Counties Baseball has won their first ever National Baseball Championship after defeating North Shore 5-3 in today's National Mens Baseball Championship at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga.
Counties were guided by head coach and starting pitcher, Diamondblack and former Cincinnati Reds Minor Leaguer Randy Yard and fellow Diamondblack Jason Matthews, who shone throughout the tournament with the bat and at shortstop, winning both MVP and Best Hitter awards at the three day tournament.
In an unexpected result, North Shore overcame hot favourites Howick-Pakuranga in the semifinal 1-0 on the back of a pitching gem from the tournament's top pitcher Ryota Okumoto, who also pitched again the final.
Counties beat Bayside-Westhaven 9-2 in this morning's other semifinal.
