ABL: Sydney Blue Sox – Canberra Cavalry 1-0
Canberra 000 000 000 0 3 0 Sydney 000 000 01X 1 4 0 Win: Lundgren, W.; LOSS: Heo
The new Australian Baseball League began on Saturday with the opener between the Sydney Blue Sox and the Canberra Cavalry. Canberra with Cincinnati Reds minor leaguers Mariekson Gregorius at short and Donald Lutz at first base, lost 0-1 in a pitcher’s duel.
A two-out RBI single by Mitch Dening in the bottom of the eighth was the difference in the game. Sydney’s starter Chris Oxspring dominated with eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and a walk. Wayne Lundgren (W 1-0) received the win in relief. Canberra used four pitchers for two innings each with Jun Hyeok Heo (L 0-1) being charged with the loss.
Gregorius and Lutz went hitless, but were part of two double plays. The third European on the Cavalray roster, reliever Alex Maestri, is not active yet. The other four teams in the Australian Baseball League start into the 2010 season next Thursday.