The Eagles arrived in Cairns on August 3 under gray skies and drizzle. After checking into the Oasis Resort, the team made their first visit to the Trinity Beach Sports Complex for a practice session on the field where the Barrier Reef Tournament is played. The Eagles were able to get a modified practice in, even though the field was soggy and light rain fell intermittently.
On Friday, August 5 the Eagles commenced tournament play against the Queensland Country Schoolboys and won by a score of 16-9. Nick Paul started on the mound and picked up the win with relief help from Jamie Casterline & Pat Hoban. The victory was highlighted by a 4th inning 2-run homerun by catcher Stuart Bartley. Manny Perez made the defensive play of the game with an over-the-shoulder catch in deep centerfield with one out in the top of the 5th.
On Saturday, August 6 the Eagles played the Cairns Cyclones in the first of two games on the day. Cairns took advantage of the Eagles defensive problems and beat the Eagles 6-0. Chris May suffered the loss as the starting pitcher, but allowed only 3 earned runs. The Eagles only managed four hits as the Cyclones Phil Waring pitched a complete game. Chris Dorazio doubled for the Eagles, while Manny Perez, Josh Krakower, & Todd Elrod each contributed singles.
In the second game against the Townsville Steelers, starter Jason Kummer also was not given much support in the field as defenisive woes continued to plague the Eagles. Kummer only allowed one earned run, but the Eagles were downed by Townsville, 10-2. Ryan Beglin, Josh Krakower, and Adrian Pimentel each had two hits for the Eagles. Defensively, all was not without merit as Todd Elrod made a great over-the-shoulder catch in right, and second baseman Chris Dorazio made a diving catch of a fly ball behind first base.
In the Third Place Game on Sunday, August 7, the Eagles played their best game of the tournament as they again met the Queensland Country School Boys. Nick Paul picked up his second victory on the mound, and relief pitching from Pat Hoban, Todd Elrod, Ryan Beglin, & Stuart Bartley helped to secure a shut-out victory, 11-0. Offensive punch came from Josh Silverman (HR, 2B, 1B, 4RBI), Manny Perez (2 for 4), & Sal Garcia (2 for 4). Josh Krakower continued his hot streak at the plate with a 3 for 3 performance & 3 RBI. Krakower finished the Barrier Reef Tournament with 8 hits in 10 at bats.
Cairns Cyclones defeated the Townsville Steelers, 12-2 in the championship game to capture the tournament title. In the awards ceremony that followed the game, the MVP award went to Jason Scammell, 18 yr. old right fielder for the Cairns Cyclones who had 3 HRs in the tournament as well as winning the Home Run hitting contest. The Best Pitcher award was won by 18 yr, old Phil Waring of theCyclones (4 hit shutout). The Golden Glove award went to 16 year old Scott Eyears (C-Queensland Schoolboys) and the Batting Award was captured by the American Eagles' Josh Krakower with an 8 for 10 performance.
The following day, the Eagles and the rest of the touring party enjoyed a trip to Green Island on Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef for a day of snorkling, sunbathing, touring the Crocodile exhibit, and general relaxation. On Tuesday, August 8, the Eagles left Cairns and flew on to Brisbane to continue their Australian adventure.
On Wednesday, August 9 the Eagles made a visit to the Australian Woolsheds to see Kangaroos, Koalas, and get a taste of the Australian out-back. The team practiced under sunny skies at Holloway Field, where the Brisbane tournament would commence the following day.
Thursday evening, August 10, the Eagles opened tournament play with a 12-3 victory over the Brisbane Metros. Nick Paul started on the mound and picked up his third win on the tour going 3 innings and striking out 5 Metro batters. Jamie Casterline pitched 2innings of strong relief striking out 4 batters. Ryan Beglin belted a home run to left center to go 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Chris Dorazio and Sal Garcia both went 2-3 with triples, both driving in 2 runs.
On Friday, August 11, the Eagles visited the baseball complex of the Redlands Baseball Club for a tour of the facility and practice session. The Redlands facility is one of the pre season baseball training sights for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After practice, the team and supporters bussed to the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise to spend an afternoon on the beach.
Returning to Holloway Field for a 6:00pm game on Friday night, the Eagles again won, this time against the Brisbane Expos, 5-3. Chris May pitched the first 4 1/3 innings and got the win, with Pat Hoban coming on in relief. Adrian Pimentel had a perfect 3-3 game, with 2 RBI bunt singles.
The Eagles players dispersed after the game with their host families for the weekend.
On Saturday, August 12, the Eagles assured themselves a spot in the Championship Game with their thrid victory in-a-row by beating the Queensland Rams, 7-4. Jason Kummer pitched a complete game, striking out 4 Ram batters. Chris Dorazio continued his hot hitting as he went 3 for 3 with 3 stolen bases. Pat Hoban hit a bases-loaded double to the fence in left-center driving in 2 runs in the 4th inning. SS Adrian Pimentel contributed 2 hits, and scored 2 runs. The Eagles survived an attempted come back by the Rams in the 7th inning which was highlighted by a towering 3 run home run to left by Ram RF David Hyslop.
The Eagles attempt to defend their Brisbane Tournament championship was denied by a resurgent Brisbane Expos team as the Expos took advantage of 4 errors by the Eagles defense to come out on top, 15-9. Manny Perez went 2-4 (2 RBIs) and Ryan Beglin went 2-3 (1 RBI), each with a double. Jamie Casterline again pitched a strong relief stint, going the final 3 1/3 innings, giving up no runs and striking out 3 Expos. Earlier in the game, while playing left field, Jamie made a leaping backhand catch of a fly ball in left center field.
The Eagles didn't come out of this tournament empty handed. Chris Dorazio, batting .600 for the tourney, captured the Best Batter Award. Adrian Pimentel, who was just edged out of the batting award, was given the Golden Glove Award for several brilliant plays at shortstop.
On Monday, August 14th, after a trip over beautiful Mt. Tambourine and a visit to Curtis Falls in the hinterland rainforest, the Eagles arrived on the Gold Coast at Surfer's Paradise for a well deserved day of relaxation before the flight back to the USA on Tuesday. |