Nine teams from across the state, competed last weekend at the 2023 Open Men's State Championship, played under beautiful weather as the backdrop for exciting and competitive softball. Held at Blacktown International Sportspark, the Open Men's State Championship showcased the vast softball talent from across the state, featuring a fantastic mix of junior and senior softballers. 

The championship featured the following teams: 

Central Coast 

Cumberland Nepean 

Georges River 

Hornsby 

Macarthur 

Newcastle

Orange 

Penrith City 

Southern Districts 

Grand Final 

Leading into the Open Men's Grand Final between Softball Macarthur and Penrith City, both teams produced exciting and entertaining softball across both the round games and semi-finals. Softball Macarthur and Penrith City were brimming with confidence heading into the grand final knowing victory was in sight, with Softball Macarthur seeking to maintain its winning streak and Penrith City chasing an elusive first Open Men's Title. The Grand Final produced a great game of softball full of tension and exciting moments, with Penrith City building momentum with early runs and excellent defensive fielding to be up 4-1 at the end of the second inning. Softball Macarthur attempted a spirited comeback to change the momentum in their favour with some strong aggressive pitching and batting however, Penrith City proved too strong winning 7-1 to claim their first Open Men's Title. 

Watch the full highlights of the Grand Final here: 2023 Open Men's State Championship - Grand Final - Penrith City vs Macarthur - YouTube

Grand Final Umpires and Statisticians 

Plate - Claire Austring 

First Base - Jessica Morley 

Second Base - Leanne Gearside 

Third Base  - Leith Roberts 

Official Statistician - Lynne Townsend 

Final Placings 

Champions - Penrith City 

Runners Up - Softball Macarthur  

=3rd Place - Georges River and Southern Districts 

5th Place - Hornsby District 

6th Place - Cumberland Nepean 

7th Place - Newcastle & District 

8th Place - Orange & District 

9th Place - Central Coast 

Best Batter Award 

James Todunter (Softball Macarthur) 

Batting Average = 0.615 

Slugging Average = 1.308 

13 AB; 8 Hits (5 singles, 3 home runs) 

9 runs; 9 RBIs 

3 Walks 

Best Pitcher Award 

Ahitana Te Kuru (Southern Districts) 

Earned Run Average = 0.716 

Strike Outs Per Inning Average = 0.396 

6 wins, 0 losses 

29.3 innings; 111 batters faced; 44 strikeouts; 4 walks; 16 hits; 70% strike rate

Players Player Awards 

Central Coast - Will Raston 

Cumberland Nepean - Adrian Baker 

Georges River - Callum Beashel 

Hornsby - Cameron Bint  

Macarthur - Lachlan Hort 

Newcastle - Tom Noble 

Orange - Caden Keed 

Penrith City - Peter Bournes 

Southern Districts - Ahitana Te Kuru 

Softball NSW would like to thank Blacktown City Council and all of the volunteers, athletes, team management and attendees who made the 2023 Open Men's State Championship a great success. 

For any further information relating to the event, please contact Softball NSW Events & Facilities Coordinator Aimee Sutton at events@softballnsw.org.au or Softball NSW Media Marketing and Content Officer Angus Hewitt at media@softballnsw.org.au.