Brisbane win back-to-back baseball titles

Saturday, 11 February 2017:

The Brisbane Bandits have defeated the Melbourne Aces 3-1 to claim back-to-back Australian Baseball League (ABL) Championships.

Kramer Champlin had one of his best starts all season on Saturday night at Melbourne Ballpark, only giving up one hit through seven innings, and striking out four.

Tommy Milone and Wade Dutton each had a pair of hits for the Bandits, while Dutton and Aaron Whitefield collected a RBI apiece.

For the Aces, Josh Tols threw impeccably, striking out six and only giving up one earned run, while Aces closer and MLB star Peter Moylan gave the Aces every chance, striking out three in three scoreless innings.

Cody Jones tied the game in the fourth with a solo home run, but the Bandits increased their lead with a two-run sixth inning.

Ryan Searle finished game two in style, striking out four in two innings of scoreless relief, with ABL championship series MVP Logan Wade fittingly ending up with the ball for the final out.

Wade was named MVP, with four hits across the series and some outstanding defence at shortstop.

Brisbane scored a 6-2 win over the Aces on Friday night in game one of the best-of-three finals series.






AAP