FOLLOWING two hard-fought losses to perennial rivals Windsor Royals last round, the Musketeers returned to form in crushing fashion against Wests Bulldogs on Wednesday night.

The visiting Bulldogs, only in their second season of GBL after a hiatus from the Queensland top-tier, managed just seven innings before the mercy rule was enforced.

The end result was an 18-5 victory to Ipswich, heading into Sunday's second leg.

"We needed (that win),” Musketeers president Jon Campbell said.

"We weren't panicking or anything, but it was a game we were expected to win and we did.”

After struggling to close out the second leg at Windsor last round, Dan Butcher found praise from the Ipswich president for his work at the mound.

"Dan came out and pitched a great game, he got himself back on track which was really important for us,” Campbell said.

Recently acquired American import Tanner Donnels continued his impressive hitting form, and was Campbell's pick of the batters in a line-up that swung with ease against the Bulldogs' pitching stocks.

"Tanner is crushing the ball, I think he got three hits; a triple, a double and a single,” Campbell said of the former Connecticut Tigers Minor League player.

"Brad Wise chipped in with some doubles, Brad Dutton got a triple and a few hits - pretty much everyone connected - but Tanner has been the real standout.”

Rhys Niit and Andrew Campbell were inactive on Wednesday as they prepared for the Brisbane Bandits' ABL opener last night, but Wade Dutton took control of first base.

All three were named in the 22-man line-up for last night's clash against the Canberra Cavalry, with Campbell starting in centre field for the back-to-back ABL champions.

The Ipswich president does not expect any of the three to be available for Sunday's contest, but with the depth of talent on the Musketeers' roster Campbell holds no concerns.

"I don't think they'll play Sunday,” Campbell said.

"It depends on how much game time they get, if they play four games (against the Cavalry) it is probably better for them to rest this weekend considering our opposition.

"We know what we have already, we haven't really hit our straps just yet but it's coming.

"Games like Wednesday where we come out swinging and destroy teams - we did that against Toowoomba as well - it is only a matter of time before we do that against the good teams.”