After last week's disappointing loss to Cambridge, the Herts Falcons 2 baseball team played host to the Essex Arrows 2 last Sunday at Grovehill in Hemel.

 

The Arrows beat Cambridge earlier in the year and so the Falcons knew they were in for a tough game. After giving up 2 runs in the 1st inning, the Falcons responsed with 7 runs on the back of some good hitting and sloppy fielding by the Arrows. Former Arrows player Ross Davies was the Falcons starting pitcher and the young rookie pitched 4 solid innings. Veteran Paul Raybould, who spent 12 years with the Arrows, came in to pitch in the 5th inning.

 

The Falcons batting was impressive with Ross Asquith getting 2 hits in 4 at bats and scored 4 runs, Todd Nightingale hitting 3 singles and a double and driving in 4 runs, and Eddie Sierocinski who collected 2 hits, 3 runs and stole 3 bases. Special mention should also go to Peter Kikel who scored twice, collected 3 base on balls, and stole 4 bases.

 

In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Falcons came to bat needing just 4 runs to win the game on the Slaughter Rule (10 run difference). With 1 out, Ross Asquith dropped a perfect bunt to get safely to 1st base and then stole 2nd and 3rd. Substitute Rob Jones, in his first at bat, then singled to right field driving in Ross. Todd Nightingale then drilled a double to the outfield. Next up was Kal Dimitrov and he hit a clutch single and Rob scored. Then came Alex Casey having his first at bat of the game and on the first pitch he saw, hit a towering fly ball over the left-fielders head for a double and Todd scored. Still with just one out and Kal on 3rd base, up stepped Bruce Durrea. Almost immediately, Bruce pounded a fly ball base hit to right field for Kal to score the game winning run.

 

The final score was Essex 16 – Falcons 26. Had it not been for some untimely mistakes in the field, the Falcons could have won the game more comfortably.

 

Next Sunday sees the Falcons at home again to play Havering.

Following last Sunday's resounding 29-6 victory over Richmond, the Herts Falcons 2 baseball team jumped up 3 divisions by hosting the Cambridge Monarchs 2 at their home field in Hemel. The Monarchs all come from an American military base in Cambridgeshire and their obvious experience, fitness and general knowledge of the game totally overwhelmed the young Falcons 2 team.

 

Although the Falcons attempted to keep the game close and were only losing 11-7 after 3 innings, the final score of 30-8 to Cambridge was a more accurate reflection of the difference between the two teams.

 

Next Sunday the Falcons 2 host the Essex Arrows 2 who are the only team to beat Cambridge this season so another tough game is expected for the rookie team.

The recent growth in popularity of British baseball is not only responsible for the creation of the Herts Falcons' second team, but Richmond have also benefited to the tune of now fielding 4 teams.

 

On Sunday, the Falcons 2 travelled to Richmond to face the Riverdogs, Richmond's 4th team. Although both teams included a high percentage of rookie players, it was apparent early on that the Falcons were more talented, better coached, and had a stronger desire to win. Richmond were totally out-played in every department – batting, fielding, and pitching.

 

The Falcons got off to an early 2-0 lead and were 6-1 up after 2 innings. They continued to pile on the runs as the game progressed until the game was called after 7 innings on the Slaughter Rule with the Falcons 29-6 ahead.

 

This Sunday sees the Falcons 2 at home (Grovehill Playing Field, Hemel Hempstead) to play the Cambridge Monarchs 2. The game starts at 2.00pm (visitors are welcome).

The Herts Falcons 2 baseball team managed an impressive 18-5 win over the Brentwood Stags in only their second ever league game. Fielding 7 rookie (new) players, the Falcons raced off to a 14-1 lead by the middle of the 4th inning. Brentwood picked up 3 runs in their 4th inning and another run in the 5th but after that, teenage pitcher Ross Davies held them scoreless for the rest of the game.

 

Another new player, Ross Asquith, made several great catches in the outfield, picked up 3 hits and scored 2 runs. Rod Naghar hit 2 doubles and a single and scored 3 runs.

 

Next Sunday, the team travels to play Richmond who they beat in a pre-season friendly.

On the back of last season's historic promotion campaign by the Herts Falcons baseball team, the club received massive interest over the winter break and are proud to now operate a brand new second team in the 1st division of the British Baseball Federation.

 

Comprised mainly of players totally new to the game with a mixture of experienced players, including 20-year veteran Paul Raybould managing the team, the Falcons 2 won both of their pre-season games. It was simply bad luck that their first league game was up against promotion favourites Havering.

 

On a bright, sunny day, the Falcons kept the score close through the first 3 innings. Then, Havering exploded with 5 runs in the 4th to take a 9 – 3 lead. They added 5 more runs in the 5th and 6th innings while the Falcons were unable to score and Havering won the game 14 – 3.

 

The Falcons may have started the league season with a defeat but a lot was learned and they are looking forward to their trip to Brentwood next Sunday.