[MrNFL_FanIQ]

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For the third time in six years, Adelaide claimed the Australasia League pennant. The Aardvarks bounced back from only 82 wins in 2000 and 72 in 1999, rolling to the AL title at 100-62. They were 18 games better than their closest competitors in Gold Coast and Christchurch. Last year’s winner Auckland fell to 80-82, fifth behind 81-81 Melbourne. Adelaide outperformed their Pythagorean expectation by a large margin, winning 11 more games than the math would suggest.

Melbourne’s Tyler Straw repeated as Australasia League MVP. The third-year shortstop was the WARlord (11.1) and leader in slugging (.659), and OPS (1.025). Straw added 105 runs, 39 home runs, 108 RBI, and a .303 average. Pitcher of the Year was Adelaide’s Peter Regan, who led in wins at 23-12. The 27-year old righty had a 3.21 ERA over 289 innings, 275 strikeouts, and 6.4 WAR. This would be the peak of an otherwise unremarkable career for Regan, who suffered a torn labrum the next summer.



Two-time defending Oceania Champion Guam held its hold on the Pacific League crown. The Golden Eagles won their fifth consecutive pennant, taking first at 99-63. It was also Guam’s eighth title in 11 years and their 13^th overall, tying them with Honolulu for the most. Port Moresby was their only real competitor, a distant nine games back at 90-72. Guadalcanal was third at 85-79.

Tahiti struggled to seventh place, but they found a rising star in Arjita Gabeja, the Pacific League MVP. It was the first full season for the 22-year old Fijian lefty, who shined as a designated hitter. He led in home runs (51), RBI (115), runs (97), total bases (364), slugging (.589), and OPS (.928). Gabeja added 6.1 WAR and a .288 average. Guam’s Timothy Manglona won his fourth Pitcher of the Year in five seasons. The 27-year old Northern Marianan was the WARlord (9.5) and leader in wins (23-10), WHIP (0.71), K/BB (19.2), quality starts (28), complete games (25), shutouts (8), and FIP- (67). Manglona added 384 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA in 307.2 innings.



Guam entered the 42^nd Oceania Championship looking for the third-ever three-peat. Adelaide denied them that honor, taking the series in six games. In his OBA debut, DH Kiryl Savchuk picked up finals MVP. The 29-year old Belarusian had played in Poland for Warsaw before signing a seven-year, $19,560,000 deal with the Aardvarks. In the series, he had 9 hits, 7 runs, 4 home runs, and 6 RBI.



It was the Aardvarks’ third title in six years and their eighth overall, sitting an impressive 8-1 all-time in the championship. The win also ties Adelaide with Honolulu for the most OBA titles. This would mark the end of the Aardvarks status as a regular contender, as they wouldn’t be back to the final in the next 35 years.

Other notes: Ricardo Antonio became the 10^th pitcher to 3500 strikeouts and the 12^th to 200 career wins. 3B Errol Herne won his 10^th Gold Glove and SS Thom Serra won his eighth. CF Damien Patton won his seventh Silver Slugger.