Author: Herts Baseball News Editor

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Black Sox snatch Michels from Falcons

Jake Michels was wearing the Herts jersey last Sunday. This weekend he will be wearing the pinstripes of the New York Black Sox (photo of Michels with Herts jersey by British Baseball Magazine, click on image for more)

The New York Black Sox have acquired Herts Falcons right handed pitcher and third baseman, Jake Michels. He was one of the big additions to the Herts roster this winter adding power to the batting lineup as well as a very solid glove at third base and a reliable arm as part of the Falcons pitching rotation.

No one knows how far the Falcons will go this season, but Michels has certainly played a vital role in the season so far contributing in the team’s very successful start . He leaves with the Falcons sitting on top of the NBL standings with 8 wins and 2 losses.

Michels joins the New York Black Sox who play in the Hudson Valley National Adult Baseball Association (HVNABA) which is the same league he played in prior to his move to Herts this winter. He previously played for the Athletics but now he will be wearing the Black Sox jersey.

Fans of Herts and British baseball will be following Jake Michels’ progress in his efforts to be selected by the Great Britain National Team in what is expected to be one of the most exciting years for GB Baseball in recent history.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts unveil upgraded BSUK-funded baseball facilities

photo by hp2photographic.com

Earlier this year Herts Baseball Club completed the latest stage of development of Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. The wettest April on record halted the British baseball leagues but finally on Saturday the rain stopped and youth baseball teams and fans from across the country came down to the ballpark to officially unveil the upgraded facilities.

Teams from Horsham and Leicester made the long trip to Hertfordshire to join teams from Herts for a day of baseball in the Under-17, Under-14 and Under-11 British baseball leagues.

During the opening ceremony the teams had the opportunity to recognise the fantastic support from BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) who awarded a £10,000 grant for the Grovehill Ballpark project in line with their 2009-2013 Whole Sport Plan and Sport England’s strategic aims for the sport. This grant, together with nearly £7,000 raised separately by Herts through various fund-raising activities, was invested in the installation of perimeter fencing along the first and third base dead-ball lines of both diamonds, making each diamond a fully-enclosed baseball venue. Further fencing was installed to create four fully-enclosed team dugouts for home and visiting teams on both diamonds.

Teams from Herts, Horsham and Leicester observe the national anthem

Herts Baseball Club President, Aspi Dimitrov, said: “This is just one of so many Herts projects which BSUK has supported. Apart from the ballpark development, BSUK was instrumental in starting our club’s youth programme in 2007 and it is very fitting that the upgraded facilities are being unveiled by the members of the youth programme”. Dimitrov added: “In addition to BSUK’s £10,000 grant there have been so many members and parents involved in raising the additional £7,000. Without them this would not have been possible. It was also very appropriate that Horsham and Leicester were present as they have also contributed over the years by taking part in events such as the Herts Futures Tournament and the Herts Spring League which have generated additional funds for the ballpark development. Everyone has played a part in building these baseball facilities and teams from around Great Britain will be able to enjoy them for many years to come”.

After the opening ceremony fans enjoyed four baseball games.  For full reports, box scores, gamecast, photos and more from these games follow the links below:

U17 League: Horsham Hornets @ Herts All Stars U17

U14 League: Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U14

U11 League: Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U11

U11 League: NEW GAMECAST Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U11

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Clark 2-run blast takes Falcons back to the top of the NBL

Phil Clark launches a home run in the sixth inning to give Herts the lead (photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view more)

The Herts Falcons are back on top of the NBL after sweeping the Croydon Pirates. Game one was a blow out win but game two required some outstanding pitching and late-inning heroics form Herts to secure the win.

The team returned home to their ballpark in Hertfordshire after spending the previous 6 weeks on the road. They jumped on top of the Pirates quickly taking a 16-0 lead after just 3 innings. Two-time League MVP, Ryan Bird, was on fire going 3-4 with two doubles and a triple (2 RBI). Robbie Unsell, Jake Michels and Kevin Niedringhaus also had a multiple-hit game. New signing Jeff House made his debut on the mound pitching a complete game allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 8 in the process.

Click to view Game 1 box scores and play-by-play

After such convincing victory for the home team it was hard to imagine what Croydon could do to avoid defeat in the second game, but the Pirates once again proved that they are a very stubborn opponent.

They took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. All of the runs were unearned after Herts uncharacteristically committed 3 errors. Jose Sosa took the mound for the Pirates. Despite tying the game at 2-2 the Herts bats were kept very quite. Sosa has always been a fighter and he enhanced his reputation further with today’s performance. Thankfully for the Falcons, starter Louis Hare was pitching a gem. He went the distance pitching a complete game allowing only 5 hits, 1 walk and no earned runs.

Dave Tretheway representing the go-ahead run is greated at home plate (photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view more)

Another 3 errors allowed the Pirates to regain the lead. It was 3-2 now and the Falcons needed a spark to get back in the game as time was starting to run out. Jake Michels provided that spark driving in Robbie Unsell with a double to tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth. It came down to the bottom of the sixth. With Tretheway reaching base on four balls, up stepped left-handed batter Phil Clark to launch a 2-run bomb over the right field fence and put the Falcons in the lead for the first time. Another 3 runs scored in the inning after a 1-run single by Unsell and a second double by Jake Michels driving in 2 more runs. Louis Hare completed the game with three-up-three-down final inning. He allowed only one Croydon player to get on base in the critical last three innings of the game.

Click to view Game2 box scores and play-by-play

After the final pitch Herts Falcons Manager, Lee Manning, commented on the games: “Dominant hitting won us the first game with a strong outing from Jeff House. Game 2 was challenging as Croydon played very good baseball. We were chasing the game from the start and if it wasn’t for Phil’s bat we could have ended up on the losing end like we did against Lakenheath last week” He added that “Louis also pitched great not allowing any earned runs”.

The two wins put the Falcons half a game ahead of the chasing pack in the NBL race which is proving to be the most exciting for years. In their 4 seasons as an NBL team the Falcons have been top of the table only once. That was back in 2009 and lasted for 1 week only. Will the team manage to sustain the current impressive run all the way to the end? One thing is certain – the rest of the league is starting to notice that something is happening at Herts.

Next game for the Falcons is a home encounter versus the surging Essex Arrows next Saturday, 27 May.  First pitch 12:00pm.

CORRECTION: The report from last week’s NBL game between the Herts Falcons and the Lakenhetah Diamondbacks incorrectly stated that the losing pitcher was Mike Osborn.  Osborn started the game but was later relieved with a “no decision” situation and the game going to extra innings.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Box scores: Croydon Pirates 2 Herts Falcons 17 (NBL)

Croydon Pirates at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Croydon Pirates 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 9
Herts Falcons 5 5 6 1 0 17 10 1

 

Herts Falcons 17, Croydon Pirates 2
Herts Falcons Croydon Pirates
ab r h bi ab r h bi
UNSELL Robbie ss 3 2 2 2 QAQISH Tony p-ss 3 1 1 0
(t4) SAIONJI Kimiyoshi 2b 0 0 0 0 DOS SANTOS Alcindo 3b-c 2 0 0 0
HICHE Cristobal cf 3 2 0 0 RIFFLE Conor 1b-p 2 1 1 1
MICHELS Jacob 3b 4 3 2 1 SOSA Jose 1b-ss-2b 2 0 1 1
BIRD Ryan 1b 4 3 3 2 LEWELLYN Dylan lf-3b 2 0 0 0
TRETHEWAY David lf 3 2 0 0 DOHERTY Jamie 2b-ss 2 0 0 0
CLARK Phil dh 3 3 1 2 DOS SANTOS Jose cf-lf 1 0 0 0
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin 2b-ss 4 1 2 2 SSALI Tim c-cf 2 0 0 0
(b4) HARE Louis pr-ss 0 0 0 0 SEHATAPY Marlon rf 2 0 0 0
HOUSE David c 4 0 0 1
PRASAD Mahendra p-rf 2 1 0 0
HOUSE Jeff p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 30 17 10 10 TEAM TOTALS 18 2 3 2

 

E: MICHELS Jacob , DOHERTY Jamie(5), SOSA Jose(3), DOS SANTOS Alcindo. LOB: Croydon
Pirates 2, Herts Falcons 6. 2B: BIRD Ryan(2), UNSELL Robbie, CLARK Phil, QAQISH Tony.
3B: BIRD Ryan. SB: UNSELL Robbie(3), HICHE Cristobal, NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin, HOUSE
David, PRASAD Mahendra. CS: DOS SANTOS Alcindo.

 

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
HOUSE Jeff W 5.00 3 2 2 1 8
Croydon Pirates
QAQISH Tony L 3.00 8 16 6 2 2
RIFFLE Conor 1.00 2 1 0 0 0

 

HBP: by QAQISH Tony (HICHE Cristobal). , by QAQISH Tony (CLARK Phil), by QAQISH Tony
(PRASAD Mahendra). . . WP: HOUSE Jeff(2), QAQISH Tony(2). T: 2:00. A: 78.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 1st:
QAQISH Tony flied out.
DOS SANTOS Alcindo reached on error, caught trying to steal 2nd.
RIFFLE Conor flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 1st:
UNSELL Robbie walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error.
HICHE Cristobal grounded out.
MICHELS Jacob reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
BIRD Ryan reached on error, batted forward to home.
TRETHEWAY David grounded out.
CLARK Phil doubled, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin singled, stole 2nd, advanced to home on error, 1 RBI.
HOUSE David reached on error, stole 2nd.
PRASAD Mahendra struck out swinging.
5 runs, 2 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 2nd:
SOSA Jose grounded out.
LEWELLYN Dylan struck out swinging.
DOHERTY Jamie struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 2nd:
UNSELL Robbie singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd (double steal), advanced to home on wild
pitch.
HICHE Cristobal hit by pitch, stole 2nd (double steal), advanced to 3rd on wild
pitch, batted forward to home.
MICHELS Jacob singled, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error, 1 RBI.
BIRD Ryan doubled, advanced to 3rd on error, forced out at home.
TRETHEWAY David walked, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to
home on error.
CLARK Phil reached on error, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to home on error.
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin reached on fielder’s choice, advanced to 3rd on error.
HOUSE David reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, tagged out going to 3rd.
PRASAD Mahendra struck out swinging.
UNSELL Robbie reached on fielder’s choice.
5 runs, 3 hits, 3 errors, 2 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 3rd:
DOS SANTOS Jose struck out swinging.
SSALI Tim struck out swinging.
SEHATAPY Marlon grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 3rd:
HICHE Cristobal reached on error, batted forward to home.
MICHELS Jacob singled, batted forward to home.
BIRD Ryan tripled, advanced to home on error, 2 RBI.
TRETHEWAY David reached on error, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to
home.
CLARK Phil hit by pitch, batted forward to home.
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin grounded out.
HOUSE David grounded out, 1 RBI.
PRASAD Mahendra hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
UNSELL Robbie doubled, 2 RBI.
HICHE Cristobal popped out.
6 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 4th:
QAQISH Tony doubled, batted forward to home.
DOS SANTOS Alcindo flied out.
RIFFLE Conor singled, advanced to 2nd on throw, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
SOSA Jose singled, advanced to 2nd on throw, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, 1 RBI.
LEWELLYN Dylan struck out swinging.
DOHERTY Jamie struck out swinging.
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 4th:
MICHELS Jacob flied out.
BIRD Ryan doubled, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward to home.
TRETHEWAY David popped out.
CLARK Phil reached on error, batted forward to 3rd.
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin singled, HARE Louis ran for batter, 1 RBI.
HOUSE David flied out.
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 5th:
DOS SANTOS Jose walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch.
SSALI Tim struck out swinging.
SEHATAPY Marlon struck out swinging.
QAQISH Tony grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
by Herts Baseball News Editor

Hawks prevail in a Mammoth clash at the top of the table

Jon Lewys's power could be critical as we get closer to the postseason. He went 3-4 RBI

The Herts Hawks came up against the unbeaten AA League leaders the London Mammoths with a chance to overtake them. To do this they needed to win both games of this doubleheader.

Nic Goetz started game one on the back of his complete game shutout against Kent seven days ago. He started in similar fashion allowing only 1 run in the first 3 innings. The Herts offence was also on form and they quickly put up 5 runs on the scoreboard. The Mammoths closed the gap temporarily but the Hawks kept responding with runs of their own.

In the sixth inning the visitors tied the game 8-8 after 4 hits and 3 errors, but the Hawks responded once again in the bottom of the inning when Tim Elkins drove in Seth Lipstock and Andy Cornish with a vital 2-out single. There were no more complications in the final inning as Nic Goetz completed the game with a three-up-three-down-inning.

Nick Russell was unhittable against the London Mammoths

Click to view Game1 box scores and play-by-play

Nick Russell started on the mound in game 2 and produced one of the most dominant pitching performances of the season. He shut out the Mammoths over 6 and 2/3 innings allowing only 2 hits. He needed just one more out for a complete game shutout but a single for London scored 2 runs to confirm a final score of 7-2.

Jonathan Lewys had a good day with the bat. He went 3-4 with an RBI. Ilya Dimitrov submitted his candidacy for Play of the Year with a spectacular diving catch in centerfield.

Click to view Game2 box scores and play-by-play

Hawks Co-Manager, Andy Cornish was pleased with the results, but was keen to keep his team’s feet firmly on the ground. He said: “today we have shown what qualities we have, and what we don’t have. Our pitching once again proved that we can win close games with the correct pitch choice and location and the battery was again a huge positive. At the moment, we are top of the league, and the squad should be very proud, but I, and the squad, should appreciate we have a very long way to go yet.” He added: “In our league any team can beat any team, and we need to work on our communication to improve our chances. We cannot win a title by making mistakes. I expect the squad to work hard to remove those. I am very happy with how we played today, but we are under no illusions as there is still a lot of work to be done”.

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Box scores: Croydon Pirates 3 Herts Falcons 8 (NBL)

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

 

Herts Falcons 8, Croydon Pirates 3
Herts Falcons Croydon Pirates
ab r h bi ab r h bi
UNSELL Robbie ss 2 2 1 1 QAQISH Tony c 2 0 0 1
HICHE Cristobal 1b 3 1 0 0 DOS SANTOS Alcindo 3b 4 0 0 0
MICHELS Jacob 3b 4 0 2 3 RIFFLE Conor 2b 3 1 1 0
BIRD Ryan c 4 1 1 0 SOSA Jose p 3 1 2 0
TRETHEWAY David cf 2 2 1 1 LLEWELLYN Dylan 1b 3 0 0 0
CLARK Phil dh 3 1 2 2 DOHERTY Jamie cf 3 0 0 0
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin lf 1 0 0 1 DOS SANTOS Jose lf 3 0 0 0
SAIONJI Kimiyoshi 2b 3 1 0 0 SSALI Tim ss 3 1 1 0
PRASAD Mahendra rf 1 0 0 0 SEHATAPY Marlon rf 3 0 1 0
(b5) HOUSE David rf 2 0 0 0
HARE Louis p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 25 8 7 8 TEAM TOTALS 27 3 5 1

 

E: UNSELL Robbie(4), NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin(2), DOS SANTOS Alcindo(2), SOSA Jose,
LLEWELLYN Dylan. DP: Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 5, Croydon Pirates 6. 2B:
MICHELS Jacob (2), RIFFLE Conor, SSALI Tim. HR: CLARK Phil. SB: UNSELL Robbie(2),
BIRD Ryan, HICHE Cristobal, SAIONJI Kimiyoshi, TRETHEWAY David. SF: NIEDRINGHAUS
Kevin, QAQISH Tony.

 

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
HARE Louis W 7.00 5 3 0 1 4
Croydon Pirates
SOSA Jose L 6.00 7 8 7 5 1

 

HBP: by HARE Louis (RIFFLE Conor). . . . . . . PB: BIRD Ryan, QAQISH Tony. T: 2:00.
A: 78.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 1st:
QAQISH Tony grounded out.
DOS SANTOS Alcindo reached on error, batted forward to 3rd, forced out at home.
RIFFLE Conor hit by pitch, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error.
SOSA Jose singled, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to home on error.
LLEWELLYN Dylan reached on fielder’s choice, advanced to 3rd on error.
DOHERTY Jamie reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error.
DOS SANTOS Jose grounded out.
2 runs, 1 hit, 3 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 1st:
UNSELL Robbie grounded out.
HICHE Cristobal grounded out.
MICHELS Jacob grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 2nd:
SSALI Tim doubled, batted forward to 3rd, picked off.
SEHATAPY Marlon singled.
QAQISH Tony struck out looking.
DOS SANTOS Alcindo popped out.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 2nd:
BIRD Ryan singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
TRETHEWAY David singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
CLARK Phil reached first base, did not tag, called out.
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin sacrifice flied, 1 RBI.
SAIONJI Kimiyoshi popped out.
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 3rd:
RIFFLE Conor grounded out.
SOSA Jose singled, forced out at 2nd.
LLEWELLYN Dylan reached on fielder’s choice.
DOHERTY Jamie flied out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 3rd:
PRASAD Mahendra grounded out.
UNSELL Robbie walked, tagged out going to 2nd.
HICHE Cristobal reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, stole 3rd.
MICHELS Jacob grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 4th:
DOS SANTOS Jose struck out looking.
SSALI Tim reached on error, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward to home.
SEHATAPY Marlon reached on error.
QAQISH Tony sacrifice flied, 1 RBI.
DOS SANTOS Alcindo grounded out.
1 run, 0 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 4th:
BIRD Ryan reached on error, advanced to 2nd on passed ball.
TRETHEWAY David struck out swinging.
CLARK Phil flied out.
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin walked.
SAIONJI Kimiyoshi flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 5th:
RIFFLE Conor doubled, tagged out going to 3rd.
SOSA Jose reached on fielder’s choice, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, batted forward
to 3rd.
LLEWELLYN Dylan grounded out.
DOHERTY Jamie grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 5th:
HOUSE David grounded out.
UNSELL Robbie walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
HICHE Cristobal grounded out.
MICHELS Jacob doubled, 1 RBI.
BIRD Ryan grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 6th:
DOS SANTOS Jose flied out.
SSALI Tim struck out swinging.
SEHATAPY Marlon struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Bottom of the 6th:
TRETHEWAY David walked, batted forward to home.
CLARK Phil hit 2-run home run, 2 RBI.
NIEDRINGHAUS Kevin flied out.
SAIONJI Kimiyoshi reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
HOUSE David flied out.
UNSELL Robbie singled, advanced to 2nd on throw, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 1
RBI.
HICHE Cristobal walked, batted forward to home.
MICHELS Jacob doubled, 2 RBI.
BIRD Ryan lined out.
5 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Croydon Pirates – Top of the 7th:
QAQISH Tony walked, forced out at 2nd.
DOS SANTOS Alcindo hit into double play.
RIFFLE Conor flied out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
by Herts Baseball News Editor

Box Scores: London Mammoths 2 Herts Hawks 7 (BBF AA)

London Mammoths at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
London Mammoths 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 9
Herts Hawks 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 7 9 3

 

Herts Hawks 7, London Mammoths 2
Herts Hawks London Mammoths
ab r h bi ab r h bi
DIMITROV Ilya cf-1b 4 0 1 1 V Player 1 p 3 0 0 0
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul c 4 2 1 0 V Player 2 c 3 0 2 2
CORNISH Andy lf 1 1 0 0 V Player 3 1b 4 0 0 0
(t5) LIPSTOCK Seth cf 1 0 0 0 V Player 4 2b 3 0 1 0
LEWYS Jonathon 2b 4 1 3 1 V Player 5 3b 3 0 0 0
ELKINS Tim 1b 3 0 1 1 V Player 6 ss 2 0 0 0
(t5) DIMITROV Kal lf 0 0 0 0 V Player 7 lf 3 1 0 0
GOETZ Nicolas 3b 4 1 0 0 V Player 8 cf 3 0 0 0
NAGHAR Rod ss 2 1 1 1 V Player 9 rf 2 1 0 0
SLATER Andrew rf 4 1 1 1
RUSSELL Nick p 3 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 30 7 9 5 TEAM TOTALS 26 2 3 2

 

E: NAGHAR Rod(2), GOETZ Nicolas, V Player 5(3), V Player 6(3), V Player 3(2), V
Player 1. LOB: London Mammoths 7, Herts Hawks 10. SB: AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul(2), CORNISH
Andy, LEWYS Jonathon, NAGHAR Rod, V Player 7(2), V Player 6, V Player 1, V Player 2,
V Player 5.

 

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
RUSSELL Nick W 7.00 3 2 1 4 5
London Mammoths
V Player 1 L 6.00 9 7 3 4 2

 

HBP: by V Player 1 (CORNISH Andy). . . . . WP: V Player 1(3). T: 2:00. A: 78.
London Mammoths – Top of the 1st:
V Player 1 grounded out.
V Player 2 singled, forced out at 2nd.
V Player 3 flied out.
V Player 4 reached on fielder’s choice.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 1st:
DIMITROV Ilya struck out swinging.
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to
home on wild pitch.
CORNISH Andy grounded out.
LEWYS Jonathon singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
ELKINS Tim singled, tagged out going to 2nd.
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 2nd:
V Player 5 struck out swinging.
V Player 6 reached on error, forced out at 2nd.
V Player 7 reached on fielder’s choice, forced out at 2nd.
V Player 8 reached on fielder’s choice.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 2nd:
GOETZ Nicolas flied out.
NAGHAR Rod grounded out.
SLATER Andrew reached on error, batted forward to home.
RUSSELL Nick singled, batted forward to 3rd.
DIMITROV Ilya singled, 1 RBI.
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul flied out.
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 3rd:
V Player 9 grounded out.
V Player 1 walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
V Player 2 grounded out.
V Player 3 grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 3rd:
CORNISH Andy hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
LEWYS Jonathon singled, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to
home on error.
ELKINS Tim grounded out, 1 RBI.
GOETZ Nicolas reached on error, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, tagged out going to
3rd.
NAGHAR Rod walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch.
SLATER Andrew grounded out.
2 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 4th:
V Player 4 singled, forced out at 2nd.
V Player 5 reached on fielder’s choice, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
V Player 6 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error.
V Player 7 reached on error, stole 2nd.
V Player 8 grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 4th:
RUSSELL Nick grounded out.
DIMITROV Ilya flied out.
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
CORNISH Andy walked, batted forward to 3rd.
LEWYS Jonathon singled, 1 RBI.
ELKINS Tim grounded out.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 5th:
V Player 9 lined out.
V Player 1 flied out.
V Player 2 walked, stole 2nd.
V Player 3 struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 5th:
GOETZ Nicolas reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
NAGHAR Rod singled, advanced to 2nd on throw, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
SLATER Andrew singled, advanced to 2nd on error, 1 RBI.
RUSSELL Nick popped out.
DIMITROV Ilya struck out swinging.
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul reached on error, forced out at 2nd.
LIPSTOCK Seth reached on fielder’s choice.
2 runs, 2 hits, 3 errors, 2 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 6th:
V Player 4 grounded out.
V Player 5 struck out swinging.
V Player 6 struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 6th:
LEWYS Jonathon grounded out.
DIMITROV Kal walked, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to 3rd.
GOETZ Nicolas grounded out.
NAGHAR Rod walked, advanced to 2nd on error.
SLATER Andrew popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 2 errors, 2 LOB.
by Herts Baseball News Editor

Box Scores: London Mammoths 8 Herts Hawks 10 (BBF AA)

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

 

Herts Hawks 10, London Mammoths 8
Herts Hawks London Mammoths
ab r h bi ab r h bi
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul cf 3 1 1 0 V Player 1 p 4 1 3 1
(t5) DIMITROV Ilya cf 1 0 0 0 V Player 2 c 4 0 0 0
DIMITROV Kal 2b 3 0 0 0 V Player 3 1b 4 1 1 1
HARE Louis ss 3 1 2 1 V Player 4 2b 4 1 1 1
(b5) LIPSTOCK Seth ss-rf 1 1 0 0 V Player 5 3b 4 1 1 0
CORNISH Andy c 4 1 2 0 V Player 6 ss 4 1 0 0
LEWYS Jonathon rf 3 3 2 1 V Player 7 lf 4 1 1 0
(t5) RUSSELL Nick rf-ss 1 0 0 0 V Player 8 cf 4 1 2 3
NAGHAR Rod 1b 2 2 2 1 V Player 9 rf 3 1 1 1
(t5) ELKINS Tim 1b 1 0 1 2
GOETZ Nicolas p 4 1 3 2
BARTHOLOMEW Ralph lf 3 0 1 0
SLATER Andrew 3b 3 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 32 10 14 7 TEAM TOTALS 35 8 10 7

 

E: SLATER Andrew(2), GOETZ Nicolas, RUSSELL Nick, V Player 2, V Player 4. LOB: London
Mammoths 6, Herts Hawks 7. 2B: HARE Louis(2), GOETZ Nicolas, V Player 8(2). SB: LEWYS
Jonathon(3), GOETZ Nicolas(2), NAGHAR Rod(2), AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul(2), BARTHOLOMEW
Ralph, CORNISH Andy, LIPSTOCK Seth, V Player 1(2), V Player 9(2), V Player 3, V
Player 2.

 

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
GOETZ Nicolas W 7.00 10 8 6 0 5
London Mammoths
V Player 1 L 6.00 14 10 8 3 4

 

WP: V Player 1(2). T: 2:00. A: 78.
London Mammoths – Top of the 1st:
V Player 1 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
V Player 2 grounded out.
V Player 3 flied out, 1 RBI.
V Player 4 grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 1st:
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul grounded out.
DIMITROV Kal popped out.
HARE Louis doubled, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch.
CORNISH Andy struck out swinging.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 2nd:
V Player 5 grounded out.
V Player 6 popped out.
V Player 7 popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 2nd:
LEWYS Jonathon singled, batted forward to home.
NAGHAR Rod singled, batted forward to 3rd, stole home.
GOETZ Nicolas singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error, 1
RBI.
BARTHOLOMEW Ralph struck out swinging.
SLATER Andrew grounded out.
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul reached on error, stole 2nd.
DIMITROV Kal grounded out.
3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 3rd:
V Player 8 struck out.
V Player 9 struck out looking.
V Player 1 singled, stole 2nd.
V Player 2 grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 3rd:
HARE Louis flied out.
CORNISH Andy singled, forced out at 2nd.
LEWYS Jonathon reached on fielder’s choice, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
NAGHAR Rod singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
GOETZ Nicolas doubled, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
BARTHOLOMEW Ralph singled, stole 2nd.
SLATER Andrew grounded out.
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 4th:
V Player 3 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
V Player 4 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
V Player 5 singled, batted forward to home.
V Player 6 struck out swinging.
V Player 7 grounded out.
V Player 8 doubled, 2 RBI.
V Player 9 grounded out.
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 4th:
AUCHTERLOUNIE Paul singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
DIMITROV Kal struck out swinging.
HARE Louis doubled, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
CORNISH Andy flied out.
LEWYS Jonathon singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error, 1 RBI.
NAGHAR Rod walked.
GOETZ Nicolas flied out.
3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 5th:
V Player 1 popped out.
V Player 2 reached on error, stole 2nd.
V Player 3 flied out.
V Player 4 popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 5th:
BARTHOLOMEW Ralph walked, tagged out going to 2nd.
SLATER Andrew struck out swinging.
DIMITROV Ilya popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 6th:
V Player 5 struck out looking.
V Player 6 reached on error, batted forward to home.
V Player 7 singled, batted forward to home.
V Player 8 doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
V Player 9 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error, 1 RBI.
V Player 1 singled, advanced to 3rd on error, 1 RBI.
V Player 2 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error.
V Player 3 reached on error.
V Player 4 popped out.
V Player 5 flied out.
4 runs, 4 hits, 3 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 6th:
DIMITROV Kal walked, forced out at 2nd.
LIPSTOCK Seth reached on fielder’s choice, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
CORNISH Andy singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
RUSSELL Nick popped out.
ELKINS Tim singled, batted forward to 3rd, 2 RBI.
GOETZ Nicolas singled, stole 2nd.
BARTHOLOMEW Ralph popped out.
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
London Mammoths – Top of the 7th:
V Player 6 struck out looking.
V Player 7 popped out.
V Player 8 grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
by Herts Baseball News Editor

Leicester win the Under-11 battle in Hemel

photos by hp2photographic.com

Written by hertsbaseball.com correspondent, Chris Jones

On Saturday 19th May Herts U11 faced the Leicester Blue Sox in a friendly on the freshly-mown second diamond at Grovehill.

The Blue Sox established their Junior section earlier this year, and this was their first ever road trip. As it is early days, the club lacks the numbers to field U11 and U14 teams simultaneously, and so their U11 team contained a mix of younger and older players. They turned out to be more than a match for Herts.

Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable, fast-paced game with hits galore and some moments of high quality fielding. The final score of 19-3 perhaps flattered the Blue Sox; the hit count was 28-13 and it was only in the last inning that the game finally ran away from Herts.

Coaches were pitching. The Sox made a strong start, scoring five at the top of the first inning. Herts batters Blake Edwards, Theo Longboy and Thomas Garton then hit successive singles, with Oliver Durer hitting another to bring Blake home for Herts’ first run.

photos by hp2photographic.com

Herts shut out the Blue Sox in the second, thanks in part to a fine catch by Blake Edwards at third base. At the bottom of the second, Herts were unlucky to have both Lewis Auchterlounie and Cameron Manning tagged out running for home.

Leicester chalked up three more runs in the third, with no reply from Herts, moving the score to 8-1 to the Blue Sox. In the next, Herts restricted Leicester to two runs, with some smart defense, Alex Trautman and Joshua Jones combining for a 1-3 ground-out which would not have looked out of place at Fenway. Frustration again for Herts, though, as once again they left runners on base at the end of their inning.

To the fifth and last inning, this time with no five-run limit. Blake Edwards took another fine catch, but some good hitting allowed the Sox to pile on the runs – a fly ball double to the centre field fence produced three runs; another line drive brought home another two runners, and four more runs were scored before the innings closed. Playing largely for pride by this point, Herts picked up two runs: Oliver Durer and Lewis Auchterlounie made base hits, and Alex Trautman ran them in with a line drive single. But with bases loaded once again, Herts struck out to leave the final score 19-3 to the Blue Sox. Four Herts batters emerged with two hits from two plate appearances: Blake Edwards, Oliver Durer, Lewis Auchterlounie and Alex Trautman.

Coach Mike Wakelam commented “Full marks to the Blue Sox – they batted and fielded well and thoroughly deserved the win. We wish them all the best as they develop the club. But I was encouraged at the progress our U11s are making – we are a young team, but we’re working hard, improving our skills and having a lot of fun.”

GAMECAST – IN CASE YOU MISSED THE GAME OR WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN

To relive the full game with full statistical analysis fans can view a new facility which Herts Baseball Club is testing at the moment. CLICK TO OPEN THE GAMECAST AND PRESS REPLAY IN TOP RIGHT CORNER

 

by Herts Baseball News Editor

Dramatic win for Herts versus Leicester. Herts U17 lose to Horsham

HORSHAM SWEEP HERTS

photo by www.hp2photographic.com

The Herts U17 All Stars clashed with the league leaders from Horsham knowing that winning both games of this doubleheader would bring them level with the Hornets in the U17 League standings. From the start it was clear that this would be a very difficult task.

Horsham jumped to an early lead in game 1 and never looked back. Herts managed to keep within reach in the first 3 innings but never seemed to match the Hornets. There wasn’t much disparity in terms of hits (Horsham-11 Herts-7) but 4 errors and 5 walks put too much pressure on the home team’s defence. Carlos Casal Jr went 2-2 with a double and scored 2 runs. RBIs for Kyle Lloyd-Jones (2), Marty Cullen Jr (2) and Brodie Caress (1) helped Herts put 5 runs on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough. The Hornets won it 12-5.

Click to view Game 1 box scores and play-by-play

The visitors continued the relentless pressure in the second game. Starting pitcher, Dean, didn’t give Herts any breathing space allowing only 3 hits by Carlos Casal Jr, Liam Green and Brodie Caress. 7 walks allowed and 4 errors by Herts made it a very difficult afternoon. Final score 16-2

Click to view Game 2 box scores and play-by-play

Herts travel to RAF Daws Hill next Saturday, 26 May, for a doubleheader against the Cobham Cougars.

HERTS U14 SECURE WIN IN LATE INNINGS

The Herts U14 team picked up their second win of the season. It turned out to be a very dramatic game against the visiting Leicester Blue Sox.

Callum Vangundy was the hero of the day for Herts both defensively and offensively. He started on the mound and proved to be very effective. Late in the game he blasted the ball over the centerfield wall for his first home run of the season. Leicester tried to rally the late in the game scoring two runs in the sixth and seventh inning, but the Herts defence closed the door to secure a 10-8 win. An exciting game and a wonderful opportunity for Herts to meet Leicester for the first time. It is good to see Leicester starting their youth programme this year and developing it so quickly. Members of Herts Baseball Club are already looking forward to seeing them again soon.