Three Illawarra-based players – Wests Cardinals Trent D’Antonio, Alex Howe and their club skipper Dean lined up for the Sydney Blue beaten 21-11 by a white hot Canberra Cavalry – with Tim Atherton in relief – in an offensive smash-up at Dalton Park.

The Cavs scored five unanswered runs on six hits off Team Australia pitcher Aaron Sookie in the first innings, but that was just the start. Blue Sox led 7-6 after three but Canberra – with four in the fourth, two in the fifth, three in the sixth, two in the seventh and four in the eighth –  won 21-11 with 35 hits combined. Mercifully, Cavs didn’t bat in the ninth.

It was more Zooka Ball than ABL, but a feast for around 800 local fans, who loved the six massive home runs.

Blue Sox’s Todd Grattan even managed to get himself ejected by home plate umpire Trent Thomas in the 8th. A couple of fans were seen warming up at one stage.

D’Antonio had a rest from catching duties and as DH led-off and remarkably batted in the first four innings, while Berkeley Eagles’ pitcher Tim Atherton threw two innings of relief for Cavs. Atherton, Dean, D’Antonio and Howe all play in the Illawarra Baseball League winter comp.

Baseball fans could not have asked for a better debut  ABL game in Wollongong and first match to feature two national league sides since Perth Heat took on NSW Patriots at Berkeley almost eight years ago to the day.

Canberra won the four game series 3-1 and with Sydney are 4-4 after two series to start the season.

The Cavs gave up a home game (and revenue) by taking the match to Wollongong, with free entry for fans. 

Josh Dean says the Wollongong Classic should be an annual event.

‘’We need a game like this to grow the sport in Wollongong,’’ he said. ‘’We’re a strong baseball region and with plenty of players from here making it to the ABL it’s great to have a game of this stature on our backyard. There’s been a real vibe around this game and I’m sure it will lift the profile.’’