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ABL 2023-24: Perth Heat star Tim Kennelly makes history in home side’s series win over Sydney Blue Sox

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Aaron KirbyThe West Australian
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VideoThe Perth Heat beat the Sydney Blue Sox in their Australia Baseball League series thanks to this hit from Jake Bowey.

The Perth Heat have unlocked their home form against the Sydney Blue Sox at Empire Ballpark as star veteran Tim Kennelly wrote his name into the history books, equalling the ABL home run record.

After being swept in their opening home contest against the Adelaide Giants, the Heat needed a lift and found it with the first bat of the series opener as Ryan Spikes drilled a home run over left centre field to make up for Sydney’s two early homers.

WATCH THE EPIC FINISH TO GAME THREE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

It turned into a fierce contest as the Blue Sox moved their lead back out to two runs, but it didn’t last as Kennelly made history with the 60th home run of his ABL career, joining former teammate Luke Hughes for most home runs in the modern ABL.

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With scores even and one bat left, Odalys Peguero strolled to the plate for the Heat.

Facing Josh Guyer, the 20-year-old Tampa Bay Rays prospect produced a single on a ground ball to left field, which allowed Carlos Sanchez to score, ending the contest with a walk-off victory to Perth 4-3.

The Game AFL 2024

The Heat carried their momentum into game two with a resounding 6-0 thumping.

Kennelly stayed hot, starting things off with the 450th hit of his ABL career before Peguero and Raudelis Martinez loaded the bases.

Perth Heat baseballer Tim Kennelly as made history.
Camera IconPerth Heat baseballer Tim Kennelly as made history. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

Jake Bowey brought them all home with a monster strike over right field.

The Blue Sox struggled to recover before the Heat iced the match in the fourth innings with two hits.

It was a much tighter affair in game three.

The Heat levelled the match at 1-1 late in the seventh innings to force the game on.

It took until the bottom of the 10th for the Heat to secure the win, with Martinez bringing Kennelly to third and Peguero to second as Bowey capped off his night with the hit to centre field to allow the Heat the 2-1 walk-off win.

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