At the start of Sunday’s games all the pressure was on White Lightning who started the day with 0-3 record. They produced an outstanding performance against the Black Widows building a 7-1 lead. The team was still missing some of its big guns including last week’s home run hero, Reagan Wood, but they were reinforced by the presence of Andy Cornish and Lee Manning, both with NBL experience. Manning was doing well on the mound with a 6-run lead. The Widows had other ideas though and they stormed into action. Every batter they sent up to the plate seemed determined to stay alive and they did with some impressive hitting and hustle. The Black Widows turned the game on its head and won it 8-7 in dramatic fashion with a walk-off.
The Widows’ second game was just as dramatic. They tied the game against the Red Roosters with a last-ditch run to take it into extra innings. However, the comeback could not be completed as the Roosters drove in two runs in the top of the inning and held on for a 7-5 win.
This was the second win of the day for the Roosters. The first win came against the Blue Dogs. This was a colossal clash between two teams who have arguably the most experienced squads and are packed with powerful hitters. Nic Goetz and Kevin Niedringhaus were the starting pitchers for Blue and Red, respectively. Both pitchers have pitched in the NBL and it proved to be a classic pitchers’ duel. Niedringhaus lost last week’s pitching duel against Darrin Ward, but this time he came out on top leading the Roosters to a 3-2 win.
The Blue Dogs bounced back with a convincing 11-1 win against White Lightning, but suffered another setback when they lost 4-1 to the Black Widows.
In the final game of the day the Lightning were still looking for their first win of the Series. They were up against the Red Roosters who were sitting comfortably on top of the standings. White Lightning may be missing their big names, but those who have been available are growing in stature and are making a name for themselves. They had just suffered a shattering blow losing to the Black Widows and the Blue Dogs and started the game against the Roosters allowing 4 runs in the opening inning. But they came back again to take a 5-4 lead against all odds. They have shown character and have not let their heads drop in the face of adversity and they have won many fans along the way.
Red Roosters suffered a massive blow in the late innings of the game. Centerfielder Joseph Osborne-Brade used his speed to beat out a groundball and reach first base safely but as he reached first and run through the base he appeared to fall awkwardly and ended up lying on the ground in a lot of pain 10 or 20 feet down the first base foul line. As reported earlier, he was taken to Watford General Hospital for a scan and this has confirmed a fracture of the thigh bone. Herts Baseball Club is hopeful that Osborne-Brade will be back in time for the start of the 2013 season and members have been sending their messages for a speedy recovery.
The game between the Red Roosters and White Lightning was suspended and it will be completed as part of the games schedule on Sunday, 14 October.
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