Eastern Phantoms Bring Home Gold at 2022 Australian Junior League Championship

Congratulations to Eastern Phantoms on winning the 2022 Australian Junior League Championship!

The national champions were crowned after going 6-0 throughout the week, wrapping up Friday's gold medal game with a 14-4 win over Southern Mariners in Glenelg, South Australia.

"We are thrilled with the success of Eastern Phantoms Junior League and congratulate all players and coaches on their undefeated campaign and awesome teamwork during the tournament," Baseball WA CEO Lachlan Dale said. "It's wonderful to see the team's hard work pay off, and we also recognise the behind-the-scenes efforts of charter clubs Morley, Perth, and Wembley in support of these talented players. We look forward to a bright future for Eastern Phantoms following their gold medal glory."

In the final game, Brady Manning and Toby Franklin combined with an impressive pitching performance on the mound, while the Phantoms offence piled on 14 runs to secure gold and punch the charter’s ticket to the Junior League Baseball World Series later in the year.

GAME CENTRE: Box score and play-by-play
#AJLC2022 hub: Results, schedule, standings & news

Eastern took an early 2-0 lead after Benjamin Nesbit tripled home a run before scoring on a groundout.

The Mariners responded with three runs in the bottom half, although their lead was short-lived. The Phantoms tied the game in the second before both sides scored a run in the third to leave the game tied at four.

Eastern took over from there, scoring five runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 14-4 lead and finish the game after five innings under the mercy rule.

Toby Franklin was excellent for the Phantoms, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out five batters to seal the ticket to Taylor, Michigan for the World Series.

Nesbit was 3-for-4 for the Phantoms, scoring four runs while driving in another four to power their offence.