The first-place Adelaide Giants (19-9) closed out their series against the Auckland Tuataras, winning 7-2 on Dec. 31, 2022, with two weekend series left before the Australian Baseball League playoffs.
Giants Manager Chris Adamson felt very confident with his offense showing up at the right time of the season.
Among those playing winter baseball down under is Phillies’ outfield prospect Jared Carr.
“It has been an unbelievable experience playing in Australia, and I’m excited for the rest of the season along with what the ball club is going to do heading into playoffs and looking forward to get to spring training with the Phillies to progress on making it to the majors,” Carr told World Baseball Network via WhatsApp.
Carr had a dramatic home run in the top of the eighth inning during extras on Dec. 29 in the first game of the series against Auckland. The veteran presence of players has also filled a huge role for the Giants ball club with players like Quincy Latimore and Dylan Unsworth, who have played throughout the internationally, has helped Carr and the rest of the club this season.
“Guys like Quincy and Dylan Unsworth play a massive role for our team,” Carr said. “This is kinda one of the first teams I’ve played on with a big age difference in some of the players. Quincy is a position player who has played a lot of baseball in his life, seen a lot, played in a lot of different leagues, and I think that’s a great way to help out younger players and to let them know how the game works and teach them the game.”
“Same thing with Dylan, he’s new to the team but he can do the same thing and does do the same thing with the pitching staff. It’s great having that chemistry.”
The hot offense of the Giants would turn into high gear in the top of the fourth inning as Liam Spence drove the ball over the left field wall to tie the game at 1. In the next inning, Anthony Quirion would double to left field scoring Carr to take a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, Jordan McArdie blasted a two-run home run to left center with Quirion scoring to make it 5-1.
Unsworth went four innings with four hits allowed, one earned run, three strikeouts and no walks. The bullpen closed the door, with Todd Van Steensel coming in for the seventh and finishing the game.
“It’s seriously a good feeling being in first place and the fact that we can control our own destiny is something were really excited for,” said Adelaide manager Chris Adamson.
Adamson noted the strength of his pitching staff coming off their December 30 combined no-hitter, a 14-1 Adelaide victory.
“The pitchers did a great job all series, and obviously, the no-hitter was a little bit of icing on the cake,” Adamson said.
The Giants return home to West Beach to the play the first place Northeast Division Brisbane Bandits on January 5 at 3:30 p.m. South Australia Time.