Adelaide Armada - Australian Little League Invitational Championships ~ Silver Medalists 2025
HUNTER COAST EDGE ARMADA BY ONE RUN FOR CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD
Hunter Coast defeated the Adelaide Armada 3-2 in the Australian Invitational Little League Championship on Saturday (12 July), but the South Australia kept the game in the balance right down to the last out.
Redcliffe Queensland ~ 13 July 2025
The Armada fell behind three runs in the fourth inning, but they got back into the game when they scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth, to pull within one, and set up a classic finish in the last inning.
Both clubs faced off earlier in a preliminary game on the first day of the tournament with Hunter winning a close tilt 6-5. It was the only loss for Adelaide, who following the opening match, regrouped and went on to win four consecutive games and advance to the Gold Medal championship.
In Saturday’s showdown, Hunter got on the board in the top of the first and scored two more in the fourth to take a three-run lead. The Armada didn’t put any runs on the board until the fifth inning when Bodie Jackson slammed a line drive double to left to score Noah Soar from third, and then a Luka Tons base hit up the middle-scored Jackson to pull within a run; 3-2 Hunter.
Jackson Cakebread and Tons led the offense for the Armada with two hits each, with Jackson and catcher Jack Adams adding singles.
Mandel Guo started on the mound for the Armada and the little right hander went deep into the match pitching four innings, with 4 Ks, 3 BB, surrendering only two hits, and allowing three earned runs.
In the fifth Armada Coach Karen Mentha elected to change pitchers, handing the ball to lefty Hamish Lee, who was composed and retired the side in order. In the top of the sixth with Adelaide still only one run down, the southpaw found himself in a jam with runners on second and third and only one out. The "Hammer" didn’t flinch under pressure, getting a huge strike out, then retiring the side when the final batter hit a routine ground ball out to second.
The Armada were only a bloop and a blast from victory in their last at bat, and leadoff man Jackson Cakebread beat out a slow rolling grounder to reach first. With Cakebread aboard and representing the tying run, there was a confidence sense Adelaide could conjure up some magic for the gold, but Hunter Coast pitcher Jehd Ireland quickly spoiled the walk off plan, getting Guo, Adams, and Hayden Mack to bounce into quick outs, giving the Coastersteam the championship.
The Armada took home the Silver Medal, and had a very good tournament overall, finishing with a tournament record of 4 wins and 2 losses. The runs aggregate was 58-23 (+35).
Congratulations to Head Coach Karen Mentha and her Assistants Andre Benjamin, and Glenn Bailey for a job well done putting this team together. You have done Baseball in South Australia proud.
Armada Tournament Results
Day 1: Hunter Coast 6 ADELAIDE ARMADA 5
Day 2: ADELAIDE ARMADA 15 Western Melbourne Mets 5
Day 3: ADELAIDE ARMADA 16 Sun City Thunder 3
ADELAIDE ARMADA 14 Northern Melbourne 4
Day 4: ADELAIDE ARMADA 6 Swan Hills Aces 1
Gold Medal – Hunter Coast 3 ADELAIDE ARMADA 2
Mandel Guo
Hamish "The Hammer" Lee
Armada Bench during the Gold Medal Game
Game Stats
ARMADA Hits (6)- Jackson Cakebread 2, Luka Tons 2, Bodie Jackson, Jack Adams
RBI: Jackson 1, Dylan Carter 1
ARMADA Pitching – Mandel Guo – IP – 4.0 – Batters Faced 18; Pitches/Strikes 68-37; 4Ks; 3BB, 2H 3R, WP-1; Hamish Lee – IP -2.0; Batters Faced –
PHOTOS Courtesy - Celeste Adams, Naomi Pinyon, Rick Lee, Baseball Australia
COMPLETE GAME BY SOAR PUTS ARMADA INTO GOLD MEDAL GAME
Battery Mates -
Jack Adams, left,
and Noah Soar
Redcliffe, Queensland ~11 July 2025
Adelaide Armada pitcher Noah Soar (left) went the distance on the mound today to carry the Adelaide Armada to a decisive 6-1 win over the Swan Hills Aces of Western Australia, helping his team qualify for Saturday’s Gold Medal Game at the Australian Invitational Little League Championship Tournament being played this week in Redcliffe Queensland.
Adelaide will meet the Hunter Coast, who narrowly qualified following a close 4-3 extra innings win over Northern Melbourne. The Armada's only loss was to Hunter, a close 6-5 setback in the opening tournament game.
Soar was stoic, and threw a gutsy game, striking out seven, with no walks, and he shut out Swan Hills for most of the match.
“Noah (Soar) pitched brilliantly today, and he was backed up by some solid defence” said Armada Head Coach Karen Mentha following the win.
Adelaide opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Hayden Mack singled to right, scoring Mandel Guo and advancing Ashton Mogg and Banjo Cannon on the bases. Lewis Bailey then drove in Mogg on a ground ball to the infield to make it 2-0 Adelaide.
Both teams went scoreless in the second, but in the bottom of the third the Armada opened things up with four runs when the Aces pitching gave up a series of walks, a stolen base, a batter hit by pitch, and a single to Alexandre Benjamin, putting the South Australians into a comfortable six run lead.
Surprisingly Adelaide only collected four safe hits during the game, but the Swan Hills pitching was shaky, serving up seven walks, two wild pitches, and a stolen base to Luka Tons, and that was enough for the Armada to manufacture the winning result.
The entire Armada lineup has contributed to getting the team to the championship and have showed plenty of character to win the last four games after losing the opener by one run to tomorrow's grand final opponents Hunter.
Soar also got help from his teammates solid defence, and the watchful eye and encouragement from his battery mate, and also Golden Grove Central Districts Dodgers teammate, catcher Jack Adams, who continued to work with Soar throughout the game, encouraging him between innings.
Soar had good control, throwing 75 pitches over six innings, 53 for strikes, fanning 7 batters, with no walks. The young hurler kept Swan Hills off the scoreboard until late in the game when they scored their only run in the fifth inning.
On the sidelines, Noah’s father was beaming. “What a performance, I’m extremely proud and happy for him”, said Darryl Soar, one of his sons’ coaches at the GGCD Baseball Club.
ARMADA Hits (4) – Banjo Cannon -1B; Hayden Mack – 1B; Dylan Carter -1B; Alexandre Benjamin -1B.RBIs – Banjo Cannon-1; Hayden Mack – 1; Mandel Guo -1; Ashton Mogg-1
ARMADA Pitching – Noah Soar – IP -6.0; Batters Faced – 25; Pitches/Strikes 75/53; 7Ks; 1R, 5H, WP-1
PHOTOS courtesy of Celeste Adams, Naomi Pinyon, Baseball Australia
ARMADA CONTINUE ROLLING TOWARD SATURDAY
FINALS BERTH WITH ANOTHER LOPSIDED WIN
Adelaide Armada continued their winning ways, registering two big wins today at this weeks Little League Invitational Tournament in Redcliffe Queensland.
In the afternoon game the Armada again filled up the scoreboard with a 14-4 verdict over Northern Melbourne, following an earlier 16-5 victory over the Sun City Thunder, played in the morning.
The Big Purple Machine took full advantage of 16 walks from erratic Northern Melbourne pitching today, with all batters reaching base, mixed in with timely hitting running up the score.
For the second straight game Banjo Cannon (batting on the right) carried a big bat smashing a third inning triple to left field to score two, giving Adelaide a sizeable lead over the Victorians. Adelaide scored six runs in the second and third innings, and then tacked on two more in their top of the fifth to complete their scoring. Noah Soar, and Mandel Guo also had doubles in the win.
Northern Melbourne scored two runs in both the second and third innings, but
Adelaide pitcher's Guo and Lewis Baily combined to limit the Victorian side to just four hits and limit their scoring output.
The total tournament runs against will prove to be an important stat, with the least total runs against determining who advances to the gold medal round following Friday's preliminary games.
The Armada have now won their last three games after a disappointing result in their opener.
Thursday’s results give the Armada a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, with the best runs
against total(20) and a slight lead over Hunter Coast 3-1, and Sun City Thunder 3-1.
Tomorrow (Friday 11 July) the Armada will play the Swan Hill Aces 1-3 (59) in a 1:30 pm match.
In the other games:
Northern Melbourne vs. Hunter Coast – 9:00am;
Western Melbourne vs. Sun City Thunder – 11:15am.
If Adelaide win, and don't allow more than nine runs, then Adelaide are virtually assured a spot in the gold medal game. Theoretically they could win 16-10 and then Hunter Coast and Sun City shut out their opponents, but an Adelaide victory tomorrow will make it difficult for either Hunter or Sun City to eliminate the Armada.
Possible finals scenarios after tomorrows games that "could" throw some chaos into the loop would be if Northern Melbourne win, and then Hunter Coast & Adelaide lose, which would result in a four way tie in the final standings.
*However this long shot outcome and the finals particpants would then be confirmed by Baseball Australia Tournament Directors at end of pool play.
But as of tonight the Armada are in very good shape and a win tomorrow should leave them in good standing for a championship berth on Saturday.
ARMADA Hits (6) – Banjo Cannon – 3B, Mandel Guo – 2B, Noar Soar-2B,Ashton Mogg -1B, Blake Murray-1B
RBI’s – Hamish Lee-1, Luka Tons -1, Dylan Carter -1, Alexandre Benjamin -1
STOLEN BASES – Ashton Mogg - 1
WALKS – Team Total 16
ARMADA Pitching – Mandel Guo – IP – 1.2, Batters Faced – 8, Pitches/Strikes -36-12, 2K, 2BB, 1WP, 2R, 1H; Lewis Bailey – IP-3.1, Batters Faced – 15, Pitches/Strikes – 43-30, 1K, 2R, 4H
Standings as at Thursday 10 July
Adelaide Armada 3 Wins 1 Loss (20)
Hunter Coast 3 Wins 1 Loss (25)
Sun City Thunder 3 Wins 1 Loss (29)
Northern Melbourne 2 Wins 2 Losses (22)
Swan Hill Aces 1 Win 3 Losses (51)
Western Melbourne Mets 0 Wins 4 Losses (50)
Runs Against in Parentheses
ADELAIDE’S PURPLE ARMADA BOMBS THUNDER
Redcliffe Queensland ~10 July 2025
The Big Purple Adelaide Armada blew their opposition out of the water this morning (Thursday 10 July), winning with authority in a 16-5 romp over previously undefeated Sun City Thunder in the third day of play at the 1st Annual Australian Invitational Little League Championships being held in Redcliffe Queensland.
The Armada scored three runs in their opening inning, added another in the second, and then put the game out of reach with six runs in each of the third and fourth digs, ending the game early on the mercy ruling.
The victory improves Adelaide’s record to 2 wins and 1 loss, while Sun City suffer their first setback and drop to 3-1.
Offensively, "The Pride of Mt. Gambier" Banjo Cannon, led the Armada with a big day at the plate belting a fourth inning two run triple, along with two singles, driving in 5 runs, also crossing the plate three times. Lewis Bailey was next with a double and a single, 2 runs batted in, Hayden Mack, two singles, 2 rbi, Mandel Guo, single, 3 runs scored; Ashton Mogg, single, 3 runs scored; Jack Adams, single; Bodie Jackson, single; and Jackson Cakebread, single to round out the batting.
Mack also was stellar on the mound for the Armada scattering four hits, and fanning 4 over three innings of work before handing the ball to lefty closer Hamish Lee who pitched the final inning, allowing only two runs and closing the door for the South Aussies.
The Armada have a short break today and are back at it again this afternoon in a 2:00pm contest against Northern Melbourne.
11 July 2025
ARMADA Hits (12) – Banjo Cannon – 3B,1B,1B; Lewis Bailey – 2B,1B; Hayden Mark – 1B,1B; Jack Adams-1B; Mandel Guo -1B; Ashton Mogg -1B; Bodie Jackson -1B; Jackson Cakebread -1B
Stolen Bases - Dylan Carter, Luka Tons; HBP - Noah Soar 2, Luka Tons.
ARMADA Pitching – Hayden Mack – IP – 3.0, Pitches/Strikes – 54-34, 4ks, 1B, WP- 1, HBP-1, 4H, 3R; Hamish Lee – IP -1.0, Pitches/Strikes – 9-9, 2 R
PHOTOS - Baseball Australia, Family Contributions
Armada Coach Karen Mentha (centre) and assistants Glenn Bailey, and Andre Benjamin (left) discuss big win with their troops.
ARMADA IN MASSIVE WIN OVER WESTERN MELBOURNE
Redcliffe Queensland ~ 9 July 2025
REDCLIFFE, QLD - The Adelaide Armada came out firing today erupting for 13 hits, highlighted by an 8 run 5th inning to bury the Western Melbourne Mets on day two of the 1st Annual Australian Little League Invitational Tournament being played in sunny Redcliffe, Queensland.
The Armada jumped out of the gate with two quick runs in the opening inning, and from there they never looked back, combining aggressive hitting, heads up base running, solid pitching and defence to coast to the win.
Adelaide added on two runs in the second and third innings, a single run in the fourth, before opening the boom gates with a massive eight run barrage in the top of the fifth. Complimenting the 15 run offence was a fine effort from the three Adelaide pitchers Noah Soar, Alexandre Benjamin and Ashton Mogg who managed to hold the Victorian side scoreless in three of the five innings of action.
Western Melbourne scored three runs in their bottom of the third and another two in the bottom of the fifth. The win was a huge boost to the South Australian side following a heart breaking 6-5 setback yesterday in their opening game to Hunter Coast.
“After yesterday’s game we spoke about how the boys were seeing the ball well, and making good contact, but that we were unlucky not to have our balls drop into the gaps for hits and ultimately get more runners on base,” explained Armanda Head Coach Karen Mentha following today's win.
“Our goal today was to build on this, by continuing to make good contact by hitting the ball hard and of course today they fell into the gaps our way. We also ran the bases well, and we continued to build up momentum as the game moved along.”
The big highlight went to Golden Grove’s Ashton Mogg, whose 5th inning bases loaded triple increased an already comfortable lead to 12-3, followed by Banjo Cannon’s triple one pitch later. Cannon then scooted home from third on a wild pitch, giving the South Aussies another insurance run.
Three batters later Blake Murray increased the margin to 15-3 when he singled to centre to score Hayden Mack (H&G) who was on board following a walk.
Mogg (triple and single), and Cannon (triple) led the offense, while Blake Murray also had a big day with two singles.
“Ashton’s (Mogg) bases clearing triple, followed by Banjo’s (Cannon) triple on the very next pitch finished them off” said Mentha . “The boys and the staff are very happy with today’s big win.”
Three Armada pitchers, Soar, Benjamin and Mogg combined to shut down the Mets from putting together any real offensive threat, scattering eight hits over the five innings, while striking out a combined five Victorian batters
NEXT GAMES - With the win today the Armada improve their tournament record to 1 win and 1 loss but tomorrow will be a big test for the squad when they play two games.
Thursday 10 July - 11:15 am- Armada vs. Sun City Thunder; 1:30pm – Armada vs. Northern Melbourne.
ARMADA Hits (13) Ashton Mogg-3B,1B; Banjo Cannon-3B; Blake Murray – 1B,1B; Jack Adams-1B; Mandel Guo-1B; Noah Soar-1B; Hamish Lee-1B; Hayden Mack-1B; Lewis Bailey-1B; Alexandre Benjamin-1B; Jackson Clarke-1B
ARMADA Pitching – Noah Soar – IP – 2.2, Pitches/Strikes - 37-23, 2K, 1BB; Alexandre Benjamin- IP-1.1; Pitches/Strikes – 31-13; 3BB; Ashton Mogg – IP 1.0; Pitches/Strikes- 30-16; 3K; 1BB
PHOTO courtesy Celeste Adams
ARMADA OPEN LITTLE LEAGUE INVITATIONAL WITH TOUGH ONE RUN LOSS TO HUNTER COAST
The Adelaide Armada droped a tough one run 6-5 loss to Hunter Coast in their opening game of the 1st Australian Invitational Little League Tournament this morning in Redcliffe Queensland.
The Armada held a one run lead going into the final inning when their New South Wales opponents scored three runs to take the lead. Adelaide fought back with a lone run in their final dig but it was not enough to change the outcome.
Hunter Coast opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the 1st inning, and then Adelaide rallied for 4 runs in their bottom of the 3rd. Hunter then responded with two runs in the top of the 4th to narrow Adelaide’s lead and set the stage for the exciting finish.
Adelaide threatened in their bottom of the sixth and final inning, scoring a lone run on a combination of heads up base running and a wild pitch, but Hunter Coast pitching closed the door to secure the narrow win.
The Armada’s next game in the six team tournament will be tomorrow Wednesday 9 July -1:00pm (Aust. Eastern Time) against Western Melbourne.
ARMADA Hits(5) - Lewis Baily (SD)-1B; Jack Adams (GGCD)-1B; Blake Murray (Sturt )-1B; Hamish Lee (ET)-1B; Dylan Carter (Glenelg )-1B
ARMADA Pitching - Mandel Guo (ET)- IP – 1.2, Pitches/Strikes -34-17, 2Ks,1BB; Lewis Baily (SD)-IP-2.0, Pitches/Strikes -34-24, 3Ks, 1BB; Hamish Lee (ET)- IP-1.2; Pitches/Strikes – 35-18; 2 Ks; 1BB; Noah Soar (GGCD)-IP-0.2; Pitches/Strikes -23-12; 2Ks;1BB
Redcliffe Queensland ~8 July 2025
ARMADA COACH CONFIDENT HEADING TO QUEENSLAND TOURNAMENT
Adelaide South Australia ~7 July 2025
Adelaide Armada Little League Coach Karen Mentha has her roster of 14 promising young baseballers ready for the upcoming 1st Annual Australian Invitational Little League Championships scheduled for 8 – 12 July in Redcliffe, Moreton Bay Queensland.
“We have a great mix of very hard-working kids from eight different South Australian clubs, including one promising player from Mount Gambier, who I know will give it their all”, Mentha said on Sunday following the team’s final training session.
The Armada roster consists of several up-and-coming development players who will certainly challenge for positions on next seasons Baseball SA Little League Charter squads, as well as several prospects who narrowly missed out on the final day of Charter Team Selections.
“We have some terrific young pitchers in the side, a couple of very enthusiastic catchers and a great mix of speed and power hitters, with some strong defensive players in there too” said Mentha, as her team anxiously departed from the Adelaide Airport this morning (Monday 7 July).
All 14 players selected for the Armada can pitch if required, however Karen says she expects to rely mostly on six or seven players who standout on the mound.
“We have three left hand pitchers, Hamish Lee from the East Torrens Red Sox, and Goodwood teammates Luka Tons, and Jackson Cakebread, who all throw slightly different styles and therefore we can use them in different game situations.
“We also have a couple of younger pitchers who show talent beyond their years” noted Mentha. “Hayden Mack from the Henley and Grange Rams throws hard and is also a terrific prospect at third base. Banjo Cannon from Mount Gambier is a very strong pitcher with literally a cannon of an arm, and Mandel Guo, another East Torrens selection, who recently moved to South Australia from China, and is being touted as one of the best up and coming young pitchers in the state.”
Three players from the U13-1 premiership winning Golden Grove-Central Districts Dodgers; Ashton Mogg, Jack Adams, and Noah Soar will be heavily relied on to consistently throw strikes and keep the pressure on the opposition batters, but all three are also versatile fielders, and dependable clutch hitters.
Dylan Carter from Glenelg, and Adams, both are very strong behind the plate and will share most of the catching duties.
Little League rules require that all rostered players bat through the entire lineup in batting order, but Mentha is confident her selections will produce at the plate.
“We've got some kids with speed who can bunt and steal bases, and we’ve also got some power hitters. Don't be surprised if you see one of our boys put it over at some point in the tournament” boasted the Armada coach.
Mentha’s involvement in the game as a player, coach, and administrator, is testament to her love of the game. “I started playing T-Ball in primary school and then went on to play baseball for my school until year 7 when I was told – ‘there is no future for women in baseball’, so I played softball for about 20 years, in between other sporting and work commitments. My main sport was swimming, but I also played hockey, cricket, footy, and dodgeball, to name a few.
I came back to baseball about four years ago when my son Charlie wanted to play T-ball at East Torrens, and I discovered the Red Sox had a women's team, so I ended up playing two seasons for the Division 1 Women’s Team before dropping down to the lower grades and focusing more on my coaching.”
Away from the game Karen works as a Pool Operator and Swimming Instructor, when not spending time with Charlie, now 7, a promising young athlete who plays baseball, lacrosse, swimming, and also takes piano lessons.
Coach Mentha is a respected junior mentor at East Torrens having now coached the U11 team for three years, in addition to assisting in U14. She has also been an assistant with the Marlins LL Development team for two seasons, and in 2024, was appointed as the Youth Development Officer for the ETBC.
Karen is supported on the Armada by two very experienced coaches in Andre Benjamin, and Glenn Bailey, both from the Southern Districts Baseball Club.
“Andre and Glenn are putting in all the hard work, hitting balls during our defensive workouts, and throwing batting practice to our hitters, while I have been focussing on our pitching and catching.
We’ve only been training once a week, mainly because of the long distances many of our players are having to travel, but we know all the players are working on their skills and conditioning on their own as well.
Defensively we’ve been working on using the correct glove and foot work, covering bases, hitting cutoffs, communicating and backing up each other. We’ve been learning to work together as a team, incorporating team building activities into our training, while also teaching the boys the mental aspects of the game. Our main aim is to develop these young players into all round athletes who can hit, throw, run, catch, move, and think like baseballers,” explained Mentha.
Adelaide will meet the Hunter Coast, Sun City Thunder, Swan Hill Aces, Northern Melbourne, and Western Melbourne in the five-day round robin tournament, with the finals slated to be held Saturday 12 July. The Armada will kick off their schedule with a 9:00am game on Tuesday 8 July against Hunter Coast.
“I’m not exactly sure what to expect as this is a new experience for us entering this team in this competition. We don't know the skill level of the opposition teams or who we expect to be the stronger and weaker teams so having no knowledge of the opposition has made it difficult for us in our preparations", explained Mentha.
NOTE - “Unfortunately, Caleb Ward from Golden Grove had to pull out of the tournament with a broken arm,” added Mentha.
PHOTO Courtesy of Rick Lee