18/03/2026
SEMI-FINALS RESULTS: DIV 2 MEN
NFA PIRATES YELLOW (5) Def HAHNDORF (3)
In a clash worthy of a captain’s log, the top seeded Pirates Yellow faced off against second placed Hahndorf for a coveted berth in the Grand Final and what unfolded was nothing short of a diamond side epic. Two of the division’s finest crews battled fiercely, but only one would claim the wind in their sails.
From the very first pitch, it was clear this contest would be fought tooth and nail. The Pirates opened in the field with the ever-reliable Henry “Hurricane” Sexton on the stripe. The Hurricane blew with full force early, allowing just two aboard while striking out three of the first five batters. Hahndorf found no treasure there, no earned runs to be had.
The Pirates’ opening batting innings showed early promise. Dominic Sexton led off with a clean single to left, followed by Mitch Butler reaching safely after a Hahndorf misfield, pushing D. Sexton to second. Henry Sexton added further pressure, forcing yet another error to load the bases. For a moment it looked like the Pirates might plunder big—but Hahndorf pitcher Dan Waters steadied his ship, striking out two. Jo Harvey then bravely wore a pitch, bringing home the opening run before Waters ended the inning with another K.
Hurricane Sexton returned to the mound breathing fire, striking out three of the next four and keeping Hahndorf scoreless again. But Hahndorf’s defence was equally sharp refusing the Pirates any further plunder.
Hahndorf finally found a crack, earning three walks and cashing in one run to level the scores. Still, Pirates fielding refused to break, turning back the threat before more damage could be done.
The Pirates’ bottom order battled hard but were shut down by two sharp grabs from Hahndorf shortstop Mark Pressin. The Pirates answered in the field—another strikeout from H. Sexton, a slick catch behind the plate from D. Sexton, and a tidy put out at one by second baseman Jake Short.
With the minutes ticking away, the Pirates desperately needed runs. D. Sexton went down swinging, but then—up stepped Mitch Butler. With a mighty swing that could’ve split a mast, Butler launched a towering shot over the left fielder’s head and clear into the next diamond. A solo home run! Pirates ahead by one and momentum swinging.
But Hahndorf are a stubborn foe. In their final turn at bat, a Pirates fielding error allowed a runner aboard before Kaiden Martin doubled to score and tie it at 2–2. A brilliant forward diving catch from left fielder Darryl Elliot stemmed the tide and an attempted steal to third was gunned down by a perfect throw from catcher D. Sexton to third baseman Pat Fraser. Yet Pressin struck again—his flyball to right dropping in, giving Hahndorf their first lead of the day. A final out by shortstop Butler sent the Pirates in needing one run to stay alive—two to win.
The pressure was heavy as storm clouds, but the Pirates never flinch. Harvey doubled to left. Brad Kianpour battled to a full count before forcing another Hahndorf error—Harvey scored, tying it 3–3. Elliot’s grounder forced yet another misplay, putting runners on the corners with none out.
Then it was P. Fraser’s moment. With ice in his veins and gold in his eyes, he drove a clean shot through the infield, scoring two and sealing the victory in dramatic Pirates fashion.
A gallant fight from Hahndorf, but in the end, the Pirates’ grit and a touch of high seas heroics proved too strong.
Pirates 5, Hahndorf 3. Pirates sail straight into the Grand Final.
💛🖤💛🏴☠️🏴☠️
