2 Dec 2018

Tuatara get big win over Canberra

7:16 pm on 2 December 2018

The Auckland Tuatara have recorded a 9-1 win over Canberra Cavalry in the Australian Baseball League

Auckland Tuatara's Luke Hansen

Auckland Tuatara's Luke Hansen Photo: SMP images / www.photosport.nz

Bats lit up starter Jason Lott as the sun finally broke through at McLeod Park and a good crowd enjoyed the home side record a 9-1 win over the Canberra Cavalry.

The win lifts the Auckland franchise to a 4-7 record and ensured they split the weekend series with the Cavalry 2-2.

Starter Josh Collmenter showed off his major league calibre arm by throwing five and a third innings of one-run baseball, allowing five hits while striking out four in another quality start from the former Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves right-hander.

Howick Pakuranga junior Luke Hansen continued his impressive start to his Australian Baseball League rookie season, going 1-4 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI.

Max Brown, Kris Richards and Guiyuan Xu chipped in with a couple of hits each as the home side produced their best offensive game of their short history.

After two weekends of cold and wet weather the Auckland sun finally came out and the crowd responded to make for a great atmosphere at the temporary ballpark.

The Tuatara are home next week in their final series in New Zealand in their debut season in the ABL when they host the Sydney Blue Sox in a four-game set starting Friday.