Three games were played in the Australian Baseball League on Saturday, including a high-scoring doubleheader between the Perth Heat and the Melbourne Aces. In game one in the afternoon, both teams combined for eight homeruns, as Perth celebrated a 15-6 victory in seven innings. Tim Kennelly went 3-for-4 with a walk, a homerun, a double, three runs scored and three RBI. Elliot Bidle drove in three for Melbourne.
The night cap of the twin bill wasn’t much different, as the Heat overcame a 3-7 deficit after two innings to win 16-8 thanks to four-run rallies in the fifth, sixth and ninth. Ronnie Welty homered twice and drove in four. Tim Kennelly and Lachlan Dale also went deep and picked up four RBI each. Paul Rutgers drove in three for the Aces.
While pitching didn’t have a chance in Melbourne, it played a role in the third ABL matchup of the day. The Sydney Blue Sox solidified first place with their fourth win in four days over the Adelaide Bite. Wayne Lundgren (W 4-4) won the duel against Dushan Ruzic (L 5-2) and led Sydney to a 6-2 victory. Four runs in the bottom of the fifth broke a 2-2 tie and decided the outcome. Alex Johnson had the big hit during the rally with a two-run double.
Results:
Wednesday, January 12:
Sydney Blue Sox – Adelaide Bite 5-4
Thursday, January 13:
Melbourne Aces – Perth Heat ppd
Sydney Blue Sox – Adelaide Bite 4-3
Friday, January 14:
Melbourne Aces – Perth Heat 9-13
Sydney Blue Sox – Adelaide Bite 6-5 (10)
Saturday, January 15:
Melbourne Aces – Perth Heat 6-15 (7)
Melbourne Aces – Perth Heat 8-16
Sydney Blue Sox – Adelaide Bite 6-2
Schedule:
Sunday, January 16:
1.30pm Melbourne Aces – Perth Heat
3pm Canberra Cavalry – All-Star Team (“Fight the Floods” Game)
Live Play by Play on Official Website of the Australian Baseball League