Category: Adult Leagues
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 |
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3:30pm-5:30pm |
Fundraising Visit to Hemel Industrial Zone
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Saturday, 23 August 2008 |
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11am-2:30pm |
Little League Final Day |
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3pm-5pm |
Fundraising at local shopping centres
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Saturday-Sunday, 6-7 September 2008 |
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Morning-night |
AAA Final 4 at Croydon |
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Thursday, 18 September 2008 |
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8pm |
LIVE – Kyle Hunlock Series Draft (making history with first ever LIVE broadcast on the Herts Baseball Channel) |
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Sunday, 21 September 2008 |
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11pm-7pm |
Kyle Hunlock Series (DAY1) |
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Saturday, 27 September 2008 |
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TBC |
Herts Little League Tournament |
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Sunday, 28 September 2008 |
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11pm-7pm |
Kyle Hunlock Series (DAY2) |
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Thursday, 2 October 2008 |
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8pm |
LIVE – Kyle Hunlock Series re-Draft |
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Sunday, 5 October 2008 |
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11pm-2pm |
Kyle Hunlock Series (FINAL DAY) |
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2pm-3pm |
Little League Home Run Derby |
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3pm-4pm |
Little League 2008 Awards Ceremony |
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4pm-7pm |
Family Softball Game (s) · Little League Parents and Adult members family/friends |
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Sunday, 12 October 2008 |
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TBC |
2009 Annual General Meeting |
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October-November 2008 |
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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. |
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Friday, 12 December 2008 |
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TBC |
2008 Awards Night (Adult Teams) |
SHARKS GET MORE THAN THEY BARGAINED FOR IN EPIC BATTLE WITH HAWKS
Report from Herts Baseball Newswire correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON
A fearless team – 9 of the Hawks' finest – made the trek down to Bournemouth on Sunday, keen to prove once again that they could compete with the best in their division as they took on the league leading Sharks in a AA league match-up.
Their fierce determination was in contrast to the cockiness of the home side who believed their playoff spot was already assured (mistakenly as the Hawks manager pointed out) and felt they would coast to another comfortable victory over mid-table opposition. Conditions ruled out a slug-fest though, with a strong gusting wind blowing in from the outfield meaning the fence would barely be threatened all day, even in batting practice.
In the first inning, there is a single by John Oliver for the Hawks but no other baserunners. Bournemouth meanwhile are quick to emphasise why they are top of the league, jumping out to an early lead with four quick runs.
The Hawks stem the tide though with solid defense, preventing the Sharks from extending their lead. Meanwhile, the bats are starting to come alive and Bournemouth aren't looking so secure. Back to back doubles from Dave Westfallen and Humberto Concalves make it 4-1.
Fourth inning – Hawks rally. Consecutive hits from Dave Hamilton, Luis Concalves and Ross Asquith to lead off the inning get Herts going as they send 10 men to the plate. Four score. The visitors lead 5-4 and the Sharks are stunned.
An immediate response from the home team though…half way through, we're all tied.
Luis Concalves hits a booming ground rule double for the Hawks – the biggest hit of the game. In defense, the Hawks are proving strong – with all three outfielders (Nick Russell, Asquith and Hamilton) making impressive defensive grabs to deny the Sharks baserunners.
The Hawks grab a run, and the lead. 6-5. It's the seventh inning stretch and the Sharks are rattled – time is running out and inconceivably (to them) they are trailing. Bournemouth continue to rotate their squad pulling fresh legs from the bench in a search for inspiration, while the Hawks team battle on knowing their fate lies in the nine men on the pitch – their bench is empty. Their seemingly untiring pitcher Louie Hare leads the way but there are contributions up and down the order with no weak links for the Sharks to prey on.
The top of the eighth, and the Hawks add an insurance run with a two-out bases loaded RBI single from their ninth placed hitter. Unfortunately manager Carlos Casal is thrown out at home trying to score on the same play, ending the Herts threat. Even so, it's 7-5 and the visitors are six outs away from a phenomenal victory.
The Sharks are getting desperate, but they manage to mount a challenge with a little help from the umpire whose previously consistent strike zone suddenly shrinks to a fraction of its previous size [conspiracy theorists note the fact that the umpire is a Sharks player and question a possible link but our journalist is unable to substantiate any claims of deliberate foul play]. Pitcher Hare is left with an unenviable choice – walk batters or throw pitches down the middle to the highest scoring team in the league.
Despite this handicap, the Hawks almost escape the inning unscathed, but a wild throw on what could have been an inning ending ground ball allows two runs to score. A few 'walks' (seemingly inevitable under this new strike zone), including one with the bases loaded, appear to give Bournemouth a crucial 8-7 lead.
The game is increasingly bad tempered, as the Hawks are frustrated by the umpire's new approach. Valid complaints about the Sharks' young pitcher licking his fingers on the mound are derided by the home fans who seem personally insulted that the Hawks are seeking a fair finish to this titanic battle.
Hawks first baseman John Oliver uses the revised strike zone to his advantage in the ninth inning, working a walk for the visitors but a deep drive by Louie Hare falls victim to that wind blowing in from the fence – it is hauled in by the grateful left fielder to end the inning. Devastated, and frustrated at being robbed of victory, the Hawks think it is all over, and form a huddle only to see the umpire and Sharks players waiting for them to take field again…
…WAIT A MINUTE!…
…it is NOT all over…
In the excitement (and without the Dimitrov brothers to keep track of such details) the Hawks had lost track of the score. Apparently it was still 7-7 and the Hawks had a life-line.
Battling the strike-zone, the Hawks got an out, before a Shark runner made his way to third base. Bournemouth attempt to bunt him home with a squeeze play – but it's not hit hard enough. The infield pounce, and the lead runner is cut down. The batter reaches second…and next pitch breaks for third…where he is gunned down by catcher Dave Westfallen. Finally the Hawks have a close call go their way and we are going to extra innings…
Top of the tenth…the Hawks threaten again. A single, and a two out walk puts two runners on…but a ground out ends the inning and the runners are stranded.
Bottom of the tenth…the Hawks are hanging on. Astonishingly Louie Hare continues to pitch well despite being into his tenth inning of work. But the new reduced strike zone makes it almost impossible for him and this time the walk proves decisive. A stolen base. A good pickoff attempt at second is ruled unsuccessful. Another steal…and then a game winning single to left field clinches it for the Sharks.
The exhausted Herts players file off…defeated but unbowed, knowing they put in a very strong performance that deserved a win. This fine performance was arguably their best of the season, and having also threatened victory against the Sidewinders at Grovehill, they have proven conclusively that they can compete with the best in their league.
Carlos Casal is proud of his team and furious they've been robbed of victory – sadly I cannot quote him in a 'family-friendly' website. All the players know they've been in a hard-fought battle, full of drama with many twists and turns, and all nine have performed admirably in contributing to the contest. Sadly, the result hasn't gone their way this time, but they are confident of ending their season with a flourish.
What a game! GO HAWKS!!
| Herts Hawks at Bournemouth Sharks | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score By Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
| Herts Hawks | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 18 | 2 |
| Bournemouth Sharks | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 1 |
| Bournemouth Sharks 8, Herts Hawks 7 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth Sharks | Herts Hawks | ||||||||
| ab | r | h | bi | ab | r | h | bi | ||
| Rob Cochran 2b | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Luis Goncalves ss | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Johnny Pew c | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Ross Asquith rf | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harmon Killabeer 1b | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | John Oliver 1b | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Greg Hoe p | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Louis Hare p | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Willie Might ss | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Carlos Casal 3b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Hank Errand lf | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Dave Westfallen c | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Crooks Robins 3b | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Humberto Goncalves 2b | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Jose Canhito cf | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Nick Russell lf | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Ron Gnat rf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Dave Hamilton cf | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 40 | 8 | 12 | 5 | TEAM TOTALS | 44 | 7 | 18 | 4 |
| E: Willie Might, Luis Goncalves(2). LOB: Bournemouth Sharks 13, Herts Hawks 18. 2B: Willie Might, Ron Gnat, Dave Westfallen(2), Luis Goncalves, Humberto Goncalves. SB: Rob Cochran(6), Ron Gnat(4), Johnny Pew(4), Greg Hoe(3), Jose Canhito(2), Harmon Killabeer(2), Willie Might. S: Ross Asquith. |
| Bournemouth Sharks | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Greg Hoe W | 9.33 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 9 |
| Herts Hawks | ||||||
| Louis Hare L | 9.33 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 5 |
| T: 4:00. A: 0. |
RAPTORS STUNG BY RAYS
| Braintree Rays at Herts Raptors | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score By Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Braintree Rays | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 9 | 4 |
| Herts Raptors | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| Braintree Rays 16, Herts Raptors 12 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braintree Rays | Herts Raptors | ||||||||
| ab | r | h | bi | ab | r | h | bi | ||
| Player 1 p | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Hunter Devine 2b | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Player 2 c | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Jake Kikel p-1b | 6 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Player 3 1b | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Rob Jones cf-ss | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Player 4 2b | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Peter Kikel ss-p | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Player 5 3b | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Jonathon Lewys c | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Player 6 ss | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Andy Ringrose 3b-cf | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Player 7 lf | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Andrew Slater 1b-3b | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 8 cf | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Robert Crouch rf | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 9 rf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Pete Cox lf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 44 | 16 | 9 | 7 | TEAM TOTALS | 40 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
| E: Player 5(3), Player 2, Peter Kikel(5), Jake Kikel(2), Rob Jones(2), Jonathon Lewys, Pete Cox. LOB: Herts Raptors 8, Braintree Rays 8. 2B: Player 2, Player 7, Hunter Devine(3), Rob Jones, Pete Cox, Peter Kikel. 3B: Jonathon Lewys. SB: Player 5(4), Player 2(3), Player 8(3), Player 4(2), Player 9(2), Player 6, Andy Ringrose(2), Hunter Devine(2), Andrew Slater. |
| Braintree Rays | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Player 1 W | 9.00 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| Herts Raptors | ||||||
| Jake Kikel | 7.00 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 18 |
| Peter Kikel L | 2.00 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| HBP: by Player 1 (Robert Crouch). . . . . , by Jake Kikel (Player 8). . . WP: Jake Kikel(4). PB: Player 2(4), Jonathon Lewys. T: 0:00. A: 0. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 1st: Player 1 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward to home. Player 2 ground rule doubled, stole 3rd, stole home, 1 RBI. Player 3 struck out looking. Player 4 flied out. Player 5 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to home on error. Player 6 reached on error, batted forward to home. Player 7 doubled, advanced to 3rd on throw, batted forward to home, 1 RBI. Player 8 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI. Player 9 singled, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd. Player 1 reached on fielder's choice, 1 RBI. Player 2 grounded out. Player 3 struck out looking. Player 4 struck out looking. 6 runs, 4 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 1st: Hunter Devine doubled, stole 3rd, advanced to home on passed ball. Jake Kikel popped out. Rob Jones struck out looking. Peter Kikel walked. Jonathon Lewys struck out looking. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 2nd: Player 5 walked, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error. Player 6 singled, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 2nd: Andy Ringrose reached on error, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, batted forward to home. Andrew Slater walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home. Robert Crouch hit by pitch, batted forward to home. Pete Cox walked, batted forward to 3rd, tagged out going to home, 1 RBI. Hunter Devine doubled, batted forward to home, 2 RBI. Jake Kikel grounded out, 1 RBI. Rob Jones doubled, 1 RBI. Peter Kikel flied out. 4 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 3rd: Player 7 reached on error. Player 8 struck out looking. Player 9 struck out looking. 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 3rd: Jonathon Lewys tripled, batted forward to home. Andy Ringrose grounded out, 1 RBI. Andrew Slater grounded out. Robert Crouch struck out looking. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 4th: Player 1 singled, advanced to home on error. Player 2 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, stole 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch. Player 3 struck out looking. Player 4 grounded out. Player 5 popped out. 2 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 4th: Pete Cox struck out looking. Hunter Devine reached on error, batted forward to home. Jake Kikel singled, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI. Rob Jones singled, forced out at 2nd. Peter Kikel flied out. Jonathon Lewys reached on fielder's choice. 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 5th: Player 6 struck out looking. Player 7 walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to home on error. Player 8 walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error. Player 9 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error. Player 1 struck out looking. Player 2 reached on dropped 3rd strike w/error, advanced to 2nd on error. Player 3 struck out looking. 2 runs, 0 hits, 2 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 5th: Andy Ringrose struck out looking. Andrew Slater struck out swinging. Robert Crouch struck out swinging. Pete Cox grounded out. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 6th: Player 4 popped out. Player 5 walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch. Player 6 grounded out. Player 7 struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 6th: Hunter Devine grounded out. Jake Kikel popped out. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 7th: Player 8 hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to home. Player 9 struck out swinging. Player 1 grounded out. Player 2 singled, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI. Player 3 singled. Player 4 grounded out. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 7th: Rob Jones walked, batted forward to 3rd. Peter Kikel grounded out. Jonathon Lewys walked, forced out at 2nd. Andy Ringrose reached on fielder's choice. Andrew Slater flied out. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 8th: Player 5 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch. Player 6 struck out swinging. Player 7 struck out swinging. Player 8 grounded out. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 8th: Robert Crouch popped out. Pete Cox struck out looking. Hunter Devine reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, stole 3rd, batted forward to home. Jake Kikel singled, forced out at 2nd, 1 RBI. Rob Jones reached on fielder's choice. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB. |
| Braintree Rays – Top of the 9th: Player 9 reached on dropped 3rd strike WP, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward to home. Player 1 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home. Player 2 struck out looking. Player 3 reached on error, tagged out going to 2nd. Player 4 reached on fielder's choice, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error, 2 RBI. Player 5 reached on dropped 3rd strike w/error, stole 2nd. Player 6 struck out swinging. 3 runs, 0 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Bottom of the 9th: Peter Kikel ground rule doubled, advanced to home on error. Jonathon Lewys walked, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on passed ball. Andy Ringrose reached on error, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, batted forward to home. Andrew Slater struck out looking. Robert Crouch struck out looking. Pete Cox doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI. Hunter Devine ground rule doubled, 1 RBI. Jake Kikel popped out. 4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB. |
SINGLE-A LEAGUE LEADERS TOO STRONG FOR RAPTORS
Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, ROB JONES
The new boys of Herts baseball always knew they were going to face a tough task against the surging Croydon Pirates, and so it turned out. The visitors set out their stall straight away. They hit a string of singles in the top of the first inning, then stole second base, then stole third base. Three runs crossed the plate, and it was a lead they would stretch steadily throughout the game.
Raptors couldn’t get their bats going against the consistent Croydon pitching, and when they were able to manufacture runs through walks, steals and errors, it was only one run at a time. When the most feared Herts hitters did make contact, the ball somehow found a fielder. In the end, Croydon took the game 17-3 in 7 innings, and moved to the top of their division.
The weather over Grovehill was mainly cloudy, with some heavy showers and just the odd burst of sunshine. That was reflected in the game for the Herts Raptors. They now hope that their hard work and improving defense gets better reward in the last few games of the season.
| Croydon Pirates III at Herts Raptors | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score By Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E |
| Croydon Pirates III | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 15 | 1 |
| Herts Raptors | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Croydon Pirates III 17, Herts Raptors 3 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croydon Pirates III | Herts Raptors | ||||||||
| ab | r | h | bi | ab | r | h | bi | ||
| Player 1 p | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | Hunter Devine cf-2b | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Player 2 c | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Andrew Slater 3b | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 3 1b | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | (t7) Carlos Casal 3b | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 4 2b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Andy Ringrose c | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 5 3b | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | Rod Ariss ss-p | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 6 ss | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Pete Cox rf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 7 lf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | (t6) Robert Crouch rf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 8 cf | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | Jonathon Lewys 1b-cf | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player 9 rf | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Dave Hamilton lf | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (b5) Tim Elkins lf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Rob Jones 2b-ss | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Mark Hoffman p-1b | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| TEAM TOTALS | 34 | 17 | 15 | 12 | TEAM TOTALS | 23 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| E: Player 3, Andrew Slater(3). LOB: Herts Raptors 6, Croydon Pirates III 8. 2B: Player 1, Player 5, Player 7. SB: Player 1(4), Player 5(4), Player 2(4), Player 3(4), Player 6, Player 4, Player 8, Hunter Devine(3), Rob Jones(3), Mark Hoffman(2), Andy Ringrose, Carlos Casal. |
| Croydon Pirates III | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Player 1 W | 7.00 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Herts Raptors | ||||||
| Mark Hoffman L | 6.00 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Rod Ariss | 1.00 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| HBP: by Player 1 (Andy Ringrose). . . . . . , by Rod Ariss (Player 7). . WP: Mark Hoffman(2). PB: Player 2. T: 0:00. A: 0. |
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.
HAWKS IMPRESSIVE AGAINST STAGS
Report from Herts Baseball Newswire correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON
The Herts Hawks continued their dominance over division rivals the Brentwood Stags last Sunday with a 9-3 victory in blazing hot sunshine at Brentwood. This victory lifts them to third place in the AA division, with a clash against second place Bournemouth their next fixture.
Despite their comfortable victory a week earlier, the Hawks were under no illusions they would be in for an easy game, and so it proved, with the first two innings being scoreless. The Stags pitcher breezed through the Hawks order the first time around, with only catcher Dave Westfallen having any success as he smashed a booming double to right center field. However, the Hawks took the lead in the third with a critical two out rally that produced four runs, helped by an RBI single from stand in manager John Oliver.
The Hawks then extended their lead in the fourth, as the pitcher struggled for control, a two run double from Louie Hare being the highlight. Further runs were to follow from the Hawks, while in the field Hare was producing a pitching masterclass, as the Stags barely threatened to score.
Both teams were helped by some dazzling defensive plays, with shortstop Luis Concalves athleticism for the Hawks being matched by his Brentwood counterpart.
Entering the bottom of the ninth with a 9-0 lead, unfortunately Louie was unable to complete the shut-out he so richly deserved. Unsurprisingly tired after pitching in such oppressive heat, he conceded three hits in the inning which, together with a fielding error led to three consolation runs for the Stags.
Overall though, Herts produced a very professional performance, and will be looking to carry the form from this performance into their next game against the Bournemouth Sharks. And having now played in a full range of conditions over the past few weeks, the Hawks will be ready whatever the weather on the south coast!
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 |
(VIDEO) BISONS ROLL OVER RAPTORS, PETE KIKEL BACK ON THE MOUND AS PART OF REHAB PROGRAMME
| Herts Raptors at Thames Valley | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score By Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Herts Raptors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Thames Valley | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 14 | 0 |
| Thames Valley 13, Herts Raptors 1 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thames Valley | Herts Raptors | ||||||||
| ab | r | h | bi | ab | r | h | bi | ||
| Player1 c | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Andrew Slater 3b | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Player2 p | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Jon Lewys 1b-c | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Player3 1b | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Mark Hoffmann p-1b | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player4 3b | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Pete Kikel 2b-p | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Player5 2b | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Craig Witney ss | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Player6 ss | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Steve Nippress cf | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player7 rf | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Jake Kikel c-2b | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Player8 lf | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Rob Crouch rf-lf | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player9 sf | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | James Roberts lf-rf | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 31 | 13 | 14 | 9 | TEAM TOTALS | 28 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| LOB: Thames Valley 9, Herts Raptors 10. 2B: Player5, Player7. SB: Player6(4), Player2(4), Player3(2), Player7(2), Player9(2), Player4, Pete Kikel(2), Craig Witney(2), Andrew Slater, Jon Lewys, Jake Kikel. |
| Thames Valley | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Player2 W | 7.00 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| Herts Raptors | ||||||
| Mark Hoffmann L | 4.00 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 7 |
| Pete Kikel | 2.00 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| HBP: by Mark Hoffmann (Player3). . , by Mark Hoffmann (Player7). . . , by Player2 (Jake Kikel). . PB: Player1, Jake Kikel(3). Balk: Player2. T: 0:00. A: 0. |
| Herts Raptors – Top of the 1st: Andrew Slater struck out swinging. Jon Lewys singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd. Mark Hoffmann struck out looking. Pete Kikel singled, stole 2nd. Craig Witney struck out looking. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Thames Valley – Bottom of the 1st: Player1 struck out looking. Player2 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on passed ball. Player3 hit by pitch, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, advanced to home on passed ball. Player4 struck out looking. Player5 doubled. Player6 flied out. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Top of the 2nd: Steve Nippress popped out. Jake Kikel struck out looking. Rob Crouch walked, batted forward to 2nd. James Roberts singled. Andrew Slater struck out looking. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Thames Valley – Bottom of the 2nd: Player7 walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home. Player8 singled, batted forward to home. Player9 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI. Player1 struck out looking. Player2 singled, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd. Player3 struck out looking. Player4 singled, stole 2nd, 2 RBI. Player5 struck out looking. 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Top of the 3rd: Jon Lewys struck out looking. Mark Hoffmann struck out looking. Pete Kikel flied out. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Thames Valley – Bottom of the 3rd: Player6 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home. Player7 hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd. Player8 struck out looking. Player9 grounded out, 1 RBI. Player1 called out by interference. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Top of the 4th: Craig Witney walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, tagged out going to home. Steve Nippress struck out looking. Jake Kikel singled, stole 2nd. Rob Crouch grounded out. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. |
| Thames Valley – Bottom of the 4th: Player3 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home. Player4 popped out. Player5 struck out looking. Player6 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI. Player7 doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI. Player8 singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI. Player9 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, stole home. Player1 walked, batted forward to 2nd. Player2 walked, 1 RBI. Player3 flied out. 5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Top of the 5th: James Roberts singled, batted forward to 3rd. Andrew Slater popped out. Jon Lewys singled, batted forward to 2nd. Mark Hoffmann grounded out. Pete Kikel grounded out. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Thames Valley – Bottom of the 5th: Player4 singled, left base early, called out. Player6 walked, batted forward to 3rd. Player7 walked, batted forward to 2nd. Player8 struck out looking. Player9 singled. Player1 struck out looking. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Top of the 6th: Craig Witney reached first base, batted forward to 3rd. Steve Nippress walked, batted forward to 2nd. Jake Kikel hit by pitch, tagged out going to 2nd. Rob Crouch flied out. James Roberts grounded out. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB. |
| Thames Valley – Bottom of the 6th: Player2 walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, stole home. Player3 walked, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home. Player4 grounded out. Player5 grounded out, 1 RBI. Player6 grounded out. 2 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. |
| Herts Raptors – Top of the 7th: Andrew Slater singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on passed ball. Jon Lewys singled, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, tagged out going to 3rd. Mark Hoffmann popped out. Pete Kikel singled, advanced to 2nd on balk, stole 3rd. Craig Witney popped out. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. |