East Coast Rallies to Claim Inaugural National Showcase Series Title

Christchurch played host to the thrilling third and final round of the National Showcase Series, delivering an action-packed weekend of baseball. Heading into the final series, the West Coast team had established a two-game lead, needing just one more win to secure the prestigious National Showcase Series Shield. Meanwhile, East Coast, led by head coach Aaron Campbell, faced an uphill battle after a tough showing in Hamilton, where they suffered three consecutive losses. To claim the title, they had to achieve the near-impossible: a three-game sweep.

A Stunning Comeback

With the odds stacked against them, East Coast stepped onto the diamond. What unfolded over the weekend was, an outstanding display of baseball by the East.

East Coast defied expectations by sweeping all three games. Their dominant performance not only erased the 2 game deficit in the standings but also secured them the championship in the inaugural National Showcase Series.

National Showcase Series Recap

Auckland Series 

• East Coast: 2 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw

• West Coast: 1 win, 2 losses, 1 draw

The first series saw a tightly contested battle, with both teams showcasing their strengths. East Coast managed to edge ahead with two wins, but West Coast remained within striking distance.

Hamilton Series

• East Coast: 0 wins, 3 losses

• West Coast: 3 wins

West Coast dominated the second series, securing a clean sweep and placing themselves in prime position to claim the championship. East Coast struggled to find their rhythm, falling in all three matchups.

Christchurch Series

• East Coast: 3 wins

• West Coast: 0 wins

With their backs against the wall, East Coast delivered a masterclass performance in the final series. Their three consecutive victories not only completed an incredible turnaround but also earned them the National Showcase Series Shield in dramatic fashion.

This remarkable comeback victory solidifies East Coast’s place in the history books as the first-ever National Showcase Series champions. Under the leadership of Aaron Campbell. Their ability to bounce back from adversity and perform under pressure highlights the depth of talent in New Zealand baseball and sets the stage for future editions of this exciting competition.

With the conclusion of the National Showcase Series, both teams can reflect on a highly competitive and entertaining season. As baseball continues to grow in New Zealand, this rivalry is sure to produce more memorable moments in the years to come.

Series Award Winners

Most Valuable Player & Silver Slugger (Hitting Award) – Messiah Tuhoro

Messiah Tuhoro was an offensive powerhouse throughout the series, delivering game-changing performances with the bat. Going 10-for-20 with two home runs and 10 RBIs, he proved to be an unstoppable force at the plate. His consistency and ability to drive in runs made him the standout hitter of the competition.

• Batting Average: .500

• Slugging Percentage: .991

• On-Base Percentage: .604

• OPS: 1.595

Golden Arm (Pitching Award) – Connor Keall

Connor Keall was a dominant presence on the mound, showcasing his pitching prowess throughout the series. Over 18.2 innings, he struck out 20 batters while holding opponents to a .253 batting average. His most outstanding performance came in the final game, where he pitched 7.2 innings to help East Coast secure the championship title.

Golden Glove (Fielding Award) – Kiharoa Landon-Lane

Kiharoa Landon-Lane displayed exceptional defensive skills, holding down the shortstop position for the West Coast team. His range, consistency, and reliability in the field were on full display throughout the entire showcase. Across nine games, he recorded 31 assists and 10 putouts while committing just one error, solidifying his reputation as a defensive wizard.

Round 3 Series Game Recap 

Game 1 

East Coast Beat West Coast

By GameChanger Media

East Coast were victorious against West Coast 4-0 on Saturday.

A double by Caleb Dufty put East Coast on the board in the bottom of the second.

Simon Auckett stepped on the bump first for East Coast. The pitcher allowed three hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out three and walking two. Fletcher Warren stepped on the bump first for West Coast. The pitcher allowed four hits and two runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking one. Connor Keall pitched two innings of shutout ball for East Coast in relief. The reliever allowed zero hits, striking out five and walking none.

Leadoff hitter Dufty led East Coast with two hits in four at bats. Brooklyn Riwaka, Messiah Tuhoro, and Dufty each drove in one run for East Coast. East Coast were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Harrison Carmichael had the most chances in the field with nine.

Kiharoa Landon-Lane set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading West Coast with two hits in three at bats.

GAME 2

East Coast Take Lead And Never Look Back In Win Over West Coast

By GameChanger Media

East Coast won big over West Coast 18-3 on Saturday.

East Coast got on the board in the top of the first inning after Caleb Dufty homered to left field, and Joshua Hewson doubled to left field, each scoring one run.

East Coast added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Lincoln Gruppelaar was struck by a pitch, Brooklyn Riwaka walked, Harrison Carmichael walked, Hewson walked, and Simon Auckett walked, each scoring one run.

East Coast scored five runs on one hit in the top of the fourth inning. Cody Mead drew a walk, scoring one run, Gabriel Tuhoro drew a walk, scoring one run, Gruppelaar drew a walk, scoring one run, and one run scored on another play.

East Coast scored six runs on three hits in the top of the fifth inning. Mead singled, scoring two runs, Tuhoro drew a walk, scoring one run, and Messiah Tuhoro homered to left field, scoring three runs.

Tuhoro started on the hill for East Coast. The starter gave up two hits and three runs over three innings, striking out four and walking six. Adam Murphy led things off on the mound for West Coast. The pitcher surrendered three hits and seven runs over one and one-third innings, striking out none and walking six. Carmichael and Mead each came on in relief for East Coast and shutdown West Coast.

Riwaka and Hewson each collected two hits for East Coast. Tuhoro and Mead each drove in three runs for East Coast. Tuhoro led East Coast with four walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting 18 walks for the game. Tuhoro and Gruppelaar each stole multiple bases for East Coast. East Coast stole nine bases in the game. East Coast were sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Tuhoro made the most plays with eight.

Liam Stoliker, Fletcher Warren, Kiharoa Landon-Lane, and Micah Hardgrave each collected one hit for West Coast. Tangaroa King and Warren each drove in one run for West Coast. Yugo Iwasaki paced West Coast with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, amassing seven walks for the game. Riley Howie and Kai Nunome each stole multiple bases for West Coast. West Coast stole six bases in the game. West Coast turned one double play in the game.

GAME 3

East Coast Defeat West Coast On Multiple Hit Performance By Messiah Tuhoro

By GameChanger Media

Messiah Tuhoro collected three hits in four at bats, as East Coast defeated West Coast 11-9 on Sunday. Tuhoro doubled in the first inning, doubled in the fourth inning, and doubled in the second inning.

East Coast came back to win despite trailing 4-0 in the first.

West Coast got on the board in the top of the first inning after East Coast committed an error, Genuine Savaliga walked, Liam Stoliker doubled down the left field line, and , each scoring one run.

East Coast captured the lead, 5-4, in the bottom of the first after Tuhoro doubled down the left field line, Cody Mead was struck by a pitch, Hugo Harvey walked, West Coast committed an error, and Ryutaro Sakai grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run.

West Coast jumped back into the lead in the top of the third inning after Kai Nunome singled down the left field line, and West Coast scored on a passed ball, each scoring one run.

East Coast captured the lead, 8-6, in the bottom of the fourth after Tuhoro doubled down the left field line, Joshua Hewson hit a sacrifice fly, and Harvey singled to left field, each scoring one run.

Connor Keall pitched seven and two-thirds innings in relief for East Coast. The hurler surrendered four hits and four runs (one earned) while, striking out five and walking one. Caleb Dufty started on the mound for East Coast. The starter surrendered one hit and four runs (two earned) over one-third of an inning, striking out one and walking three. Yugo Iwasaki opened the game for West Coast. The starting pitcher gave up one hit and five runs over one-third of an inning, striking out none and walking three.

Sakai led East Coast with three runs batted in from the number nine spot in the lineup. The second baseman went 2-for-4 on the day. Harvey collected two hits for East Coast in four at bats. Harrison Carmichael paced East Coast with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, amassing seven walks for the game. East Coast turned one double play in the game.

Savaliga went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead West Coast in hits. Stoliker, Savaliga, Cyrus Wiese, and Nunome each drove in one run for West Coast. Nunome stole two bases.

Article added: Tuesday 25 March 2025