A WALK off, grand slam home run from Elliot Biddle has provided lift-off on
a new season for the Melbourne Aces.
The ninth inning blast saw the Aces edge out Adelaide Bite 5-1 in an
absorbing home opener tonight.
It was a historic night, the Aces getting the chance to christen their new
home, the revamped Melbourne Ball Park in Laverton, in the best possible
fashion.
On a wet and chilly evening, it appeared as though the game would be headed for extra
innings, before pint-sized fan favourite Biddle bobbed up to launch an Andrew
Kittredge pitch over the left field fence.
‘’You couldn’t ask for a better start to the season,’’ Biddle told
the Weekly.
‘’I got it pretty sweet, I think it’s going out in any ball park.
‘’To finish it off like that is a dream.’’
The first eight innings was dominated by the pitchers.
The Aces left arm starting pitcher Adam Bright bullied the Bite bats until a rain
delay halted his momentum in the fourth.
The Bite would take advantage of a throwing error from Darryl George upon the resumption of play to get
the equalising run.
Bright worked the mound for five innings, giving up three hits, striking
out eight and walking just one.
Earlier, Bite starter Dushan Ruzic lacked command, allowing Aces youngster Aaron
Sayers to send Darryl George home on a single.
Once Ruzic blew out the initial cobwebs, he would engage in a thrilling
pitching duel with Bright, lasting 6.1 innings, striking out seven and coughing
up just the one run.
A stop-start opening five innings made way for a sprint to the ninth.
The relievers of both clubs – Bubbie Buzachero and winning pitcher John
Hussey for the Aces, and Richard Olsen and Kittredge for the Bite – went through
batters like a hot knife through butter.
At one point, Buzachero was spoken to by home plate umpire Greg Howard for
operating too fast on the mound, not giving the Bite batters a chance to get
set in the batters box.
All in all, it was a successful night for the Aces pitchers.
‘’’Brighty’ is a quality pitcher, he’s an Australian pitcher and he’s a
good guy,’’ Biddle said.
‘’We had Hussey come in and Buzachero as well who did great jobs.
‘’Our pitching held up really well.”
All the fireworks came in the ninth inning.
The Bite could not capitalise with runners on first and second as Hussey
escaped a tough situation.
The Aces, through a lead off double from Jarryd Rogers and walks to Hyunki
Yun and Carlo Testa, would find the bases loaded.
One sweet slash of the bat later and Biddle would clear the bases with a
grand slam home run to win the game.
‘’It’s important to get off on the right foot,’’ Biddle said.
‘’We’ve got big aspirations this season to go to the championship and
hopefully come through there.
‘’It’s a good sign, we did everything right tonight and it’s great the
support we had tonight with the conditions.’’
Australian Baseball League
Game 1: Melbourne Aces 5 Adelaide Bite 1
Game 2: Melbourne Aces 0 Adelaide Bite 4
Game 3: Melbourne Aces 7 Adelaide Bite 2
