Category: Adult Leagues

by AspiDimitrov

IMPROVED HAWKS PERFORMANCE FAILS TO END LOSING STREAK

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

 

It went down to the wire, but unfortunately the Hertfordshire Hawks suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in the AA British League on Sunday, losing 9-5 to the Richmond Dragons in a typically competitive match-up between these two sides at Grovehill.

 

Coming back from a heavy defeat to the Bournemouth Sharks in their previous game, the Hawks were keen to put in a much stronger performance against their long time rivals.  On this front, they certainly delivered, as they were only one run behind going into the final inning, but unfortunately the hitters were once again unable to deliver the crucial hits needed to bring victory.

 

The first two innings were tight, with neither side able to make any real impact against some good starting pitching.  However, once again fielding errors proved the Hawks' downfall in the third inning, as three errors contributed to two Richmond runs.  The damage could have been much worse though if catcher Dave Westfallen hadn't succesfully tagged out two runners as they tried to score.

 

A superb bunt single from Hawks leadoff hitter Ross Asquith gave the Hawks the perfect start to their half of the third inning.  Asquith then showed off his speed on the basepaths as he stole second and third base before forcing a mistake from the normally reliable Dragons catcher Charlie Pratt, which made the score 2-1.  Unfortunately, despite threatening further damage, the Hawks were unable to level the score, and Richmond increased their lead in the next two innings to leave the Hawks trailing 5-1 at the halfway stage.

 

Hertfordshire's second team were determined not to go down without a fight though, and pitcher John Oliver spearheaded the offensive charge, scoring a run in the fifth inning, before driving in two more runs in the sixth with a two-out double.  This made the score 5-4 and with the defense now standing firm, the Hawks sniffed victory.

 

With hard-throwing (but occasionally erratic) relief pitcher Dan McAneny on for Dragons, catcher Pratt got his revenge on Hawks speedster Asquith by throwing him out at second base on a steal attempt in the 8th inning, and the game was headed for a tense final inning.  Sadly for the Hawks though, it was their opponents bats which finally came to life, as they strung together five hits and added four crucial insurance runs. 

 

Even then, the home side did not go down without a fight.  The Hawks scored a run of their own, and with two further batters reaching base, the Dragons were forced into a second pitching change in order to close out the game.

 

Although understandably disappointed after the loss, the team's manager Carlos Casal was heartened by the improved performance and knows that cutting down the fielding errors or making a couple more hits with the bat will be enough to swing the next game (vs Brentwood on June 15th) in favour of the Hawks.

 

 

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

Richmond Dragons 9, Herts Hawks 5
Richmond Dragons Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Dan Lally p-1b 4 2 1 0 Ross Asquith lf 4 1 1 0
Charlie Pratt c 5 1 2 0 Tim Elkins rf 4 1 0 1
Chris Gould 3b 4 2 3 1 John Oliver p-1b 4 1 2 2
Jeff Vilasmil ss 3 1 0 1 Louis Hare 1b-p 5 0 0 0
Dan McAneny cf-p 4 1 1 1 Carlos Casal 3b 3 1 1 0
Per Nilsson 1b-cf-p 3 2 1 1 Dave Westfallen c 4 0 1 1
Stuart Hendry rf 3 0 0 0 Nick Russell 2b 2 0 0 0
(t6) Woo Kim 2b 2 0 1 2 Luis Goncalves ss 4 0 1 1
Gonzi Lorenzo 2b-rf 1 0 0 1 Dave Hamilton cf 1 1 0 0
(t8) Nigel King rf 1 0 0 1 (t7) Rod Ariss cf 2 0 0 0
Pete Gosselin lf 2 0 0 0
(t6) Brandt Kloke lf 3 0 2 0
TEAM TOTALS 35 9 11 8 TEAM TOTALS 33 5 6 5

E: Per Nilsson(2), Charlie Pratt, Dan McAneny, Carlos Casal(3), John Oliver, Louis
Hare, Dave Westfallen, Nick Russell. LOB: Richmond Dragons 10, Herts Hawks 13. 2B:
Dan Lally, John Oliver. SB: Dan Lally(2), Chris Gould(2), Per Nilsson(2), Brandt
Kloke(2), Charlie Pratt, Ross Asquith(2), Dave Westfallen, Dave Hamilton, Luis
Goncalves. CS: Ross Asquith. SF: Gonzi Lorenzo, Dan McAneny, Jeff Vilasmil, Nigel
King.

Richmond Dragons IP H R ER BB SO
Dan Lally W 6.00 6 4 4 5 7
Dan McAneny 2.33 0 1 0 6 3
Per Nilsson 0.67 0 0 0 0 0
Herts Hawks            
John Oliver L 7.00 5 5 0 6 1
Louis Hare 2.00 6 4 4 1 0

HBP: by Dan Lally (Dave Hamilton). . . . WP: Dan McAneny(2), Dan Lally, John Oliver.
T: 3:00. A: 40.
by AspiDimitrov

SEVENTEEN INNINGS OF EPIC BASEBALL

The AAA league teams of the Essex and Hertfordshire ball clubs produced two classic games of baseball.   They will go down in history as two of the purest games of baseball ever played on these shores.   On a warm but grey afternoon, these the two evenly matched teams battled it out for five and a half hours over a marathon 17 innings of baseball.  The Falcons were coming off a fantastic 7-1 season opening homestand, but they faced a much improved Essex Arrows with a retooled pitching staff. The day would see 34 strike outs and only 12 runs, but what a great day it was.

 

In game one, Essex took an early 1-0 lead.  Their leftie starter, Ritchie Chesterton, took the mound and quickly retired the Herts batters in the first two innings.  In the third Aspi Dimitrov led off with a bunt, followed by a walk for Rod Naghar.   Both quickly made it home after a combination of a steal, passed ball and the only error in the game made by Essex.  The Falcons added two more runs in the fourth and fifth with Greg Bochan and Jason Greenberg coming in to score.  Greenberg scored after a perfect sacrifice bunt by Marty Cullen.  The bunt was so good that Greenberg was followed home by Kimiyoshi Sajonji flying around the bases all the way from second base only to be called out on a close play at home.  The umpire’s decision prompted some very heated arguments.  There was a lot at stake and this was evident by the fiery reaction by Falcons player-manager Greenberg.   The Arrows kept in touch with two runs of their own.  Hurky-jerky starter, Nic Goetz, had another quality start for the Falcons and his nerves held up as he completed the game to pick up his fourth win of the season.

 

Falcons ace Darrin Ward started game two while the Arrows named newly signed Colombian flame-thrower, Carlos Mancheno.  Inning-after-inning both pitchers kept putting up zeros on the scoreboard.  The teams had to wait until the 6th inning for the first run of the game and it came thanks to the heavy rain of the previous night which had left a massive pond of mud and water just behind 3rd base.

 

Jason Greenberg and Marty Cullen got on base after two singles and found themselves on 2nd and 3rd with two out.  Up stepped Nic Goetz.   With two strikes against him he hit an almighty towering pop-up which took an eternity to come down.  This was a routine pop-up on other day but this time the ball was heading down straight for the foot-deep mud behind 3rd base.   The Arrows shortstop, Perez, made his way into the swamp just in time for the ball to drop into his glove.  But suddenly, the ground gave in from underneath his feet as he slipped and the ball rolled out of his glove and into the mud.  Goetz was safe and Greenberg and Cullen came around to score two precious runs.


With a 2-0 lead and Ward painting a masterpiece from the mound, the win seemed to be within reach for the AAA League leaders from Hertfordshire.  They needed just 6 more outs.

 

The Arrows had other ideas.  Two hits and a walk loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth.  The next batter hit a groundball straight into the gloves of second baseman Kimiyoshi Sajonji.  This was tailor-made for a double-play, but the Arrows runner from first base cleverly got himself into a run-down.  To keep the double-play alive Saionji got the force out at first base and then proceeded to tag the runner from first for the third out.  A well-executed double-play but it proved out to be very costly indeed as at Falcons got sucked into the double-play while at the same time the runners from 2nd and 3rd had come around to score and tie the game at 2-2.


This was not a day for those with a nervous disposition.  The 2-2 scoreline remained that way for 3 more innings as Ward and Mancheno continued to battle it out in extra innings.  It was becoming very clear that a single run could mean the difference between success and failure.  It is in games like this that minor errors become magnified exponentially.   What if the Falcons managed to execute with a runner on third and no outs in the 5th or if Perez hadn’t dropped the ball in the mud for Essex?  The reality is that errors are very much part of the game and players will have their good and bad days, but those that occur in an unforgettable game like this would stay in the memory the longest.

 

Into the bottom of the 10th inning and both starters were running out of gas.  The pressure was on the shoulders of 16-years old Falcons pitcher, Pete Kikel, who relieved Ward on the mound.  The leadoff batter got on base on an error.  Kikel managed to get two outs but not before the bases were loaded.  The count was three balls and one strike.  No space for errors.  With his next pitch Kikel managed to get the much needed groundball but it had enough power to go between the Falcons infielders who were sprawled out on the ground in a last-ditch attempt to stay in the game.

 

A classic game of baseball, appreciated by players and fans who were lucky to be present on this incredible day.  Bring on next weekend’s baseball action!  The Arrows will be looking to help the Falcons out next week when they play the London Metros. The Falcons will take on the Windsor Bears and are looking to continue their winning ways with a sweep.

 

 

GAME 1, 12:00pm

 

Herts Falcons at Essex Arrows
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 4 5 1
Essex Arrows 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 7 1

Herts Falcons 4, Essex Arrows 3
Herts Falcons Essex Arrows
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning ss 3 0 0 0 F. Perez ss 4 1 3 0
Jason Greenberg c 4 1 1 0 B. Marchant lf 3 1 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 1 0 C. Mancheno rf 3 0 1 1
Peter Kikel 3b 2 0 0 0 R. Chesterton p 2 0 0 0
Marty Cullen dh 2 0 0 1 B. Florence cf 3 1 1 1
Darrin Ward 1b 2 0 0 0 S. Simmons c 3 0 1 1
Greg Bochan lf 2 1 1 0 A. Bonsor 2b 3 0 1 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf 3 1 2 1 L. Castro 1b 3 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 2 1 0 0 S. Wodzynski 3b 1 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 23 4 5 2 TEAM TOTALS 25 3 7 3

E: Lee Manning, F. Perez. LOB: Essex Arrows 5, Herts Falcons 5. 2B: Jason Greenberg,
Kimiyoshi Saionji. SB: Aspi Dimitrov(2), Kimiyoshi Saionji, Greg Bochan, Rodney
Naghar, B. Marchant. CS: Darrin Ward, Lee Manning, F. Perez, S. Wodzynski. SB: Marty
Cullen.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 7.00 7 3 3 2 3
Essex Arrows            
R. Chesterton L 7.00 5 4 2 6 7

HBP: by Nick Goetz (B. Marchant). , by Nick Goetz (S. Wodzynski). WP: R. Chesterton.
PB: S. Simmons(2). T: 2:30. A: 35.

 

GAME 2, 2:30pm

 

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

Essex Arrows 3, Herts Falcons 2
Essex Arrows Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
F. Perez ss 3 0 1 0 Lee Manning lf-ss 5 0 1 0
B. Marchant c 5 0 0 0 Jason Greenberg c 5 1 2 0
C. Mancheno p 3 0 0 0 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 5 0 0 0
R. Chesterton rf 5 1 2 1 Marty Cullen 1b 4 1 1 0
B. Florence cf 2 1 2 0 Peter Kikel 3b-p 4 0 0 0
S. Simmons 2b 4 0 1 0 Nick Goetz ss-3b 4 0 0 0
A. Bonsor 1b 4 0 0 2 Greg Bochan dh-lf 4 0 1 0
A. Clarke 3b 3 0 0 0 Aspi Dimitrov cf 3 0 0 0
J. Cane lf 4 1 0 0 Rodney Naghar rf 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p-rf 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 3 6 3 TEAM TOTALS 37 2 5 0

E: F. Perez, B. Marchant, A. Clarke, Nick Goetz. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, Essex Arrows
8. 2B: Greg Bochan. SB: R. Chesterton, C. Mancheno, Aspi Dimitrov(2), Darrin Ward,
Greg Bochan. CS: F. Perez.

Essex Arrows IP H R ER BB SO
C. Mancheno W 10.00 5 2 0 1 16
Herts Falcons            
Darrin Ward 9.00 4 2 2 5 7
Peter Kikel L 0.67 2 1 0 0 0

HBP: by C. Mancheno (Aspi Dimitrov), by Darrin Ward (F. Perez). . . . . , by Peter
Kikel (C. Mancheno). WP: C. Mancheno(4). PB: B. Marchant(4). T: 2:30. A: 35.
by AspiDimitrov

LEE MANNING SUBMITS HALF-TERM REPORT ON HERTS TEAMS

After playing in the BBF leagues for over 10 years I thought I would do a first 1/3 of the season report on would I think each team will do over the next 1/3.

 

FALCONS

The Falcons have had an amazing start to the 2008 league, going 7 wins and 1 loss. The one loss was against the London Metros and it was a painful one but the Falcons quickly got back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory in the second game of the double-header. The Falcons have won 7 of there games with great pitching, solid fielding and some nice timely hits.  Only 4 or 5 players can be happy with their hitting and if the law of averages is applied in this case then a lot of players are expected to hit a hot streak later in the season. So far the players have worked very hard and have made a great jump on improving every part of their game. I strongly believe that this team will still be at the top of the table after the next 8 games and will get their own back by sweeping the Metros at their field later this year.

 

HAWKS

The Hawks have not been playing at full potential yet but I feel a winning streak is right around the corner. The Hawks have had some tough losses to the Knights, Sidewinders and the Sharks in the last three weeks. With Hare and Oliver on mound duty they should start picking up some big wins. They have great fielding and some very good hitters but it’s time to pull it together and help the cause. Carlos has had a hard start trying to pick which players to play where but I think he’s heading the right way. They are working hard and the gel is starting to set and the hits are coming. I think that the Hawks will be in the top two after there next 4 games and will start to show the league the talent which Herts Baseball Club in all its teams.  This is a winning team that will be playing AAA next year. Come on boys we are all behind you”.

 

RAPTORS

The Raptors got their first win last weekend and will feel on top of the world and rightly so. I know that for a lot of them this is their first season playing and that they will find the game a far reach for the MLB’s game they have been watching but stay with it and it will come. Jake has been around the game and knows how to coach.  His son Pete is a good example of this. He will help the players grow and move up to the Hawks when ready. The league they are in is not as easy as it looks at first sight. With all the other teams being in the BBF leagues for a few years and the old timers who I think could do well in the AAA Division. The main thing about this team is that almost everyone is in the same boat as rookies with a few veterans thrown in. I remember when I first joined the Falcons 11 years ago when we were in the old Division 2 and we would be lucky to win 4 games a year. Every year we all got better and started to move up the leagues. I think these boys’s will do the same. I think the Raptors will win a few more games this season and should be aiming for a .500 winning percentage.

 

Do you agree with me?  Give me your views by clicking the add a comment button.

by AspiDimitrov

EXTRA REPORT: HAWKS 1 SHARKS 14

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, DAVE HAMILTON

The Hertfordshire Hawks stumbled to their third straight loss on Sunday, being beaten 14-1 by the Bournemouth Sharks in their AA league fixture at Grovehill.

 

It's well known in cricketing circles that 'catches win matches' and the Hawks were made to pay for a number of fielding errors by their opponent.  In the end at least four catches were dropped in the windy conditions, most critically in the fourth inning when the Sharks took advantage of three consecutive errors to score six times and effectively put the game out of reach.

 

By this point the game was 10-1 as Bournemouth had taken an early 4-0 lead although player-manager Carlos Casal's run for the Hawks narrowed the gap to three.  Unfortunately this was to be the Hawks only run of the game as the home team were unable to get a hit in the key moments, and ended up leaving 10 runners stranded on base.  Insurance runs by the Sharks in the final three innings completed the scoring.

 

One of the few high points for the Hawks in the loss was the performance of Louis Hare who smashed three of the Hawks' six hits in the game as well as pitching six strong innings.  Unfortunately his team mates were unable to match his success and extra training is planned next Sunday in their week off so that the Hawks can return to winning ways when Richmond visit on June 1st.

 

Given the quality of his squad, Carlos Casal is confident his team can recover from this early dip in form and climb back up the standings in a competitive division.  Commenting after the game, he said “we started positively but unfortunately we lost our composure and things quickly went downhill.  However, I know we all have the skills and spirit to achieve as a team and am confident we can put things right and start winning again.“

by AspiDimitrov

SHARK ATTACK IN HERTFORDSHIRE

The Herts Hawks suffered a heavy defeat against the visiting Bournemouth Sharks in their fifth game of the 2008 British Baseball’s AA league season. 

There were a large number of fans who had come out to support the Hawks, but unfortunately nothing seemed to be going right for the home team on the day.  They managed to keep within reach in the first 3 innings, but never managed to deliver the much needed hit with runners in scoring positions.  They left 10 runners on base during the game.   The only Hawk who seemed to be seeing the ball well was Louis Hare (3-3) who kept fighting even when the game was beyond the Hawks.   He also performed well on the mound with good control, allowing only two walks.  He did not receive  help from his teammates who committed an uncharacteristically high number of errors in the field (10).  Despite the demoralising score, the fans were once again able to witness some spectacular plays from 14-year old, Luis Goncalves at shortstop for the Hawks.

Late in the game, Rod Ariss, who had received a call up from the Herts single-A team, the Raptors, marked his debut in AA with a fine play in right field.  Another debutant was catcher Dave Westfallen, who is wearing the Herts jersey again after an absence of nearly 10 years.

The Sharks were missing their two big starting pitchers who were dominating the league last year, but in their place were some new faces from Latin America.  A new pitcher, catcher and infielders have made the Sharks a formidable defensive force and they will be winning many games this year.   They allowed 1 run and committed only 1 error.

After a promising start of the season with two big wins, the Hawks have now recorded three loses in a row and they need to bring their season back on track as soon as possible.  In situations like this players usually want the next game to come as soon as possible to wipe the memory of those defeats, but unfortunately for the Hawks, they will have to wait until 1 June for their next league game at home against the Richmond Dragons.  Until then, Hawks manager, Carlos Casal, has ordered extra training this week.

More Photos

Bournemouth Sharks at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Bournemouth Sharks 0 4 0 6 2 1 1 14 11 1
Herts Hawks 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 8

Bournemouth Sharks 14, Herts Hawks 1
Bournemouth Sharks Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 c 5 1 0 1 Tim Elkins lf 2 0 1 0
Player 2 cf-rf 4 1 1 0 (b5) Stuart Boast lf-cf-p 1 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 5 1 1 0 Luis Goncalves ss 2 0 0 0
Player 4 p-ss 5 1 2 2 (b5) Rod Ariss rf 1 0 0 0
Player 5 ss-p 5 2 2 3 Louis Hare p-3b 3 0 3 0
Player 6 3b 3 2 1 1 John Oliver 1b 3 0 0 0
Player 7 lf 4 2 2 2 Humberto Goncalves 2b 3 0 0 0
Player 8 2b 4 2 1 1 Kal Dimitrov c-cf-lf 3 0 0 0
Player 9 rf-cf 3 2 1 2 Carlos Casal 3b-cf 1 1 1 0
Nick Russell rf-ss 2 0 1 0
Dave Hamilton cf 1 0 0 0
(b5) Dave Westfallen c 1 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 38 14 11 12 TEAM TOTALS 23 1 6 0

E: Player 5, Nick Russell(3), Luis Goncalves(2), Carlos Casal(2), Tim Elkins. DP:
Bournemouth Sharks 1. LOB: Bournemouth Sharks 8, Herts Hawks 10. 2B: Player 4, Player
6, Player 7. SB: Player 4, Player 6, Player 7, Player 2, Player 8, Player 9. CS: Luis
Goncalves, Tim Elkins, Louis Hare. SF: Player 9.

Bournemouth Sharks IP H R ER BB SO
Player 4 W 4.33 5 1 0 6 1
Player 5 2.67 1 0 0 3 0
Herts Hawks            
Louis Hare L 6.33 11 14 7 2 3
Stuart Boast 0.67 0 0 0 1 0

HBP: by Louis Hare (Player 7). . . . . . WP: Player 4. PB: Kal Dimitrov(2). T: 2:33.
A: 48.

by AspiDimitrov

RAPTORS ON THE RAMPAGE

HERTS RAPTORS 27 

ESSEX ARROWS 11

British Single-A League

 

Report by Newswire reporter HUNTER DEVINE

 

The Herts Raptors returned to face Arrows, the team that two weeks earlier overcame an eight run deficit to win in the bottom of the 9th against them. This time, however, the Raptors would manage to retain their lead scoring early and often as well as keeping the opposition off the score board for most of the game.

 

Jake Kikel went the distance with a complete game despite the boiling temperatures as did Jon Lewys, who made his first start behind the plate, playing superbly. The defence played amazingly with some beautiful plays by Jim Hyde, Andrew Slater and Rob Jones as well as Rod Ariss nailing a runner at the plate- though injuring his arm on the throw.

 

The offence managed to feast off of inconsistent Arrows' pitching with big hits from many of the hitters all day. It was the top of the 9th which was the biggest boost for the team as they piled on some insurance runs to prevent a repeat of before. The team were so desperate to win and get more runs that with 2 outs Hunter Devine stole home successfully, though Jim Hyde brought all the runners home on the next pitch with another big hit.

by AspiDimitrov

SIDEWINDERS BRING HAWKS DOWN TO EARTH

The AA League leaders met at Grovehill Ballpark for what was promising to be a very closely-fought battle.  But a powerful Sidewinders line-up stunned the Hawks with 23 runs and 23 hits, combined with controlled pitching and smooth defence (2 errors).  They started the game with 4 runs in the top of the first inning.  Despite keeping within touching distance in the first three innings, it was an uphill battle for the Hawks after that. 

 

In the bottom of the fourth the Hawks received another blow as Paul Auchterlounie sustained an ankle injury after stepping awkwardly on the first base bag.  It was difficult to determine the extent of his injury and hopefully he will be able to recover quickly in time for next Sunday’s crunch game.  With no Hawks players left on the bench, Falcons player, Pete Kikel took Auchterlounie’s place behind the plate.

 

The 10 errors committed by Hawks fielders made a difficult task impossible against a team that will certainly be one of the main promotion contenders. 

 

There were bright spots for the Hawks.  14 years-old rookie phenom Luis Goncalves once again produced some amazing plays at short stop including a gem from deep in the hole on the 3rd base side.  Louis Hare had another good performance (4-5, 2B, RBI, 2R), as well as a fine work on the mound 2/3 of an inning in the ninth.

 

The Hawks will now have to regroup as they prepare for battle against the Bornemouth Sharks who will travel to Grovehill Ballpark this coming Sunday.

 

Among the Sidewinders was former Falcons manager, Bruce Dullea.  It was good to see Dullea alive and well out on the baseball field after his mysterious disappearance a few weeks ago.  He came on late in the game playing at first base and making good contact with the bat.  A rare diving attempt to catch a line drive by 6’7” Dullea brought cheers from both benches. 

 

 

Sidewinders at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Sidewinders 4 1 0 3 3 3 2 1 6 23 23 2
Herts Hawks 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 8 14 10

Sidewinders 23, Herts Hawks 8
Sidewinders Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 4 5 2 0 Tim Elkins lf 5 0 1 1
Player 2 c 6 3 1 2 Nick Russell cf 4 1 1 0
Player 3 1b 7 2 4 4 Louis Hare 1b-2b-p 5 2 4 1
Player 4 2b 6 3 4 4 Stuart Boast 2b-p 5 0 0 0
Player 5 3b 6 2 3 1 Humberto Goncalves rf 5 0 2 2
Player 6 ss 6 2 3 2 John Oliver p-1b 5 0 1 0
Player 7 lf 6 2 2 1 Carlos Casal 3b 5 2 2 0
Player 8 cf 6 1 1 2 Paul Auchterlounie c 2 0 2 0
Player 9 rf 6 3 3 1 (b4) Peter Kikel pr-c 1 2 1 0
Luis Goncalves ss 2 1 0 1
TEAM TOTALS 53 23 23 17 TEAM TOTALS 39 8 14 5

E: Player 2, Player 4, John Oliver(3), Luis Goncalves(2), Peter Kikel(2), Stuart
Boast, Nick Russell, Carlos Casal. DP: Herts Hawks 1. LOB: Herts Hawks 8, Sidewinders
10. 2B: Player 4, Player 3, Player 6, Peter Kikel, Louis Hare. 3B: Player 9. SB:
Player 1, Player 4, Louis Hare(3), Peter Kikel(2), Carlos Casal(2), Nick Russell,
Humberto Goncalves, Tim Elkins, Luis Goncalves. CS: Player 2, Peter Kikel. SF: Luis
Goncalves.

Sidewinders IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 9.00 14 8 4 2 6
Herts Hawks            
John Oliver L 6.00 16 14 9 4 1
Stuart Boast 2.33 6 9 5 3 0
Louis Hare 0.67 1 0 0 0 1

HBP: by Player 1 (Luis Goncalves). . . . . , by Stuart Boast (Player 1). WP: John
Oliver(4). PB: Player 2(2), Peter Kikel. T: 3:00. A: 45.

by AspiDimitrov

FALCONS AND METROS SPLIT TOPSY-TURVY SUBWAY SERIES

The London Metros (2-0) arrived at Hemel Hempstead by tube, train and taxi on Sunday to face the AAA-dominant Falcons (6-0).  Both teams anticipated a tough day of baseball against their undefeated league rivals.  The Herts squad was also keenly aware that the Metros National League side had the week off, and some of the nation's best sluggers would 'play down' to help their AAA farm team continue its winning streak.  Even the ABUA-GB Umpires Association got into the spirit sending Commissioner Darrin Muller to officiate the match from behind home plate.

 

Game One started well for the Falcons, who shut down the Metros 1-2-3 in the 1st and got on the board early with a solo home run from shortstop Andy Cornish.  But that was all the offense the Falcons would muster as Metros pitching shut out Herts in the next four frames.  London put up crooked numbers in each of their remaining at-bats, almost all coming  on Falcons defensive errors, and they took the game 15-3 in six innings.  It was the worst the Herts defense has played all season and by far the toughest outing yet for hurler Nic Goetz who gave up 7 earned runs on 13 hits with 5 walks.  The Falcons hit .259 in the game and Cornish's solo shot was the only recorded RBI.  Seven Falcons were stranded on base.

 

The tough transition to the second game, then, was all-important.  In a short team chat in the break Manager Jason Greenberg offered encouragement and reminded the team that their confidence, optimism and support of one another had helped garner them a (now) 6-1 record in the BBF AAA… a league which they had not played in since 2006… and a far better opening record then anyone had anticipated.  Greenberg said, “Our first loss was inevitable… it's how we respond to losing that makes all the difference.”  A bit more pumped-up, rehydrated and with Game One in the rearview mirror, the Falcons took the field for the second time that day.

 

From the first-inning the table was laid at 1-1.  The Metros advanced a runner home on an infield error, but the Falcons countered with a lead-off single from Lee Manning, followed by a hit-and-run double from Greenberg and a sacrifice fly from Cornish.  Herts was going to play this game more aggressively.  Down 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th inning, Kimiyoshi Saionji was hit squarely in the back by a pitch to lead-off the inning.  Undeterred, he stole 2nd base and was batted home on a double from center fielder Dan Kerry.

 

Tied 2-2 going in the bottom of the 6th, catcher Greenberg – in a career-worst slump starting the season only 2-for-19 – came to the plate with two outs and nobody on base.  He knocked a hard-hit single through the left side, then immediately stole second base and advanced to third when the throw-down scooted away from the 2nd baseman.  Cornish followed with a clutch line drive that glanced off the right-fielder’s outstretched glove, and the Falcons took a 3-2 lead.

 

Darrin Ward pitched masterfully, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 8 strikeouts.  It was a true gem of a performance.  In the top of the 7th-inning, with Metros on second and third and one out, Ward reached deep into his reserves and struck out the final two batters to clinch the win.  All three outs in the inning were K's, and the final punch-out came on three, successive fastballs on the inside corner, each climbing the ladder on the last.  It was perfect pitching in any league.  Ward pumped his fist in the air and the Falcons celebrated the split and their 7-1 first-place record.

 

 

GAME ONE

11am

 

London Metros at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
London Metros 0 2 3 2 3 5 15 16 5
Herts Falcons 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 7 4

London Metros 15, Herts Falcons 3
London Metros Herts Falcons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 ss 4 3 2 1 Lee Manning rf 4 0 1 0
Player 2 lf 2 1 1 2 Jason Greenberg c 3 0 0 0
Player 3 p 5 1 2 2 Andy Cornish ss 3 1 1 1
Player 4 cf 5 1 4 2 Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 3 0 0 0
Player 5 rf 3 0 0 0 Marty Cullen 1b 3 1 2 0
(b4) Sub 2 rf 2 1 1 0 Peter Kikel 3b 3 0 1 0
Player 6 1b 4 2 3 0 Dan Kerry cf 3 1 2 0
Player 7 2b 1 0 1 2 Greg Bochan lf 3 0 0 0
(b4) Sub 1 2b 2 1 0 0 Darrin Ward dh 2 0 0 0
Player 8 3b 2 0 0 0 Nick Goetz p 0 0 0 0
(b4) Sub 4 3b 1 2 1 2 Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
Player 9 c 2 3 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 15 16 11 TEAM TOTALS 27 3 7 1

E: Player 1(2), Sub 4(2), Player 3, Andy Cornish(2), Marty Cullen, Peter Kikel. DP:
Herts Falcons 1. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, London Metros 8. 2B: Sub 4, Player 4, Player
2, Peter Kikel, Dan Kerry. 3B: Player 4. HR: Andy Cornish. SB: Player 6(2), Sub 4,
Player 4, Andy Cornish. SF: Player 2.

London Metros IP H R ER BB SO
Player 3 W 6.00 7 3 1 1 3
Herts Falcons            
Nick Goetz L 5.00 13 12 7 5 3
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 3 3 0 2 0

WP: Nick Goetz(3), Aspi Dimitrov. PB: Jason Greenberg. T: 2:30. A: 60.

 

GAME TWO

1:30PM

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

Herts Falcons 3, London Metros 2
Herts Falcons London Metros
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning dh 4 1 2 0 Player 1 p 4 1 2 0
Jason Greenberg c 3 1 2 0 Player 2 c 3 0 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 3 0 0 1 Player 3 1b 4 0 2 1
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 0 0 Player 4 2b 3 0 1 0
Marty Cullen 1b 3 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 2 0 0 0
Dan Kerry cf 2 0 1 1 Player 6 ss 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz 3b 2 0 0 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov lf 3 0 0 0 Player 8 cf 3 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 2 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 1 1 0
Darrin Ward p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 24 3 5 2 TEAM TOTALS 28 2 6 1

E: Nick Goetz(2), Jason Greenberg, Player 4, Player 9. LOB: London Metros 7, Herts
Falcons 11. 2B: Jason Greenberg, Dan Kerry. SB: Jason Greenberg, Andy Cornish,
Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 3. SF: Andy Cornish.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 7.00 6 2 1 1 8
London Metros            
Player 1 L 6.00 5 3 2 6 6

HBP: by Darrin Ward (Player 2). . . . , by Player 1 (Kimiyoshi Saionji). . . PB:
Player 2(2). T: 2:30. A: 60.

 

GAME NOTES:  The Falcons travel to Essex on June 1st for their second series in 2008 against the Arrows……  Sunday saw the first home plate collision of the season as a Metro was tagged out by Greenberg when he barreled-in but failed to dislodge the ball……  Cornish's homer was his first of the year and he joins second-baseman Saionji in that elite club……  True to the rumours, former Falcons manager Bruce Dullea was spotted at Grovehill toward the end of the series as a third base coach for the visiting Sidewinders, who played a late afternoon game against the Herts Hawks……  Lead-off batter Lee Manning is .333 on the season with 8 runs and 4 RBI proving his consistency in the one-hole……  Team-leader Kimiyoshi Saionji was held hitless for the first time all spring, but still leads the Falcons with a .522 average and .633 OBP, and is slugging .783 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 14 RBI.

by AspiDimitrov

BIG WEEKEND LOOMS ON THE HORIZON FOR HERTFORDSHIRE’S THREE TEAMS

This coming Sunday the climax of the English Football Premier League will not be the only sporting event taking place.  Hertfordshire’s three baseball teams enter a critical stage of the season. 

 

In the AAA Division the Herts Falcons will clash with the London Metros.  Both teams sit at the top of the standings with 100% records.  The London Metros are affiliated to the London Mets Ball Club which snatched all of the British baseball titles last season from the National League Final 4 to the Youth National Final 4.  The Falcons have had a perfect start of the season winning their first 6 games.  As a newly promoted team their opponents so far may have underestimated the strength of the Falcons, but after a 6-0 start, the secret is out and now teams in the AAA league know that Herts Baseball Club means business.  The team has now played 4 games without making a single error.  Can they keep this impressive streak going this coming Sunday?  This will be a double-header which will be played at Grovehill Ballpark in Hertfordshire.  The first game starts at 11am followed immediately by the second game at around 1:30pm. 

 

The action does not end there.  A top of the table clash between the Herts Hawks and the Sidewinders takes place immediately after that on the same field at around 4pm.  The Hawks’ loss at Richmond on Sunday means that they are now tied at the top of British Baseball’s AA Division with the Sidewinders and two other teams.  The Hawks and the Sidewinders are expected to stay involved in the title race all the way to the end so this game will have serious implications on the league table in August.

 

With three games back-to-back at the same venue, this will be a great event for regular baseball fans and for those who have not had a chance to attend a baseball game yet to come and enjoy.  The number of fans attending games at Grovehill Ballpark has increased this season and last Sunday included some loyal Herts Baseball fans who had travelled all the way from Seattle, USA to support their favourite baseball club.

 

This year fans at Grovehill Ballpark can also enjoy various hot and cold beverages, snacks, sunflower seeds, sun-screen and other goodies from the concessions stand.  Starting this Sunday, the club will revive a Grovehill tradition going back to the 1990s by offering an official matchday programme for sale.  The prices are reasonable and profits will be used to fund the development of the club’s baseball facilities including the building of a second baseball diamond.

 

While the Hawks and Falcons play their games at home, the Herts Raptors travel to Essex for a repeat of the heartbreaking clash with the Arrows last month which they lost in the last inning.  Can the Raptors win their first game of the season and start a climb up the league table?  Mobile phones and text messages will be exchanged nervously between Hertfordshire and Essex all day with players and fans keeping a close eye on scores.

by AspiDimitrov

STORM CLOUDS SILENT AS FALCONS SWEEP HURRICANES

Posted on behalf of Falcons Correspondent Andrew Cornish (#7)


With spirits running high before the day’s baseball, due to Kimiyoshi ‘Kimi’ Saionji’s birthday, the Falcons were hopeful to keep their momentum into the game.  This was dashed slightly when the Milton Keynes took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first due to a home run with one runner on base.  The Falcons managed to plug away against the Hurricanes with a highlight being Greg ‘The Motion’ Bochan laying down a perfect squeeze in the third, which tied the defensive team up, scoring a run and getting all runners safe.

After great fundamentals, and another no-error game, the Falcons rolled on with a 12-2 victory after 6 innings of play.  Nic Goetz wrote up another successful victory, already taking his season to an impressive 3-0 with an exciting 3.79 ERA.

Game 6 of the season was a game of firsts with promoted Tim Elkins making his first start in centre field and Aspi Dimitrov making his first start on the mound.  Anticipation was high and hoping to continue on the same run of form, the Falcons, fuelled by the blue Powerade sold on the fantastic new fund-raising concessions stand, rampaged to a 6-0 lead in the second inning concluding in a monster home-run by ‘maturing’ Kimiyoshi Saionji.  The impressive Aspi Dimitrov ended the game allowing 1 earned run in 6 strong innings, striking out 6 and stranding 8 opposing runners.  

Tidbits: On his 34th birthday, Kimiyoshi Saionji collected the first Falcon home run, adding another team leading 8 RBIs…… Tim Elkins went 1-3 scoring 2 runs…… Andy Cornish scored 5 of the 23 runs on the day.

GAME 1, 12:00pm

MK Hurricanes at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
MK Hurricanes 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 0
Herts Falcons 0 0 4 1 4 3 12 12 0

Herts Falcons 12, MK Hurricanes 2
Herts Falcons MK Hurricanes
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Andy Cornish ss 2 3 2 0 A. McVay ss 3 1 1 0
Jason Greenberg c 2 1 1 0 G. Sheppard 1b 3 0 1 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 2 1 2 3 D. Larwell p 3 1 1 2
Marty Cullen 1b 4 0 0 0 S. McVay 3b 3 0 1 0
Greg Bochan lf 4 1 2 1 K. O'Sullivan c 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz p 3 2 1 0 M. Philpot cf 2 0 0 0
Darrin Ward 3b 3 1 1 0 E. Wilmot lf 2 0 0 0
Aspi Dimitrov cf 4 1 1 1 P. O'Sullivan 2b 1 0 0 0
Lee Manning rf 2 2 2 0 C. King rf 2 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 26 12 12 5 TEAM TOTALS 22 2 4 2

LOB: MK Hurricanes 3, Herts Falcons 7. 2B: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Aspi Dimitrov, S.
McVay. HR: D. Larwell. SB: Kimiyoshi Saionji, Andy Cornish, Nick Goetz.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Nick Goetz W 6.00 4 2 2 1 7
MK Hurricanes            
D. Larwell L 5.33 12 12 6 6 1

HBP: by D. Larwell (Andy Cornish). . , by D. Larwell (Lee Manning), by D. Larwell
(Andy Cornish). . WP: D. Larwell(5). PB: K. O'Sullivan(5). T: 2:30. A: 58.

GAME 2, 2:30pm

MK Hurricanes at Herts Falcons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
MK Hurricanes 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 7
Herts Falcons 0 6 0 1 3 1 11 14 0

Herts Falcons 11, MK Hurricanes 1
Herts Falcons MK Hurricanes
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Lee Manning lf 4 1 2 0 Player 1 p 2 1 0 0
Andy Cornish ss 4 2 2 0 Player 2 c 1 0 0 0
(b5) Greg Bochan 3b 0 0 0 0 Player 3 1b 2 0 0 0
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b 4 1 3 5 Player 4 2b 2 0 1 1
Jason Greenberg c 3 0 0 0 Player 5 3b 1 0 0 0
Marty Cullen 1b 4 2 2 0 Player 6 ss 3 0 0 0
Nick Goetz 3b-ss 4 0 1 0 Player 7 lf 3 0 0 0
Darrin Ward dh 4 2 3 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 0 0
Tim Elkins cf 3 2 1 0 Player 9 rf 3 0 0 0
Rodney Naghar rf 3 1 0 1
Aspi Dimitrov p 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 33 11 14 7 TEAM TOTALS 19 1 1 1

E: Player 6(3), Player 1(2), Player 2, Player 8. LOB: Herts Falcons 7, MK Hurricanes
8. 2B: Lee Manning, Player 4. HR: Kimiyoshi Saionji. SB: Darrin Ward(2). CS: Jason
Greenberg.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Aspi Dimitrov W 6.00 1 1 1 5 6
MK Hurricanes            
Player 1 L 5.33 14 11 2 1 1

HBP: by Aspi Dimitrov (Player 2). . , by Aspi Dimitrov (Player 2), by Aspi Dimitrov
(Player 3). . . . PB: Player 2. T: 2:10. A: 58.