The Canberra Cavalry have moved one step closer to the Claxton Shield as they prepare to fly to Melbourne for an ABL playoff run.
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The Cavalry advanced to the final four with a 3-2 win in the wildcard game over the Sydney Blue Sox at Narrabundah Ballpark on Tuesday night.
Sydney gave Canberra a last-ditch scare in the ninth inning but ultimately failed to overcome another Frank Gailey pitching masterclass.
Gailey struck out seven in six one-run innings as Canberra took an early lead with a two-run third which they would not relinquish.
Canberra join Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide in a modified double elimination bracket at Melbourne Ballpark which begins on Thursday.
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The Cavalry will now meet the Aces - a team they have already played 13 times this year after the COVID-19 pandemic caused border restrictions which threw the tournament into disarray - on Thursday night at 7pm.
The Perth Heat will meet the Adelaide Giants in the other semi-final clash at 1pm on Thursday afternoon.
A win sends the Cavalry straight into a grand final qualifier, while a loss would send them to an elimination semi-final, where they would have to fight to book a place in a preliminary final.
The final two teams standing will meet in the championship game on Sunday.