After a closely contested season the NSW Patriots are travelling to Adelaide this weekend to take on South Australia for the right to face the Victorian Aces for the championship.

 

South Australia, hoping to win their first title since 1980, needs to go through the in-form Patriots to have their shot – NSW have won five of their last six games.  Both teams have a 14-10 record for the season while the first place Victorians are 17 -7.

 

The squads are peppered with professional players and led by exceptional coaching staffs.  The Patriots are being led by former Major League player Glenn Williams while Tony Harris, stalwart of the Australian National coaching staff and former US minor league coach and manager, heads South Australia.

 

Williams says “the NSW players have worked hard to get to the semi-finals and we’re really happy to be playing for the chance to face Victoria.  South Australia have been a tough team to beat all summer, we’re expecting a great series.”

 

“There’s a buzz around baseball in Adelaide,” says Harris, “the team has had a good season and the community is has been really supportive.  Being able to bring this series to Adelaide is great for South Australian baseball.  Bringing home the championship would be fantastic.”

 

The teams have evenly spilt their six regular-season meetings with the three games won by NSW being one-run affairs.  Norwood Oval has hosted large crowds all season -- more than 2,000 fans are expected at each game.

 

 

WHAT:           Domino’s Claxton Shield Semi-Final Series: NSW Patriots versus South Australia

 

WHERE:        Norwood Oval, Adelaide

 

WHEN:           Game 1 – Friday 29 January 6:30 pm

                        Game 2 – Saturday 30 January 6:30 pm

                        Game 3 (if needed) – Sunday 31 January 6:30 pm