The Australian Baseball League resumed play with a fresh set of matchups on Thursday. The Sydney Blue Sox defeated the Melbourne Aces 5-3 behind a five-run third frame. Trent Oeltjen highlighted the rally with a three-run home run. Brad Harman connected for the Aces. German right-hander Markus Solbach issued five hits, three runs (2 ER) and a walk in six innings to improve to 3-0 with a save in five games this season. His ERA rose to 1.61.
The Adelaide Bite dominated the Brisbane Bandits in a 14-6 clubbing. Four runs each in the fourth and the fifth turned the game into a blowout. Brandon Dixon, Aaron Miller and Chan Moon homered for Adelaide, Johnny Field and C.J. Beatty for Brisbane.
The Perth Heat prevailed 12-11 in a wild affair against the Canberra Cavalry, a meeting of the last two champions. After Canberra took the lead with an eight-run outburst in the top of the sixth, Perth came right back, tied the contest in the seventh and decided things in the ninth. A walk-off RBI single by Matt Kennelly ended the game in style. He also hit a home run. Nick Rulli drove in four. Christian Lopes went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and three RBI for the Cavalry.