They’ve been the team to beat all year and now the Armidale Outlaws will have the chance to snag the Tamworth Baseball trophy in only their second season.
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The Outlaws are the first side to land a spot in the big dance with an opening semi-final victory against the Warriors.
In a classic finals match befitting first versus second, Armidale came from 2-nil down in the first inning and from 3 - 2 down in the sixth inning to rally for a big five run seventh inning and hold off a fast finishing Warriors for an 8-6 win.
Mick Alldis (six innings; 114 pitches; nine hits; six Ks; two walks) and Josh Shaw (two innings; 49 pitches; five hits; three Ks; one walk) shared the pitching duties for the Outlaws and, despite being outhit on the day, they grouped their hits when it mattered most and surged into their first ever A grade grand final, to be played in two weeks. Jake Forsythe was the big threat looming for the Warriors, throwing all seven innings in a huge 120 pitch effort (10 hits; six Ks; three walks) while also picking up three hits at the plate.
Nathan Handsaker, Andy Bello, Chris Dyson and John Warren also picked up two hits apiece for the day. For the Outlaws, Brad Smith-two hits/ three RBI; Mick Alldis-two hits/ two RBI and Masa Suzuki two hits were the picks of the bunch.
In B grade, the Outlaws missed out on the win, going down to the Cavaliers 8-5.
Jeremy Bird threw a well controlled four innings but the Outlaws couldn't capitalise on their runners left on base. The Outlaws now fight on with the Warriors for a chance to play in the Grand Final while the Cavs have the rest.
