Northland Giants vs Waikato River Bandits
The Waikato River Bandits will be looking to make an impact in their first ever playoff appearance. They'll be playing against the Northland Giants, who are hungry for a second straight trip to the New Zealand final.
It was a pitchers duel in game one as Northland's Rex Uridge and Waikato's Masamoto van der Meijden threw everything they had in this game. 25 year old Northland 3B Ciaran Macleod continued his stellar season with the Giants with 2 home runs in the 3rd and 8th inning.
(been huge growth for Ciaran Macleod, 2.9 WAR in season 1, 7.9 WAR in season 2, and 10.5 WAR this season)
Giants win. They take the early lead in the series 1-0.
Another low scoring thriller with Waikato's pitcher Baden Belgrove contributing not only from the mound but also with the bat in producing a single that contributed a run.
Waikato bounce back and tie the series up!
The third straight low scoring thriller in a row. This one went up to the 14th innings with a Rex Benedich single breaking the deadlock and granting the Giants the win and a series lead of 2-1.
The Giants are one win away from the New Zealand final!
After scores of 3-1, 2-1, and 2-1 the Northland Giants finally broke the Waikato River Bandits pitching attack and put up a huge 8-1 score to put the series beyond doubt.
The Giants will meet the Bay of Plenty Steamrollers in the New Zealand final for the second straight year.