Category: Adult Leagues

by Matt Bell

RAPTORS’ SPIRITED COME BACK NOT ENOUGH

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire correspondent, ROB JONES

The history books will show this another defeat for the newest Herts baseball team, but they won’t show how mighty close it was. The Raptors showed a lot of heart to stage a late rally, and nearly snatched a game that they can look back on with pride.

Things started badly for Raptors, with their first three batters going down weakly, and after loading the bases in the second they left empty-handed again. Bracknell had already started their steady accumulation of runs and they led 7-0 by the bottom of the third. Then with two outs the Raptors at last started to chip away at the lead – outfielder Steve Nippress driving in two runs. Rob Jones brought in two more in the next inning but Herts then hit a bad patch. Relief pitcher Humberto Goncalves struggled with his control, and fielding errors allowed four more Bracknell runners to cross the plate. Raptors now found themselves 12-4 down, and time was running out. Could they turn it around?

The first step was snuffing out the Blazers’ offense, and the new closer Rod Ariss did just that. He helped his own cause with a hit and a run in the bottom of the seventh and then, in the bottom of the eighth, the Raptors bats finally came alive. The team batted around, chasing the starting pitcher from the game and capitalising on the reliever’s slow start. There were RBI’s for Nick Russell and Pete Cox, and for Ilya Dimitrov, who beat out a spinning infield hit off the end of his bat to bring in two more runs.

Now it was crunch time. Bracknell were getting rattled, having seen a commanding lead slip away. They argued strikes, they argued calls, they even argued the score, and the officials had to hold a long conference before it was decided that the visitors led just 14-12. Their mood didn’t improve when Rod Ariss closed them down completely in the top of the ninth, striking out the final two batters he faced. For the first time in the game, Blazers had been held scoreless.

The Herts catcher Andy Ringrose started things off well, pulling a triple down the left field line. Hopes were raised of a truly dramatic finale, but the Raptors couldn’t bring him home. The final out was a tantalising, soaring drive, that came down too close to a waiting fielder. On this day, it simply wasn’t to be.

Herts Raptors again showed great team spirit, lively batting, aggressive running, and overall improved defense. They will be frustrated by the loss, but can take many positives into their next game at Thames Valley, and hopes are high of a win this time.

 

 

Bracknell Blazers II at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Template Team 3 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 0 14 9 1
Herts Raptors 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 6 0 12 13 5

Bracknell Blazers II 14, Herts Raptors 12
Template Team Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 3 2 1 0 Rob Jones 1b 5 2 2 2
Player 2 c 4 1 3 3 Andy Ringrose c 5 1 2 0
Player 3 1b 4 1 0 0 Andrew Slater 3b 5 1 0 0
Player 4 2b 5 3 2 1 Rod Ariss ss-p 6 2 4 1
Player 5 3b 3 3 1 2 Steve Nippress lf 4 1 2 3
Player 6 ss 5 2 2 4 Carlos Casal cf 5 2 1 1
Player 7 lf 5 0 0 0 Jake Kikel p 1 1 1 0
Player 8 cf 4 2 0 1 (t5) Humberto Goncalves p 0 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 3 0 0 0 (t7) Nick Russell ss 1 1 0 1
Pete Cox 2b 3 0 0 1
Ilya Dimitrov rf 4 1 1 2
TEAM TOTALS 36 14 9 11 TEAM TOTALS 39 12 13 11

E: Player 5, Rob Jones(2), Andrew Slater, Carlos Casal, Pete Cox. LOB: Herts Raptors
12, Template Team 12. 2B: Player 6(2), Player 5, Rod Ariss. 3B: Steve Nippress. SB:
Player 1(4), Player 6(3), Player 3(2), Player 4(2), Player 5(2), Player 2(2), Player
8, Player 9, Rod Ariss(3), Ilya Dimitrov(2), Rob Jones(2), Jake Kikel, Carlos Casal,
Steve Nippress. CS: Player 5, Player 2, Player 9(2), Rob Jones. SB: Player 7.

Bracknell Blazers II IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 13 12 10 9 9
Herts Raptors            
Jake Kikel L 4.00 7 8 5 5 7
Rod Ariss 3.00 2 2 1 0 4
Humberto Goncalves 2.00 0 4 1 10 3

HBP: by Player 1 (Steve Nippress). . . . . . , by Rod Ariss (Player 3), by Player 1
(Andy Ringrose), by Player 1 (Carlos Casal). . PB: Player 2, Andy Ringrose(5). Balk:
Player 1. T: 3:00. A: 0.

by Matt Bell

HAWKS SLAUGHTER STAGS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

The Herts Hawks bats came alive on Sunday as they racked up 19 runs in a 7 inning 'slaughter' of the Brentwood Stags in their AA league contest at Grovehill.  A reasonably even battle was blown open in the fourth inning, when 13 runs scored for the Hawks, leaving the Stags shell-shocked – and some tight defensive work duly completed the victory.

 

Following a narrow loss to the league leading Sidewinders in their previous league match, and a strong performance at last week's London Tournament in Croydon, the Hawks were confident heading into the game, and were keen to claim their fifth victory of the season.

 

The Stags scored first though, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  However, this was soon obliterated by the Hawks as lead-off man Luis Concalves set the tone for the entire game by ripping the ball down the first base line and then using his speed to stretch the hit into a triple.  With hits from Carlos Casal, John Oliver and Louis Hare to follow, the Hawks scored three runs before a single out was recorded, and in the circumstances the visitors were probably fairly relieved to end the first inning only trailing by the score of 4-1.

 

Any thoughts of an easy victory were swiftly dispelled, as Brentwood came back, scoring two runs in the second inning and then knocking starting pitcher Stuart Boast out of the game in the third inning as they took a 7-4 lead, with the help of a home run by their shortstop/relief pitcher.  The Hawks responded with catcher Dave Westfallen smashing the ball to the deepest part of the ballpark, just out of the centerfielder's reach and over the fence for his first (and only the Hawks' second) home run of the season.  Even so, the Hawks still trailed 7-5 after three and a half innings.

 

At this stage the contest looked finely poised, but by the time the Stags next got to hit, the game was all but over.  All nine Hawks batted twice in the fourth inning, as the ball flew all over the field with a combination of line drives, bloop hits, and aggressive baserunning that was just too much for Brentwood to handle.  Even a pitching change couldn't reverse the Stags' fortunes and it was a demoralised side that came off the field to find they now trailed 18-7. 

 

With a large lead now in place, the Hawks became increasingly efficient in the field, with Dave Westfallen adding to his home run by producing a text-book throw to gun-down a runner at third base, and entertaining the crowds with a juggling circus catch that was certainly not in the coaching manual!  Overall, the Hawks put in a determined effort in the field, if a little over-exuberant at times – speedster right fielder Ross Asquith was so determined to close out one inning that he raced halfway across the field into shortstop Luis Concalves as the infielder made a catch on the edge of the outfield grass.

 

Further entertainment was provided by Hawks manager Carlos Casal who, not for the first time this season, got a little carried away on the basepaths and contrived to run himself out.  After reaching base safely, he tried to catch the Stags infield napping and only succeeded in being well and truly stranded between first and second base, with the visitors queuing up to apply the tag. 

 

There was little else for the Stags to cheer though and substitute outfielder Rod Ariss made the catch the sealed victory for the Hawks, giving pitcher John Oliver his third win of the season and restoring the team's record to .500 once more.

 

The two teams meet again next weekend, at Brentwood, and while the Hawks will be looking for a repeat performance you can be certain that the Stags will have their eyes firmly on avenging this week's defeat.

 

 

Brentwood Stags at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Brentwood Stags 1 2 4 0 0 1 0 8 15 5
Herts Hawks 4 0 1 13 1 0 0 19 20 2

Herts Hawks 19, Brentwood Stags 8
Herts Hawks Brentwood Stags
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Luis Goncalves ss 5 3 2 1 Player 1 cf 4 1 2 1
Carlos Casal 3b 5 3 4 1 Player 2 3b 5 0 2 0
John Oliver 1b-p 4 3 2 3 Player 3 2b 4 1 2 0
Louis Hare 2b 5 3 3 3 Player 4 1b 4 1 0 0
Dave Westfallen c 4 2 3 3 Player 5 lf 4 0 2 1
Stuart Boast p-1b 4 1 1 2 Player 6 p-ss 4 0 0 1
Dave Hamilton cf 3 1 2 2 Player 7 ss-p 4 2 3 1
(t6) Rod Ariss cf 1 0 0 0 Player 8 rf 3 1 0 0
Nick Russell lf 3 1 2 2 Player 9 c 4 2 4 2
Ross Asquith rf 3 2 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 37 19 20 17 TEAM TOTALS 36 8 15 6

E: Dave Westfallen, Nick Russell, Player 6(2), Player 2, Player 3, Player 7. LOB:
Herts Hawks 6, Brentwood Stags 9. 2B: John Oliver(2), Player 9(2), Player 2, Player
7, Player 5. 3B: Luis Goncalves. HR: Dave Westfallen, Player 7. SB: Ross Asquith(3),
Carlos Casal(2), Stuart Boast, Dave Hamilton, Dave Westfallen, Player 9(2), Player 3,
Player 4. CS: Nick Russell, Player 9. SB: Dave Hamilton. SF: Stuart Boast.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
John Oliver W 4.33 6 1 0 0 2
Stuart Boast 2.67 9 7 4 2 3
Brentwood Stags            
Player 6 3.33 13 13 10 3 1
Player 7 L 2.67 7 6 3 1 3

WP: Stuart Boast(4), John Oliver(2). PB: Dave Westfallen(4), Player 9(2). T: 3:00. A:
0.

by Matt Bell

.500 RECORD FOR HERTS TEAMS AT THE LONDON TOURNAMENT

 

The Herts Falcons and the Herts Hawks may not have achieved what they set out to do, but there were many positives to be taken from another memorable London Tournament.  On Day One the Falcons managed to win convincingly against Northampton and the Great Britain Cadets.  This put them on top of their First Round Group.  The French team, Saints, manage dot do the same and they both found themselves not only with the same win-loss record but with exactly the same run difference of +23.  Rather than opting for the toss of a coin the organisers decided to use Saturday Night’s Home Run Derby contest as a tie-breaker.  The three French sluggers put up 4 home runs on the board, which seemed to be beyond the reach of the three Falcons representatives, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Darrin Ward and Dan Kerry who had hit two home runs earlier in the day.  But Darrin Ward had different ideas in mind.  The ball was exploding off his 20-year old bat.  He matched the 4 home runs hit by the French team and that took the contest to a sudden death final round.  The Saints and the Falcons picked their best home run hitters, Alex and Darrin, respectively and once again Darrin produced a masterful performance with another 4 home runs.  This was a tense moment for the large crowd which had gathered on field 1, and especially for the on-looking Saints and Falcons players.  At stake was not only first place finish in the First Round Group, but also the coveted 11am game start on Sunday.  For the losers the dreaded 9am game start which would mean that the traditional Saturday’ Night Out for the players may have to be drastically scaled-down, if that is at all possible.

 

With the Herts contingent heckling every swing , Alex managed to hit 3 big home runs but that was not enough and so the Falcons went on to clinch top spot in the rgoup. 

 

Unfortunately for the Falcons, the excitement of Day One seemed to take all the energy out of the team and Day Two ended in disappointment with two heavy losses to the National League Croydon Pirates and the Great Britain Junior Team which is preparing for its European Championships qualifying campaign. 

 

It was down to the Herts Hawks to keep Hertfordshire hopes of silverware alive.  They picked up a win in their first game on Saturday against the Brentwood Stags but lost to the hosts in game 2.  This meant that on Day Two the Hawks were to battle in the Frank Brady Trophy bracket of the Tournament.  They won 6-1 against the AAA Badgers from Bristol to set up a decider against the Medway Mariners.  With the time-limit looming, the Mariners had a 3-2 lead.  With 2 out the Hawks loaded the bases, but it wasn’t to be.  The Hawks ended the tournament with a very respectful record of 2 wins and 2 losses and with their Home Run Derby representative, Louis Hare, hitting a long home run out of the park in the Home Run Derby Contest.

 

With the venue’s four fields positioned so close to each other there was a worrying moment for everyone connected with Herts Baseball Club as a foul ball from Field 3 hit 14-year old Herts prospect, Luis Goncalves, on the back of the head.  Medical reports have confirmed that there is no serious damage which is good news for the club with the league season heading into its final two months.  Hawks Manager, Carlos Casal, sustained a wrist injury in a defensive play and the club is awaiting news.

 

SATURDAY'S BOX SCORES

 

Herts Falcons at Northampton
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 7 0 4 3 14 13 2
Northampton 0 0 1 1 2 4 4 2

Herts Falcons 14, Northampton 4
Herts Falcons Northampton
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish lf-cf 3 2 2 1 Player 1 p 2 0 0 0
Jason Greenberg 3b 3 1 0 0 Player 2 c 3 0 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 0 0 0 Player 3 1b 2 2 1 0
(t4) Aspi Dimitrov p 1 2 1 0 Player 4 2b 1 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 0 1 Player 5 3b 2 0 1 2
Marty Cullen 1b 4 3 3 1 Player 6 ss 3 1 1 0
Darrin Ward dh-rf 4 2 3 3 Player 7 lf 2 0 1 0
Greg Bochan rf-lf 4 1 2 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 0 0
Kal Dimitrov c 2 1 1 1 Player 9 rf 1 0 0 0
Lee Manning ss 2 1 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 27 14 13 9 TEAM TOTALS 18 4 4 2

E: Lee Manning(2), Player 5, Player 9. LOB: Northampton 3, Herts Falcons 6. 2B:
Player 5. SB: Jason Greenberg(2), Marty Cullen(2), Dan Kerry, Aspi Dimitrov,
Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 3(3), Player 4, Player 6, Player 7. SF: Kimiyoshi Saionji,
Player 9.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Aspi Dimitrov W 5.00 4 4 3 2 5
Northampton            
Player 1 L 4.67 13 14 11 4 1

HBP: by Aspi Dimitrov (Player 3). , by Player 1 (Kimiyoshi Saionji). . , by Player 1
(Jason Greenberg). . WP: Aspi Dimitrov(2), Player 1(2). T: 1:45. A: 0.

GB Cadets at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
GB Cadets 3 0 0 0 0 3 2 0
Herts Falcons 3 4 3 6 0 16 11 1

Herts Falcons 16, GB Cadets 3
Herts Falcons GB Cadets
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish c 2 4 2 1 Player 1 p 3 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg 3b 3 2 1 4 Player 2 c 1 1 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 4 2 5 Player 3 1b 2 1 1 2
Kimiyoshi Saionji dh 3 0 1 3 Player 4 2b 2 0 0 0
Lee Manning 2b 3 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 1 0 0 0
Luis Goncalves ss 3 1 2 2 Player 6 ss 2 0 0 0
Darrin Ward 1b 2 1 0 0 Player 7 lf 2 0 0 0
Greg Bochan lf 3 1 1 0 Player 8 cf 1 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov rf 2 3 2 1 Player 9 rf 1 0 0 0
Marty Cullen p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 16 11 16 TEAM TOTALS 15 3 2 2

E: Luis Goncalves. LOB: Herts Falcons 4, GB Cadets 5. 2B: Andy Cornish. 3B: Dan
Kerry. HR: Dan Kerry. SB: Dan Kerry(2), Jason Greenberg, Andy Cornish, Kimiyoshi
Saionji, Luis Goncalves, Aspi Dimitrov, Player 1(2), Player 2(2).

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Marty Cullen W 4.00 2 3 2 4 3
GB Cadets            
Player 1 L 4.00 11 16 15 9 3

HBP: by Marty Cullen (Player 8). . WP: Marty Cullen, Player 1(3). T: 1:45. A: 0.

Bristol Badgers at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Bristol Badgers 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 1
Herts Hawks 0 1 1 0 4 0 6 5 1

Herts Hawks 6, Bristol Badgers 1
Herts Hawks Bristol Badgers
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Luis Goncalves ss 2 1 1 0 Player 1 p 3 0 1 0
Carlos Casal 3b 2 2 2 1 Player 2 c 3 0 0 0
John Oliver 1b 1 1 0 0 Player 3 1b 3 0 1 2
Louis Hare p 2 1 0 0 Player 4 2b 0 1 0 0
Dave Westfallen c 3 1 1 0 Player 5 3b 2 0 0 0
Kal Dimitrov cf 2 0 1 1 Player 6 ss 2 0 1 0
Humberto Goncalves 2b 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 2 0 0 0
Jake Kikel lf 2 0 0 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 1 0
Ilya Dimitrov rf 3 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 20 6 5 3 TEAM TOTALS 19 1 4 2

E: Ilya Dimitrov, Player 5. LOB: Bristol Badgers 4, Herts Hawks 7. 2B: Luis
Goncalves. 3B: Player 3. SB: Dave Westfallen(2), Luis Goncalves, Kal Dimitrov, Player
4(4), Player 1.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
Louis Hare W 5.33 4 1 0 3 7
Bristol Badgers            
Player 1 L 4.67 5 6 2 6 3

HBP: by Player 1 (Jake Kikel). . PB: Player 2(4). T: 1:40. A: 0.

Croydon Pirates at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 R H E
Croydon Pirates 5 6 4 8 23 18 0
Herts Falcons 0 0 0 0 0 2 9

Croydon Pirates 23, Herts Falcons 0
Croydon Pirates Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 6 ss 5 2 3 1 Luis Goncalves ss 2 0 0 0
Player 8 cf 5 3 3 5 Andy Cornish 3b 2 0 1 0
Player 7 lf 4 3 2 2 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 3 4 1 0 Dan Kerry cf 2 0 0 0
Player 1 p 4 4 4 2 Darrin Ward p 1 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 3 2 2 2 Marty Cullen 1b 1 0 0 0
Player 4 2b 4 2 1 3 Greg Bochan rf 1 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 2 2 0 0 Aspi Dimitrov lf 1 0 1 0
Player 2 c 4 1 2 2 Lee Manning c 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 34 23 18 17 TEAM TOTALS 13 0 2 0

E: Marty Cullen(3), Lee Manning(2), Luis Goncalves(2), Dan Kerry, Kimiyoshi Saionji.
LOB: Herts Falcons 1, Croydon Pirates 4. 2B: Player 6, Player 1, Player 4. HR: Player
8, Player 7. SB: Player 7, Player 6, Player 9, Andy Cornish.

Croydon Pirates IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 4.00 2 0 0 0 4
Herts Falcons            
Darrin Ward L 4.00 18 23 10 4 4

HBP: by Darrin Ward (Player 9). . . WP: Darrin Ward. PB: Lee Manning(4). T: 1:40. A:
0.

Herts Hawks at Medway Mariners
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Herts Hawks 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 2
Medway Mariners 0 2 0 0 1 2 5 8 2

Medway Mariners 5, Herts Hawks 2
Medway Mariners Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 3 1 0 0 Luis Goncalves ss 2 0 0 0
Player 2 c 2 1 1 0 (b4) Andy Cornish ss 1 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 4 0 2 1 Carlos Casal 3b 3 0 1 0
Player 4 2b 4 0 0 0 John Oliver p 3 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 3 0 0 0 Louis Hare 1b 3 1 2 0
Player 6 ss 3 1 2 0 Dave Westfallen c 2 1 1 0
Player 7 lf 2 2 1 0 Kal Dimitrov rf-2b 3 0 0 1
Player 8 cf 2 0 1 0 Humberto Goncalves 2b 2 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 2 0 1 2 (b4) Ilya Dimitrov rf 1 0 1 0
Jake Kikel lf 3 0 0 0
Dave Hamilton cf 3 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 25 5 8 3 TEAM TOTALS 26 2 6 1

E: Player 6, Player 5, Dave Westfallen, Andy Cornish. LOB: Herts Hawks 7, Medway
Mariners 8. 2B: Dave Hamilton. SB: Player 2(2), Player 7, Jake Kikel. SB: Player 8.

Medway Mariners IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 6.00 6 2 0 2 4
Herts Hawks            
John Oliver L 6.00 8 5 3 5 3

WP: Player 1. PB: Player 2, Dave Westfallen. T: 1:40. A: 0.

 

by Matt Bell

TWO HERTS TEAMS HEAD SOUTH THIS WEEKEND IN SEARCH OF SILVERWARE

The organisers of the International London Tournament have confirmed this weekend's schedule.  Herts Hawks have to overcome old rivals Brentwood and Croydon while the Falcons have been drawn with France, GB Cadets and Northampton.  Looking ahead to Sunday, if both Herts teams win their respective groups they will clash against each other in the Winners' Group on Sunday.  Yes, that's right a Hertfordshire derby in Croydon.

Here is Saturday's game schedule:

Group 1

10:00    11:45                GB Juniors v. Meteors           

12:00    13:45                Richmond v. Essex  

14:15    16:00                Meteors v. Richmond

16:15    18:00                Essex v. GB Juniors

(Group 1 the top 3 placed teams progress to the Winners Group)

 

Group 2

10:00    11:45                GB Cadets v. France

12:00    13:45                Northampton v. Herts Falcons

14:15    16:00                France v. Northampton             

16:15    18:00                Herts Falcons v. GB Cadets

(Group 2 the 1st & 2nd placed teams progress to the Winners Group)

 

Group 3

10:00    11:45                Uni All Stars v. Southampton                

12:00    13:45                Medway v. Uni All Stars                 

14:15    16:00                Southampton v. Sidewinders                  

16:15    18:00                Sidewinders v. Medway                       

(Group 3 the 1st & 2nd placed teams progress to the Winners Group)

 

Group 4

11:00    12:45                Pirates v. Brentwood

13:00    14:45                Brentwood v. Herts Hawks

15:15    17:00                Herts Hawks v. Pirates

(Group 4 the 1st placed team only progresses to the Winners Group)

 

All games are 1hr 45 min duration or 7 innings.  All teams will play games on Sunday, as well.  Depending on the outcome of Saturday's games, two groups are formed – a Winners Group and a secondary pool of teams that will compete for the Frank Brady Cup.  Everyone team will play at least four games of baseball in two days – and that doesn't include a potential championship game.

 

Full Tournament Tree

by Matt Bell

HERTS BASEBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR WEEK SCHEDULE

One of the great weeks on the baseball calendar is Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week.  Herts Baseball Club also tries to recreate this great tradition here in the United Kingdom by running events alongside those which take place on the other side of the Atlantic. 

 

Herts Baseball Club has just announced the events schedule for All-Star Week.

 

Saturday, 12 July 2008

Members of the Herts AAA, AA and A adult teams will head South for this year’s International London Tournament held in Croydon over two days.  Most hotel rooms in that part of London have already been booked as Herts Baseball Club members intend to make an all-out invasion of Croydon.  For the first time in its history, the club has entered two teams in what is arguably the biggest adult baseball event in this country.   The tournament game schedule will be confirmed a few days before the event.  In the evening, following the first day of games, the Tournament will stage the annual Home Run Derby.

 

Sunday, 13 July 2008

Day 2 of the International London Tournament including the deciding games to determine the winners and the losers.

 

Monday, 14 July 2008

(TV) 01:00am 2008 MLB Home-Run Derby (Watch it live on MLB.COM)

MLB .COM is currently running some promotional campaigns which offer the opportunity to watch one week of MLB TV free of charge.

 

Tuesday, 15 July 2008

(TV) 01:05am MLB 2008 All-Star Game, American League vs National league (Watch it live on Channel Five)

 

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

5:45pm, Herts Raptors will be joined by Milwaukee Brewers Coach, Sam Dempster for a special training session at Grovehill Ballpark.  This session is also open to Herts Hawks, Herts Falcons and potential new member of the club.  If you are not a member and you would like to give baseball a go please contact us for details how to take part in this special training session baseball@hertsbaseball.com

 

Thursday, 17 July 2008

4:00pm, Herts Baseball Little League Players will be joined by Milwaukee Brewers Coach, Sam Dempster for a training session at Grovehill Ballpark. 

 

5:45pm, Herts Falcons will be joined by Milwaukee Brewers Coach, Sam Dempster for a special training session at Grovehill Ballpark.  

 

Saturday, 19 July 2008

9:30 – 10:30 – Herts Baseball Little League Clinic run by Great Britain Baseball National Team Coaches

 

10:30 – 1:00 – Herts Baseball Little League (Yankees @ Red Sox, Blue Jays @ Cubs, Cubs @ Yankees, Red Sox @ Blue Jays)

 

1:30pm – GB Juniors National Team vs GB Seniors Trialists

Great opportunity for baseball fans in and around Hertfordshire to take a look at some of the best young baseball players in Great Britain.

 

Sunday, 20 July 2008

11:00pm, AA League: Herts Hawks vs Brentwood Stags, Grovehill Ballpark

 

3:00pm,  Single-A League: Herts Raptors vs Bracknell Blazers, Grovehill Ballpark

by Matt Bell

FALCONS AND KINGS SHARE THRONE, SPLIT SHOWDOWN

The forecasts were dead-on: relentless and scattered showers.  Nevertheless, both Herts and Oxford were determined to test one another's defence and power.  As the respective leaders in AAA Divisions A and B, these rivals weren't about to let a little rain get in the way of their much-anticipated showdown.  In addition to moving the teams a little closer to their 'magic number' (the countdown in games to when a squad clinches its playoff berth), this was also a preview of the likely strengths and weaknesses these two teams might encounter should they face-off again in the Final 4.

Game One got off to a shaky start for the home team.  After rushing to get things underway in the nasty weather, everyone huddled under the gazebos and waited for the umpire to muscle his way through the M-25 gridlock.  Despite unofficial protests from the visiting team, soon things were underway and an early four-run Oxford lead silenced their grumblings.

Starter Nic Goetz struggled to find his command in the 1st, surrendering a leadoff single followed by a monster two-run blast from switch-hitter Jorge Machado.  The next batter was hit by a pitch and two Falcons errors allowed a further two runs to cross home plate.  With one out and the Kings threatening to cause more damage, Goetz forced a double play to stop the bleeding and end the inning.

From that point forward Goetz was masterful, issuing only two walks in the game.  Although they chalked up ten hits, Oxford stranded seven runners on base and managed only three more earned runs in the 7th.  In that final inning – after three singles and a pop out – the Kings were threatening to capsize the Falcons lead.  Oxford pitcher Matteo Convento was on first base representing the tying run when another player gently flied-out to the right-side of the infield.  Convento, however, had lost track of how many outs had been issued in the inning, and stood shaking his head halfway to second base as the Falcons doubled him up to seal the victory.

Game Two was the most flagrant upset of the season for the Herts first team.  A mixture of sloppy errors and multiple wild pitches by Falcons pitcher Darrin Ward set the score at 7-2 for Oxford in the 2nd inning.  It was at this point – with catcher Jason Greenberg at bat with two outs in a 0-2 count with Andy Cornish on first – that the umpire called for a rain delay.  Both teams hustled to the gazebos and waited out a 25-minute thunderstorm before retaking the field.  The Kings wisely brought out a new pitcher, Masaharu Egawa.  After two wild pitches, bringing the suspended count to 2-2 and advancing Cornish to third base, Greenberg lined a ground-rule double into left field.  The hits kept coming after that for the Falcons.  Four singles brought in six runs and Herts took the lead 8-7.

Going into the third it seemed like the Falcons were destined for a sweep… but instead they played their worst inning of baseball in the 2008 season.  Perhaps the long rain delay in the cold wind had set in and the players' muscles had tightened up.  Perhaps it was the failure to properly re-warm pitcher Ward, or restretch before heading out into the field.  Third baseman Cornish left the game with a dead leg.  Catcher Greenberg was showing signs of fatigue.  Whatever the ultimate cause, Oxford combined for 15 runs on 10 hits and 5 errors committed by the Herts defence.  This put the score at 22-8, and the Kings never looked back.  They won the game 24-10 in five innings (the first time the Falcons had suffered defeat by the slaughter-rule).

All things considered, Herts was pleased with the split.  Oxford moves to 13-5, only two games ahead of the 2nd place Southampton squad.  The Falcons find themselves with an AAA-leading record of 15-3 and only eight games left to play.  They are six games ahead of the .500 Essex Arrows and London Metros.

And, that magic number?  It stands at 7.  Any combination of seven Falcons wins or Arrows/Metros losses will vault the Herts first team into the playoffs.

Come on lucky seven.

GAME ONE

Oxford Kings at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Oxford Kings 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 9 3
Herts Falcons 0 2 2 1 0 3 0 8 8 5

Herts Falcons 8, Oxford Kings 7
Herts Falcons Oxford Kings
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b 2 1 2 0 Masa 2b 4 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 2 1 0 Jorge ss 4 1 2 2
Dan Kerry cf 4 2 2 1 Jarek c 3 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 1 1 1 Paul 1b-p 3 1 1 0
Darrin Ward 1b 3 1 1 0 Santo cf-1b 4 1 0 0
Marty Cullen dh 3 0 0 0 Adam 3b 3 1 1 2
Lee Manning ss 1 0 0 0 Aaron rf-sf 4 0 2 3
Aspi Dimitrov rf 3 0 0 0 Tom lf 4 0 2 0
Jim Hyde lf 3 1 1 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 26 8 8 2 TEAM TOTALS 29 6 9 7

E: Andy Cornish(2), Lee Manning(2), Nick Goetz, Jorge, Jarek, Adam. DP: Herts Falcons
1. LOB: Herts Falcons 6, Oxford Kings 7. 2B: Jason Greenberg, Jim Hyde. HR: Jorge.
SB: Dan Kerry(2), Jim Hyde, Aspi Dimitrov, Jason Greenberg, Jarek, Adam. CS: Paul.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 10 7 5 2 2
Oxford Kings            
Paul L 3.00 3 4 2 2 4

HBP: by Nick Goetz (Jarek). . , by Nick Goetz (Paul). . . . . WP: Paul(2). PB: Jason
Greenberg. T: 3:00. A: 0.

GAME TWO

Oxford Kings at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Oxford Kings 4 3 15 2 0 24 19 4
Herts Falcons 2 6 0 2 0 10 11 8

Oxford Kings 24, Herts Falcons 10
Oxford Kings Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Masa p 5 3 3 2 Andy Cornish 3b 2 1 0 0
Jorge c 5 3 3 2 (t4) Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
Jarek 1b 4 3 3 2 Jason Greenberg c 4 2 2 1
Paul 2b 5 4 2 1 Dan Kerry cf 4 2 1 0
Santo 3b 5 3 3 4 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 2 1 2
Adam ss 5 2 3 5 Lee Manning dh-ss 3 1 1 1
Katsu lf 3 1 0 0 Marty Cullen 1b 3 2 3 2
Aaron cf 3 2 0 0 Greg Bochan lf 2 0 1 1
Tom rf 3 3 2 2 (t4) Jim Hyde lf 1 0 1 0
Nick Goetz ss-3b 3 0 1 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 38 24 19 18 TEAM TOTALS 28 10 11 7

E: Jorge(2), Masa, Santo, Dan Kerry(2), Jason Greenberg, Andy Cornish, Lee Manning,
Greg Bochan, Nick Goetz, Darrin Ward. DP: Oxford Kings 1. LOB: Oxford Kings 4, Herts
Falcons 5. 2B: Masa(2), Santo, Jarek, Adam, Dan Kerry, Jason Greenberg, Marty Cullen.
HR: Adam, Jorge. SB: Jorge(2), Jarek(2), Masa(2), Santo, Paul, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Jim
Hyde, Aspi Dimitrov.

Oxford Kings IP H R ER BB SO
Masa W 5.00 11 10 3 2 5
Jarek 0.00 0 0 0 0 0
Herts Falcons            
Darrin Ward L 3.00 17 22 12 3 1
Aspi Dimitrov 2.00 2 2 2 2 1

WP: Masa(3), Darrin Ward(5). PB: Jorge. T: 3:00. A: 35.

by Matt Bell

SIDEWINDERS BREAK HAWKS HEARTS IN LATE INNINGS

Sidewinders at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Sidewinders 1 0 1 3 3 0 3 3 1 15 18 5
Herts Hawks 2 7 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 12 14 3

Sidewinders 15, Herts Hawks 12
Sidewinders Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 8 cf-2b 4 1 1 0 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 5 3 2 2
(b6) Sub 5 2b 2 1 2 1 Tim Elkins rf-lf 6 1 0 0
Player 5 3b 1 0 1 1 John Oliver 1b-p 3 3 2 2
(t3) Sub 2 3b 5 0 1 1 Louis Hare p-1b 4 2 3 0
Player 7 lf 5 2 1 0 Carlos Casal 3b 4 1 3 5
Player 3 1b 5 3 3 1 Dave Westfallen c 4 0 1 1
Player 1 p 2 1 1 1 Rod Ariss ss 5 0 1 1
(b4) Sub 1 ss 3 2 3 5 Dave Hamilton cf 4 1 1 0
Player 4 2b 2 0 0 0 Paul Auchterlounie lf 4 1 1 0
(t5) Sub 3 2b-cf 3 1 2 1 (t8) Hunter Devine rf-lf 1 0 0 0
Player 6 ss-p 5 1 2 1
Player 9 rf 3 1 1 2
(b5) Sub 4 rf 2 0 0 0
Player 2 c 2 2 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 44 15 18 14 TEAM TOTALS 40 12 14 11

E: Player 5(3), Player 8, Sub 1, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Louis Hare, Paul Auchterlounie.
LOB: Sidewinders 6, Herts Hawks 8. 2B: Sub 1(2), Player 3(2), Player 8, Player 1,
Player 6, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Carlos Casal, John Oliver. HR: Sub 1, Player 9. SB: Sub
1, Player 8, Sub 4, Kimiyoshi Saionji(4), Carlos Casal(3), Louis Hare(3), Dave
Hamilton(2), Rod Ariss, Tim Elkins, Paul Auchterlounie. CS: Player 5, Louis Hare,
Paul Auchterlounie. SF: Dave Westfallen.

Sidewinders IP H R ER BB SO
Player 6 W 6.00 3 3 3 4 3
Player 1 3.00 11 9 5 1 2
Herts Hawks            
Louis Hare 6.00 9 8 6 3 6
John Oliver L 3.00 9 7 5 1 2

HBP: by Player 6 (Louis Hare). . . . . WP: Player 6. PB: Dave Westfallen(4). T: 3:00.
A: 41.
Sidewinders – Top of the 1st:
Player 8 ground rule doubled, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Player 5 singled, caught trying to steal 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 7 struck out looking.
Player 3 flied out.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 1st:
Kimiyoshi Saionji singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Tim Elkins grounded out.
John Oliver singled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Louis Hare singled, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd.
Carlos Casal singled, stole 2nd.
Dave Westfallen sacrifice flied, 1 RBI.
Rod Ariss struck out looking.
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 2nd:
Player 1 grounded out.
Player 4 struck out swinging.
Player 6 popped out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 2nd:
Dave Hamilton reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Paul Auchterlounie singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Kimiyoshi Saionji ground rule doubled, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Tim Elkins reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on
error.
John Oliver doubled, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Louis Hare reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Carlos Casal singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Dave Westfallen grounded out.
Rod Ariss singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Dave Hamilton singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Paul Auchterlounie grounded out.
Kimiyoshi Saionji struck out swinging.
7 runs, 6 hits, 3 errors, 2 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 3rd:
Player 9 struck out swinging.
Player 2 walked, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Player 8 grounded out.
Sub 2 singled, 1 RBI.
Player 7 grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 3rd:
Tim Elkins grounded out.
John Oliver walked, batted forward to 2nd, forced out at 3rd.
Louis Hare singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Carlos Casal grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 4th:
Player 3 ground rule doubled, batted forward to home.
Player 1 ground rule doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 4 struck out swinging.
Player 6 flied out.
Player 9 hit 2-run home run, 2 RBI.
Player 2 walked.
Player 8 lined out.
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 4th:
Dave Westfallen struck out swinging.
Rod Ariss struck out swinging.
Dave Hamilton grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 5th:
Sub 2 popped out.
Player 7 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 3 grounded out.
Sub 1 ground rule doubled, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Sub 3 singled, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 6 singled, advanced to 2nd on throw, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, 1 RBI.
Player 9 struck out looking.
3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 5th:
Paul Auchterlounie reached on error, caught trying to steal 2nd.
Kimiyoshi Saionji walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, batted forward to
home.
Tim Elkins lined out.
John Oliver walked, batted forward to home.
Louis Hare hit by pitch, batted forward to home.
Carlos Casal doubled, advanced to 3rd on throw, 3 RBI.
Dave Westfallen flied out.
3 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 6th:
Player 2 grounded out.
Player 8 grounded out.
Sub 2 struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 6th:
Rod Ariss grounded out.
Dave Hamilton grounded out.
Paul Auchterlounie grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 7th:
Player 7 struck out looking.
Player 3 singled, batted forward to home.
Sub 1 hit 2-run home run, 2 RBI.
Sub 3 singled, batted forward to 3rd, tagged out going to home.
Player 6 ground rule doubled, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, advanced to home on
error.
Sub 4 reached on error, stole 2nd.
Player 2 flied out.
3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 7th:
Kimiyoshi Saionji flied out.
Tim Elkins grounded out.
John Oliver struck out looking.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 8th:
Sub 5 singled, batted forward to home.
Sub 2 struck out swinging.
Player 7 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 3 ground rule doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Sub 1 ground rule doubled, 2 RBI.
Sub 3 flied out.
Player 6 lined out.
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 8th:
Louis Hare singled, stole 2nd, caught trying to steal 3rd.
Carlos Casal walked, stole 2nd, picked off.
Dave Westfallen singled, forced out at 2nd.
Rod Ariss reached on fielder's choice.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sidewinders – Top of the 9th:
Sub 4 grounded out.
Player 2 walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to 3rd on passed ball,
batted forward to home.
Sub 5 singled, forced out at 2nd, 1 RBI.
Sub 2 popped out.
Player 7 reached on fielder's choice.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 9th:
Dave Hamilton walked, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
Hunter Devine grounded out.
Kimiyoshi Saionji reached on error, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
Tim Elkins reached on fielder's choice.
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
by Matt Bell

FALCONS BATS SCORCHING AS SEASON SOARS TO 14-2

Posted on behalf of Newswire Correspondent Andy Cornish.


Sunday’s hosts – the London Metros – have papered their dressing room/toilet with inspirational quotes from MLB ‘Hall of Famers’.  It was these winning words that greeted the Falcons as they arrived at Finsbury Park for a two-game set against their division rivals.  The Metros stood firmly in second place with a 5-3 record… trailing the Falcons by a margin in the AAA standings, but not by enough for the Herts first team to harbour premature fantasies of a postseason berth.

So, the Falcons walked humbly into Finsbury Park knowing that these games would prove contentious.  A split would have been enough. Metros Field was slightly sheltered from the elements, but powerful winds were still a factor and an early gust claimed a casualty before the game was even underway!  R.I.P. Gazebo, our dear travelling ‘dugout’.

The games started in good fashion as Herts gained an early 1-0 lead in the 1st inning – a Metros balk with a runner on third base.  That early mistake aside, the game quickly developed into a pitcher’s duel which persisted for the rest of the game. Due to Falcons errors in the field, London managed to battle back to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 2nd.

With a combination of hits and steals by the top of the order (Dan Kerry connecting for a monster double; 1 RBI) the Falcons managed to ground out a 4-2 advantage going into the bottom of the 5th.  In a bizarre twist of fate, the Metros scored 4 runs and hit their way into the lead with a brace of doubles, and a few singles and errors to boot.  By the end of the 6th inning the game was locked at four runs apiece, and this showdown seemed destined for extra innings as the teams brawled for the W.

The Metros brought in their closer as the Falcons sent newcomer Jim Hyde to the plate.  Recently promoted from within the organisation, Jim worked a base on balls, took advantage of a wild pitch to reach second base, stole third and scored the go-ahead run on an error.  This was only the start of a rally, however, with Nic Goetz and Greg ‘The Motion’ Bochan (1-1 with a 2B) both scoring.

Now Darrin Ward had to close out the game.  With the first two balls batted straight to Nic Goetz at shortstop for groundouts, the tension was building.  The Metros managed to get two more runs on two singles and two walks before the final out was made… but shaky-or-not the Falcons earned the win by a score of 9-8.  Ward chalked up his fifth win of the season.

Both the players and the growing Finsbury Park audience needed to draw a breathe, with the sun beating down and the wind continually swirling.  But after a short rest Game Two started as the Falcons wished, with a five run top of the 1st.  The score stayed at 5-0, starting pitcher Goetz allowing only one hit going into the bottom of the 3rd.  But in this half an inning, the Metros managed to gain the momentum scoring five runs on only two hits.

It was a new ballgame.  The Falcons managed a small advantage in the 5th when – with Marty Cullen on base – Darrin Ward hit a double, scoring the run before being tagged out trying to aggressively turn his hit into a triple.  The Falcons summarily surrendered their lead when the Metros scored two more runs on errors.

At the top of the 6th the game changed hands once again. Bochan lead off the inning with a walk, reached second base on a wild pitch and was hit in on a double by Andy Cornish.  The Metros looked a completely different side as the Falcons beat out a 6-run inning.  Jason Greenberg and Andy Cornish successfully completed a double steal in this inning (two in the game).

In the bottom of the inning, London once again managed to score several runs on only one hit.  4 Metros crossed home plate in the 6th, pulling the game to within one run as the contest entered its final frame.  With the smell of victory floating in the humid air above the diamond – and aided by two London pitching changes during the inning – the Falcons went full-throttle scoring seven times and snagging an eight-run lead.

Despite faint whiffs of a comeback in the bottom of the 7th, the Falcons held on in this massive 19-14 slugfest and secured their 14th victory of the season.  Manager and catcher Greenberg said after the game that “these victories are important and critical, and the Falcons have earned some R&R – it’s time to rest our arms in preparation for the tough games coming up in a few weeks’ time.”  The team came together, did the customary cheer with extraordinary gusto, and left London with the belief and confidence that this winning streak would continue into July.

GAME ONE

Herts Falcons at London Metros
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 1 0 2 1 0 2 3 9 14 3
London Metros 0 2 0 0 4 0 2 8 10 3

Herts Falcons 9, London Metros 8
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b 4 3 2 0 Player 1 p 4 1 1 2
Jason Greenberg c 5 2 3 2 Player 2 c 4 1 2 0
Dan Kerry cf 5 0 2 2 Player 3 1b 3 2 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 3 1 Player 4 2b 3 0 0 0
Marty Cullen 1b 4 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 4 1 1 2
Jim Hyde dh 3 1 0 0 Player 6 ss 4 1 1 0
Lee Manning rf 3 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 2 1
Nick Goetz ss 4 1 3 0 Player 8 cf 3 1 2 1
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 1 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 1 1 0
(t7) Greg Bochan lf 1 1 1 0
Darrin Ward p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 35 9 14 5 TEAM TOTALS 31 8 10 6

E: Nick Goetz(2), Jason Greenberg, Player 2, Player 5, Player 6. DP: Herts Falcons 1.
LOB: London Metros 4, Herts Falcons 9. 2B: Nick Goetz, Dan Kerry, Greg Bochan, Player
7(2), Player 1. SB: Kimiyoshi Saionji(2), Andy Cornish(2), Jason Greenberg(2), Jim
Hyde, Dan Kerry, Greg Bochan, Player 3(2), Player 6. CS: Lee Manning.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 10 8 5 2 1
London Metros            
Player 1 L 7.00 14 9 6 5 6

WP: Darrin Ward, Player 1(2). PB: Player 2(2). Balk: Player 1. T: 2:30. A: 78.

GAME TWO

Herts Falcons at London Metros
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 5 0 0 0 1 6 7 19 10 4
London Metros 0 0 5 0 2 4 3 14 9 10

Herts Falcons 19, London Metros 14
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish 3b-cf 5 2 2 1 Strezelski 3b 4 1 0 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 3 1 0 Dujardin lf 2 3 0 0
Dan Kerry cf-p 5 3 1 1 Byok cf 1 1 0 1
(b7) Aspi Dimitrov pr-p 0 0 0 0 (t5) Sub 1 cf 1 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 6 2 2 1 Rogalinski rf 4 3 2 3
Marty Cullen 1b 4 3 0 1 Stabe 1b 2 2 1 0
Jim Hyde lf 4 3 1 1 (t6) Alex Phipps 1b-rf 1 0 1 2
Lee Manning ss 4 1 2 2 Zeng c 5 1 2 3
Darrin Ward dh 2 0 1 1 Ferguson 2b 5 1 1 2
(t6) Nick Goetz p-3b 1 1 0 0 Sproule ss 3 0 1 2
Greg Bochan rf 3 1 0 1 Morris p 3 1 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 37 19 10 9 TEAM TOTALS 31 14 9 13

E: Andy Cornish(3), Nick Goetz, Morris(2), Sproule(2), Ferguson(2), Rogalinski,
Strezelski, Zeng, Alex Phipps. LOB: London Metros 8, Herts Falcons 9. 2B: Andy
Cornish, Lee Manning, Darrin Ward. SB: Andy Cornish(3), Jason Greenberg(3), Kimiyoshi
Saionji, Nick Goetz, Dan Kerry, Lee Manning, Morris, Sproule. CS: Lee Manning, Zeng.
S: Greg Bochan.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz 4.33 6 7 4 4 3
Dan Kerry W 1.67 1 5 5 6 2
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 2 2 2 1 2
London Metros            
Morris L 7.00 10 19 7 11 3


HBP: by Dan Kerry (Rogalinski). . WP: Dan Kerry, Morris(6). PB: Zeng(4). T: 2:30. A: 78.

by Matt Bell

HAWKS TAKE ANOTHER WIN DESPITE CONTROVERSIALLY LOSING THEIR MANAGER

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

A thrilling eighth inning rally led the Herts Hawks to a come-from-behind victory against the Northampton Bucks in a fiercely contested match in Milton Keynes on Sunday, lifting them back up to third place in the British AA league standings.

 

Forced to battle against the elements (most notably a gusting wind that made every fly-ball an adventure in the field) and some highly contentious umpiring decisions that resulted in a ninth-inning ejection, the Hawks pulled together producing a team effort full of controlled aggression that led them to victory.

 

The game started badly for the visitors as the Northampton Bucks took advantage of a couple of defensive lapses to jump out to an early four-run lead.  With the Hawks failing to mount any meaningful offense in the early innings it was 4-1 to the home side at the half way mark. 

 

The Herts bats sprung into life in the six inning though, with a run-scoring triple from Louis Hare being followed by a booming double over the centerfielder's head by catcher Dave Westfallen.  With the tying run now at second base, the momentum appeared to be shifting until Westfallen was called out on a pick-off move, despite having clearly slid back safely under the tag.  Understandably frustrated by the call, the Hawks rally died out and Northampton retained their slender one-run advantage.

 

Meanwhile in the field, the Hawks were producing some excellent defence.  Shortstop Luis Goncalves showed off a strong arm to fire out one runner, and also helped to complete two double plays as the visitors managed to cope better than expected with the windy conditions.  With relief pitcher Louis Hare looking strong on the mound, the Hawks were playing well but time was running out for them to overturn the deficit.

 

Finally, in the eighth inning, the Hawks broke through.  First the middle order took advantage of some weaknesses in the Bucks infield to string several hits together and tie the game.  Their aggressive baserunning disrupted the pitcher's concentration to such an extent he then walked in a run, before an rbi single by substitute Nick Russell completed the rally.  With two men being thrown out at the plate, the damage could have been even greater, but with six runs having scored Herts now led 9-4 and were six outs away from a thrilling victory.

 

Northampton chipped away slightly, with a run of their own in the bottom of the eighth inning, before controversy struck in the ninth inning.  With runners on second and third base, Dave Hamilton was called out on a check-swing to end the inning.  Whilst not contesting the call, the Hawks outfielder asked whether his strikeout was the result of a called strike or because he had failed to stop his swing in time, but was simply told again 'you're out'.  Manager Carlos Casal came over and (also very politely) tried to clarify the situation but was given the same answer before astonishingly being ejected from the game.

 

This bizarre twist led to a quick defensive re-shuffle as the Hawks completed the game under protest,  but pitcher Louis Hare made sure justice was done, striking out the last three hitters to clinch victory.

 

Whilst he has been known to have hot-tempered outbursts in the past, the Hawks' fiercely competitive manager was still stunned after the game at his first ever ejection from a baseball match, not least because it resulted from one of his calmest ever conversations with an umpire!  Nevertheless, he was thrilled with the team performance which returns the Herts second team to a .500 record for the season.  Further challenges lie in store for the Hawks though as they face the two teams above them in the table in their next two games, the Sidewinders visiting Grovehill next weekend.

 

 

Herts Hawks at Northampton
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Herts Hawks 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 9 11 3
Northampton 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 6 3

Herts Hawks 9, Northampton 5
Herts Hawks Northampton
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Ross Asquith lf 3 0 0 0 Player 1 p 3 0 0 0
Tim Elkins rf 3 0 0 0 Player 2 c 4 1 0 0
John Oliver 1b 3 1 0 0 Player 3 1b 3 2 1 0
Carlos Casal 3b 5 2 1 0 Player 4 2b 3 0 0 1
Louis Hare p 5 3 3 3 Player 5 3b 4 1 1 0
Dave Westfallen c 5 1 3 3 Player 6 ss 3 1 1 0
Humberto Goncalves 2b 4 0 3 0 Player 7 lf 4 0 1 1
Dave Hamilton cf 4 1 0 0 Player 8 cf 4 0 1 0
Luis Goncalves ss 3 0 1 1 Player 9 rf 4 0 1 0
Nick Russell b-rf 2 1 0 0
Paul Auchterlounie b-lf 2 0 0 1
Rodney Naghar b-pr-3b 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 39 9 11 8 TEAM TOTALS 32 5 6 2

E: Humberto Goncalves(2), Luis Goncalves, Player 4, Player 5, Player 6. LOB:
Northampton 7, Herts Hawks 8. 2B: Luis Goncalves, Dave Westfallen, Player 3. 3B:
Louis Hare. SB: Dave Westfallen, Humberto Goncalves, Rodney Naghar, Player 1(2),
Player 6, Player 4, Player 8. CS: Luis Goncalves, Player 1(2), Player 4.

Herts Hawks IP H R ER BB SO
Louis Hare W 8.67 6 5 1 5 11
Northampton            
Player 1 L 9.00 11 9 4 5 12

HBP: by Louis Hare (Player 1). . . PB: Dave Westfallen, Player 2(2). T: 3:00. A: 0.