WITH the 2020/21 baseball season coming to a close, two Redlands Rays Little League teams have played their way into a place in the junior grand finals, along with the women's grand final, to be held at Redlands this Saturday.
The division one Little League Rays have had an amazing season, winning sixteen out of seventeen games.
Despite losing home ground advantage due to the weather, Rays played with integrity and put their whole season's training into their 12-2 semi-final win against Padres Red at Redcliffe on Saturday.
Lawson Muller earned his MVP award for his 85 per cent strike rate for 44 pitches during all four innings of the game. Rays will now play Padres White in the grand final.
The division two Little League Devilrays game against Wests Blue was moved three times before it was played at Darra on Saturday morning.
Rays were down 4-0 at the bottom of the second inning but fought back by scoring six runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Wests scored one run in the top of the fourth but Rays managed to hold them off to win the game 6-5.
Although the whole team played hard, the MVP was awarded to Chase Cartwright for pitching and fielding while Seth Lutton received a special mention for fielding.
Devilrays will play Wests Red in the grand final at Redlands on Saturday.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the junior grand finals day to watch all levels of junior baseball play their grand finals.
Despite several reschedules due to the rain, Rays Masters have progressed to a semi final spot against Wests Blue scheduled to be played at Ipswich this week.
Although both pitchers pitched well, Wednesday's 4-3 game against Southern Stars Teal was won on critical errors by Stars after Rays managed only two hits in the game.
Should the weather affect playing of the game, Wests will progress to the grand final on runs against which has put them above Rays on the ladder.
The annual junior awards night, held at the clubhouse on Saturday night, was a huge success with games and challenges for players and parents prior to the start of the award ceremony.
Winners of the Rays perpetual awards were Alyssa Stone for Junior Volunteer of the Year, Toby Muller, Junior Batter of the Year, and Dean Ainsworth, Club Coach of the Year.
Rays volunteer family of the year were the Stone family of Kevin, Regina, Chloe, Alyssa and Harry, who received a four night holiday at Mooloolaba.
Luke Abraham and Dion Mastrocola from Aussie Home Loans Capalaba also attended the event to present trophies to the winners of their sponsored team, the division two Mantarays.
The senior awards night is on Saturday, April 10.
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