Newcastle championship double for Nelson Bay Strikers baseballers

NELSON Bay Strikers Baseball Club may have only two teams on its books, but they are rich in talent and big-match experience.

In one of the club’s finest achievements in the Newcastle Baseball League, the spirited Strikers have capped a successful 2026 season by lifting two championship trophies.

At the recent Newcastle Baseball grand finals at Mayfield’s Boomerang Field, the proud Nelson Bay warriors covered themselves in glory by capturing the fifth and sixth grade premiership titles.

The Strikers’ young sixth grade outfit defeated the experienced Belmont Seagulls 17-15 in a thrilling tussle to secure the Newcastle minor and major championship double.

Nelson Bay’s fifth grade team staged a big-hitting fightback to draw 15-all with the last available batter and share the premiership title with Woodberry Wolves.

Legendary Strikers’ player-official Bill Marshall said collecting a premiership double was a ‘huge thrill’.

“Despite our low player numbers, we managed to put two quality teams on the mound and the results were encouraging,” said Marshall, who coached both squads,

In the sixth-grade decider, Ben Brearley produced a fine exhibition of fast pitching and strong batting to earn the official Player of the Grand Final award.

Brearley scored three runs and led the way with accurate, quick pitching to keep the powerful Belmont batting lineup under control until the third and fourth innings when the Seagulls added 11 runs to lead 15-5.

But the Nelson Bay young guns rallied to post nine runs in the third innings and three runs in the fourth to snatch a stirring grand final victory.

Eight players scored runs and Andrew Benn drove in the winning two runs with a long hit into the outfield from the last pitch of the game.

Shortstop Benn was also the pick of the fielders, taking three brilliant game-changing catches.

The Strikers’ champion sixth grade squad featured co-captains Lachlan Urquhart and Andrew Benn, and Elliot John, Ben Brearley, Bailey van Laarhoven, Blake Smith, Jacob Atkins, Shane Royle; Nathan Benn, Stephen Klum, Dave Connors, Ben Storrier and Paul Mower.

NELSON Bay’s fifth grade team were favourites to win the grand final, but after trailing 15-7 in the second innings staged a sensational comeback to draw level and share the title with the Wolves.

The Strikers pitchers battled to get outs in the strong westerly wind, while the batters got going in the third innings with six long hits. Each player contributed with valuable runs with Hayden McGlinchy turning in a standout performance with three runs and batting in a further four runs.

Nelson Bay’s championship-winning fifth grade team was skippered by Dave Connors and featured Andrew Benn, Craig Burton, Lachlan Urquhart, Ray Anderson, Hayden McGlinchy, Ryan Hodgson, Dave Pollard, Tim Poole, Clinton Walshe, Robbie Pukallus and Elliot John.

The Strikers have proved a force in the Newcastle Baseball competition since their formation in 1994, led by current fifth grade team captain Dave Connors and club legend Warrick Lilly.

Over the past 32 years, Nelson Bay has figured in 31 grand finals in the Newcastle Baseball competition – winning 15 premierships.

The Newcastle competition covers the area between Belmont, Toronto, Maitland and Nelson Bay.

The Strikers are a family-oriented club and cater for all ages, both male and female.

In the 2026-27 summer, the Nelson Bay Baseball Club will teach T Ball and Little League baseball to juniors between the ages of 4 and 12 years at their new baseball diamond at Korora Oval, Soldiers Point.

The club will enter at least two senior teams in the 2027 Newcastle Winter competition. Batting, throwing and fielding practice for the 2027 winter season will begin on the first Sunday of March 2027.

If you are aged between four and 74  and keen to learn and play baseball or revive your baseball or softball career, contact club manager Bill Marshall on 0458 130 099.

By Chris KARAS