Category: Adult Leagues

by AspiDimitrov

GOOD TO BE BACK

I can't tell you what a relief it is to be writing about playing baseball, instead of writing about not playing baseball. After five weeks off, I was back in uniform and it was simply great fun. We took on the London Marauders in a rematch of our eye-watering opening game which ended 35-34 in virtual darkness. And we nearly went the same way again. After a late start, and with rain clouds frequently threatening over Grovehill, both sides racked up huge scores. As we considered sending out for pizzas and a dozen tents, the Raptors finally managed to establish some dominance and closed it out after 9 o'clock, winning 41-26.

As you can tell from the score, this was not classic, tight baseball. There were hits a-plenty and more stolen bases than I could possibly count. I was personally delighted that I was able to slap some good line drives around the field, including my first ever triple. As the ball crawled towards the fence in the centre field gap, I rounded first at a sprint, took a big turn at second but as I considered going for the full, inside-the-park glory, I glanced right and saw the ball heading for the cut-off man. Do you test a defence which is clearly not the best in the league? Or do you accept what you've got, and make sure you keep the inning alive? In the end I slid into third, and had to call time to get my breath back, so it was probably best that I hadn't headed for home. Although I benefited from a couple of slightly lucky infield hits, I don't think I made an out all day, so that was a satisfying return to the game.

 

In the field, the boss very kindly slotted me straight back in at shortstop, and things went reasonably well. I made a couple of catches and stops, and just missed out on an unassisted double play. But I also committed two errors when the ball went under my glove, one from a dying quail on the infield, the other a rolling grounder that I rushed. They were just minutes apart in an inning where things threatened to unravel for us. So often, mistakes in baseball breed mistakes, just as success brings confidence and more success. You need to just take five minutes out of the game to really shake off a mistake, but that's not possible. My team-mates helped me get out of this one alive.

And the final out of the day was perhaps a combination of all of this, good and bad. I was in on the play, picking up a tricky dribbler which had got through Jack, our third baseman. Looking up, I was surprised to see a Marauders' runner heading home, even though he didn't have to. In my haste, I snatched at the throw to the plate, dragging it a good six feet off line. Thankfully Slater — wearing the tools of ignorance — made a fantastic move to haul in the ball and dive across to tag the runner. The place went wild. For me, I felt a wave of warmth to have been part of a win for the first time this season, and to have returned to the diamond for such a great game.

Let's not leave it so long next time.

 

by AspiDimitrov

ANOTHER RAPTORS VS MARAUDERS EPIC

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, ROB JONES

 

2 games. 138 runs. Well over 9 hours of action. The Herts Raptors and London Marauders have already built up an extraordinary history together. The first time around, it was a narrow win for the Herts team — this time, it looked like being another marathon nail-biter, until the Raptors finally managed to assert themselves and save the need for floodlights.

 

It was already gone 5pm when the rematch began. And for the Herts team, it began well. Mistakes on the bases and a strong throw from centre-fielder, Iwan Evans, meant the visitors fell victim to a quick double play, and they were up and down in the first inning without scoring.  By contrast, Raptors built on several solid base hits with an aggressive stealing policy, and racked up 7 runs. But then the familiar exchange of high scoring resumed. The London team weighed in with 6 runs of their own in the top of the second and the heavyweight contest began in earnest.

 

In the third inning London chased the Raptors starter, Andrew Slater. The Marauders had mastered the knack of hitting the ball into gaps, and mistakes and missed chances in the field only helped their cause. After an inning which seemed to last an eternity, the visitors had taken the lead 21-17.

 

Fat rain fell sporadically on the field now as the Marauders' pirate chants battled with the band of enthusiastic Herts fans. And in the gathering gloom, it was the Raptors star Jon Lewys who stepped up to lead the charge. Now pitching, he challenged and blew away a string of London batters, fielding some of the plays himself. There were catches from Paul Curtis, and Rob Jones, and hits from Jack Calow and — of course — that man Lewys. Herts gained momentum and the door was eased shut on the visitors. The lead stretched beyond the ten needed for the slaughter rule.

 

With nine o'clock already a distant memory, the final play was scrappy but decisive. A ground ball which looked like it should have been called foul sneaked through two Herts fielders, before luckily ending up in the hand of one of them. The London base-runner had seen his chance to head home, but Andrew Slater, now wearing the catcher's gear, was able to pull in the wayward throw and tag the runner. It was a euphoric moment, the team's third win of the year, and a bounce-back from two weeks of disappointment. Both sides had played an even game in a fine spirit, and the 41-26 win will surely not be the end of the story.

 

Click for more Images

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS AND METS PULL AWAY IN THE NBL

This article by Joe Gray first appeared on www.mister-baseball.com

The Herts Falcons and London Mets made their moves in Week 11 of national Baseball League play on 28 June, sweeping their respective double-headers to pull away at the top of the standings.

The Falcons saw off the still-winless Croydon Pirates, while the Mets brushed past the Richmond Flames.

Richmond v London
London travelled to Richmond and came away with 5-0 and 9-3 wins behind the pitching of Jason Roberts and Reed Wilson. And Mets coach Alex Pike reckons his side will be the team to beat from now on.

“We are starting to get going,” Alex said. “We have most of our players back and I honestly don’t think we will lose another game this season. Richmond swept us at the start of the season so to come here and win both games really shows we are up and running.”

For Flames coach Grant Delzoppo, who smacked a home run in Game Two, it was a disappointing afternoon.

“We made far too many errors,” Grant said “and we got punished. They pitched well and played great defence, and we couldn’t get many hits. The Mets are a great team and they were definitely better than us on the day.”

Herts v Croydon
For the Croydon Pirates, it was once again a hard-luck story, performing well but coming up short in both games at Herts’ Grovehill Ballpark, including an agonising 12-11 loss in Game Two after losing Game One 11-2.

But for Pirates coach Dave Ward, it is a case of taking the positives.

“All in all it was a pretty good day for us,” Dave said. “We are certainly getting there and we gave them a bit of a shock in the second game. We are building each week, but unfortunately it is a slow process.”

View more images from the Croydon Pirates @ Herts Falcons NBL game

GAME 1

Croydon Pirates at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Croydon Pirates 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 4
Herts Falcons 4 0 0 1 3 3 0 11 9 2

Herts Falcons 11, Croydon Pirates 2
Herts Falcons Croydon Pirates
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Riley Fisher 3b 3 1 0 0 Player 1 c-p 4 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 2 1 1 Player 2 2b 4 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih ss 5 2 5 2 Player 3 p 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p 3 1 1 0 (b5) Sub 10 p 0 0 0 0
Jamie Munn lf 2 0 0 1 (b6) Sub 11 1b 0 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf 2 1 1 1 Player 4 3b 3 0 1 0
Lee Manning c 3 2 1 0 Player 5 lf 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz rf 1 1 0 1 Player 6 cf 3 1 2 0
Andy Cornish 1b 2 1 0 0 Player 7 ss 3 1 2 0
          Player 8 rf 3 0 1 2
          Player 9 1b-c 3 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 25 11 9 6 TEAM TOTALS 29 2 7 2

E: Kimiyoshi Saionji(2), Player 7(2), Player 3, Player 9. DP: Croydon Pirates 2. LOB:
Croydon Pirates 6, Herts Falcons 11. 2B: Lin Yuchih, Player 4. SB: Lee Manning(3),
Lin Yuchih, Nick Goetz, Andy Cornish, Player 7, Player 6. CS: Riley Fisher. SF: Jamie
Munn.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 7 2 2 0 4
Croydon Pirates            
Player 3 L 4.67 7 8 6 9 1
Sub 10 0.67 1 2 2 2 0
Player 1 0.67 1 1 1 2 1

HBP: by Player 3 (Darrin Ward). . . . . . . WP: Player 3(2), Sub 10, Player 1. PB:
Lee Manning(2). T: 3:00. A: 48.

GAME 2

Croydon Pirates at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Croydon Pirates 2 0 4 4 0 1 0 11 11 5
Herts Falcons 2 2 0 4 0 4 0 12 9 5

Herts Falcons 12, Croydon Pirates 11
Herts Falcons Croydon Pirates
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning rf 3 1 0 0 Player 1 ss 4 2 1 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 2 2 2 Player 2 p-1b 5 0 1 1
Lin Yuchih ss 3 1 0 1 Player 3 1b-cf-p 5 2 3 0
Darrin Ward 3b 4 1 2 0 Player 4 3b 3 4 1 0
Jamie Munn lf 3 2 0 0 Player 5 2b 3 1 1 2
Aspi Dimitrov cf 3 1 0 0 Player 6 cf-p 4 1 1 1
Louis Hare 1b 3 2 2 1 Player 7 c 4 1 1 1
Riley Fisher dh 3 0 0 0 Player 8 lf 4 0 2 4
Andy Cornish c 4 2 3 2 Player 9 rf 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0 (b4) Sub 10 rf 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 30 12 9 6 TEAM TOTALS 36 11 11 9

E: Darrin Ward(2), Kimiyoshi Saionji, Lin Yuchih, Jamie Munn, Player 1(2), Player 4,
Player 5, Player 7. DP: Croydon Pirates 2. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, Croydon Pirates 7.
2B: Darrin Ward(2), Player 4, Player 2, Player 8. SB: Jamie Munn(3), Louis Hare(3),
Lee Manning(2), Aspi Dimitrov(2), Kimiyoshi Saionji(2), Andy Cornish(2), Lin Yuchih,
Player 7(2), Player 4, Player 6, Player 1.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 11 11 5 2 5
Croydon Pirates            
Player 2 L 3.67 6 8 3 5 3
Player 3 2.00 3 4 2 2 0
Player 6 0.33 0 0 0 0 0

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Player 5). . . . . WP: Player 2(2), Player 3(2). PB: Andy
Cornish(3), Player 7. T: 3:00. A: 67.
by AspiDimitrov

HAWKS TAKE TWO FROM THAMES VALLEY BISONS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, KAL DIMITROV

 

The Herts Hawks visited picturesque Berkshire during one of the hottest days of the season for a double header between the two bottom teams in the AA Division.  Both teams were keen to perform and move away from last place where they were tied at the start of play.

 

In the first game, Herts starter Pete Kikel had a tough first inning, not helped by some defensive lapses, allowing the Bisons to score 4 in the bottom of the first. However, after the first inning Herts did not let in another run for the next five innings, while steadily catching up and subsequently increasing their lead. Kikel was able to shut down the bats, and the defense suddenly woke up with third baseman Wiley, short stop Casal and the tag team of Wakelam and stand-in manager Bochan at second base all participating in the fun. However, the outstanding play was a catch by the Bison’s centerfielder, who made ground as if chased by the bridesmaids at a shotgun wedding, and robbed Mike Wakelam of a sure double in the right-centerfield gap.  With the score 11:4 for the Hawks in the bottom of the 7th, both the pitcher and the defense lost focus slightly, allowing the Bisons to score 4 runs, but were able to settle down and get the outs for the win.

 

The second game was to provide a more competitive beginning, with both teams moving in lockstep.  The Hawks started with Greg Bochan on the mound, and as the break between the games was not sufficient, he had to utilize a couple of innings to finish his warm up. However, after allowing 4 runs, he settled down and was able to unleash his wide variety of pitches, changing speeds and hitting the locations that the catcher Dave Westfallen was cannily giving.  In the meantime, the Herts bats were successfully silenced by the Thames Valley pitcher who was able to put the batters off balance with the massive speed difference between his fastball and curveball.  The main reason for the hitting drought, however, was the Bisons’ third baseman, who appeared to be just about everywhere, taking away surefire hits and once making a diving catch to deprive Carlos Casal of a line drive hit that was a frozen rope along the third base line and would have surely been a double.  In the fifth, however, with the score very close, the Hawks bats suddenly woke up and were able to adjust to the pitching of Thames Valley. Aided by some sloppy defensive plays by the home team, the Hawks ended up with eight runs scored in that inning. Thames Valley scored another run in the seventh but were unable to shut down the Hawks, who came out with a comfortable win.

 

GAME 1

Herts Hawks at Thames Valley Bisons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Hawks 2 1 2 0 4 0 2 11 8 7
Thames Valley Bisons 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 8 7 6

Herts Hawks 11, Thames Valley Bisons 8
Herts Hawks Thames Valley Bisons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Mike Wakelam cf-2b 3 0 0 1 Player 1 cf 2 1 1 0
Greg Bochan 2b 3 0 0 0 Player 2 3b 4 1 1 0
(t4) Paul Auchterlounie c 2 0 0 0 Player 3 1b 3 2 0 0
Carlos Casal ss 3 3 1 0 Player 4 p 3 2 2 2
Dave Westfallen 1b 4 2 1 0 Player 5 lf 3 1 0 0
Peter Kikel p 4 2 2 0 Player 6 c 4 0 0 0
Kal Dimitrov c-cf 2 2 1 1 Player 7 ss 4 1 2 3
Matt Johnston lf 4 2 2 1 Player 8 rf 3 0 0 0
Chris Wylie 3b 3 0 1 1 (t7) Sub 1 rf 1 0 1 1
Liam Green rf 3 0 0 0 Player 9 2b 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 31 11 8 4 TEAM TOTALS 29 8 7 6

E: Carlos Casal(2), Chris Wylie(2), Dave Westfallen, Peter Kikel, Liam Green, Player
2(2), Player 3(2), Player 4, Player 6. LOB: Thames Valley Bisons 6, Herts Hawks 6.
2B: Chris Wylie, Peter Kikel, Player 4, Player 1. SB: Matt Johnston(2), Peter Kikel,
Carlos Casal, Liam Green, Kal Dimitrov, Player 4(2), Player 1, Player 6, Player 7.
CS: Chris Wylie. SF: Mike Wakelam.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
Peter Kikel W 7.00 7 8 5 5 6
Thames Valley Bisons            
Player 4 L 7.00 8 11 2 5 5

HBP: by Player 4 (Kal Dimitrov). . , by Peter Kikel (Player 9). . . . Balk: Player 4.
T: 2:30. A: 0.

GAME 2

Herts Hawks at Thames Valley Bisons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Hawks 0 0 0 0 2 6 3 11 15 2
Thames Valley Bisons 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 5 8 2

Herts Hawks 11, Thames Valley Bisons 5
Herts Hawks Thames Valley Bisons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Paul Auchterlounie cf 3 0 0 0 Player 1 p-cf 4 0 1 1
(b5) Kal Dimitrov cf 1 0 1 0 Player 2 c 4 1 1 0
Greg Bochan p 4 1 1 0 Player 3 cf-ss 2 1 0 0
Carlos Casal ss 4 2 2 0 Player 4 ss-3b 4 1 1 1
Dave Westfallen c 3 2 1 0 Player 5 lf 4 0 1 1
Peter Kikel 2b 3 0 2 1 Player 6 3b-p 3 0 1 0
David Baird 1b 4 2 2 1 Player 7 1b 2 1 1 0
Matt Johnston lf 4 2 2 0 Player 8 2b 2 0 1 0
Chris Wylie 3b 1 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 1 1 0
(b3) Mike Wakelam 3b 3 2 3 3 (t7) Sub 1 rf 0 0 0 0
Liam Green rf 3 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 11 15 5 TEAM TOTALS 28 5 8 3

E: Carlos Casal, Liam Green, Player 4, Player 8. LOB: Herts Hawks 3, Thames Valley
Bisons 6. 2B: Mike Wakelam(2), Liam Green, Peter Kikel, David Baird, Carlos Casal,
Kal Dimitrov, Player 4, Player 2. SB: David Baird(2), Carlos Casal(2), Matt
Johnston(2), Mike Wakelam, Player 2, Player 3, Player 1.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
Greg Bochan W 7.00 8 5 2 4 3
Thames Valley Bisons            
Player 1 L 6.00 11 8 7 1 3
Player 6 1.00 4 3 3 1 2

PB: Dave Westfallen, Player 2(3). T: 2:30. A: 0.

by AspiDimitrov

HALLELUJAH. HAWKS END LOSING STREAK

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, PAUL AUCHTERLOUNIE

 

It had to happen eventually. Surely not even the Hawks could continue to lose. The 6 game losing streak suffered by the Herts Hawks was well and truly stopped last Sunday, 21st June with a 24 – 4 win at home against the Kent Mariners, who had taken the previous 3 meetings and were looking for the season sweep.

 

It was somewhat of a mystery to Hawks manager Marty Cullen and some of the veteran players as to why the Hawks had continued to lose. Given the hitting talent of the lineup from 1 through 9 some team was going to suffer when it all came together, and the Mariners were that team.

 

Top 1st and Mark “H-train” Hoffman starts with a K; it seems as though it might just be the Hawks day, but then they’ve started well before and lost. After the 2nd Kent hitter reached with a single and stole second on a very close play at the bag, perhaps it would follow previous encounters. However, the next 2 batters were retired and the Hawks took up the bats.

 

Paul Auchterlounie, promoted to leadoff for only the 2nd time in his 10-yr Herts career reached on error and reached home on an RBI single by Carlos Casal. Game on! The next 3 batters reached before the first out of the inning. The bottom 3rd of the order all reached, including Little Leaguer Liam Green getting his first senior RBI. Paul A batted for the 2nd time in the inning, promptly hitting a triple bringing in 2 runs, and was then batted in by Humberto Goncalves. 8 runs in, great start.

 

A scoreless 2nd on both sides, with another 2 Ks by Hoffman, and a single run in the 3rd from Kent perhaps reminded Herts that the game was by no means over, and they plated another 3 in the bottom of the 3rd. Somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd inning should have been a caught stealing but Casal dropped the throw from Paul A with the runner a good foot away from 2nd base. Still, that’s baseball!

 

Herts blew the game open in the bottom of the 4th sending 13 batters to the plate, and all 9 runs came with 2 outs in the inning. Bochan replaced Goncalves on the base paths, and there were 2 RBIs each for Casal, Pete Kikel and Hunter Devine with Devine’s coming on a monster triple that went over the glove of LF into the corner.

 

Bottom of the 5th saw another change to the Hawks lineup as manager Cullen replaced Auchterlounie and Kal Dimitrov moved to behind the plate from CF. Bochan hit yet another triple and came home on an error. 3 runs from each team in the 6th inning left Kent needing a huge 11 runs just to avoid the 10-run slaughter rule. 2 K’s from Kikel – who replaced Hoffman on the mound – a walk and a popup ended the game.

 

Hawks players really showed what they’re about in this game, perhaps inspired watching the NBL Falcons come from behind to win their game 2 earlier in the day. Whatever it was, let’s hope it carries forward into Sunday’s DH at Thames Valley.

 

Can the 6 game losing streak be followed by an 11 game winning streak?

This is baseball. Anything can happen.

 

 

Kent Mariners at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Kent Mariners 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 4 3 9
Herts Hawks 8 0 3 9 1 3 0 24 20 3

Herts Hawks 24, Kent Mariners 4
Herts Hawks Kent Mariners
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Paul Auchterlounie c 3 4 2 3 Gary Ward p-ss 4 0 0 0
(b5) Marty Cullen c-cf 2 0 1 1 Gary O'Mare c 3 1 2 0
Humberto Goncalves 1b 4 1 2 1 Kalid Basyuni cf 3 1 0 0
(b4) Greg Bochan pr-1b-2b 2 2 1 1 Dicky Gofton ss-p 3 0 0 0
Carlos Casal 2b-3b 6 3 3 4 Dean Ward 1b 3 0 1 0
Peter Kikel 3b-p 6 3 3 4 Adam Brown 2b-lf-3b 3 1 0 0
Mark Hoffman p-1b 4 2 1 0 Adrian Plug lf 2 0 0 0
Kal Dimitrov cf-c 5 1 3 1 Nigel Ward rf 3 0 0 0
Hunter Devine ss 5 2 2 3 Matt Ward 2b-3b 2 1 0 0
Chris Barnes lf 4 2 1 1
Liam Green rf 3 4 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 44 24 20 20 TEAM TOTALS 26 4 3 0

E: Hunter Devine(2), Mark Hoffman, Matt Ward(3), Adam Brown(3), Dicky Gofton(2),
Kalid Basyuni. LOB: Kent Mariners 5, Herts Hawks 8. 2B: Humberto Goncalves(2), Peter
Kikel, Liam Green. 3B: Hunter Devine, Paul Auchterlounie, Greg Bochan, Gary O'Mare.
SB: Peter Kikel(2), Gary O'Mare(2), Kalid Basyuni, Dean Ward, Adrian Plug.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
Mark Hoffman W 6.00 3 4 0 3 9
Peter Kikel 1.00 0 0 0 1 2
Kent Mariners            
Gary Ward L 3.00 12 12 5 1 2
Dicky Gofton 3.00 8 12 5 3 2

HBP: by Dicky Gofton (Paul Auchterlounie). . . , by Gary Ward (Chris Barnes). . PB:
Paul Auchterlounie, Marty Cullen, Gary O'Mare(2). T: 2:43. A: 46.
by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS BOUNCE BACK, BEAT BRACKNELL BLAZERS

From special Newswire correspondent Jamie Munn:


After two tough losses to the London Mets, The Herts Falcons rebounded in the best way possible, by taking two from the Bracknell Blazers at Grovehill park.
After two tough losses to the London Mets, The Herts Falcons rebounded in the best way possible, by taking two from the Bracknell Blazers at Grovehill park.

In a fiercely fought league which sees the Falcons, Mets, Blazers & Flames constantly changing places, the Falcons reminded everyone that they are not to be taken lightly.

With the reliable Darrin Ward on the mound in game one for Herts, the phrases, ‘put the ball in play’, ‘make them make the outs’, ‘good defence’ & ‘Mr Ward will do the rest’ rang true. With 3 consecutive doubles to lead of the bottom of the 3rd from Andy Cornish, Lin Yuchih & Dan Kerry, the Falcons jumped to an early advantage, the same trio produced the goods in the bottom of the fourth, after Luis singled, Andy walked advanced to second on a wild pitch with Lin and Dan delivering singles as the Falcons took a 5-1 lead.

The top of the 5th however was anything but simple as the Falcons committed several errors with two outs. Bracknell scored 4 runs with the help of singles from Mike Trask, Connor Vernon & Matt Maitland, all of sudden the Falcons were back in a contest at 5-5.

The game wasn’t tied for long though, as the Falcons put one run on the board when Jason Greenberg singled, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on another error which Greenberg earned with good thinking. Darrin Ward recorded a quick 1-2-3 top of the sixth before the Falcons added another run in the bottom half of the inning when Luis Goncalves walked, advanced to 2nd on an error, stole 3rd & was batted forward to home.

With the score 7-5 to the Falcons & heading into the bottom of the seventh, it was up to Herts to finish it off. The inning started with a walk to Max Flasher with Jamie Fod pinch running. Matt Maitland then bunted putting runners at the corners, until the home plate umpire called Maitland out for touching home plate with his foot when bunting. So instead of 1st & 3rd with no outs, Bracknell had Jamie Fod at 1st with 1 out. Ward then struck out Connor Vernon looking. Deme van Nickerk singled to keep the Blazers alive but Cody Shepherd popped out with Darrin Ward and the Herts Falcons taking game 1.

The Falcons Nick Goetz had no intention of Game 2 having any other outcome than game 1. Finishing with figures of 7Innings pitched, 9hits, 3strikeouts and 2earned runs, Goetz produced another quality start which was backed by the Falcons bats coming from behind.

Trailing 6-3 going into the bottom of the fourth, Aspi Dimitrov walked and with two outs, batting 3, 4 & 5, Lin Yuchih, Darrin Ward & Dan Kerry all singled to reduce the deficit to 6-5. Lin, Darrin & Dan continue to showcase their great hitting ability as they finished a combined 6 for 10 with 4 rbi’s, and 5 runs.

Goetz was able to blank the Blazers in the 5th and 6th innings on just the required 6outs but was still trailing 6-5, until the bottom of the sixth when the Falcons batted round, scoring 5 runs, 3 coming with two outs. Dan Kerry, Kimiyoshi Saionji & Lee Manning all hitting singles, with Bracknell committing costly errors.

Nick was able to close the game out without conceding any more runs as the Herts Falcons took game two 10-6 to finish the week with a 10-6 record in the NBL. Next up for the Falcons is Croydon at Grovehill Park with a sweep guaranteeing Herts a place in this years Playoffs. An outcome only the Falcons had in mind at the start of the season.

GAME ONE

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

Herts Falcons 7, Bracknell Blazers 5
Herts Falcons Bracknell Blazers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Luis Goncalves ss 3 2 1 0 Player 1 c 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish rf 2 2 1 0 (t4) Sub 6 c 1 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih dh 3 1 2 2 Player 2 lf 3 1 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 3 0 2 3 Player 3 p-cf 4 0 2 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 0 0 Player 4 1b 3 0 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 2 2 1 0 Player 5 2b 2 1 0 0
John Oliver 1b 3 0 0 0 (t7) Sub 4 pr-2b 0 0 0 0
Nick Goetz 3b 3 0 0 0 Player 6 cf 2 1 1 0
Jamie Munn lf 2 0 0 0 (t4) Sub 1 p 2 1 1 1
Darrin Ward p 0 0 0 0 Player 7 ss 4 1 2 2
Player 8 3b 4 0 1 0
Player 9 rf 4 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 24 7 7 5 TEAM TOTALS 32 5 9 3

E: Luis Goncalves, Andy Cornish, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Nick Goetz, Jamie Munn, Sub 6(2),
Player 8, Sub 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 6, Bracknell Blazers 10. 2B: Andy Cornish, Dan
Kerry, Lin Yuchih. 3B: Player 6. SB: Lin Yuchih(2), Luis Goncalves(2), Jason
Greenberg(2), Player 5, Player 9. SF: Dan Kerry.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward 7.00 9 5 3 3 4
Bracknell Blazers            
Player 3 3.00 3 3 2 3 5
Sub 1 3.00 4 4 2 3 5

HBP: by Player 3 (Jason Greenberg). . . , by Darrin Ward (Player 5). . . WP: Sub 1.
PB: Player 1(2). T: 3:00. A: 0.

GAME TWO

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

Herts Falcons 10, Bracknell Blazers 6
Herts Falcons Bracknell Blazers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Luis Goncalves ss 2 2 0 0 Player 1 lf 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish lf 4 0 0 0 Player 2 2b 5 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih 2b 3 2 1 1 Player 3 cf-ss 4 0 0 0
Darrin Ward 3b 3 2 3 2 Player 4 dh-1b 1 1 1 0
Dan Kerry cf 4 1 2 1 Player 5 1b-3b 2 1 1 0
Mike Wakelam dh 3 0 0 0 (b3) Sub 2 c 2 1 1 0
(b6) Kimiyoshi Saionji dh 1 1 1 1 Player 6 ss 1 0 0 0
Louis Hare 1b 4 0 0 0 (b1) Sub 1 pr-p 1 1 1 1
Lee Manning c 3 0 1 1 (b3) Sub 4 p 2 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov rf 2 2 0 0 Player 7 c-3b 3 1 3 1
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0 Player 8 rf 2 1 1 0
Player 9 cf-3b 3 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 29 10 8 6 TEAM TOTALS 29 6 9 2

E: Darrin Ward(2), Lin Yuchih, Luis Goncalves, Aspi Dimitrov, Player 3(2), Player 1,
Player 4, Player 5, Player 6. LOB: Herts Falcons 8, Bracknell Blazers 10. SB: Player
3, Player 4, Player 9. CS: Dan Kerry. SB: Player 9, Player 1.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz 7.00 9 6 2 4 3
Bracknell Blazers            
Sub 4 4.00 7 9 2 5 6
Sub 1 2.00 1 1 0 2 2

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Player 4). . . , by Nick Goetz (Player 4). . WP: Sub 4. PB: Sub
2(4). Balk: Nick Goetz. T: 3:00. A: 0.

by AspiDimitrov

DIE HARD EAGLES

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

The Herts Eagles extended their winning streak to three games with another sensational victory at Grovehill against the Sidewinders.  Fresh from two victories against Burgess Hill the previous week, and buoyed by memories of their extra-innings win over the same opponents earlier in the season, the Eagles were confident of further success.

 

With runs hard to come by in another pitching duel, there was little between the two sides but the visiting Sidewinders eventually edged ahead.

 

Many of the team felt it was a case of deja-vu as for the second week in a row they entered the final inning trailing by a run after another hard fought encounter.  However, after two quick outs it seemed like this time there was to be no 'great escape'.  Outfielder Jon Lewys, a late call-up from the Raptors squad, refused to go down without a fight though, slapping another base hit up the middle, setting the scene for Carlos Casal to come up with the game's big hit – an RBI triple to the fence in left field that scored Lewys all the way from first base and tied the game.

 

With the Sidewinders a little deflated and victory just 90 feet away, pitcher Louis Hare sealed victory for himself and the team with an RBI single, restoring the Eagles to a .500 record, with 7 wins and 7 losses on the season – an amazing performance given their step up from AA last year.

 

Unfortunately the Eagles weren't able to build on their momentum and fell to a comprehensive defeat in the second game.  The main point of note in the game was a collision at home plate between Eagles player-manager Dave Westfallen and the Sidewinders catcher that left the visiting catcher concussed.  All agreed it was a fair play (simply a result of tough, no-holds barred baseball) but everyone at the ballpark wish the injured player a speedy recovery.

 

The Eagles now have a week off, before their re-arranged visit to the Bournemouth Sharks, a game which was rained out earlier in the season.

by AspiDimitrov

STOP THE PRESSES: FALCONS TAKE FIRST


Photo Credit and Article from Joe Grey of BaseballGB
(amended by Newswire Staff)

The Falcons jumped to the top of the National Baseball League this Sunday, after sending the Croydon Pirates further into the basement with a drubbing in both games of their doubleheader at Roundshaw Playing Fields in Croydon.

The Pirates, who have struggled to field a side of late, showed flashes of their old self but were still put to the sword by scores of 20-2 and 13-8.

Darrin Ward took the win for Herts in Game One, while Nic Goetz claimed the honors in Game Two.

The second match, in particular, was full of unconventional quirks that kept the fans engaged and the sideline-historians deep in “never seen that before” exchanges.  In the bottom of the first inning, Pirate Maikel Azcuy clubbed a home run over the short right field porch off Goetz.  He was mobbed by his teammates near the plate, elated that their fortunes seemed to be turning after a 1-2-3 top of the Falcons 1st.  But some heads-up work from catcher Lee Manning wiped the dinger off the scorepages – Azcuy never touched home plate after rounding the bases, and Manning simply brought the ball there to get the out from umpire Dave Thomson.

Then, late in the game as the Falcons were staging a late-inning comeback, Lin Yuchih was forced out at second base on a fielders choice for the second out of the inning.  The Pirates threw on to 1st, trying to double-up runner-batter Andy Cornish… and then turned around to see Lin walking off the field via third base.  Mistaking him for a runner-in-play they attempted to catch Lin (who ran into the pickle not sure if he was really out or safe at 2nd base!), tagged him, and ran off the field believing the inning had ended.  It wasn't until the Herts side and official scorers had convinced the umpires that Lin was actually charged with two outs in the same inning that the Croydon players were sent back onto the field to get out number three.

Despite the day's antics, the Falcons walked away from Roundshaw with their heads held high.  In just their first year in the National League they've established themselves as post-season contenders.  While a one game lead over Bracknell, Richmond and London is slim, it's a lead nonetheless… and more than Herts (or their rivals and critics) would have expected from an expansion team.  With half the season to play anything can happen.  But the League should probably start-over their search for the true underdogs – the Falcons don't seem to be rolling over for anyone.

Note: the other scheduled action in Week 8, a doubleheader between the Richmond Flames and London Mets, was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Finsbury Park.

GAME ONE

Herts Falcons at Croydon Pirates
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 5 0 3 12 20 8 2
Croydon Pirates 2 0 0 0 0 2 5 2

Herts Falcons 20, Croydon Pirates 2
Herts Falcons Croydon Pirates
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Riley Fisher 3b 3 3 2 2 Player 1 p 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish lf 3 2 2 5 (t5) Daniel Rose lf-p 0 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih 2b 4 1 1 3 Ron Almonte ss 2 1 0 0
Darrin Ward p 2 2 1 3 Jessie Quinones c-1b 3 0 0 0
Jason Greenberg c 2 2 0 1 Daniel Quinones 1b-rf 2 1 1 1
Nick Goetz ss 2 1 0 1 Jose Sosa 2b-3b 3 0 1 0
(t5) Luis Goncalves ss 0 0 0 0 Pdero Padilla 2b 1 0 0 0
Lee Manning 1b 2 2 1 1 (t3) Maikel Azcuy 2b-3b 0 0 0 0
John Oliver rf 1 4 1 1 Brandon Florence lf-p 2 0 0 0
Jamie Munn cf 0 3 0 1 Tadashi Zushi cf 2 0 1 0
Mark Morgenroth rf 2 0 2 0
(t5) Marco Moreno c 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 19 20 8 18 TEAM TOTALS 20 2 5 1

E: Riley Fisher, Nick Goetz, Player 1, Brandon Florence. DP: Croydon Pirates 2. LOB:
Herts Falcons 4, Croydon Pirates 6. 2B: Lin Yuchih, Andy Cornish. SB: Lee Manning,
John Oliver, Ron Almonte, Mark Morgenroth. SB: Nick Goetz. SF: Nick Goetz, Lee
Manning.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 5.00 5 2 1 3 2
Croydon Pirates            
Jessie Quinones 2.67 0 6 6 0 0
Player 1 L 1.33 6 9 8 9 1
Brandon Florence 1.00 2 3 3 2 1
Daniel Rose 0.00 0 2 2 2 0

HBP: by Player 1 (Jason Greenberg), by Player 1 (Andy Cornish). . , by Player 1
(Riley Fisher). , by Daniel Rose (Riley Fisher). WP: Player 1(5). T: 2:23. A: 39.

GAME TWO

Herts Falcons at Croydon Pirates
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 3 0 1 0 0 4 5 13 8 4
Croydon Pirates 0 2 0 3 0 1 2 8 8 5

Herts Falcons 13, Croydon Pirates 8
Herts Falcons Croydon Pirates
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Riley Fisher 3b 2 2 0 0 Ron Almonte ss 4 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 3 2 2 Jose Sosa p 4 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih dh 5 1 1 0 Maikel Azcuy 3b 3 1 1 0
Andy Cornish rf 5 0 0 1 Jessie Quinones c 4 1 1 0
Lee Manning c 3 2 0 0 Daniel Quinones rf 4 2 0 0
Luis Goncalves ss 2 1 0 1 Brandon Florence lf 1 2 1 0
John Oliver 1b 4 1 1 1 (t7) Pdero Padilla lf 1 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 1 1 0 Tadashi Zushi cf 3 2 2 3
Jamie Munn cf 4 2 3 1 (b7) Daniel Rose cf 1 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0 Stephen Gayle 2b 2 0 1 0
(b7) Nicardio Simms 2b 1 0 0 0
M Moreno 1b 3 0 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 32 13 8 6 TEAM TOTALS 31 8 8 4

E: Luis Goncalves(2), Lee Manning, Riley Fisher, Maikel Azcuy, Stephen Gayle, Jessie
Quinones, M Moreno, Tadashi Zushi. DP: Croydon Pirates 1. LOB: Croydon Pirates 7,
Herts Falcons 7. 2B: Tadashi Zushi, Brandon Florence. 3B: Maikel Azcuy. SB: Luis
Goncalves, John Oliver, Aspi Dimitrov, Brandon Florence, Tadashi Zushi.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 8 8 5 5 4
Croydon Pirates            
Jose Sosa L 7.00 8 13 5 8 7

HBP: by Jose Sosa (Luis Goncalves). WP: Nick Goetz(2), Jose Sosa. PB: Lee Manning,
Jessie Quinones. Balk: Jose Sosa(2). T: 2:34. A: 39.

by AspiDimitrov

SUN SHINES ON THE MAVERICKS’ RALLY

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, Jon Gamble

 

Few things are as unpredictable as the weather in an English summer.  A sure rain-off for the afternoon's game in Guilford looks likely. Yet as the Raptors arrive to face the Mavericks, it is one of those perfect sunny June days in England that are made for a game of baseball.

 

The Raptors are confident coming out of a strong win at Richmond the previous week. The confidence shows right from the start. With bases loaded, Jonathon Lewys thumps a 3-run home run deep into the playing fields of leafy Surrey. The Raptors have turned up for a game.

 

The Mavericks reply with a couple of runs. They don't look flustered. The early innings settle into a low-scoring scrap with both sides defending with grit. At the top of the fifth, the Raptors change gear. Paul Curtis and Steve Nippress both hit doubles. Jonathon Lewys decides it's time to belt another 3-run home run – with bases loaded off course. He is in imperious form.

 

The Mavericks finally look a little rattled. Time-out. Out goes TJ Sheridan with the Mavericks' bullpen in action. Andrew Slater is promptly hit by fiery low pitch but manages to get round in some obvious pain. This is leading from the front. At the end of the inning, the Raptors are on top with a commanding 15-3 lead.

 

The Mavericks are going to have to dig deep to get out of a hole. They reply with 5 doubles in the bottom of the fifth, score 7 runs and show that they are not ready to be sent to bed early. 15-10 looks a lot better.

 

What the Maverick's new pitcher lacks in accuracy he makes up for in vim. Some of his pitches are so zesty that even the umpire is having trouble seeing how low they are. The Raptors are hustled out in the top of the fifth – with only Steve Nippress getting round.

 

They put on a couple of runs in the bottom of the sixth. It is 16-12 at the end of the innings. Everyone suddenly knows that they're in a game not a walk-over. Ilya Dimitrov and Steve Nippress both hit doubles in the top of the seventh. Steve is having a helluva game with both bat and mitt – by now. Jon Gamble strikes out looking after dodging pitches round the ankles and at head height. He is still looking for the pitch that struck him out. 19-12 at the top of the seventh.

 

The Mavericks made the most of a couple of fielding errors and picked up the rally they started in the bottom of the fifth to reply with 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh. The Mavericks are not the kind of team that gives up when they're behind. They rode their luck. Once they had pulled the game back to 19-17, their tails were up. Both teams out up a run each in the eighth with the game finely balanced.. 

 

The Raptors had lead all the way through the game, going into the ninth inning 20-18 but could not hold the Mavericks in the final inning. They had played catch-up all game and finally made it. The Raptors left Godalming a little disappointed but somehow satisfied that they had fought hard in a closely fought game. Driving home through Buckinghamshire, the heavens opened and the thunder clapped. Few things are as unpredictable as the English weather in summer – except maybe the Mavericks' relief pitcher.

 

Click for more images from the game, courtesy of Jon Gamble.

 

Herts Raptors at Guildford Mavericks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Herts Raptors 4 1 1 0 9 1 3 1 0 20 16 5
Guildford Mavericks 2 1 0 0 7 2 5 1 3 21 22 9

Guildford Mavericks 21, Herts Raptors 20
Guildford Mavericks Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
TJ Sheridan p 6 1 1 1 Matt Johnston cf 5 2 1 0
Michael Burdett c 7 3 3 2 Nick Read c 4 2 1 0
Tom Sheridan 1b 7 2 3 4 Jonathon Lewys 3b 6 3 4 7
Dante Taglucop 2b 5 2 3 2 Andrew Slater p 5 3 1 1
Ally Carr 3b 5 2 1 0 Ilya Dimitrov ss 5 4 3 1
Peter Badenhuizen ss 5 2 3 2 Jack Calow 2b 3 1 1 0
James Cumper lf 6 4 4 2 (t5) Neil Brackley 2b 2 0 0 0
Marty Poulter cf 6 3 3 1 Paul Curtis 1b 5 2 3 4
Rik Travers rf 4 2 1 1 Steve Nippress lf 5 2 2 2
          Phil Hynes rf 2 0 0 0
          (t4) Robert Crouch rf 3 1 0 1
          (t7) Jon Gamble rf 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 51 21 22 15 TEAM TOTALS 45 20 16 16

E: TJ Sheridan(2), Michael Burdett(2), Tom Sheridan(2), Dante Taglucop(2), Ally Carr,
Paul Curtis(2), Jonathon Lewys, Ilya Dimitrov, Jack Calow. LOB: Herts Raptors 9,
Guildford Mavericks 11. 2B: Tom Sheridan(3), Michael Burdett, TJ Sheridan, Dante
Taglucop, Peter Badenhuizen, Marty Poulter, Jonathon Lewys(2), Steve Nippress(2),
Ilya Dimitrov, Andrew Slater, Paul Curtis. HR: Jonathon Lewys(2). SB: James
Cumper(4), Michael Burdett(2), Dante Taglucop(2), TJ Sheridan, Marty Poulter, Ally
Carr, Rik Travers, Ilya Dimitrov(3), Steve Nippress(2), Jonathon Lewys(2), Matt
Johnston(2), Paul Curtis. CS: Andrew Slater.

Guildford Mavericks IP H R ER BB SO
TJ Sheridan W 9.00 16 20 13 10 11
Herts Raptors            
Andrew Slater L 8.33 22 21 16 6 3

HBP: by TJ Sheridan (Andrew Slater). . . . . WP: Andrew Slater(3). PB: Nick Read(2).
T: 4:35. A: 32.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS PUNISH FLAMES FOR ERROR-STREWN FIELDING

This article and images were provided by Joe Gray and were first published on Mister Baseball

 

The only National Baseball League (NBL) action last Sunday was a double-header between the Herts Falcons and Richmond Flames at Grovehill Ballpark.  Richmond were missing  several players, including the multi-talented Ryan Bird (suspended) and the dangerous Cody Cain, but their line-up still contained enough talent for the spectators at Grovehill Ballpark to be expecting two victories for the visitors.

Those spectators were to be treated to two gripping contests, with the HERTS FALCONS coming from behind to edge both games by 1 run. While the FALCONS’ sweep came as a surprise, the same cannot be said for the ingredients of the victories: HERTS combined well-drilled fielding, intelligent pitching, and opportunistic base-running, as they have done all season.

Their off-field programme is widely acknowledged as being a beacon for baseball development in Britain, and now they have proven that their club also deserves recognition on the field at the highest level of the game. This last statement would apply even if the FALCONS had lost all four of their 1-run contests, because the fact that they have just been keeping scorelines respectable against established NBL sides is some achievement for a team making a jump from playing in the second tier of baseball in 2008

 

Richmond Flames 6

Herts Falcons 7

 

After Yoshi Saito led off with a single for the FLAMES and the home team then failed to convert the second half of a makeable double-play opportunity, it looked like RICHMOND might get on the board in the first inning. However, the FALCONS’ starter Nick Goetz served up a second ground ball, and this time the HERTS infield did turn the double-play, suggesting that the failed effort one batter earlier was merely indicative of early-game nerves.

Goetz’s mound rival was the experienced hurler Michael Osborn (pictured to the left), who had overpowered the FALCONS just 3 weeks earlier, striking out 11 in a 10-3 victory. Osborn looked strong once more, but he had lost the advantage of novelty and, more significantly, his pitching was not backed up by his infield in the way it deserved to be. By the time Osborn got out of the first inning, the FLAMES defence had already gifted the FALCONS 4 runs.

RICHMOND halved the deficit in the second inning, and despite HERTS scoring another run in the bottom of the fifth frame, the FLAMES were able to take the lead in the top of the next inning, aided by a two-out 3-run double off the bat of Brett Wakeley, the number-nine hitter. This made the score 6-5.

 

In the bottom of the sixth, HERTS levelled the game with Andy Cornish stealing third and then advancing home after the attempt to gun him down ended up in the outfield. The FALCONS then attempted a squeeze bunt to plate the go-ahead run, with Aspi Dimitrov on third, Riley Fisher at bat, one out, and a count of 1-and-2.  The bunt went foul, though, and a long fly-ball off the bat of Jason Greenberg, the next batter, was caught in centre field to end the inning.

 

Goetz retired the first RICHMOND batter in the top of the final regulation inning but then gave up a walk to the next batter (his third of the game), which was followed by back-to-back singles to load the bases. Up stepped Brad Crinion, who had worked 11 pitches for a walk in his previous plate appearance (as part of the FLAMES’ 4-run rally in the sixth). Included in those 11 pitches were three fiercely hit balls that just strayed foul down the third-base line. In the seventh, though, Goetz pitched masterfully to Crinion, striking him out on three swings.

 

With the bases still loaded, the left-handed hitter Matt Spaulding came up to bat. He hit a grounder straight at first baseman Darrin Ward, and for a moment it looked like a bobble might take the ball away from the dependable gloveman, but Ward managed to handle it and then got across to first to retire Spaulding by two steps.

 

In the bottom of the seventh, the FALCONS got their lead-off hitter, Lin Yuchih, aboard with a walk, but Darrin Ward grounded into a force-out at second for the first out. With Kimiyoshi Saionji at bat (pictured right), HERTS might have considered bringing in a pinch-runner for Ward but this would have taken his glove out of the game if it had gone into extra innings.

 

Saionji had delivered a walk-off hit when HERTS defeated LONDON back at the start of May, and he did the same once again with his double to the recently installed permanent fence scoring Ward all the way from first.

 

Tellingly, this was the first earned run that Osborn had given up in the game.

 

 

Richmond Flames 4

Herts Falcons 5

 

Darrin Ward (pictured right) picked up the win in this game to join Henry Collins of BRACKNELL and Michael Osborn as the first pitchers to get to three victories this season.

 

RICHMOND opened the game with a 3-run first inning, but HERTS scored a run in each of the first four innings, while RICHMOND added only a solo home run, hit by Grant Delzoppo, through the top of the fifth inning.

 

With the game tied at 4-4, Ward led off the bottom of the fifth with a double and advanced to third on a ground-out to short. Like they had in game one, HERTS tried the squeeze bunt, but the RICHMOND pitcher Brad Crinion was clearly wise to the ploy as he directed the pitch well above the strike zone, making it impossible for Lee Manning to put bat on ball. This left Ward an easy out at the plate, killing the threat.

 

After holding the FLAMES to no score in the top of the sixth, the FALCONS again found themselves with one out and a runner on base, Jamie Munn (pictured left). This time, the call was made to bring in Andy Cornish as a pinch-hitter. He connected for a single to score Munn and leave the FALCONS three outs away from a second victory of the day.

 

Despite having to face the heart of RICHMOND’s batting line-up in the seventh, Ward struck out the side to complete an unlikely sweep.

 

The results left four teams tied for first in the NBL: RICHMOND (7-5), HERTS (6-4), LONDON (6-4), and BRACKNELL (5-3). The CROYDON PIRATES, the NBL’s fifth team, are yet to register a win.

 

Joe Gray writes for BaseballGB and also looks after Great British top-tier statistics, Project Cobb, and the Great Britain National Team archive.

More images from the game courtesy of Joe Gray

GAME 1

Richmond Flames at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Richmond Flames 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 6 11 11
Herts Falcons 4 0 0 0 1 1 1 7 4 2

Herts Falcons 7, Richmond Flames 6
Herts Falcons Richmond Flames
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Riley Fisher 3b 4 1 0 0 Saito Yoshi ss 4 0 3 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 1 0 0 Mann Mike 2b 4 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih dh 3 1 0 0 Grant Delzoppo c 2 0 0 0
Darrin Ward 1b 4 2 3 1 Guy Lidbetter lf-3b 4 1 2 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 1 1 2 Mike Osborn p 4 2 3 1
Luis Goncalves ss 3 0 0 1 Brad Crinion 1b 3 1 1 1
Andy Cornish rf 3 1 0 0 Mitt Spalding rf 4 1 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 0 0 0 George Naumczik cf 2 1 1 2
Jamie Munn cf 3 0 0 0 Brett Wakeley 3b-lf 3 0 1 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 30 7 4 4 TEAM TOTALS 30 6 11 4

E: Nick Goetz, Aspi Dimitrov, Guy Lidbetter(4), Mann Mike(2), Brett Wakeley(2), Saito
Yoshi, Brad Crinion, Grant Delzoppo. DP: Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 6,
Richmond Flames 7. 2B: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Brett Wakeley. SB: Aspi Dimitrov, Andy
Cornish. SF: Kimiyoshi Saionji, George Naumczik.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 11 6 6 3 4
Richmond Flames            
Mike Osborn L 6.33 4 7 1 1 8

PB: Grant Delzoppo. T: 2:08. A: 38.

GAME 2

Richmond Flames at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Richmond Flames 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 5 6
Herts Falcons 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 5 8 2

Herts Falcons 5, Richmond Flames 4
Herts Falcons Richmond Flames
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Riley Fisher 3b 4 1 3 0 Saito Yoshi ss 3 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji rf 3 0 0 0 Mike Osborn 3b 4 0 0 0
Lin Yuchih 2b 3 1 1 0 Delzoppo Grant c 3 2 2 1
Darrin Ward p 3 1 2 0 Guy Lidbetter 1b 4 1 1 2
Luis Goncalves ss 1 0 0 0 Brad Crinion p 3 0 1 1
Lee Manning 1b 3 0 0 0 Brett Wakeley lf 2 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 1 1 1 George Naumczik cf 3 0 0 0
Jamie Munn cf 3 1 0 0 Matt Spalding rf 3 0 0 0
Jason Greenberg c 2 0 0 0 Mike Mann 2b 3 0 0 0
(t6) Andy Cornish c 1 0 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 26 5 8 2 TEAM TOTALS 28 4 5 4

E: Riley Fisher(2), Mike Mann(3), Saito Yoshi(2), Matt Spalding. LOB: Herts Falcons
5, Richmond Flames 6. 2B: Darrin Ward, Guy Lidbetter, Brad Crinion. HR: Delzoppo
Grant. SB: Lin Yuchih(2), Luis Goncalves, Aspi Dimitrov.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 5 4 4 3 5
Richmond Flames            
Brad Crinion L 6.00 8 5 1 2 3

WP: Brad Crinion. T: 1:55. A: 38.