The 2010–11 Australian Baseball League regular season was held from 6 November 2010 through to 22 January 2011. All six teams competed in a double round-robin format, playing each other team in two series of four games each, totalling 40 games played each.[1] The top four teams progressed to the postseason. The winner of the championship series will be awarded the Claxton Shield.[2]
The season started on 6 November 2010, when the Sydney Blue Sox hosted the Canberra Cavalry at Blacktown Olympic Park. The Blue Sox won the inaugural game of the league, defeating the Cavalry 1–0. In what was effectively a pitchers' duel, Blue Sox starting pitcherChris Oxspring was the stand-out performer for the night, having scattered 3 hits and 1 walk over 6 innings and striking out 8.[4] The Cavalry, however, opted to use several pitchers, each throwing two complete innings.[5]
Sydney scored the only run of the night in the eighth inning against reliever Heo Jun-Hyeok. With two out, Auty singled to left field for his second hit of the night, then stolesecond base. He was then driven in by Dening, who singled to centre field. Dening also stole second, but was stranded there at the end of the inning. In the top of the ninth, relievers Matthew Williams and Koo Dae-Sung combined to close the game out, earning a hold and save respectively.[6]
The Adelaide Bite won its opening game for the season, defeating the Melbourne Aces 9–1, in large part due to the Paul Mildren's pitching and Ben Wigmore's hitting. Mildren pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing 6 hits and struck out 5, while Wigmore went 4–for–5 with a double, a home run and 5 runs batted in.[8] Despite scoring first in the second inning through back-to-back doubles from Grant Karlsen and Itaru Hashimoto, the Aces lost the second game of the series 7–4. the Bite's starting pitcher Darren Fidge was once again the standout; he pitched 8 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks, and struck out 7.[9]Quincy Latimore went 4–for–8 over the two games of the doubleheader; he hit a 3-run home run in the first inning and took a catch at the left field wall in the fifth inning of game one to help Adelaide to a 13–2 win,[10] then hit two more home runs in the second game where Adelaide won 8–3 to complete the series sweep.[11]
The Brisbane Bandits and the Perth Heat opened their seasons in Brisbane. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Graeme Lloyd and caught by the Bandits' managerDave Nilsson; the only all-Australian battery to appear in a Major League Baseball game and both Baseball Australia Hall of Fame inductees in their own right.[12] Despite Robbie Widlansky's two extra base hits and his scoring two runs, Perth was unable to take the lead at any point in the game. Brisbane's Wade Dutton, Shuhei Fukuda, Alan Schoenberger, and Joel Naughton each had multi-hit games to help the Bandits to an 8–3 win.[13] Widlansky was a key player for the Heat again in the second game, which Perth won 2–0, opening the scoring with a solo home run. Daniel Schmidt was the other key player; he was the starting pitcher and pitched 8 innings, allowing no runs on 5 hits and striking out 8 Bandits.[14] Perth also won both games of the doubleheader—4–2 in the day game and 4–1 in the night game—to win its opening series. In the day game Brandon Dale went 3–for–4 with a double and a run batted in, and Luke Hughes went 1–for–2 scoring 2 runs, including scoring a run from his lead-off triple in the fifth inning.[15] Heat pitchers Warwick Saupold, Tyler Anderson, Robert Sorensen, and Liam Hendriks combined to keep the Bandits to 1 run on 7 hits, striking out 11 Brisbane hitters.[16]
Six days after the opening night of the season Sydney and Canberra continued their series at Blacktown Olympic Park. Three of the Blue Sox's key players from that opening night gave repeat performances to defeat the Cavalry 4–2: Chris Oxspring was the starting pitcher for Sydney and pitched 8 innings, having allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out 7 to earn the win; Koo Dae-Sung retired the three Cavalry hitters he faced for a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save; Mitch Dening hit a ground rule double with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning.[17] In the first game of the season to be called early as a result of the league's run differential rule, Sydney comfortably beat Canberra 13–3. Though the Blue Sox combined to hit 7–for–17 with runners in scoring position and 7 runs driven in with two out, they were aided by 2 wild pitches by Cavalry pitchers, 3 passed balls by catcher Michael Collins, and 4 errors in the field, resulting in only 3 of the 13 runs scored by the Blue Sox being earned.[18]Alex Johnson's 3-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning was the difference in the final game of the series, helping Sydney to a 7–5 win and to sweep Canberra 4–0 in the series.[19]
In their first game at home for the season, Perth defeated Adelaide 4–2. Matt Kennelly and Luke Hughes each hit home runs in the fourth and fifth innings respectively to lead the Heat offence.[20] Despite home runs from Evan McArthur and Ronnie Welty, Adelaide were able to square the series by winning 7–3 in the second game; James McOwen homered as part of the Bite's 6-run sixth inning, while Quincy Latimore hit his 4th home run of the season in the seventh.[21] Tied at 4–4 at the end of nine innings, game three went into extra innings. Ronnie Welty produced a walk-off home run in the bottom of the twelfth inning; his second home run in as many days to give the Heat a 6–4 win.[22] The final game of the series was won by Adelaide 4–3. Quincy Latimore hit an RBI-double in the top of the ninth inning to put the Bite in front. In trying to score the tying run, Matt Kennelly was thrown out at home plate by James McOwen in center field for the final out of the game.[23]
The Melbourne Aces were scheduled to open their first home series of the season on Friday, 26 November but had to wait for two days and three games to be rained out. As a result, the series was shortened to two 7 inning games played on Sunday, 28 November.[24][25] In the first game the Aces scored all their runs from four home runs, including 2-run shots from Scott Wearne (2–for–3) in the first inning and Grant Karlsen (2–for–3 with a double) in the fourth, allowing Melbourne to win 6–2. Wearne hit another first-inning home run in the second game, but the highlight—also in the first inning—of the game was a grand slam from Takahiro Ijyuin. Both home runs helped to set up a comfortable 10–2 win for the Aces to complete a sweep of the shortened series.
[26]
As was the case for Canberra's previous series in Melbourne, the opening game of the series was called off because of the rain before a pitch was thrown. The game was rescheduled for the following day as part of a doubleheader.[28]
Attendance: 1,540 Notes: Shortened to 7 innings, as part of a make-up doubleheader. ABL tiebreaking rule in effect for extra innings due to league imposed curfew. Game officially called complete as a tie.[30] Boxscore
Though Adelaide were able to put together an early 6-run lead through 3 home runs—including a grand slam from Tom Brice—Melbourne built their score throughout the game to win the opening game of the series 11–8. Of the Aces' 11 runs, 6 were unearned resulting from the Bite's 7 errors.[34] In a reversal of form, Adelaide won the second game 6–3: two plays in the eighth inning that would otherwise have resulted in the third out were missed, each allowing the Bite to score an additional run to take the lead.[35] For the third game in a row, the first team to score actually lost with Adelaide winning 9–2. Also continuing a trend in the series of runs scored from mistakes; both Bite runs scored in the sixth inning came when Melbourne's Shane Lindsay hit two consecutive hitters with bases loaded.[36] Adelaide sealed the series win in the final game of the series, defeating Melbourne 10–7. The bite scored 5 runs without an out being recorded, including the first of two home runs from both Brandon Bantz and Tom Brice.[37]
The first game of the series was tied after the ninth inning, with both sides having had the lead at different points in the game. In the twelfth inning, Rory Rhodes for Brisbane and Donald Lutz for Canberra each hit solo home runs to keep the game tied. Alan Schoenberger scored the winning run in the thirteenth inning for the Bandits to win 7–6; Schoenberger doubled to centre field, was advanced by Wade Dutton's sacrifice bunt, and scored on Trent Baker's sacrifice fly.[38] Alan Schoenberger opened the scoring in the second game with a grand slam in the second inning, while Michael Collins likewise ended the scoring with a grand slam in the eighth inning to give the win to Canberra 9–7.[39] Despite Donald Lutz's third home run in as many games, Brisbane won the third game 16–9, after converting 7 hits and 5 walks in the first two innings into 11 runs.[40] After the fourth game was tied in the bottom of the ninth inning through Tylor Prudhome's RBI-single broke the tie immediately in the tenth inning with an RBI-single from Trent Baker and a 3-run double from Josh Roberts to give Brisbane the win 8–4 and Canberra its first series loss at home.[41]
Despite having been swept at home by Sydney the previous weekend, and the addition of two Major Leaguers to the Blue Sox roster, Perth opened the series with a 3–1 win. A two-run single from Robbie Widlansky in the sixth inning proved the difference between the two teams.[42]Allan de San Miguel's two 2-run home runs gave the Heat the lead in the second game and then provided insurance against a late Blue Sox rally, allowing Perth an 11–7 win.[43] In his longest start of the season, Cole McCurry pitched 7 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits, striking out 7 to get his first win in Perth's 4–3 victory, ensuring a Heat series win.[44] Blue Sox managerGlenn Williams was ejected in the bottom of the sixth inning of the final game of the series, for arguing against two consecutive calls that according to him were "questionable". Had either call been made the other way, Sydney would likely have scored the first run of the game. Perth scored in each of the remaining innings to win the game 4–1, and complete the sweep of the series locking the season series at 4–4.[45]
The Sydney Blue Sox hosted their final home series of the season, against the Adelaide Bite at Blacktown Olympic Park, Sydney. The Melbourne Aces and Perth Heat started their season series at the Melbourne Showgrounds.[1] The Brisbane Bandits were scheduled to host the Canberra Cavalry at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, however the ABL postponed the series as a result of widespread flooding in South East Queensland. At the time, a decision had not been made as to whether the games would be rescheduled,[46] however it was announced approximately one week later that the games would be rescheduled to the Monday and Tuesday immediately following round 10 in the form of two doubleheaders, but only if either team had a chance of making the playoffs, and only the games required for one of the teams to qualify.[47]
Sydney v Adelaide
For the third game in a row, Sydney allowed their opponents to get a 4-run lead before scoring themselves. However, in the first game of the series against Adelaide, the Blue Sox were able to snap a season-long 4-game losing streak through a walk off single from Trent Schmutter that drove in Mark Holland to win 5–4.[48] Sydney regained first place in the league with a second consecutive win over the Bite 4–3. David Welch was credited with his 5th win of the season (6 innings pitched, 1 unearned run, 5 hits, 8 strikeouts), and Koo Dae-Sung earned his league leading 10th save (2 1⁄3 innings pitched, 1 unearned run, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts).[49] For the second time in three games, Sydney recorded a walk-off win, beating Adelaide 6–5 in extra innings. Mark Holland's 2-run home run tied the game in the eighth inning, while in the tenth Alex Johnsondoubled, then Michael Lysaught—pinch running for Johnson—scored on catcherBrandon Bantz's wild throw to third base to score the winning run.[50] The Blue Sox secured the series sweep by beating the Bite 6–2 in their final home game of the regular season. The four runs driven in by Andrew Graham, Trent Schmutter and Alex Johnson in the fifth inning gave Sydney the lead for the rest of the game.[51]
^Maun, Tyler (6 November 2010). "Dening delivers as Blue Sox take ABL opener". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010. Outfielder lines RBI single to snap draw in eighth
^Laidlaw, Robert (12 November 2010). "Bite put on Melbourne". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
^Laidlaw, Robert (13 November 2010). "Bite go two-up". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
^Laidlaw, Robert (14 November 2010). "Series win in the bag". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 19 November 2010. Adelaide Bite made sure of an opening series win
^Laidlaw, Robert (14 November 2010). "Bite complete sweep over Aces". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 19 November 2010. Adelaide ETSA Bite won both games of Saturday's double-header
^Anderson, Michelle (10 May 2010). "ABF Register of HOF Inductees"(PDF). Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original(PDF) on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
^Ellis, Chuck (15 November 2010). "Heat start Hot". Perth Heat. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
^Maun, Tyler (12 November 2010). "Dening stars again, Sox take game two". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 29 November 2010. Oxspring goes eight innings, picks up victory
^Maun, Tyler (13 November 2010). "Have mercy: Auty, Sox roll to 3-0". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 29 November 2010. Sydney thrash Canberra pitching in 13-3 rout
^Maun, Tyler (14 November 2010). "Johnson's jack sends Sox to sweep". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 29 November 2010. Koo picks up third save in 7-5 win
^Maun, Tyler (28 November 2010). "Rain-shortened finale goes to Sydney". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 29 November 2010. Harris blanks Brisbane for five, earns win
^Fairbairn, Nick (2 December 2010). "Rain follows Cavalry to Canberra". Canberra Cavalry. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
^Cameron, Ben (3 December 2010). "Bandits Offense Applies the Heat". Brisbane Bandits. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
^Maun, Tyler (5 December 2010). "One up, one even for Sunday Sox". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 5 December 2010. Sydney surges back to take opener, clubs play to draw in second contest
^Collins, Kingsley (20 December 2010). "Cavalry Rallies To Split With Aces". Melbourne Aces. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
^Murray, Michael (29 December 2010). "Facing the Cavalry - Series Preview". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 1 January 2011. Adelaide continues the push for the playoffs
^Laidlaw, Robert (7 January 2011). "Baseball Gods Shine on Adelaide". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 9 January 2011. Bite score late to even the series
^Laidlaw, Robert (8 January 2011). "Adelaide Too Strong for Aces". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 9 January 2011. Adelaide wins game three to take 2-1 series advantage
^Fairbairn, Nicholas; Hindle, Mark (9 January 2011). "Bandits Win Series on Road". Brisbane Bandits. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
^Maun, Tyler (7 January 2011). "Heat return fire in Blacktown". Perth Heat. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 10 January 2011. Caughey coughs up only one-run while going five strong
^Maun, Tyler (8 January 2011). "Heat catch fire as De San Miguel lights it up". Perth Heat. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 10 January 2011. Allan de San Miguel hit two home runs to lead Heat to victory
^Maun, Tyler (12 January 2011). "Walk-off Wednesday: Schmutter lifts Sox". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 14 January 2011. Sydney erase 4-0 deficit, ninth-inning single pushes Sox within one half-game of league-leading Bite
^Maun, Tyler (13 January 2011). "Welch, Sydney retake first with Thursday win". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 14 January 2011. Lefty goes six innings, Koo earns tenth save in tense ninth
^Maun, Tyler (14 January 2011). "Scintillating Sox walk off again in Bluetown". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 16 January 2011. Boisterous crowd takes in second last at-bat victory in three games
^Maun, Tyler (15 January 2011). "Broomtown: Blue Sox take Bite out of Adelaide". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 16 January 2011. Lundgren powers through liner to hand, Sydney use four-run fifth to sweep