2019/20 State League - Week 17 Wrap

Wembley Magpies 0-5 Rockingham Rams
W: Sam Murphy (4-4), L: Michael Varga (0-2)
 
Sam Murphy pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out eight batters on 118 pitches as the Rockingham Rams opened the Week 17 fixtures with a 5-0 win over the Wembley Magpies.

Murphy gave up just four base hits all night as he picked up the win on the mound.

The Rams starter was well supported by his bats as catcher Josh Diggins drove in a pair of runs on two hits, while David Nichols also had a multi-hit game.

Game 1: Gosnells Hawks 7-5 Victoria Park/Belmont Reds
W: Josh Rawlinson (3-2), L: Joseph Goodman (0-1), S: Adam Millson (3)

Game 2: Gosnells Hawks 5-4 Victoria Park/Belmont Reds
W: Josh Silvi (4-3), L: Corey Brown (0-4)
 
The Gosnells Hawks moved into the playoffs spots after a hard-fought double-header sweep of the Victoria Park/Belmont Reds on Sunday.

After scoring two runs in the top of the seventh inning to claim a 7-5 win in game one, the Hawks made it a perfect afternoon as they claimed another close win - this time 5-4 in game two.

It was a day for the long ball with Robin Adamson homering a staggering three times across the day, with teammate Michael Robideau clearing the fence twice.

Liam Collins and Douglas Trimble also got to trot around the bases for Gosnells, while Jack Smalpage (2) and Gavin Stupienski also went yard for the Reds.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the pitchers, however, with Hawks starter Josh Silvi striking out nine batters on route to a complete-game win in game two. 

Game 1: Perth 2-3 Carine Cats
W: Peter Reyes (6-4), L: Brendan Dadson (0-1)

Game 2: Perth 2-10 Carine Cats
W: Cody Holt (6-1), L: Aidan Austen (4-2)
 
The Carine Cats tightened their grip on a playoff spot by taking both ends of their double header with Perth on Sunday.

If you’re wondering how much of a factor momentum is in sports, then look no further than this contest.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh in game one, the Cats rallied - scoring twice to claim the walk-off win before riding their momentum into game two where they won 10-2.

Jordano Vivona’s sacrifice fly in the seventh inning was all that separated the teams in game one before the Carine offence exploded for ten runs in game two.

Led my a strong start by pitcher Cody Holt, the Cats piled on 12 team hits to take both ends of the double dip.

Vivano drove in three runs across the two games, while Holt also picked up two RBIs. 

Game 1: Wanneroo Giants 4-2 South Perth Cubs
W: Tom Bailey (7-1), L: Tony Olson (3-5)

Game 2: Wanneroo Giants 3-6 South Perth Cubs
W: Luke Mann (5-1), L: Chris King (7-3)

The Wanneroo Giants were forced to settle for a split of their double header with South Perth, with the Cubs bouncing back from a game down to share the spoils.

After taking game one 4-2 in extra innings behind Tom Bailey’s complete game and Nick Riley’s run home, the Giants were pegged back by the Cubs who rode a five-run third inning to set up a 6-3 win.

Adam Gendall was the chief destroyer, collecting three RBIs for South Perth, while Luke Mann fanned five batters on the mound.

Riley again homered for Wanneroo, as did Ben King, but it wasn’t enough to claw back the deficit as the Giants slipped to just their fifth loss of the season. 

Game 1: Swan Districts Swans 1-11 Morley Eagles 
W: Locky Southee (6-2), L: Bailey-Jay Cooke (0-2)

Game 2: Swan Districts Swans 1-11 Morley Eagles 
W: Troy Cruz (3-1), L: Riley Moore (2-7)

It was the number one everywhere you looked as the Morley Eagles collected a pair of 11-1 wins over the Swan Districts Swans to sweep their double header on Sunday.

In two games which were almost mirror images of each other, the Eagles cruised home to keep their top two hopes alive.

Troy Cruz drove in a team-high six runs in game one on a pair of triples, while club captain Chris House homered for Morley in game two.

Cruz then showcased his two-way abilities in game as he earned the win on the mound - punching out eight batters through six strong frames.

Braves 8-1 Rockingham Rams
W: Misja Harcksen (7-2), L: Brock Molloy (2-8)

Braves scored early and often - leading from start to finish as they took care of the Rockingham Rams 8-1 to round out the Week 17 fixtures.

After scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, the Braves were never troubled as they out-hit the Rams 11-4 to claim the win.

With the victory, last year’s runners up remain second on the standings.

For the second week running, left fielder Graeme Scorer was the star for Braves as he drove in three runs on a pair of base hits.

Ian Yetsko, Kevin Clark and Jordan Dyer also had multi-hit afternoons, while Misja Haracksen picked up the win on the mound.