This article by BSUK special correspondent Simon Fitzjohn, was first published on www.britishbaseball.org
The Mildenhall Bulldogs claimed the prized final playoff spot in 2010, and the Richmond Flames laid down an impressive marker as the National Baseball League regular season drew to a close on Sunday 21 August. The Bulldogs swept the Herts Falcons in a winner-takes-all showdown, while the Flames eased past heavyweights Bracknell Blazers.
Herts Falcons’ leading batter, Dan Kerry, had to be taken out of the first game with a suspected broken toe.
Everyone connected with Herts wishes him a speedy recovery. (photo by www.HP2photographic.com)
HERTS FALCONS AT MILDENHALL BULLDOGS
Anyone expecting a tension-filled, tight brace of encounters were to be disappointed as the Bulldogs rolled to impressive 11-4 and 18-1 victories. Barry Wiles and Ken Reber picked up the wins on the mound, sentencing Pete Kikel and Nic Goetz to defeat and erasing the Falcons from the play-off picture in the process. Herts’ Aspi Dimitrov said, “My immediate reaction is obviously one of disappointment. We were so close to making it, but all of the credit must go to Mildenhall. They fully deserved their wins.” “I would predict that if they have their full roster available for the play-offs they are going to surprise a few people and could even go all the way.”
BRACKNELL BLAZERS AT RICHMOND FLAMES
Richmond swept the Blazers in impressive fashion to wrap-up their third-placed finish in style. The Flames were 13-0 and 6-5 winners, with Ryan Bird and Rob Unsell taking the pitching honours. Coach Grant Delzoppo also clubbed a two-run home run in game one as part of an impressive all-round display. Delzoppo said: “We are really pleased. To get two wins and finish the season on a high is a real plus for us. We beat their best pitchers. It is always good to beat a side like Bracknell and this will give us a real boost heading into the play-offs.”