Baseball - June 2025

Churchill Braves turn pink for a cause, raising over $3000 for Breast Cancer Network Australia

In a heartwarming show of community spirit, the Churchill Braves traded their traditional green and gold for vibrant pink in Round 4 of the season, hosting a special Mother’s Day home game against Traralgon and Morwell to raise funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

Andrews Park was transformed for the occasion, with pink bases and field markings setting the tone for a day dedicated to awareness, support, and fundraising. Seven of the club’s eight teams took the field, creating a sea of pink as players, coaches, and supporters embraced the theme.

Club President Gregg Duncan, the driving force behind the event, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate the pink sports day. His efforts paid off, with the club surpassing its fundraising goal of $1,000. A successful raffle further boosted donations, with the final tally reaching over $3,000 for BCNA.

Club Coach Brad Jones praised the overwhelming participation and enthusiasm. “It was incredible to see so much pink being worn across every team and by our supporters. It really brought the community together for a great cause.”

On the diamond, results were mixed for the Braves. A Grade delivered a thrilling finish, scoring a walk-off win with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Kyler Rinehart drove in Jarrod Thomas with a clutch hit into the gap, sealing victory over the Redsox.

B Grade had a tougher outing, falling behind early as Traralgon jumped to a strong lead. Despite a late surge, the Braves could not close the gap. There were, however, standout moments, with Rhys McKenzie and Daniel Harris each hitting home runs.

C Grade Gold secured a dominant win over Morwell, who also embraced the pink-themed day with enthusiasm. C Grade Green battled valiantly in a tight contest on the Tony Dickinson Diamond, narrowly losing 5–4 after a runner was tagged out at home in a potential game-tying play.

The day began with a high-energy Under-10s T-ball game, where 15 of the club’s youngest players took the field under the guidance of coaches Daniel and Kayla McKinnon, showcasing great progress and teamwork.

In the Under-13s, Churchill Braves Gold powered past Traralgon 13–2 behind a strong all-round team performance. Zack led the offense with three hits, while Beau and Hudson also contributed multiple hits and RBIs. The team ran aggressively on the bases and played error-free defence in a great all-round display.

The Under-16s continued the winning momentum with a commanding 15–5 victory over Traralgon. Big hits from Hunter and Blake, plus a two-RBI double from Cadel, highlighted a strong offensive showing. The team’s discipline at the plate was impressive, drawing 16 walks and stealing 16 bases in a dominant effort.

Churchill Braves Baseball Club extends heartfelt thanks to the local businesses and individuals who generously donated prizes for the raffle, helping us exceed our fundraising goal. Special mention goes to Ash Hartwig, who was instrumental in securing so many fantastic prizes, and to Brooke Duncan, Melissa Duncan, and Dan and Kayla McKinnon for their creativity, coordination, and hands-on work with the raffle and decorations.

As Club President, I could not be prouder of the way our club came together for such an important cause. From juniors to seniors, supporters to volunteers, this day showed what Churchill Baseball is all about—community, compassion, and making a difference.

This Pink Round was not just a win for baseball—it was a victory for awareness, support, and unity in the fight against breast cancer.

Photos:
Top: Raffle Prizes
Centre Left: Club Coach Brad Jones, Ashleigh and Zarah
Centre: McKinnon family - Kayla, Daniel, Paige and Zayne
Centre Right: President Greg Duncan, Hudson, Brooke and Hunter
Bottom: C Grade Green team