The Otago men’s team had a 4-2 win over Southland in Invercargill on Sunday to claim the silverware.
Otago previously had the shield in 2009.
The women’s side also went close against Southland before losing 2-0.
The men’s team had a warm-up match against Southland on Sunday morning before the Bates Shield match and lost 12-3.
But the team turned it on when the official game started.
It immediately took the advantage.
In its first inning, lead-off batter Jake Burtenshaw went on base with a hit while Ben Foster went to first base on a walk.
James Mathison then found empty space in the outfield and snagged a triple which led to a 2-0 lead. He was then brought home on a sacrifice fly.
Otago maintained its advantage as Nelson Yorsten found good range and accuracy with his pitching.
Southland grabbed back a couple of runs back but Doug Hill then got on base and a designated runner came home to regain the lead at 4-2.
An excellent performance in the outfield got Otago home at the end and coach Mark Ahlfeld said he was thrilled with the side’s performance.
He said it was a new team with many new players but they had all gelled well and worked hard for each other. Yorsten grabbed four strikeouts and was backed up by a quality infield.
It was a quality Southland side which included a trio of Junior Black Sox trialists, Ahlfeld said.
The women’s teams had a close encounter, Otago conceding the two runs in the first inning.
Otago then hung around and had chances but could not quite get a run.
In its final turn at bat, Otago managed to load the bases but the third out came when a hit into the outfield was caught.
Marissa Ahlfeld performed well in the warm-up match while Mariana Ioane also put in a good effort on the pitching mound
All four teams will head to Christchurch on December 6 for the South Island tournament.
