Sydney Blue Sox extend Lead in Australian Baseball League

Just as their friends at home celebrated the New Year, the Sydney Blue Sox beat the Perth Heat 5-1 on Friday to solidify first place in the Australian Baseball League. David Welch (W 4-0) pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and a walk. Alex Johnson and Trent Schmutter homered, while David Kandilas went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three RBI. Daniel Schmidt took the loss. Two more games were played on New Year’s Eve. The Brisbane Bandits stunned the Melbourne Aces with a 3-1 victory. Chad Gabriel drove in the game-winning runs with a two-run single in the seventh. Mitchell Nilsson had tied the game moments earlier on a wild pitch.

Additionally the Adelaide Aces scored six runs in the first three frames en route to an 8-1 win over the Canberra Cavalry. Brandon Maurer (W 3-1) issued just one hit and a walk in six scoreless innings for the win. He struck out seven. Tom Brice homered and Quincy Latimore went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Canberra’s Donald Lutz struck out in both of his plate appearances before being removed by a pinch hitter. Mariekson Gregorius went 0-for-4. The ABL resumes play on Saturday and Sunday with three games apiece.

Results:
Wednesday, December 29:
Canberra Cavalry – Adelaide Bite 4-0
Thursday, December 30:
Adelaide Bite – Canberra Cavalry 4-0
Brisbane Bandits – Melbourne Aces 8-10
Perth Heat – Sydney Blue Sox 1-8
Friday, December 31:
Adelaide Bite – Canberra Cavalry 8-1
Brisbane Bandits – Melbourne Aces 3-1
Perth Heat – Sydney Blue Sox 1-5

Schedule:
Saturday, January 1:
5pm Adelaide Bite – Canberra Cavalry
7pm Brisbane Bandits – Melbourne Aces
7pm Perth Heat – Sydney Blue Sox
Sunday, January 2:
1pm Adelaide Bite – Canberra Cavalry
2pm Brisbane Bandits – Melbourne Aces
7pm Perth Heat – Sydney Blue Sox

Live Play by Play on the Official ABL Website