Students Claim Bronze Medal At 2019 Nationals
Squad
Exec: Matt Kelleher (President), Dean Pousini-Hilton (Vice President), Will Boustred (Master at Arms).
Veterans: Sonny Butterworth, Zac McAlister.
Rookies: Joey Verhaegh, Lachlan Muir, Spencer Erby, John Hall Walsh, Jack Yu, Justin Ye.
Report
2019 Nationals Division 1 offered an immediate test for the defending champion Cynics, missing the majority of last year’s squad, including the entire former executive. Despite this, we still aspired to claim the gold medal on the Gold Coast.
A strong pool performance had spirits high in the dugout. Jack Yu and Lachlan Muir shared the duties on the mound in game one against University of Notre Dame, with the offense overcoming a late scare from the tournament underdogs to walk it off 12 – 9.
Game two was a grinding 5 – 5 draw against University of Newcastle, highlighted by some very aggressive base-running from the opposition.
Next up, the Cynics shook off the pressure by beating Queensland University of Technology 4 – 2. A commanding performance from ace Zac McAlister, eerily reminiscent of last year’s semi-final, put the Cynics in pole position for first place in the pool.
A 15 – 0 win over tournament newcomers La Trobe University locked in top spot. Joey Verhaegh dominated on the mound.
Entering the semi-finals undefeated, the Cynics had back-to-back gold medals in their sights. However an incredible offensive display by eventual tournament winners Newcastle doomed us to a 16 – 4 loss.
Perhaps the only positive was Verhaegh managing to organise a date with a member of the spectating SUSF media team mid-game.
In typical Cynical fashion, the team powered back to claim bronze against old rivals University of Melbourne. Another outstanding performance from McAlister, as well as relief appearances from John ‘The Myth’ Hall-Walsh and retiring veteran Sonny Butterworth, culminated in an 8 – 6 victory.
Matt Kelleher and Sonny Butterworth highlighted the team’s powerful week of hitting, sharing the lead of almost every offensive category for the tournament.
Off-field, the Rookies were thoroughly excited by the prospect of becoming ‘impeached’ during court this year, keeping Boustred very busy in his role as Master of Arms.
La Trobe’s mascot was pilfered and ritually sacrificed on Surfer’s Paradise Beach, smote by our hand. Newcastle’s mascot was similarly acquired but returned for a case of beer; through excellent negotiation skills attained from our superior business school faculty.
An attempt was made on Tatonka, and whilst the offending opposition team walked away from the tournament with Gold medals, they lost their dignity in their off-field shenanigans. The main instigator of the foiled heist was dealt a savage spear-tackle from the President because the Cynics are all about priorities.
A quick thank you to Vice President Dean Pousini-Hilton and Master at Arms Will Boustred for their incredible work and support during the week. And a special shout-out to Butterworth, who may have played his last game in a Cynics jersey. From the home runs to the crazy nights out and the times we have genuinely feared for your life. You and your bat will be missed.
All hail Tatonka.
Matt Kelleher, Club Secretary and Uni Games Squad President.