Queensland have become the second team to qualify for the 2007 Financial Wealth Claxton Shield playoffs after hammering the final nail in Perth’s extra large coffin - completing a dismal series for the home town Heat

The defending champion Rams simply outclassed their opposition in all facets of the game as they completed the first obstacle in their quest to repeat last year’s heroics

On the mound Drew Naylor opened proceedings for the Rams by firing 4 innings of no hit baseball, before he was removed by Manager Peter Gahan in an effort to ensure he was available for duty during Queensland’s play-off charge

But the change wasn’t necessarily a welcome one for the Heat, as Chris Mowday, James Albury and Tristan Crawford combined to shut out Perth in a phenomenal pitching display, surrendering just one hit

On offence, it was a case of the usual suspects for the Rams, as Brad Dutton and Andrew Utting both dominated the Heat pitchers
Utting was particularly impressive - driving in 2 runs on his way to a 3 for 4 night, and raising his tournament average to .467

The Rams sent a clear message to their opponents with the emphatic victory, punching out double-digit hits for the second consecutive game while limiting opposition teams to just one run over their last 18 innings

The win also proved highly influential to the standings as now NSW, QLD and South Australia have all confirmed their places in the next round

But all eyes are sure to be on the Victorian v South Australian match-up - with the Aces needing to win to enter the playoffs
A loss would see them exit, handing the last spot in the final four to Australian Provincial

OK Subscribers, you would not expect us to beat around the bush and we are not going to - this 2007 Claxton Shield has been a miserable one in terms of the results of the host Western Australian team and, sadly, it has finished on the lowest note as a painful reminder of all the things that have not worked for them at Thornlie during this sunny late January

Quite simply, their lack of offensive power and timely hitting (or any hitting at all for that matter!) has placed too much pressure on their pitching that has been pretty good overall

Pitching and defence may be considered the most important ingredients for success in baseball, but this tournament has emphasised how important hitting can be - just ask Greg Jelks!

On this occasion it would much quicker and simpler to get the West Australian side of the game out of the way so that those fine people here who have been so hospitable can get back to their normal lives without the torment of a VERY disappointing week of baseball torture

It wasn't until replacement third baseman Allan de San Miguel led off the eighth inning with a single that WA recorded its one and only hit for the game - end of story - not much more to say is there?

I had the pleasure of meeting WA's young rookie starting pitcher Liam Baron and his family - it would hard to find a nicer or more unassuming lad and he is obviously a product of very fine parents
Liam had the joy of facing one batter in his debut relief outing this week with the superb result of two outs via an inning ending double-play
Unfortunately, he was never likely to maintain that type of start to his career at this level and it was not entirely his fault that his statistics were brought back to earth tonight
Baron was very tidy in the strike zone but he would not have appreciated being met with seven hits from the talented Rams batters
It was a lot to expect from the young fellow with zero run support and some sloppy defence giving him no help at all
Thankfully for him only three of the runs he allowed were earned

Brendan Thomas was fairly good again in stemming the Rams offensive flow, as was Brendan Wise who seemed a lot more assured on the mound this time with very little pressure left in the game or the tournament for WA

Rookie Chris Goadby faced the minimum three batters and he would have gained a degree of confidence from his last opportunity at Claxton Shield 2007
Goadby is one of several fresh WA youngsters who will be better for the torrid experience here

By contrast, Queensland had a very easy night at the office with quality hurlers Drew Naylor, Chris Mowday and Tristan Crawford combining for a magnificent one-hit shutout, with only Mowday allowing the no-hitter to be snapped in the eighth

Naylor's only blemish was three walks from four innings, Mowday's the solitary hit and Crawford was near perfect with the minimum three batters faced in the final frame - over and out for the West Australians

The Queensland Rams have breezed through most of this tournament with a variety of hitters doing the job on different occasions
Today it was the turn of dangerous former Victorian Andy Utting to groove his swing with a damaging 3-4 and two RBI's, followed by Jacob Rookie and Brad Dutton who each contributed two hits in this lop-sided affair

So long to the WA team who will be dedicated to re-grouping for next year, while Queensland continues to roll on as the defending Champions who just might be able to retain their title?