The Adelaide Bite won the decisive third game 7-4 in 15 thrilling innings against the Sydney Blue Sox to reach the championship series in the Australian Baseball League. A RBI single by Mathew Smith plated the winning run in the sixth extra frame on Saturday afternoon. A RBI single by Stefan Welch and a bases loaded walk by Brandon Bantz added insurance runs to seal the victory.
The Blue Sox had forced extra innings tying the contest at 4-4 thanks to an error and a RBI single by Trent Schmutter in the bottom of the seventh. It came just minutes after Adelaide had taken a 4-2 lead through a two-run triple by Tom Brice and a sac bunt by Scott Gladstone. Afterwards both teams had best opportunities to decide the outcome. But the Bite didn’t capitalize on a bases-loaded situation in the ninth and additionally didn’t bring the runner in from third in the 12th and the 14th. Sydney’s Mono Moanaroa got thrown out at the plate in the 14th. They also had the bases loaded in the 10th.
Paul Mildren began for Adelaide, allowing five hits, four runs (2 ER) and three bb in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six. Craig Anderson issued three hits, four runs (3 ER) and a walk in 5 1/3 innings for the Blue Sox. Mark Brackman picked up the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Dae-Sung Koo pitched in and out of trouble in his 6 2/3 innings until the Bite let him pay.
Results Delta Airlines ABL Playoffs Round 2:
Friday, February 4:
Sydney Blue Sox vs. Adelaide Bite 8-0
Saturday, February 5:
Sydney Blue Sox vs. Adelaide Bite 0-4
Sunday, February 6:
Sydney Blue Sox vs. Adelaide Bite 4-7 (15)
(Adelaide wins Series 2-1, reaches championship series against Perth Heat, Sydney Blue Sox settle for 3rd in final standings)
