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2053 Division Finals

Game 1 - Cairns Crocs vs Darwin Diggers

The Crocs had the edge over their division rivals during the regular season, winning 5 of 8 encounters. That meant squat today, though, as Eastick lasted only 1.2 innings (7H, 5ER, 1BB, 0K) before getting pulled. Nobody from either side homered, but Christos Hutchinson hit 2 doubles in a 3-4 night. King (6.2IP, 6H, 1ER, 2BB, 8K) got the win. Final score: 8-1 Darwin.

Game 1 - Canberra Cavalry vs Newcastle Roos

This promised to be a tight series, both teams with exactly the same regular season records, though Newcastle were a home team (52-29), while Canberra were equally good home or away (45-36, both). Newcastle got the home advantage thanks to a 7-5 regular season record.

It took until the top of the 9th to sort this one out, Blansbky scoring off a Terence Kerr sac-fly. Rex Herbert allowed a leadoff single in the top of the 9th, got a double play to clear the bases, then conceded 2 more baserunners before striking out Carl Bristcoe to secure the victory. Final score: 3-2 Canberra. Eddie Rayner (8.0IP, 5H, 2ER, 1BB, 5K) had a fine outing to get the win, while Isaac Russell (6.2IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 0K) gave up all his runs in the 5th via a 2-run Kerr HR. Joshua Moore and Quentin Stennings - remember him? - both homered for Newcastle.

Game 2 - Cairns Crocs vs Darwin Diggers

This one stayed locked at nought until the bottom of the 7th, when Cairns’ bullpen got the jitters and allowed 4 runs, 3 of those to a Blair Toohey HR. Cairns got 1 back in the 8th but Darwin added 3 more to their total in the bottom of the inning and that was all she wrote. Final score: 7-1 Darwin. Baden Henderson (6.0IP, 2H, 1ER, 1BB, 10K) had a great night, but allowed the leadoff man to reach in the 7th before he got pulled. When that runner scored, Henderson got the earned run and the loss. Jesus Rodriguez (7.2IP, 5H, 1ER, 3BB, 6K) picked up the win.

Game 2 - Canberra Cavalry vs Newcastle Roos

This one stayed tight until the 7th, too, both teams scoring in 1-run increments for the score to be 3-2 Canberra (Blanksby, Nicholas Ahernfeld, and Aguirre solo shots accounting for Canberra’s runs). Things went a little bit crazy in the 7th, Canberra sending 10 hitters to the plate and scoring 5. Jarod Newbold slugged a 3-run HR in the 8th and a 2-run jack in the 9th to make it a thrashing. Final score: 13-3 Canberra. Wei-liang Chang’s (6.1IP, 8H, 6ER, 0BB, 5K) figures made it look like he’d thrown a lot worse than he had, while Blair Wurfel (6.1IP, 10H, 2ER, 1BB, 4K) didn’t have a great game but got the W nonetheless. Newbold set a new postseason record for RBI, driving in 7. All 11 Roos’ hits were singles. Newcastle CF Brody Cheadle left the game in the 7th. He had a mildly inflamed shoulder and would be out for the rest of the series, and possibly the beginning of the next if Newcastle progressed.

Game 3 - Cairns Crocs vs Darwin Diggers

The Crocs busted out big time today, scoring steadily throughout the game, with a 5-run 6th as punctuation. Darwin, on the other hand, offered little, 26 y/o Tim Sverdloff (8.0IP, 6H, 1ER, 4BB, 3K) too good. Final score: 10-1 Cairns and this one wasn’t over yet. Bruno Budd (5.1IP, 9H, 8ER, 2BB, 0K) took the brunt of the punishment and looked as tired as someone who’d thrown 238.1 innings during the regular season. Blake Lutz homered for Cairns. There were injury concerns for the Crocs, though, with both Damon Liao and Kent Dwyer leaving the game early. Dwyer was just dehydrated, it turned out, but Liao had ruptured a tendon in his finger and faced an offseason of recovery and rehab.

Game 3 - Canberra Cavalry vs Newcastle Roos

Angelo Spear had been only par during the regular season, eating up innings but giving up plenty of runs too. Today he was excellent, however, allowing just 4 hits and 1 walk, fanning 8, through 7.1 innings. He left with the Cavalry ahead and that’s where they stayed, only scoring in the top of the 9th thanks to a throwing error. Final score: 4-1 Canberra for a conclusive series sweep. Edwin Kerr (5.1IP, 5H, 1ER, 3BB, 7K) would’ve liked a bit more run support. He got the loss. Rex Herbert picked up his 2nd save of the series and Ahernfeld hit his 2nd HR of the series.

Game 4 - Cairns Crocs vs Darwin Diggers

Brad King was just too good again. He threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing just 5 baserunners (3 singles, 2 walks) and striking out 6. The bullpen followed up on his good work and Cairns’ postseason was over. Darwin scored 3 in the 2nd and adding icing in the 7th via a Matt Davidson solo HR. Final score: 4-0 Darwin. Eastick (6.0IP, 2H, 3ER, 4BB, 6K) could take some solace from the fact he was much better on the mound today, even if the nerves were still there. The future wasn’t all rosy for Darwin, though. Fan favourite and always dependable Alan Sneddon tore a thumb ligament taking an awkward catch to end the 6th and would miss the rest of the postseason.