what a glittering star he has been!
On the subject of AMLB
stars, we did mention yesterday our instinct that Brett Roneberg
might be getting himself into the kind of groove we have all seen
before from the talented left-hander
He provided further evidence of that today with a big team contribution
of 3-5 and two RBI's
What GREAT news it is for Australian baseball to see this still-young
star on his way back from a very nasty shoulder injury and seemingly
ready to pick up the reins on a promising but interrupted career
If he gets on a roll coming into the finals, his history would
suggest that he'll be a major factor for the Rams
David Sutherland (who has been a Claxton Shield hit machine during
his short career), Jay Nilsson (there's that name again!), Josh
Roberts (an impressive youngster) and Michael Simpson (who is
having a terrific tournament) also added two more hits each from
today's action
As we said, the Queenslanders have many ways to hurt the opposition!
How would you expect 'Bashing Ben' Wigmore to follow-up his historic
three-jack day yesterday? - with a bit of a let-down like anyone
else might? - nope, not him!
Wigmore once again carried the SA offence on his talented back
with yet another stellar performance of 3-4 with a RBI - this
fellow is incredible!!
Dan Wilson was replaced as DH in the game after batting a miserable
2-2 - go figure that one!
Another consistent performer at AMLB level Sam Tibbitts simply
continues to produce for his team with another creditable 2-5
effort today
Philadelphia Phillies signing Drew Naylor gave Australian fans
a glimpse of his potential with an excellent pitching debut at
Claxton Shield 2006 against a very dangerous opponent
19yo Naylor did very little wrong with a polished display to enable
his team to maintain its undefeated record - while he was not
untouchable, his debut win will be a great career start!
Fellow 19yo AMLB rookie James Albury also got a taste of Claxton
action to carry on a great family tradition and, while he allowed
a few too many hits on this occasion, he also showed that he had
the kind of stuff that could minimise the damage - he is one to
keep a watchful eye on
Tristan Loetzsch carried out the last inning mop-up mission
Former Australian Provincial player Dushan Ruzic simply could
not find the stunning form that he produced for SA at the 2005
Claxton Shield when he was pummelled by the "Battering Rams"
to the tune of eleven hits from just 3.2 innings and he had to
be replaced on the mound before his team bled to death - it happens
at this level and we don't jump to conclusions after just one
shaky outing - he'll be back!
Jay Ziersch wasn't quite able to stamp out the blaze of Rams'
hits either, although little-known closer Tyler Green looked pretty
useful again
The Queensland Rams are stampeding
through the preliminary rounds of the 2006 Financial Wealth Claxton
Shield with a 4-0 win loss ratio securing their fourth consecutive
win today when they defeated South Australia 9-5 at Blacktown
Olympic Park
The Queenslanders started
their offence campaign strongly in the first inning hitting a
series of singles that resulted in Josh Roberts, Brett Roneberg
and Andrew Utting crossing the plate, placing three runs on the
board to start the nine inning game
The hitting streak continued in the second dig with an RBI to
left field by hitting sensation Brad Dutton saw Josh Roberts score
advancing the Rams lead to 4-0
South Australia got their first run on the board in the top of
the third inning after a double to centre field from Ben Wigmore
brought Mark Tainty home
After a scoreless third
inning for the Queenslanders, the tournament leaders hit back
to score an additional two runs in the fourth after RBI’s
from Brad Dutton and Brett Roneberg saw both Brad Dutton and Jay
Nilsson add two more runs to the Queenslander’s lead
South Australia fought back in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring
single runs in both digs
Troy Cook scored the first run for SA in the fifth which was followed
by a homerun which was crushed to left field by Olympic silver
medallist Tom Brice in the sixth
The double runs kept coming for the Queenslanders, scoring a further
two runs in the sixth inning when Jay Nilsson crossed the plate
for the second time
Michael Simpson wasn’t far behind scoring the second run
before the last out by Andrew Utting
The final run for the Rams came in the bottom of the eight inning
when Michael Simpson crossed the plate for the second in the game
advancing their lead to 9-4
South Australia got the their hopes up in the top of the ninth
inning when they secured another run off an RBI from Tibbets,
but their attempt at levelling the scores was denied by the Queenslanders
their strong defensive strategies
Queensland Head Coach Peter Gahan was very happy to have ‘cracked
up eight hits’
He was also notable impressed with his pitchers Drew Naylor, James
Albury and Tristian Loetzsch
“I am very happy with the game tonight
It was a good solid performance
We batted hard and ran the bases very well”
The South Australian coaching staffs was also happy with their
team’s performance
“We had a great hitting streak, with 12 hits
We are still positive for tomorrow’s game”
Today’s win for Queensland places them at the top of the
ladder and poses them as a major threat for the finals
They take on the Perth Heat tomorrow afternoon at 3.00pm at Blacktown
Olympic Park
South Australia face home crowd favourites New South Wales tomorrow
night at 7.00pm at Blacktown Olympic Park, Sydney