BASEBALL
LVBA
By RENAE GILLETT
UNDER clear skies and ideal baseball conditions, the Moe/Newborough Dodgers Baseball Club hosted a spectacular day of senior Latrobe Valley Baseball Association grand finals last Sunday.
A tripleheader was showcased, delivering power hitting, elite pitching, momentum swings, and three deserving premiers across A, B and C Grade.
With crowds and cars lining the fences and the sun holding strong until late afternoon, the stage was set for one of the most memorable finals days in recent LVBA history.
The Dodgers upset Sale Rangers in a high-scoring grand final 16 to 8.
Fireworks were on display in what was a shootout.
Yushi Kamugai was the star, driving in five runs with a two-run single, a sacrifice fly, and a towering two-run home run to right field in the ninth that sealed victory in absolutely spectacular fashion.
Sale started strongly with a solo home run from Kevin Arbuthnot and a three-run blast from Rohan Hector to take a 5–2 lead, but Moe/Newborough flipped the game in the fourth with five runs, helped by two hits and a costly Sale error.
Three more runs in the fifth – including a Dale Simpson solo homer – pushed the margin to 11-5.
The Dodgers finished with 10 hits, four stolen bases, and contributions across the line-up.
Nathan Simpson threw six innings, before Kamugai closed out the final stages of the game.
Sale collected 11 hits of their own, refusing to fade, but Moe/Newborough’s offensive firepower proved decisive.
As the sun dipped behind the outfield, the Dodgers lifted the premiership shield and were named 2026 A Grade premiers.
CHURCHILL dominated Sale to win the B Grade flag 13-1.
The game belonged entirely to the Braves, who delivered a statement win.
Jack Thomas produced one of the performances of the season, striking out 12 batters in a complete game masterclass. He allowed just four hits, walked none, and controlled every inning with poise and precision.
Churchill exploded early, piling on six runs in the first inning through Mat Prior’s RBI double, Thomas’ two-run single, Brad Jones’ RBI, and Liam Duncan’s two-run knock. The pressure didn’t stop there. An error and a Gregg Duncan RBI in the second stretched the margin further, and Daniel Harris added another in the third.
Harris finished three-for-three, Thomas added three hits of his own, and Churchill racked up 16 hits while playing error-free defence.
Sale battled throughout, but the Braves’ depth, discipline and early scoring avalanche proved too much.
CHURCHILL also won the C Grade premiership.
The Braves started the day with a composed and clinical 11-7 victory over Moe/Newborough Dodgers.
Jason Rossit set the tone early, going three-for-three with a pair of singles and a momentum shifting double.
His second inning RBI put Churchill ahead 2-1, steadying the side after Moe/Newborough’s early strike through Eric Robinson.
Moe/Newborough kept fighting, tying the game twice, but Churchill’s response was immediate each time. Back-to-back defensive errors and a Mat Howden sacrifice fly restored the lead in the third, before a four-run fourth inning blew the game open. Ian Beames doubled, Daniel McKinnon drove in two, and Jacob Gruis added another to make it 9-5, taking the Braves to a more secure lead.
McKinnon was in control on the mound, throwing a complete seven inning performance with six strikeouts and just two earned runs. Churchill’s 11 hits, four stolen bases, and sharp defence proved decisive.
LATROBE Valley Baseball would like to thank everyone who attended throughout the season and supported the clubs.
Thank you for coming along and supporting the clubs at the 2026 senior grand final.
