Post date: Apr 06, 2016 4:11:28 AM

They are ranked number 1 in the world by taking home the 2016 International Down Under Series trophy.

Japan defeated the Aussie Green 2-0 in the Grand Final after manufacturing two unearned runs in the 3rd inning. The Aussie Green offence was able to produce just two hits while Japan only allowed 10 runs in the seven games they played.

Aussie Gold finished the WBSC-sanctioned tournament strongly with a 4-2 win over New Zealand to claim 3rd place.

Select games are available to watch in their entirety on the SAL Production YouTube Channel.

Aussie Gold vs Aussie Green 

Earlier in the day and the end of the round robin portion, Aussie Gold’s bats came alive in a 5-0 win over Aussie Green. Aussie veterans, Stacey Porter, Brenda DeBlaes and Stacey McManus, each had two hits in the game.  Amber Johnson and Ellen Roberts shut down the Aussie Green attack allowing only three hits.

Japan vs New Zealand 

Japan completed their round robin part of the tournament with a 10-0 over New Zealand.

Individual award winners

Player of the Grand Final – Nayu Kiyohara (Japan)

Best Pitcher – Jocelyn McCallum (Australia Gold)

Best Batter – Stacey McManus (Australia Gold)

Most Valuable Player – Yuka Ichiguchi (Japan)

Day One recap

Japan vs Aussie Gold

After the first day of play, Japan sat alone with a perfect 2-0 record. The Japanese got off to a perfect start manufacturing nine runs in the 2nd inning against Aussie Gold on their way to a 11-3 win. Aussie Gold catcher, Belinda White, hit a loaded bases double to drive in all three Aussie Gold runs in the bottom of the 4th inning.

Aussie Gold vs New Zealand

Next up, the Aussie Gold took on the New Zealand White Sox. Charlotte Pointon – New Zealand’s leadoff batter – hit a long fly ball over the out reached glove of Aussie Gold right fielder, Chelsea Robinson, for an inside the park homerun and the only run in a 1-0 win for the White Sox. Kaia Parnaby was the starting pitcher and had a solid performance giving up two hits over four innings. Joeclyn McCallum was perfect in the final three innings giving the Aussie Gold a chance to comeback.

Aussie Green vs Japan

Aussie Green opened their tournament against Japan. The Aussie Green scored twice in the 1st inning to get off to the start they wanted. Japan came back with four runs in the 3rd inning to take a 4-2 lead in a game that saw four lead changes. The Green team manufactured three runs in the 5th inning to retake the lead 5-4 but couldn’t hold on as Japan scored two runs in the bottom of the 7th for the 6-5 win. Chelsea Forkin, Taylah Tsitsikronis and Jemma Freegard led the Aussie offense with two hits each.

Aussie Green vs New Zealand

In the night cap, Aussie Green evened their record at 1-1 as they defeated New Zealand 3-0. Pitchers, Amelia Cudicio and Sandra Holden, shut down the White Sox bats as they combined for a one hitter. Clare Warwick and Alexandra Casey led the Aussie Green attack with two hits each.

Day Two recap

Japan remained on top of the ladder with a perfect 5-0 record, but were challenged with a pair of 2-1 wins over both Aussie Green and Aussie Gold. In their first game of the day, Japan belted New Zealand 13-0. They then faced the Aussie Green, where they had to come from behind with the winning run in the bottom of the 7 th to take out the game, 2-1. In the night cap, Japan needed an extra inning to defeat Aussie Gold, 2-1.

Aussie Green vs Aussie Gold

Aussie Green added to their win total defeating Aussie Gold, 4-3 then New Zealand, 5-3 to ensure they finished the round robin section of the weekend in second place and a berth in the Championship Final against the unbeaten Japanese.

Both New Zealand and Aussie Gold enter the final day with identical 1-4 records and, after completing the round robin, would play each other for 3rd place.

Next up

Aussie Spirit will host the Japan Toyota Red Terriers in the Invitational Down Under Series, 19-21 February at Blacktown International Sportspark. For tickets and for more information, click here.