ACT player Zach Mackrell in action during the under-17 boys national softball competition. Picture:PAUL SCAMBLER
GAMES in the Australian under-17 boys national softball competition continued in windy conditions at Churchill Park with New South Wales holding top spot.
Spectators saw several tight games played with ACT defeating Victoria 10-9 and Tasmania securing its second win for the competition over South Australia.
Tight pitching by Queensland's Matthew Fyfe held the Victorian team to only one run.
Dean Leski scored the team's only run, with Victoria's Samuel Beales, who batted a double, unable to get his team to bat him further around the diamond and was left on base.
Queensland batters managed to put 10 safe hits into the diamond for a final score of eight runs.
Queensland's batters Jarrod Polzin and Mitchell Silcox were among Queensland's better batters for the game.
A close game between Victoria and ACT, saw ACT with a one-run win.
Victorian lead-off batter Dean Leski recorded a home run when he batted a safe hit to right field.
Queensland's strong batting was the difference between the teams with 14 safe hits for the game.
Aggressive running and well placed hits by the Queensland players and several errors from the Victorian players resulted in a narrow win over the Queensland team.
Tasmania came from behind with an 8-7 run win over South Australia.
Tasmanian Luke Thomas, who also plays catcher, found several gaps in the South Australian field placings and penetrated the outfield with a double and triple base safe hit.
Trailing after six innings, the Tasmanian players dug deep and brought in six runs in the last innings.
Wild pitching and throws by the South Australian team resulted in several Tasmanian players crossing the plate to record a second win for the championships.
After a safe hit to right outfield South Australia's Ben Lucas crossed the plate for a home run.
Tasmanian pitcher Dylan Sheehan pitched a great game, which saw him achieve 12 strike outs.
Queensland held Tasmania scoreless in their double header game, recording a 10-0 win.
The last game of the day saw NSW defeat South Australia 10-0.
Games will continue today and tomorrow, with the grand final to be played at 2pm on Saturday.
A final night dinner will be held where the best pitcher, batter and rookie will be announced.