Queensland have beaten South Australia in a pitchers' duel on Sunday, taking out their fourth Joyce Lester Shield - their second this calendar year and third in a row - and sending a signal to the rest of Australia that a maroon dynasty is here.

It wasn't an easy run for the eventual winners, who were handsomely beaten by South Australia earlier in the day and had to beat New South Wales in the Preliminary Final to get into the Grand Final. From there, the Maroons had to be patient as South Australia kept them at bay, the 1-1 tie only broken in the top of the seventh inning. 

With powerhouse South Australian pitcher Georgia Hood to contend with, Nicole Connacher got on base, followed immediately by Tanika Harris. Hirari Kurihara moved the two runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Up stepped Brooke Stewart, whose hit to centre field scored both runners, giving Queensland the lead they had worked so hard to get. Notably, only one of the Maroons struck out for the entire game.

Games aren't all won off the bat however and Emilee Solomon pitched an absolute gem to do her bit, keeping South Australia to four hits. Solomon struck out six and walked just the one in a complete game effort. 

In the post-game awards ceremony, the following awards were presented, congratulations to all recipients:

Best Pitcher: Zali Summers (QLD)
Best Batter: Brooke Stewart (QLD)
Player of the Grand Final: Brooke Stewart (QLD)
Most Valuable Player: Hirari Kurihara (QLD)

A big thanks to our partners at Easton and SportsLink Travel, the team and volunteers at Softball South Australia for their wonderful hospitality and to Spacequake Sports for their livestreaming coverage across the event.

The National Championships roadshow stays at West Beach for the 75th edition of the Gilley's Shield, starting on January 2.