The Perth Heat have begun their Australian Baseball League season with a split result, taking two wins from a hard-fought four-game opening series against the Adelaide Giants.
Strong Start for Perth's New Era
The Heat's new ownership group saw their tenure begin on a spectacular note, with the team securing two convincing victories to open the series. The offensive firepower was on full display as Perth piled on 21 runs across the first three games.
The season started with a statement-making 13-0 victory. Chicago White Sox prospect Drake Logan was the undeniable star of the show, delivering an unforgettable performance. Logan went 3-5 at the plate, launching two home runs and driving in six runs, with all the damage done within the first five innings.
Import Talent Makes Immediate Impact
The series highlighted the significant contributions from Perth's international recruits. Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguer Leonardo Pineda wasted no time settling in, recording seven hits from his 16 at-bats over the weekend – the most of any player in the league during the opening round.
Pineda, who was ranked as the 19th best international major league prospect by MLB.com in 2024, was joined by New York Yankees export Owen Cobb in making a mark. The duo were instrumental in Perth's 8-3 game two victory, with both players picking up crucial RBIs during a five-run sixth inning that put the game beyond Adelaide's reach. Cobb finished the series with four RBIs.
Adelaide Fights Back to Level Series
Refusing to go down without a fight, the Adelaide Giants mounted a strong comeback. In game three, they raced to a 4-1 lead. The Heat managed to chase them down, forcing extra innings thanks to a two-run seventh inning. However, the Giants hammered three runs in the extra frame to clinch the win.
Adelaide ensured they would return home with a 50-50 record by taking the second game of Sunday's double-header. After Perth's Ben Nesbit drove in Harper Huang, the Giants responded. Key hits from Japanese import Yu Aramaki and Sean Maple in the third and seventh innings respectively secured a 4-1 win for Adelaide, splitting the series.
