Gallagher Finals - Game Recap - Brisbane Bandits vs Perth Heat Game 1
3The Perth Heat caught fire in the bottom of the sixth to take down the Brisbane Bandits in a shutout game one victory.
Perth Heat starter Tyler Beardsley won the head-to-head matchup with Brisbane Bandits starter and Milwaukee Brewers prospect Brian Fitzpatrick, also by the smallest of margins, with only one runner making it to scoring position in the first five innings.
Beardsley pitched 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, four walks, while striking out five.
Fitzpatrick pitched 5.0 innings, allowing just three hits, a walk, and an earned run while striking out five.
The Bandits were knocking on the door to breaking the game wide open with the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the fifth. However, Heat relief pitcher Jordan Martinson was able to induce a flyout to center field on a 2-2 count to get out of the bases-loaded jam.
Martinson would pitch another inning and strikeout the side.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Heat erupted with a 7-run inning. It all began with a leadoff single from Cincinnati Reds prospect Carlos Sanchez, who was driven home by an RBI double from local West Australian and 2023 WBC Team Australia member Tim Kennelly.
With two outs in the inning, a clutch RBI single by 2023 WBC Team Australia member Ulrich Bojarski to the opposite field allowed for Kennelly to come home.
After a walk from local West Australian and 2023 WBC Team Australia member Jake Bowey on a full count, back-to-back singles by Tampa Bay Rays prospect Raudelis Martinez and local West Australian and 2023 APBC Team Australia member Jess Williams made it a 4-0 game for the Heat.
To cap off Perth’s scoring onslaught, Houston Astros prospect Nehomar Ochoa Jr. launched a ball into orbit with a 3-run home run, extending the Heat’s lead to seven, and allowing the Heat to bat around the order.
Despite the deficit, the Bandits still fought until the end. In the top of the ninth, a leadoff single from Connor Panas followed by a walk from Milwaukee Brewers’ prospect Tayden Hall put runners at first and second with no outs.
However, Heat closer and 2023 APBC Team Australia representative Kieren Hall was able to get a strikeout and back-to-back flyouts to end the game as a victory for the Heat to take the series opener.