31 January 2020

Semi-final tonight a rematch from Cavalry's smoke-cancelled series

| Michael Weaver
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Canberra Cavalry

Canberra Cavalry play the Adelaide Giants in game one of their best-of-three ABL semi-final tonight at MIT Ballpark. Photo: Peter Norton.

Canberra Cavalry manager Keith Ward says his team is looking forward to the challenge of taking on an Adelaide outfit it has not faced this season as they continue their push towards a second Australian Baseball League title.

The Cavalry will host the ABL minor premiers, the Adelaide Giants, in game one of their best-of-three ABL semi-final tonight at MIT Ballpark.

It will be the first time in ABL history that two teams have squared off in the playoffs after not meeting in the regular season – their round seven match up was called off due to bushfire-related poor air quality in Canberra.

Mr Ward said although the circumstances are unusual surrounding their semi-final clash with the Giants, it is a series he and his side are thoroughly looking forward to.

“It seems only fitting that we are matching up against them in a semi-final after being smoked out in our only regular-season series,” Mr Ward said.

“From what I’ve seen of them they’re a great young team who also have some veteran players who are leading them by example.

“I think it will be a great series and a spectacle. It will be really close but our guys will be going out there to win it.”

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Cavs to reach the playoffs after their season looked in tatters when they stumbled to a 5-11 win-loss record midway through the season.

But a resurgent second half of the season saw the Cavalry charge towards the playoffs with fierce momentum to finish second in the Northeast Division and become just the second team to recover from such a bad start through 16 games.

They ended Perth’s season with a tense 5-4 victory at The Fort at MIT Ballpark in their second-straight ABL Wildcard Game on Tuesday night.

JJ Hoover has been named to start game one despite working three innings on Tuesday night, but the Cavs have not announced a game two or three starter.

First pitch tonight is scheduled for 7 pm at The Fort at MIT Ballpark.

The winner of the best-of-three series will face Auckland or Melbourne in the ABL Championship Series next weekend.

Details:

  • The ABL semi-final series begins with game one at The Fort at MIT Ballpark from 7 pm tonight (31 January)
  • The game will be broadcast at theabl.com.au/videos and on Kayo Sports
  • Tickets are available now at https://buff.ly/2U6GqpI

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