Category: Falcons

FALCONS CLINCH, CONQUER AAA FIRST YEAR BACK

LINK: Photos of the Day

Stay tuned for a video report from the game right here on the Herts Baseball Newswire.



GAME REPORT:

The Herts Falcons celebrated at the mound twice on Sunday.

In the first instance, they would be headed to the Final 4.  That news followed an 11-4 thrashing of the Southampton Mustangs in which the Falcons muscled out  three doubles, fifteen hits and eight stolen bases.  Nic Goetz picked up his eighth win of the season with six strikeouts and no earned runs.  While the Herts defense was not as picture-perfect as in the early days of the summer, the players were buoyed by their determination to finish what they began: a near-perfect run in which only one team – the Oxford Kings – managed to split their season series.  Kings aside, Herts has won every other head-to-head matchup in the 2008 AAA.  (They will likely face Oxford again at the Final 4, where they can settle their 1-1 season tie.)

The second celebration came with the final out of the day.  By sweeping Southampton, the Falcons secured the overall best win/loss record in the League.  They can finish no worse than 23-5, at least a game up of their direct rivals, the London Metros.  This was the sweeter mound-meeting, for just two years ago the Herts first-team was relegated to a lower division when they finished at the bottom of the standings and lost a do-or-die playoff game to the Burgess Hill Colts.  After sailing through the AA last season, the Falcons' 2008 season goal was simply to secure a winning record in the Premier League.  Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine they would annihilate the competition and elbow their way to the Final 4!

When asked about the keys to their success, Manager Jason Greenberg responded: “We got a great jump on the season out of spring training.  We're no squad of spring chickens… that's for sure.  But way back in January we were conditioning, getting to know and trust one another, and preparing our strategy for the months to come.  All that preparation has paid off.  By the time the other teams in our division had dusted off the cobwebs we were 6-0 and at the top of the charts.  We never looked back.  Never had to.”

Comparing the Falcons to the other teams in the AAA, Greenberg continued: “We've got the most heart.  Don't get me wrong… we've got a lot of other things too.  Some excellent starting and relief pitching.  A solid infield, a speedy outfield.  Some liners, some sluggers, and a real aggressiveness on the base paths.  But… most of all it's about this team's heart.  You never see our guys argue with one another.  Sportsmanship is big for us – you rarely see a Falcon act anything less than professional.  And it's been the same 13 players all season long!  That's dedicaiton.  We've committed ourselves to winning.  We expect to win.  And that means, as a manager, I don't have to do a thing except show up and manage the unexpected.”

Herts has only a double-header remaining in their regular season, played in Brighton on July 31 against their old rivals… the Burgess Hill Colts.  These games are only for show, however.  Burgess Hill was eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday, losing a pair to the (also eliminated) Essex Arrows.  Nevertheless, the Falcons must be eager to get back on the diamond with the Colts and show them what a different kind of team they've become in just two short years.

Then it's on to September 6-7 and the Final 4 in Croydon.  In the first round of the tournament Herts will face the AAA Northern Champions – possibly the Humber Pilots who bested the Falcons 8-5 in the AA playoffs a year ago.  In round two the Falcons should see the Oxford Kings or London Metros.  Both teams managed one win off the Falcons in the regular season… so Herts is expecting a fierce showdown.

But they're also expecting to win.

GAME NOTES…  Falcons slugger Andy Cornish was a torrid 6-10 on the day, with 4 stolen bases, 4 runs and 3 RBI…  in Game Two, pitcher Darrin Ward had his first start in a month striking out 6 and allowing only 1 earned run for his seventh win of the season…  Ward also batted 4-7 with 5 RBI…  Aspi Dimitrov continued his blistering August going 5-8 with 2 RBI and pulling his average up to 0.325, fifth best on the team…  Herts Hawk Tim Elkins got the call-up and played solid outfield defense for the Falcons…  and the games were officiated by generous (and unwaveringly fair) Herts players Jonathan Lewys and Rodney Naghar.

 


 

GROVEHILL BALLPARK, 12:00

GAME 1

 

 

Southampton Mustangs at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Southampton Mustangs 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 4 4 3
Herts Falcons 0 1 3 0 6 1 0 11 15 8

Herts Falcons 11, Southampton Mustangs 4
Herts Falcons Southampton Mustangs
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish ss 5 2 3 2 Player 1 p 4 0 2 2
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 0 1 1 Player 2 c 4 0 0 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 2 2 1 Player 3 1b 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward 3b 4 2 2 2 Player 4 2b 4 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf-lf 4 2 2 1 Player 5 3b 4 0 0 0
Marty Cullen 1b 4 1 2 2 Player 6 ss 3 1 1 0
Nick Goetz p 3 0 1 1 Player 7 lf 2 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar lf-rf 3 1 2 0 Player 8 cf 3 2 1 0
Tim Elkins rf 2 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 2 1 0 0
(b5) Jim Hyde rf-cf 0 1 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 11 15 10 TEAM TOTALS 29 4 4 2

E: Andy Cornish(2), Jason Greenberg(2), Darrin Ward(2), Marty Cullen(2), Player 2,
Player 5, Player 9. LOB: Southampton Mustangs 7, Herts Falcons 8. 2B: Jason
Greenberg, Marty Cullen, Rodney Naghar, Player 6. SB: Rodney Naghar(2), Andy
Cornish(2), Aspi Dimitrov(2), Marty Cullen, Jim Hyde, Player 1. CS: Player 3. SF:
Nick Goetz.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 4 4 0 2 6
Southampton Mustangs            
Player 1 L 6.00 15 11 9 3 3

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Player 3). . . . . . . T: 3:00. A: 0.


 

GROVEHILL BALLPARK, 2:30pm

GAME 2

 

Southampton Mustangs at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Southampton Mustangs 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 11 3
Herts Falcons 1 4 8 0 0 0 0 13 15 4

Herts Falcons 13, Southampton Mustangs 4
Herts Falcons Southampton Mustangs
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jim Hyde cf 5 1 1 3 Player 1 p 3 1 1 0
Andy Cornish 3b-c 5 2 3 1 Player 2 c 4 0 1 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji rf 2 0 0 0 Player 3 1b 4 1 2 2
(b4) Tim Elkins rf 2 0 0 0 Player 4 2b 4 0 2 0
Jason Greenberg c-3b 4 2 2 1 Player 5 3b 4 0 1 1
Darrin Ward p 3 1 2 3 Player 6 ss 4 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 2 1 0 0 Player 7 lf 4 0 1 0
Nick Goetz ss 4 2 1 1 Player 8 cf 2 1 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 4 2 3 1 Player 9 rf 3 1 2 0
Lee Manning 2b 4 2 3 2
TEAM TOTALS 35 13 15 12 TEAM TOTALS 32 4 11 3

E: Jim Hyde, Andy Cornish, Marty Cullen, Lee Manning, Player 6(2), Player 2. LOB:
Herts Falcons 8, Southampton Mustangs 9. 2B: Andy Cornish(2), Jason Greenberg(2), Lee
Manning, Darrin Ward, Jim Hyde. 3B: Player 7. SB: Andy Cornish(2), Jason Greenberg,
Lee Manning, Aspi Dimitrov, Player 4, Player 1, Player 9.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 11 4 1 3 6
Southampton Mustangs            
Player 1 L 6.00 15 13 9 4 4

PB: Andy Cornish. T: 3:00. A: 0.

HERTS BASEBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES POSTSEASON/FUNDRAISING SCHEDULE

With just a few weeks remaining of the regular season, Herts Baseball Club has announced the 2008 postseason schedule.  It will be packed with events for all branches of the Herts Baseball organisation, from the Little League to the club’s adult teams.  The postseason is also the time to get volunteers, friends and family members involved and playing the game.  Who knows?  The club may discover a new superstar among friends and family members.

 

In September the Herts Little League will be hosting its first tournament inviting all the top British League teams in the Bronco age group (10-13 year olds).  Most of these teams will include players who are members of the GB Juveniles Team so the Herts Little League will be able to check on its progress against top opposition.

 

The postseason period coincides with a critical period for the club’s project to develop Grovehill Ballpark.  The club requires one final fundraising push before commencing the construction work.  If the club reaches its fundraising target, members of the club as well as everyone else in the British baseball community can look forward to 2009 when the revamped Grovehill Ballpark and its second baseball diamond will be unveiled.  Members of the adult and Little League teams will be asked to play a key role in the upcoming fundraising events and absolutely everyone must do their best to take part in these events.

 

This September and October the club remembers fallen Falcon number 36 in the 2008 Kyle Hunlock Series.  Full details of an exciting new format for this event will be released in the next few days.  As part of the event, Herts Baseball Club will be making history with the first ever live radio broadcast online on the Herts Baseball Channel. 

 

Even after the last pitch of the season is thrown, club events keep coming thick and fast as we build up to 2009, so make a note of these dates.

 


 

2008 POSTSEASON AND FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

SCHEDULE

 

Key:

Little League

Adults

Fundraising

 

Thursday, 21 August 2008

3:30pm-5:30pm

Fundraising Visit to Hemel Industrial Zone

 

Saturday, 23 August 2008

11am-2:30pm

Little League Final Day

 

3pm-5pm

Fundraising at local shopping centres

 

Saturday-Sunday, 6-7 September 2008

Morning-night

AAA Final 4 at Croydon

 

Thursday, 18 September 2008

8pm

LIVE – Kyle Hunlock Series Draft

(making history with first ever LIVE broadcast on the Herts Baseball Channel)

 

Sunday, 21 September 2008

11pm-7pm

Kyle Hunlock Series (DAY1)

 

Saturday, 27 September 2008

TBC

Herts Little League Tournament

 

Sunday, 28 September 2008

11pm-7pm

Kyle Hunlock Series (DAY2)

 

Thursday, 2 October 2008

8pm

LIVE – Kyle Hunlock Series re-Draft

 

Sunday, 5 October 2008

11pm-2pm

Kyle Hunlock Series (FINAL DAY)

 

2pm-3pm

Little League Home Run Derby

 

3pm-4pm

Little League 2008 Awards Ceremony

 

4pm-7pm

Family Softball Game (s)

·         Little League Parents and Adult members family/friends

 

Sunday, 12 October 2008

TBC

2009 Annual General Meeting

 

October-November 2008

TBC

The HBC Tennis League

(unlike baseball, you gotta keep the ball IN the park)

 

Adult Herts Baseball Players (and family members) will be competing head-to-head over several weeks in a league format.

 

Friday, 12 December 2008

TBC

2008 Awards Night (Adult Teams)

 

 

WIN, T.K.O. FOR FALCONS AS KNIGHTS WAVE WHITE FLAG

Herts arrived early to the field in Richmond-upon-Thames for an extended warm-up and batting practice.  It was just before game time that the Knights announced they had nine players and no one to umpire the game.  Fortunately, the Falcons are stocked with sluggers willing to step up in whichever capacity… and Greg “The Motion” Bochan performed a yeoman’s service calling balls and strikes from behind the dish.

Nic Goetz – pitching on three weeks rest – earned his seventh win of the season with a confident return to the mound.  He pounded the zone with five different pitches, all of which he threw consistently for strikes, and the only Richmond run to score came in the first inning on a sacrifice fly.

Two notable defense plays kept the Knights off the bases.  Aspi Dimitrov made his Falcons debut at third base and lunged far out to reel in a screaming line-drive.  Then, with a runner at third base, shortstop Andy Cornish made an incredible diving catch for the final out of the inning.  The Richmond batter – standing wide mouthed at home plate – was overheard to mumble, “Wow.  That’s a damn fine play.”

It was with disappointment in their eyes that Richmond forfeited Sunday’s second game.  Unable to keep all nine players at the field – and still without an available umpire – there were simply not enough Knights to carry on.  The Falcons glumly packed up their belongings and headed to the pub, content to celebrate their uncannily successful tour of the AAA… and to strategize for their presumptive post-season appearance.

Sunday was the Falcons’ quickest outing of the year.  They tightened their grip on the league pennant and bumped their win-loss column to 19-3.  Now, with only four games to play, the Falcons are one win away from the best AAA record of 2008 and a guaranteed spot in the Final 4.

Herts Falcons at Richmond Knights
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 6 5 1
Richmond Knights 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4

Herts Falcons 6, Richmond Knights 1
Herts Falcons Richmond Knights
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jim Hyde lf 3 1 0 0 Player 1 p 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 4 1 0 0 Player 2 c 3 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 2 2 1 Player 3 1b 3 0 0 1
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 1 1 Player 4 2b 3 0 1 0
Dan Kerry cf 1 1 0 0 Player 5 3b 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward dh 2 0 0 0 Player 6 ss 3 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov 3b 2 0 1 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 1 0 Player 9 rf 1 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 6 5 3 TEAM TOTALS 24 1 3 1

E: Aspi Dimitrov, Player 1(2), Player 6(2). DP: Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons
2, Richmond Knights 3. 2B: Jason Greenberg. SB: Jason Greenberg(2), Jim Hyde, Player
4, Player 2, Player 9. CS: Jim Hyde, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Marty Cullen, Player 4,
Player 9.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 3 1 1 0 2
Richmond Knights            
Player 1 L 7.33 5 6 2 5 7

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Player 9). . , by Player 1 (Dan Kerry). . . WP: Nick Goetz,
Player 1(2). PB: Player 2(2). T: 2:05. A: 26.

BADGERS BULLISH IN HERTS SWEEP, MAGIC NUMBER AT 3

(Southmead, Bristol)  It was with traces of trepidation that the Herts first-team drove westward to Bristol.  The Badgers brought only a .235 winning percentage and were deep in the basement of their AAA bracket.

Nevertheless, they had managed to win three of their last four games including a surprising sweep of the third-place Essex Arrows.  It wasn't fear of losing that gave the Falcons pause, so much as doubt as to what kind of Bristol squad they would face.

Game One got underway after some rushed batting practice and just as the midday heat began to set in.  Sunday was the UK's hottest day in 2008 reaching a scorching high of 30.9C… and shade and breeze were in short supply at the Southmead Sports Centre.  Nevertheless, pitching can win a baseball game in any conditions and the Badgers found themselves simply outmatched on the mound.

Darrin Ward brought seven-innings of one-run baseball, allowing only a sacrifice fly in the first.  That one earned run was the sum total of the Badgers offence.  Ward showed excellent control allowing only six hits and surrendering zero walks with three strikeouts.  It was perhaps his best start of the season considering that, in his last outing, 'the Colonel' suffered his first loss to the Oxford Kings and saw his command and his team collapse just two weeks prior at the International London Tournament.

Strong batting from the Falcons brought them a solid 6-1 victory.  Andy Cornish, Aspi Dimitrov and Jason Greenberg all went 2-4 and second baseman Kimiyoshi Saionji was 1-3 with 2 RBI.  It was an offensive return-to-form for Herts, who continue to capitalise on errors-in-the-field by their opponents.

Game Two was Club President Aspi Dimitrov's second start of the season.  While Herts quickly got back on the board with one run on five singles in the first inning, the Badgers immediately responded after Dimitrov walked the first two batters.  Walks were the Falcons' greatest nemeses on Sunday afternoon.  Dimitrov allowed nine free passes to Badger base runners, four of whom ultimately crossed home plate.  However, he quickly regained control and held Bristol to four runs over five innings.

Dimitrov was given some run support to work with in the 4th inning when – with two outs and the bases loaded – catcher Greenberg doubled to deep leftfield clearing the diamond and tying the game at 5-5.  Saionji added the go-ahead run, driving Greenberg in with a single to right.

With a one-run lead to protect, the Falcons manager brought Game One-winner Ward back out to the mound to pitch the 6th and 7th.  An error, a wild pitch, a walk and a hit allowed a Badger to score and the game was re-tied at six apiece.  And so the story went as the teams with the AAA's best and worst records (discounting disbanded Milton Keynes) headed into extra-innings in the sweltering afternoon heat.

To comply with BBF pitching rules, Dimitrov (who moved to centerfield when Ward came in to relieve) was brought back out to the mound to carry on his epic struggle through the 8th, 9th and 10th innings.  It was in the tenth that the Falcons broke things open.  The Badgers sent a hard-throwing righty to the mound who, despite his 80+MPH heat, had difficulty keeping the ball out of the dirt.  Saionji struck out, but reached base safely when the catcher failed to keep control of the pitch and the ball ping-ponged around the backstop.  Two walks and three wild pitches later both Ward and Carlos Casal (called up from the AA Hawks to fill a critical whole at third base) slid across home plate and the Falcons took a two run lead.

Dimitrov trotted out to the mound for three more exciting outs.  After striking out the leadoff batter he surrendered a base on balls.  That runner stole second.  Dimitrov struck out another batter who fanned helplessly at the crafty righty's hard-breaking curve.  Then, with two outs left-fielder Greg Bochan made an amazing diving attempt at a line drive, only to miss the ball by inches.  The runner on second scored easily.  But this game was destined to end in 10, and the final batter (Bristol Manager Seth Cooper) stranded the tying run on second base by tapping out weakly to Dimitrov who fielded the ball cleanly and ended the game without further damage.

Casal went 2-4 in Game Two.  Sainoji continued his torrid season batting 3-5 with 1 RBI and Greenberg was 2-5 with 3 RBI.  Dimitrov secured his second win of the season and leads the Falcons with a 2.954 ERA.  Bochan 'the Motion' was erroneously charged with an error on his diving attempt and an appeal has been made to the official statistician to correct this unfortunate mistake.  In an ironic twist of fate, Bochan is also the Club's official statistician.  The appeal is pending review.

An exciting defensive exchange came in the bottom of the 1st.  With runners on first and second, Casal completed a tailor-made double play fielding a grounder, touching his base for the force, and throwing hard to Marty Cullen at first.  Cullen then fired the ball back to third to catch the remaining baserunner attempting to advance on the play.  While the Herts players will swear he was tagged out on the slide… the Bristol umpires called the runner safe and prevented a would-be Falcons triple play.

With the 7-6 win the Falcons improve to a record of 17-3 overall.  They are 6-for-7 in one run games this season, continually managing to pull a win out of the proverbial hat.  Still firmly atop the AAA, the Falcons have only six remaining games in the 2008 regular season.

Direct rivals the London Metroes (14-6) swept Oxford on Sunday, and stand at three games back of Herts with six to play.  Since the Falcons took three of four games in their summer showdowns with the talented London squad, the magic number to clinch a playoff berth stands at just 3… requiring only .500 baseball from here to the finish line.  The Oxford Kings are now tied with the Southampton Mustangs for first place in the alternate bracket and are likely opponents should the Falcons reach the Final 4.  Herts will host Southampton in Grovehill on August 17.


GAME ONE

Herts Falcons at Bristol Badgers
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 0 2 1 2 0 1 6 9 0
Bristol Badgers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 3

Herts Falcons 6, Bristol Badgers 1
Herts Falcons Bristol Badgers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish ss 4 2 2 0 Luke Allen lf 3 1 2 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 1 2 0 Fabien Pereira 2b 3 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 1 2 Brad Freeman cf 3 0 0 1
Marty Cullen 1b 3 1 1 0 Jose Bobadilla ss 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p 3 0 0 1 Petr Sampson 1b 3 0 0 0
Greg Bochan rf 3 1 1 0 Guy Davies rf 3 0 1 0
Carlos Casal 3b 3 0 0 0 Ren Schouten 3b 3 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf 4 0 2 1 Ross Densley c 2 0 1 0
Rodney Naghar lf 2 1 0 0 John Lansdown p 2 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 29 6 9 4 TEAM TOTALS 25 1 6 1

E: Fabien Pereira(3). DP: Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Bristol Badgers 3, Herts Falcons 8.
SB: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Marty Cullen, Greg Bochan, Rodney Naghar, Luke Allen, Ross
Densley, Ren Schouten. CS: Andy Cornish.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 6 1 1 0 3
Bristol Badgers            
John Lansdown L 7.00 9 6 3 7 2

GAME TWO

Herts Falcons at Bristol Badgers
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Herts Falcons 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 11 5
Bristol Badgers 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 6 0

Herts Falcons 7, Bristol Badgers 6
Herts Falcons Bristol Badgers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish cf 4 1 1 0 Player 1 p 4 1 2 1
Jason Greenberg c 5 2 2 3 Player 2 c 4 2 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 5 1 3 1 Player 3 1b 3 1 2 0
Marty Cullen 1b 5 0 0 0 Player 4 2b 5 0 2 2
Darrin Ward dh-p-rf 4 1 1 1 Player 5 3b 5 0 0 0
Greg Bochan lf-rf 5 0 1 0 Player 6 ss 4 1 0 0
Carlos Casal 3b 4 1 2 0 Player 7 lf 3 1 0 0
Lee Manning ss 5 1 1 0 Player 8 cf 4 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 4 0 0 0
(b6) Aspi Dimitrov p-lf 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 41 7 11 5 TEAM TOTALS 36 6 6 3

E: Jason Greenberg(2), Greg Bochan, Carlos Casal, Lee Manning. DP: Herts Falcons 1.
LOB: Herts Falcons 7, Bristol Badgers 9. 2B: Jason Greenberg. SB: Carlos Casal(2),
Lee Manning, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 1(2), Player 3(2), Player 7(2), Player 4,
Player 6, Player 8. CS: Player 3.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Aspi Dimitrov W 8.33 4 6 2 9 6
Darrin Ward 1.67 2 0 0 0 2
Bristol Badgers            
Player 1 L 10.00 11 7 6 3 7

.500 RECORD FOR HERTS TEAMS AT THE LONDON TOURNAMENT

 

The Herts Falcons and the Herts Hawks may not have achieved what they set out to do, but there were many positives to be taken from another memorable London Tournament.  On Day One the Falcons managed to win convincingly against Northampton and the Great Britain Cadets.  This put them on top of their First Round Group.  The French team, Saints, manage dot do the same and they both found themselves not only with the same win-loss record but with exactly the same run difference of +23.  Rather than opting for the toss of a coin the organisers decided to use Saturday Night’s Home Run Derby contest as a tie-breaker.  The three French sluggers put up 4 home runs on the board, which seemed to be beyond the reach of the three Falcons representatives, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Darrin Ward and Dan Kerry who had hit two home runs earlier in the day.  But Darrin Ward had different ideas in mind.  The ball was exploding off his 20-year old bat.  He matched the 4 home runs hit by the French team and that took the contest to a sudden death final round.  The Saints and the Falcons picked their best home run hitters, Alex and Darrin, respectively and once again Darrin produced a masterful performance with another 4 home runs.  This was a tense moment for the large crowd which had gathered on field 1, and especially for the on-looking Saints and Falcons players.  At stake was not only first place finish in the First Round Group, but also the coveted 11am game start on Sunday.  For the losers the dreaded 9am game start which would mean that the traditional Saturday’ Night Out for the players may have to be drastically scaled-down, if that is at all possible.

 

With the Herts contingent heckling every swing , Alex managed to hit 3 big home runs but that was not enough and so the Falcons went on to clinch top spot in the rgoup. 

 

Unfortunately for the Falcons, the excitement of Day One seemed to take all the energy out of the team and Day Two ended in disappointment with two heavy losses to the National League Croydon Pirates and the Great Britain Junior Team which is preparing for its European Championships qualifying campaign. 

 

It was down to the Herts Hawks to keep Hertfordshire hopes of silverware alive.  They picked up a win in their first game on Saturday against the Brentwood Stags but lost to the hosts in game 2.  This meant that on Day Two the Hawks were to battle in the Frank Brady Trophy bracket of the Tournament.  They won 6-1 against the AAA Badgers from Bristol to set up a decider against the Medway Mariners.  With the time-limit looming, the Mariners had a 3-2 lead.  With 2 out the Hawks loaded the bases, but it wasn’t to be.  The Hawks ended the tournament with a very respectful record of 2 wins and 2 losses and with their Home Run Derby representative, Louis Hare, hitting a long home run out of the park in the Home Run Derby Contest.

 

With the venue’s four fields positioned so close to each other there was a worrying moment for everyone connected with Herts Baseball Club as a foul ball from Field 3 hit 14-year old Herts prospect, Luis Goncalves, on the back of the head.  Medical reports have confirmed that there is no serious damage which is good news for the club with the league season heading into its final two months.  Hawks Manager, Carlos Casal, sustained a wrist injury in a defensive play and the club is awaiting news.

 


SATURDAY'S BOX SCORES

 

Herts Falcons at Northampton
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 7 0 4 3 14 13 2
Northampton 0 0 1 1 2 4 4 2

Herts Falcons 14, Northampton 4
Herts Falcons Northampton
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish lf-cf 3 2 2 1 Player 1 p 2 0 0 0
Jason Greenberg 3b 3 1 0 0 Player 2 c 3 0 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 0 0 0 Player 3 1b 2 2 1 0
(t4) Aspi Dimitrov p 1 2 1 0 Player 4 2b 1 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 0 1 Player 5 3b 2 0 1 2
Marty Cullen 1b 4 3 3 1 Player 6 ss 3 1 1 0
Darrin Ward dh-rf 4 2 3 3 Player 7 lf 2 0 1 0
Greg Bochan rf-lf 4 1 2 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 0 0
Kal Dimitrov c 2 1 1 1 Player 9 rf 1 0 0 0
Lee Manning ss 2 1 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 27 14 13 9 TEAM TOTALS 18 4 4 2

E: Lee Manning(2), Player 5, Player 9. LOB: Northampton 3, Herts Falcons 6. 2B:
Player 5. SB: Jason Greenberg(2), Marty Cullen(2), Dan Kerry, Aspi Dimitrov,
Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 3(3), Player 4, Player 6, Player 7. SF: Kimiyoshi Saionji,
Player 9.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Aspi Dimitrov W 5.00 4 4 3 2 5
Northampton            
Player 1 L 4.67 13 14 11 4 1

HBP: by Aspi Dimitrov (Player 3). , by Player 1 (Kimiyoshi Saionji). . , by Player 1
(Jason Greenberg). . WP: Aspi Dimitrov(2), Player 1(2). T: 1:45. A: 0.


GB Cadets at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
GB Cadets 3 0 0 0 0 3 2 0
Herts Falcons 3 4 3 6 0 16 11 1

Herts Falcons 16, GB Cadets 3
Herts Falcons GB Cadets
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish c 2 4 2 1 Player 1 p 3 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg 3b 3 2 1 4 Player 2 c 1 1 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 4 2 5 Player 3 1b 2 1 1 2
Kimiyoshi Saionji dh 3 0 1 3 Player 4 2b 2 0 0 0
Lee Manning 2b 3 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 1 0 0 0
Luis Goncalves ss 3 1 2 2 Player 6 ss 2 0 0 0
Darrin Ward 1b 2 1 0 0 Player 7 lf 2 0 0 0
Greg Bochan lf 3 1 1 0 Player 8 cf 1 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov rf 2 3 2 1 Player 9 rf 1 0 0 0
Marty Cullen p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 16 11 16 TEAM TOTALS 15 3 2 2

E: Luis Goncalves. LOB: Herts Falcons 4, GB Cadets 5. 2B: Andy Cornish. 3B: Dan
Kerry. HR: Dan Kerry. SB: Dan Kerry(2), Jason Greenberg, Andy Cornish, Kimiyoshi
Saionji, Luis Goncalves, Aspi Dimitrov, Player 1(2), Player 2(2).

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Marty Cullen W 4.00 2 3 2 4 3
GB Cadets            
Player 1 L 4.00 11 16 15 9 3

HBP: by Marty Cullen (Player 8). . WP: Marty Cullen, Player 1(3). T: 1:45. A: 0.


Bristol Badgers at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Bristol Badgers 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 1
Herts Hawks 0 1 1 0 4 0 6 5 1

Herts Hawks 6, Bristol Badgers 1
Herts Hawks Bristol Badgers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Luis Goncalves ss 2 1 1 0 Player 1 p 3 0 1 0
Carlos Casal 3b 2 2 2 1 Player 2 c 3 0 0 0
John Oliver 1b 1 1 0 0 Player 3 1b 3 0 1 2
Louis Hare p 2 1 0 0 Player 4 2b 0 1 0 0
Dave Westfallen c 3 1 1 0 Player 5 3b 2 0 0 0
Kal Dimitrov cf 2 0 1 1 Player 6 ss 2 0 1 0
Humberto Goncalves 2b 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 2 0 0 0
Jake Kikel lf 2 0 0 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 1 0
Ilya Dimitrov rf 3 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 20 6 5 3 TEAM TOTALS 19 1 4 2

E: Ilya Dimitrov, Player 5. LOB: Bristol Badgers 4, Herts Hawks 7. 2B: Luis
Goncalves. 3B: Player 3. SB: Dave Westfallen(2), Luis Goncalves, Kal Dimitrov, Player
4(4), Player 1.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
Louis Hare W 5.33 4 1 0 3 7
Bristol Badgers            
Player 1 L 4.67 5 6 2 6 3

HBP: by Player 1 (Jake Kikel). . PB: Player 2(4). T: 1:40. A: 0.


Croydon Pirates at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 R H E
Croydon Pirates 5 6 4 8 23 18 0
Herts Falcons 0 0 0 0 0 2 9

Croydon Pirates 23, Herts Falcons 0
Croydon Pirates Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 6 ss 5 2 3 1 Luis Goncalves ss 2 0 0 0
Player 8 cf 5 3 3 5 Andy Cornish 3b 2 0 1 0
Player 7 lf 4 3 2 2 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 3 4 1 0 Dan Kerry cf 2 0 0 0
Player 1 p 4 4 4 2 Darrin Ward p 1 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 3 2 2 2 Marty Cullen 1b 1 0 0 0
Player 4 2b 4 2 1 3 Greg Bochan rf 1 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 2 2 0 0 Aspi Dimitrov lf 1 0 1 0
Player 2 c 4 1 2 2 Lee Manning c 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 34 23 18 17 TEAM TOTALS 13 0 2 0

E: Marty Cullen(3), Lee Manning(2), Luis Goncalves(2), Dan Kerry, Kimiyoshi Saionji.
LOB: Herts Falcons 1, Croydon Pirates 4. 2B: Player 6, Player 1, Player 4. HR: Player
8, Player 7. SB: Player 7, Player 6, Player 9, Andy Cornish.

Croydon Pirates IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 4.00 2 0 0 0 4
Herts Falcons            
Darrin Ward L 4.00 18 23 10 4 4

HBP: by Darrin Ward (Player 9). . . WP: Darrin Ward. PB: Lee Manning(4). T: 1:40. A:
0.


Herts Hawks at Medway Mariners
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Herts Hawks 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 2
Medway Mariners 0 2 0 0 1 2 5 8 2

Medway Mariners 5, Herts Hawks 2
Medway Mariners Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 3 1 0 0 Luis Goncalves ss 2 0 0 0
Player 2 c 2 1 1 0 (b4) Andy Cornish ss 1 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 4 0 2 1 Carlos Casal 3b 3 0 1 0
Player 4 2b 4 0 0 0 John Oliver p 3 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 3 0 0 0 Louis Hare 1b 3 1 2 0
Player 6 ss 3 1 2 0 Dave Westfallen c 2 1 1 0
Player 7 lf 2 2 1 0 Kal Dimitrov rf-2b 3 0 0 1
Player 8 cf 2 0 1 0 Humberto Goncalves 2b 2 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 2 0 1 2 (b4) Ilya Dimitrov rf 1 0 1 0
Jake Kikel lf 3 0 0 0
Dave Hamilton cf 3 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 25 5 8 3 TEAM TOTALS 26 2 6 1

E: Player 6, Player 5, Dave Westfallen, Andy Cornish. LOB: Herts Hawks 7, Medway
Mariners 8. 2B: Dave Hamilton. SB: Player 2(2), Player 7, Jake Kikel. SB: Player 8.

Medway Mariners IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 6.00 6 2 0 2 4
Herts Hawks            
John Oliver L 6.00 8 5 3 5 3

WP: Player 1. PB: Player 2, Dave Westfallen. T: 1:40. A: 0.

 

TWO HERTS TEAMS HEAD SOUTH THIS WEEKEND IN SEARCH OF SILVERWARE

The organisers of the International London Tournament have confirmed this weekend's schedule.  Herts Hawks have to overcome old rivals Brentwood and Croydon while the Falcons have been drawn with France, GB Cadets and Northampton.  Looking ahead to Sunday, if both Herts teams win their respective groups they will clash against each other in the Winners' Group on Sunday.  Yes, that's right a Hertfordshire derby in Croydon.

Here is Saturday's game schedule:

Group 1

10:00    11:45                GB Juniors v. Meteors           

12:00    13:45                Richmond v. Essex  

14:15    16:00                Meteors v. Richmond

16:15    18:00                Essex v. GB Juniors

(Group 1 the top 3 placed teams progress to the Winners Group)

 

Group 2

10:00    11:45                GB Cadets v. France

12:00    13:45                Northampton v. Herts Falcons

14:15    16:00                France v. Northampton             

16:15    18:00                Herts Falcons v. GB Cadets

(Group 2 the 1st & 2nd placed teams progress to the Winners Group)

 

Group 3

10:00    11:45                Uni All Stars v. Southampton                

12:00    13:45                Medway v. Uni All Stars                 

14:15    16:00                Southampton v. Sidewinders                  

16:15    18:00                Sidewinders v. Medway                       

(Group 3 the 1st & 2nd placed teams progress to the Winners Group)

 

Group 4

11:00    12:45                Pirates v. Brentwood

13:00    14:45                Brentwood v. Herts Hawks

15:15    17:00                Herts Hawks v. Pirates

(Group 4 the 1st placed team only progresses to the Winners Group)

 

All games are 1hr 45 min duration or 7 innings.  All teams will play games on Sunday, as well.  Depending on the outcome of Saturday's games, two groups are formed – a Winners Group and a secondary pool of teams that will compete for the Frank Brady Cup.  Everyone team will play at least four games of baseball in two days – and that doesn't include a potential championship game.

 

Full Tournament Tree

HERTS BASEBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR WEEK SCHEDULE

One of the great weeks on the baseball calendar is Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week.  Herts Baseball Club also tries to recreate this great tradition here in the United Kingdom by running events alongside those which take place on the other side of the Atlantic. 

 

Herts Baseball Club has just announced the events schedule for All-Star Week.

 

Saturday, 12 July 2008

Members of the Herts AAA, AA and A adult teams will head South for this year’s International London Tournament held in Croydon over two days.  Most hotel rooms in that part of London have already been booked as Herts Baseball Club members intend to make an all-out invasion of Croydon.  For the first time in its history, the club has entered two teams in what is arguably the biggest adult baseball event in this country.   The tournament game schedule will be confirmed a few days before the event.  In the evening, following the first day of games, the Tournament will stage the annual Home Run Derby.

 

Sunday, 13 July 2008

Day 2 of the International London Tournament including the deciding games to determine the winners and the losers.

 

Monday, 14 July 2008

(TV) 01:00am 2008 MLB Home-Run Derby (Watch it live on MLB.COM)

MLB .COM is currently running some promotional campaigns which offer the opportunity to watch one week of MLB TV free of charge.

 

Tuesday, 15 July 2008

(TV) 01:05am MLB 2008 All-Star Game, American League vs National league (Watch it live on Channel Five)

 

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

5:45pm, Herts Raptors will be joined by Milwaukee Brewers Coach, Sam Dempster for a special training session at Grovehill Ballpark.  This session is also open to Herts Hawks, Herts Falcons and potential new member of the club.  If you are not a member and you would like to give baseball a go please contact us for details how to take part in this special training session baseball@hertsbaseball.com

 

Thursday, 17 July 2008

4:00pm, Herts Baseball Little League Players will be joined by Milwaukee Brewers Coach, Sam Dempster for a training session at Grovehill Ballpark. 

 

5:45pm, Herts Falcons will be joined by Milwaukee Brewers Coach, Sam Dempster for a special training session at Grovehill Ballpark.  

 

Saturday, 19 July 2008

9:30 – 10:30 – Herts Baseball Little League Clinic run by Great Britain Baseball National Team Coaches

 

10:30 – 1:00 – Herts Baseball Little League (Yankees @ Red Sox, Blue Jays @ Cubs, Cubs @ Yankees, Red Sox @ Blue Jays)

 

1:30pm – GB Juniors National Team vs GB Seniors Trialists

Great opportunity for baseball fans in and around Hertfordshire to take a look at some of the best young baseball players in Great Britain.

 

Sunday, 20 July 2008

11:00pm, AA League: Herts Hawks vs Brentwood Stags, Grovehill Ballpark

 

3:00pm,  Single-A League: Herts Raptors vs Bracknell Blazers, Grovehill Ballpark

FALCONS AND KINGS SHARE THRONE, SPLIT SHOWDOWN

The forecasts were dead-on: relentless and scattered showers.  Nevertheless, both Herts and Oxford were determined to test one another's defence and power.  As the respective leaders in AAA Divisions A and B, these rivals weren't about to let a little rain get in the way of their much-anticipated showdown.  In addition to moving the teams a little closer to their 'magic number' (the countdown in games to when a squad clinches its playoff berth), this was also a preview of the likely strengths and weaknesses these two teams might encounter should they face-off again in the Final 4.

Game One got off to a shaky start for the home team.  After rushing to get things underway in the nasty weather, everyone huddled under the gazebos and waited for the umpire to muscle his way through the M-25 gridlock.  Despite unofficial protests from the visiting team, soon things were underway and an early four-run Oxford lead silenced their grumblings.

Starter Nic Goetz struggled to find his command in the 1st, surrendering a leadoff single followed by a monster two-run blast from switch-hitter Jorge Machado.  The next batter was hit by a pitch and two Falcons errors allowed a further two runs to cross home plate.  With one out and the Kings threatening to cause more damage, Goetz forced a double play to stop the bleeding and end the inning.

From that point forward Goetz was masterful, issuing only two walks in the game.  Although they chalked up ten hits, Oxford stranded seven runners on base and managed only three more earned runs in the 7th.  In that final inning – after three singles and a pop out – the Kings were threatening to capsize the Falcons lead.  Oxford pitcher Matteo Convento was on first base representing the tying run when another player gently flied-out to the right-side of the infield.  Convento, however, had lost track of how many outs had been issued in the inning, and stood shaking his head halfway to second base as the Falcons doubled him up to seal the victory.

Game Two was the most flagrant upset of the season for the Herts first team.  A mixture of sloppy errors and multiple wild pitches by Falcons pitcher Darrin Ward set the score at 7-2 for Oxford in the 2nd inning.  It was at this point – with catcher Jason Greenberg at bat with two outs in a 0-2 count with Andy Cornish on first – that the umpire called for a rain delay.  Both teams hustled to the gazebos and waited out a 25-minute thunderstorm before retaking the field.  The Kings wisely brought out a new pitcher, Masaharu Egawa.  After two wild pitches, bringing the suspended count to 2-2 and advancing Cornish to third base, Greenberg lined a ground-rule double into left field.  The hits kept coming after that for the Falcons.  Four singles brought in six runs and Herts took the lead 8-7.

Going into the third it seemed like the Falcons were destined for a sweep… but instead they played their worst inning of baseball in the 2008 season.  Perhaps the long rain delay in the cold wind had set in and the players' muscles had tightened up.  Perhaps it was the failure to properly re-warm pitcher Ward, or restretch before heading out into the field.  Third baseman Cornish left the game with a dead leg.  Catcher Greenberg was showing signs of fatigue.  Whatever the ultimate cause, Oxford combined for 15 runs on 10 hits and 5 errors committed by the Herts defence.  This put the score at 22-8, and the Kings never looked back.  They won the game 24-10 in five innings (the first time the Falcons had suffered defeat by the slaughter-rule).

All things considered, Herts was pleased with the split.  Oxford moves to 13-5, only two games ahead of the 2nd place Southampton squad.  The Falcons find themselves with an AAA-leading record of 15-3 and only eight games left to play.  They are six games ahead of the .500 Essex Arrows and London Metros.

And, that magic number?  It stands at 7.  Any combination of seven Falcons wins or Arrows/Metros losses will vault the Herts first team into the playoffs.

Come on lucky seven.


GAME ONE

Oxford Kings at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Oxford Kings 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 9 3
Herts Falcons 0 2 2 1 0 3 0 8 8 5

Herts Falcons 8, Oxford Kings 7
Herts Falcons Oxford Kings
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b 2 1 2 0 Masa 2b 4 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 2 1 0 Jorge ss 4 1 2 2
Dan Kerry cf 4 2 2 1 Jarek c 3 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 1 1 1 Paul 1b-p 3 1 1 0
Darrin Ward 1b 3 1 1 0 Santo cf-1b 4 1 0 0
Marty Cullen dh 3 0 0 0 Adam 3b 3 1 1 2
Lee Manning ss 1 0 0 0 Aaron rf-sf 4 0 2 3
Aspi Dimitrov rf 3 0 0 0 Tom lf 4 0 2 0
Jim Hyde lf 3 1 1 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 26 8 8 2 TEAM TOTALS 29 6 9 7

E: Andy Cornish(2), Lee Manning(2), Nick Goetz, Jorge, Jarek, Adam. DP: Herts Falcons
1. LOB: Herts Falcons 6, Oxford Kings 7. 2B: Jason Greenberg, Jim Hyde. HR: Jorge.
SB: Dan Kerry(2), Jim Hyde, Aspi Dimitrov, Jason Greenberg, Jarek, Adam. CS: Paul.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 10 7 5 2 2
Oxford Kings            
Paul L 3.00 3 4 2 2 4

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Jarek). . , by Nick Goetz (Paul). . . . . WP: Paul(2). PB: Jason
Greenberg. T: 3:00. A: 0.


GAME TWO

Oxford Kings at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Oxford Kings 4 3 15 2 0 24 19 4
Herts Falcons 2 6 0 2 0 10 11 8

Oxford Kings 24, Herts Falcons 10
Oxford Kings Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Masa p 5 3 3 2 Andy Cornish 3b 2 1 0 0
Jorge c 5 3 3 2 (t4) Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
Jarek 1b 4 3 3 2 Jason Greenberg c 4 2 2 1
Paul 2b 5 4 2 1 Dan Kerry cf 4 2 1 0
Santo 3b 5 3 3 4 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 2 1 2
Adam ss 5 2 3 5 Lee Manning dh-ss 3 1 1 1
Katsu lf 3 1 0 0 Marty Cullen 1b 3 2 3 2
Aaron cf 3 2 0 0 Greg Bochan lf 2 0 1 1
Tom rf 3 3 2 2 (t4) Jim Hyde lf 1 0 1 0
Nick Goetz ss-3b 3 0 1 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 38 24 19 18 TEAM TOTALS 28 10 11 7

E: Jorge(2), Masa, Santo, Dan Kerry(2), Jason Greenberg, Andy Cornish, Lee Manning,
Greg Bochan, Nick Goetz, Darrin Ward. DP: Oxford Kings 1. LOB: Oxford Kings 4, Herts
Falcons 5. 2B: Masa(2), Santo, Jarek, Adam, Dan Kerry, Jason Greenberg, Marty Cullen.
HR: Adam, Jorge. SB: Jorge(2), Jarek(2), Masa(2), Santo, Paul, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Jim
Hyde, Aspi Dimitrov.

Oxford Kings IP H R ER BB SO
Masa W 5.00 11 10 3 2 5
Jarek 0.00 0 0 0 0 0
Herts Falcons            
Darrin Ward L 3.00 17 22 12 3 1
Aspi Dimitrov 2.00 2 2 2 2 1

WP: Masa(3), Darrin Ward(5). PB: Jorge. T: 3:00. A: 35.

FALCONS BATS SCORCHING AS SEASON SOARS TO 14-2

Posted on behalf of Newswire Correspondent Andy Cornish.



Sunday’s hosts – the London Metros – have papered their dressing room/toilet with inspirational quotes from MLB ‘Hall of Famers’.  It was these winning words that greeted the Falcons as they arrived at Finsbury Park for a two-game set against their division rivals.  The Metros stood firmly in second place with a 5-3 record… trailing the Falcons by a margin in the AAA standings, but not by enough for the Herts first team to harbour premature fantasies of a postseason berth.


So, the Falcons walked humbly into Finsbury Park knowing that these games would prove contentious.  A split would have been enough. Metros Field was slightly sheltered from the elements, but powerful winds were still a factor and an early gust claimed a casualty before the game was even underway!  R.I.P. Gazebo, our dear travelling ‘dugout’.

The games started in good fashion as Herts gained an early 1-0 lead in the 1st inning – a Metros balk with a runner on third base.  That early mistake aside, the game quickly developed into a pitcher’s duel which persisted for the rest of the game. Due to Falcons errors in the field, London managed to battle back to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 2nd.

With a combination of hits and steals by the top of the order (Dan Kerry connecting for a monster double; 1 RBI) the Falcons managed to ground out a 4-2 advantage going into the bottom of the 5th.  In a bizarre twist of fate, the Metros scored 4 runs and hit their way into the lead with a brace of doubles, and a few singles and errors to boot.  By the end of the 6th inning the game was locked at four runs apiece, and this showdown seemed destined for extra innings as the teams brawled for the W.

The Metros brought in their closer as the Falcons sent newcomer Jim Hyde to the plate.  Recently promoted from within the organisation, Jim worked a base on balls, took advantage of a wild pitch to reach second base, stole third and scored the go-ahead run on an error.  This was only the start of a rally, however, with Nic Goetz and Greg ‘The Motion’ Bochan (1-1 with a 2B) both scoring.

Now Darrin Ward had to close out the game.  With the first two balls batted straight to Nic Goetz at shortstop for groundouts, the tension was building.  The Metros managed to get two more runs on two singles and two walks before the final out was made… but shaky-or-not the Falcons earned the win by a score of 9-8.  Ward chalked up his fifth win of the season.

Both the players and the growing Finsbury Park audience needed to draw a breathe, with the sun beating down and the wind continually swirling.  But after a short rest Game Two started as the Falcons wished, with a five run top of the 1st.  The score stayed at 5-0, starting pitcher Goetz allowing only one hit going into the bottom of the 3rd.  But in this half an inning, the Metros managed to gain the momentum scoring five runs on only two hits.

It was a new ballgame.  The Falcons managed a small advantage in the 5th when – with Marty Cullen on base – Darrin Ward hit a double, scoring the run before being tagged out trying to aggressively turn his hit into a triple.  The Falcons summarily surrendered their lead when the Metros scored two more runs on errors.

At the top of the 6th the game changed hands once again. Bochan lead off the inning with a walk, reached second base on a wild pitch and was hit in on a double by Andy Cornish.  The Metros looked a completely different side as the Falcons beat out a 6-run inning.  Jason Greenberg and Andy Cornish successfully completed a double steal in this inning (two in the game).

In the bottom of the inning, London once again managed to score several runs on only one hit.  4 Metros crossed home plate in the 6th, pulling the game to within one run as the contest entered its final frame.  With the smell of victory floating in the humid air above the diamond – and aided by two London pitching changes during the inning – the Falcons went full-throttle scoring seven times and snagging an eight-run lead.

Despite faint whiffs of a comeback in the bottom of the 7th, the Falcons held on in this massive 19-14 slugfest and secured their 14th victory of the season.  Manager and catcher Greenberg said after the game that “these victories are important and critical, and the Falcons have earned some R&R – it’s time to rest our arms in preparation for the tough games coming up in a few weeks’ time.”  The team came together, did the customary cheer with extraordinary gusto, and left London with the belief and confidence that this winning streak would continue into July.


GAME ONE

Herts Falcons at London Metros
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 1 0 2 1 0 2 3 9 14 3
London Metros 0 2 0 0 4 0 2 8 10 3

Herts Falcons 9, London Metros 8
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b 4 3 2 0 Player 1 p 4 1 1 2
Jason Greenberg c 5 2 3 2 Player 2 c 4 1 2 0
Dan Kerry cf 5 0 2 2 Player 3 1b 3 2 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 3 1 Player 4 2b 3 0 0 0
Marty Cullen 1b 4 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 4 1 1 2
Jim Hyde dh 3 1 0 0 Player 6 ss 4 1 1 0
Lee Manning rf 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 2 1
Nick Goetz ss 4 1 3 0 Player 8 cf 3 1 2 1
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 1 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 1 1 0
(t7) Greg Bochan lf 1 1 1 0
Darrin Ward p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 35 9 14 5 TEAM TOTALS 31 8 10 6

E: Nick Goetz(2), Jason Greenberg, Player 2, Player 5, Player 6. DP: Herts Falcons 1.
LOB: London Metros 4, Herts Falcons 9. 2B: Nick Goetz, Dan Kerry, Greg Bochan, Player
7(2), Player 1. SB: Kimiyoshi Saionji(2), Andy Cornish(2), Jason Greenberg(2), Jim
Hyde, Dan Kerry, Greg Bochan, Player 3(2), Player 6. CS: Lee Manning.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 10 8 5 2 1
London Metros            
Player 1 L 7.00 14 9 6 5 6

WP: Darrin Ward, Player 1(2). PB: Player 2(2). Balk: Player 1. T: 2:30. A: 78.


GAME TWO

Herts Falcons at London Metros
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 5 0 0 0 1 6 7 19 10 4
London Metros 0 0 5 0 2 4 3 14 9 10

Herts Falcons 19, London Metros 14
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b-cf 5 2 2 1 Strezelski 3b 4 1 0 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 3 1 0 Dujardin lf 2 3 0 0
Dan Kerry cf-p 5 3 1 1 Byok cf 1 1 0 1
(b7) Aspi Dimitrov pr-p 0 0 0 0 (t5) Sub 1 cf 1 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 6 2 2 1 Rogalinski rf 4 3 2 3
Marty Cullen 1b 4 3 0 1 Stabe 1b 2 2 1 0
Jim Hyde lf 4 3 1 1 (t6) Alex Phipps 1b-rf 1 0 1 2
Lee Manning ss 4 1 2 2 Zeng c 5 1 2 3
Darrin Ward dh 2 0 1 1 Ferguson 2b 5 1 1 2
(t6) Nick Goetz p-3b 1 1 0 0 Sproule ss 3 0 1 2
Greg Bochan rf 3 1 0 1 Morris p 3 1 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 37 19 10 9 TEAM TOTALS 31 14 9 13

E: Andy Cornish(3), Nick Goetz, Morris(2), Sproule(2), Ferguson(2), Rogalinski,
Strezelski, Zeng, Alex Phipps. LOB: London Metros 8, Herts Falcons 9. 2B: Andy
Cornish, Lee Manning, Darrin Ward. SB: Andy Cornish(3), Jason Greenberg(3), Kimiyoshi
Saionji, Nick Goetz, Dan Kerry, Lee Manning, Morris, Sproule. CS: Lee Manning, Zeng.
S: Greg Bochan.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz 4.33 6 7 4 4 3
Dan Kerry W 1.67 1 5 5 6 2
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 2 2 2 1 2
London Metros            
Morris L 7.00 10 19 7 11 3


HBP: by Dan Kerry (Rogalinski). . WP: Dan Kerry, Morris(6). PB: Zeng(4). T: 2:30. A: 78.