On Friday the Claxton Shield in Australia entered its final stretch with the beginning of the best-of-three championship series between the Victoria Aces and South Australia. Since several of the players have been or will be again in Europe, Mister-Baseball.com will take a look at the series.
Rosters for both teams
Claxton Shield Finals Game 2: South Australia – Victoria Aces 4-7 (0-2)
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The Victoria Aces have won the 2009/2010 edition of the Australian Claxton Shield. Thanks to a late rally they defeated South Australia 7-4 and swept the best-of-three championship series 2-0. Victoria celebrated a 5-3 victory on Friday.
On Saturday South Australia took control of the game in the bottom of the fifth, when Michael Collins provided a 4-2 lead with a three-run homerun. But it was not enough. The Aces cut the deficit to a run one frame later on a sac fly by Tristan McDonald and evened the score in the eighth on a RBI double by Scott Wearne. The outcome was decided in the top of the ninth. A RBI single by James Beresford and a two-run single by Matthew Lawman put three Victoria runs on the board and sealed the 7-4 win.
Ryan Murphy from the Dutch club Konica Minolta Pioniers started for South Australia, issuing eight hits, three runs (2 ER) and two walks in six innings. He struck out four. Adam Bright got the nod for Victoria and allowed five hits, a run and a walk in four innings. He collected five Ks. Ross Hipke (W 1-0) picked up the win. Richard Bartlett (L 0-1) took the loss.
