The first round series in the Australian Baseball League continued on Friday with a pair of games. Both best-of-five series are now tied after the Perth Heat and the Adelaide Bite celebrated victories. Adelaide erased an early 0-3 deficit en route to an 8-3 win over the Sydney Blue Sox. Calvin Anderson collected three hits, including a homerun and a double, to drive in four runs to lead the Bite. Paul Mildren (W, 1-0) did the rest, going the distance, while allowing just three hits, three runs (2 ER) and three walks. Chris Oxspring (L, 0-1) issued five runs on four hits to take the loss.
Defending champion Perth didn’t waste any time to come back in their series against the Melbourne Aces, scoring seven runs in the first two frames of a 9-5 win. Mitchell Graham (3-5, 4 RBI) and Allan de San Miguel highlighted a first-inning five-run rally with back-to-back homeruns. Justin Huber reached base in all of his five plate appearances for Melbourne. On the mound Warwick Saupold (W, 1-0) and three relievers kept the Aces offense in check. Nic Ungs (L, 0-1) lasted just one inning before making room for German reliever Markus Solbach. The Minnesota Twins minor leaguer pitched a season-high four innings, issuing three runs on six hits.
Results Playoffs Round 1:
Thursday, January 26:
Adelaide – Sydney 3-5
Perth – Melbourne 7-8 (10)
Friday, January 27:
Adelaide – Sydney 8-3
Perth – Melbourne 9-5
For more information visit the official website of the Australian Baseball League
