Behind some strong offense and solid pitching (at times), the Sydney Blue Sox handed a 4-0 series loss to the Perth Heat. The Canberra Cavalry swept the Geelong-Korea team, Brisbane clinched a 3-1 series win vs Melbourne as both teams played a tripleheader on Saturday and the Adelaide Bite clinched a 3-1 series win over Auckland Tuatara.
Of the Dutch hoofdklasse players, only Dwayne Kemp put up some solid numbers this weekend. In the sweep of the Perth Heat, Kemp went 6 for 17 with five RBI. The other hoofdklasse player, Sam Kennelly appeared in three games this weekend, playing as many positions (1B, 2B, and 3B) but he only collected a hit in his sole at-bat on Sunday, he went deep to center field as he hit a solo home run. Shogo Nakashima did not play at all as he is placed on the reserve list as he went back to Japan to celebrate Christmas.
Kemp ended the series with a very fine play:
The Cavalry handed Geelong-Korea four straight losses, expanding the team’s losing streak to five. On Friday, Canberra only needed 4.5 innings to clinch the win as the game was shortened thanks to inclement weather. On Saturday, Boss Moanaroa contributed with three runs to the 6-0 victory.
The Melbourne Aces were no match for the Brisbane Bandits. After Friday’s game was rained out, a tripleheader was played on Saturday of which the Bandits won two. Former Dutch hoofdklasse pitcher, Dushan Ruzic, earned Melbourne’s sole win as he went six innings in which he gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks and twelve strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 1.91. Justin Erasmus, another former hoofdklasse pitcher, only pitched one inning in relief for the Bandits. In that inning, he allowed one hit and gave up two walks but kept the Aces from scoring nevertheless.
Also the Adelaide Bite managed a 3-1 series win over Auckland Tuatara. On Friday, the man of the match was Adelaide’s Mikey Reynolds as he went 4 for 5 with two doubles, three runs scored and one RBI. As the Bite won both games on Saturday, the series win was secured. The Tuatara salvaged the final game on Sunday as former MLB pitcher Josh Colmenter lasted seven innings in which he gave up one run on four hits and a walk and struck out six.
Standings:
| Australian Baseball League Northeast | ||||||||
| Club | W | L | PCT▼ | GB | Home | Away | L 10 | Streak |
| Sydney Blue Sox | 17 | 7 | .708 | – | 8-4 | 9-3 | 9-1 | W6 |
| Brisbane Bandits | 14 | 9 | .609 | 2.5 | 7-5 | 7-4 | 6-4 | W2 |
| Canberra Cavalry | 13 | 11 | .542 | 4.0 | 5-3 | 8-8 | 7-3 | W5 |
| Auckland Tuatara | 7 | 16 | .304 | 9.5 | 5-10 | 2-6 | 3-7 | W1 |
| Australian Baseball League Southwest | ||||||||
| Club | W | L | PCT▼ | GB | Home | Away | L 10 | Streak |
| Perth Heat | 14 | 10 | .583 | – | 6-6 | 8-4 | 4-6 | L4 |
| Adelaide Bite | 13 | 11 | .542 | 1.0 | 5-7 | 8-4 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Melbourne Aces | 13 | 11 | .542 | 1.0 | 8-4 | 5-7 | 3-7 | L2 |
| Geelong-Korea | 4 | 20 | .167 | 10.0 | 3-9 | 1-11 | 2-8 | L5 |
Dutch Baseball Hangout 