Gallagher Finals Series - Game Recap - Brisbane Bandits vs Perth Heat Video

The Perth Heat are heading back to the Championship Series! Perth Heat 5 (2-1) def Brisbane Bandits 4 (2-1) Tim Kennelly’s power bats lead the Perth Heat back to the Championship Series! In a game that went down to the wire, the Perth Heat will now be looking to seek revenge for the Claxton Shield. Perth Heat starter local West Australian and 2023 WBC Team Australia member Jake Bowey got himself in a bit of a pinch to start out with a leadoff hit-by-pitch that eventually loaded the bases with two outs. But he was able to get out of the inning unscathed with a forced flyout. Bowey finished his outing with 2.0 scoreless innings, two hits, a walk, and three strikeouts. The Heat took no time to get runs on the board in the bottom of the first. After a four-pitch leadoff walk by Tampa Bay Rays prospect Odalys Peguero, local West Australian and 2023 WBC Team Australia member Tim Kennelly launched a ball into orbit on a 2-2 count to make it an early 2-0 ballgame. After the bases were loaded with two outs, local Queenslander and Team Australia representative Sam Holland came into relief and prevented the Bandits from giving up any additional runs in the inning by inducing a lineout. While Holland gave up three runs in the 5.0 innings he pitched, he also struck out seven, and was crucial in keeping the game within reach for the Bandits. Tim Kennelly showed why he is the All-Time Home Run King in the ABL in the bottom of the second by blasting a solo shot out of the park for back-to-back home runs. Kennelly finished the game without letting a single ball in play, going 2-for-2 for two home runs with two walks. When asked about his performance, Kennelly remarked, “Well obviously we knew it was win or the season is finished. It was pretty bad last night so I knew I had to come out tonight and from the first at bat I needed to set the scene. I was lucky enough to hit one out to set momentum for the rest of the game.” In the top of the fourth, Kansas City Royals prospect Hyungchan Um was able to be brought home after a leadoff double off a fielding error, making it a 3-1 ballgame. In the following inning, a clutch RBI triple by Milwaukee Brewers prospect Tayden Hall on a shot to left field allowed the Defensive Player of Year, local Queenslander, and Team Australia member Logan Wade to come home, reducing the lead to just a single run. The Heat were able to regain their two-run lead in the bottom of the sixth. It began with a leadoff bunt single by local West Australian and 2023 APBC Team Australia member Jess Williams, who then proceeded to steal second base, and was advanced to third on a ground. Williams was then able to come home after Odalys Peguero legged out a single after the batted ball bounced off the mound to give him enough time to reach first. After Kennelly worked his second full count walk of the evening, Peguero was able to continue using his speed on the basepaths by scoring from second off a single to right field from local West Australian and Team Australia member Alex Hall. But still, the Bandits would simply not back down. Rookie of the Year, Helms Award Finalist, and 2023 APBC Team Australia member Alex Skepton worked a full count leadoff walk, and scored from first four pitches later off a Dermot Fritsch double to center field, who then advanced to third from a Logan Wade single. While the Heat were able to induce a groundout double play, Fritsch was able to score from third, bringing the score back to a one-run game at 5-4 in favour of Perth. Unfortunately for the Bandits, they were absolutely stymied in the eighth inning by Jordan Martinson, who struck out the side on thirteen pitches. Martinson pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing just a single hit while striking out three. The game was closed by Tucker, who retired the side to save a spot for the Heat in the Championship Series. “It is awesome to get back to another Championship Series. Last year was disappointing not to win the whole thing but we’ve got some revenge due so hopefully we can go one better this year,” stated Kennelly.