LISMORE, AUSTRALIA — The first ticket to the 2019 Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS) was officially punched on Monday, as Cronulla Little League (Sydney, New South Wales) was crowned the Australia Region Champion with a 5-2 win over Ryde Red Little League.

Matched up with a fellow league from New South Wales in the championship game, Cronulla LL was able to get the early jump and turn back thanks to a bases-loaded triple in the first inning to highlight a four-run frame and take the early lead. While allowing a run in both the third and fifth innings, Cronulla LL added on one more run in the top of the sixth and hold on for the final three outs to secure the 5-2 victory.

This will be the second trip to Williamsport for Cronulla LL after winning the Australia Region Championship in 2015, and the seventh time a team from Australia will compete in the LLBWS since gaining direct entry in 2013.

During its trip to the LLBWS in 2015, Cronulla LL was able to take home a 1-2 record, defeating Los Bravos de Pontezuela LL from the Dominican Republic, 3-0, in their second game of the tournament.

Australia remains one of the fastest-growing Little League countries in the world. This year marks the seventh year that the Australia Region Champion receives an automatic berth in the Little League Baseball World Series. With direct entry into the Little League Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division World Series starting in 2018, Australia now earns direct entry into all four baseball tournaments.

The first-round pairings for the 2019 Little League Baseball World Series will be announced on Thursday, June 13, at the Little League World Series Luncheon. Spanning the course of 10 days, 32 games will be played in the 2019 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, culminating in the Championship Game, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 25.