The Canberra Cavalry will launch their ABL playoff charge on home turf when they host arch-rivals Sydney in a do-or-die wild card showdown on Tuesday night.
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The Cavalry clinched fourth place in the standings with a 4-0 win over the Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark on Sunday.
It sets up a must-win wild card game against the fifth-seeded Blue Sox at Narrabundah Ballpark from 7pm on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the double elimination bracket.
The Cavalry had already secured their place in the playoffs in a 12-11 triumph over the Bandits on Saturday night, overcoming a tumultuous campaign to push for a shot at the Claxton Shield.
They needed to repeat the dose and beat Brisbane to secure hosting rights for the wild card showdown, doing just that as they stole a single-game franchise record six bases, Dean Stoka went seven scoreless innings, and Cam Warner drove in three runs.
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Sydney could have earned hosting rights if they beat the Aces and the Cavalry lost to Brisbane. Both teams won with the Blue Sox toppling Melbourne 7-3, with Canberra ultimately finishing higher in the standings.
Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide have already secured their places in a modified double elimination bracket at Melbourne Ballpark from Thursday.
The Aces will host the winner of the wild card game, while the Heat and Giants will face each other in the second semi-final clash.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
