Category: Raptors

by Matt Bell

RAYS EXTEND RAPTORS’ LOSING STREAK

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, ROB JONES

This was another tale of bold battling from the Herts rookies, but two bad innings consigned them to a tough but honourable defeat.

The Raptors started well in the Essex sunshine. Four of the first five hitters reached base, and the visitors plated three runs. But the Rays pounced when Herts' starting pitcher, Hunter Devine, struggled with his control as he nursed a tight shoulder. With the help of merciless base-stealing, Braintree took a 9-3 lead in the first inning, and that helped them keep their noses in front. 

The next few innings saw the initiative ebb and flow. Having left the mound, Hunter Devine was a menace at the plate and on the bases. He stole 7 bags in all, and Jon Lewys — the Raptors' player of the year so far — came up big again with hits and with strikeouts. By the middle of the fifth it was 16-8 to Braintree, and the match was finely balanced.

Then the Rays bats suddenly got to work. Their hits managed to find gaps in both the infield and outfield and it was death by a thousand cuts for the Raptors as seven runs scored. Throughout the game there had been notably few big hits from the Rays — the outfield had a mostly quiet day, save for one booming hit which turned into a 3-run homer because of the lack of any outfield fence. But, however they are scored, the runs all count.

Raptors tried to strike back in the top of the sixth but a little bit of bad luck sealed their fate. After Ilya Dimitrov earned the latest in his series of walks, he stole his way to third. Rob Jones worked the count and fouled off pitches before finally connecting with a sharp line drive. But rather than finding a gap for an RBI it whizzed straight into the shortstop's waiting glove, and he sharply doubled off Dimitrov at third base. A potential rally was decisively stifled.

Raptors did manage one last hurrah, in the top of the seventh, as they tried to avoid the slaughter rule. A single and a walk got runners on base, and as Chris Brown beat the throw to first on a dropped third strike, Jeff Witter ran in to score from third. He slipped, but was able to literally crawl across home plate and keep the game alive. The Raptors managed to score four runs, but finally the Rays were too strong.

More images of the Raptors' trip to Braintree provided by Rob Jones

Herts Raptors at Braintree Rays
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Raptors 3 1 0 4 0 0 4 12 10 1
Braintree Rays 9 1 5 1 7 1 0 24 14 3

Braintree Rays 24, Herts Raptors 12
Braintree Rays Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 2 4 2 2 Hunter Devine p-1b 4 2 3 0
Player 2 c 4 4 3 3 Ilya Dimitrov cf 2 2 1 1
Player 3 1b 4 3 3 2 Rob Jones ss 4 2 0 0
Player 4 2b 3 0 1 1 Andrew Slater 3b 3 2 1 1
Player 5 3b 3 4 2 1 Jonathon Lewys 1b-p 4 1 4 3
Player 6 ss 2 3 0 0 Jeff Witter 2b 3 1 0 0
Player 7 lf 3 1 1 5 Nick Read c-3b 2 0 0 0
Player 8 cf 4 2 1 1 (t4) Perrie Sherman cf-c 2 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 3 3 1 0 Phil Crooks lf 3 0 0 0
Chris Brown rf 3 1 0 0
(b4) Paul Curtis rf-lf 2 1 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 28 24 14 15 TEAM TOTALS 32 12 10 5

E: Player 2(2), Player 3, Hunter Devine. LOB: Braintree Rays 5, Herts Raptors 7. 2B:
Player 2, Player 3, Player 1, Jonathon Lewys(2), Paul Curtis. HR: Player 7. SB:
Player 2(10), Player 3(7), Player 1(6), Player 5(5), Player 8(4), Player 9(4), Player
7(3), Player 4(2), Player 6(2), Hunter Devine(7), Ilya Dimitrov(7), Jonathon
Lewys(5), Andrew Slater(2), Rob Jones(2), Jeff Witter, Paul Curtis. CS: Hunter
Devine. SB: Player 1.

Braintree Rays IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 7.00 10 12 6 8 11
Herts Raptors            
Jonathon Lewys 5.00 11 14 13 8 5
Hunter Devine L 1.00 3 10 10 10 1

HBP: by Player 1 (Nick Read). WP: Player 1(2), Jonathon Lewys. PB: Player 2(2). T:
3:20. A: 60.

by Matt Bell

RAPTORS 12 BRACKNELL BLAZERS II 23

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, KEN PIKE

 

The Raptors travelled to Bracknell to face the Blazers II knowing it would be a tough showdown with the opposition fielding three team GB cadets in their line up. With this in mind the brave young Raptors squad put fear aside and produced their best performance of the year.

 

Some commanding pitching from Jon Lewys was the trademark of the game as he went the full nine innings showing an ever increasing confidence on the mound. His command of the strike zone was a further step in his development and improvement. Jon is looking to be a star of the team by the end of the season both as a glove, a bat and an arm.

 

Backing Jon up in the field was no easy task though with Bracknell hitting some powerful shots around the park, including one home run to left field. Never the less, some amazing plays kept the scores within reach including a spectacular sliding catch from Rob Jones to close out an inning.

 

The batting performances of the day came from player-manager Andrew Slater with two double RBIs, and Steve Nippress who nearly cleared the boundary himself for the Raptors but fell only a couple of yards short of the first HR of his career. The team did well over all racking up 12 runs against two powerful pitchers.

 

Comedy moment as well as dedication and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds awards go to Iwan Evans who decided to steal home on a passed ball at third. Beaten to the bag by a mile Iwan went for an acrobatic avoidance of the tag resulting in his legs being higher than his head. Result: one out, an injured hip (to add to his arm) and a mouthful of dirt. Luckily our Jackie Chan wannabe was walking again after a brief respite and is sure to be playing next week, even if he is sporting a bruised ego and gluteous maximus.

 

Returning from an injured right shoulder Ken Pike was forced to take the field earlier than the coach wanted due to the third inning injury of new starter Jeff Witter. As is always the way in such matters the very first hit of the inning went straight to Ken. As was, it ended up in his glove and produced an out at first. Sadly, half an inning later and he was on the ground again having attempted a throw to home plate. After moving to first base he managed to finish the game, and he assures us his arm will be ready next week.

 

Sadly, despite the team’s bravery and effort, the damage had been done early on and the Raptors were fighting to come back from a 10 run deficit after two innings. The end result of a 12 -23 loss does them credit having kept the gap to 11 by the end of the game. They can still hold their heads high knowing they avoided the mercy rule against a team likely to be a league higher next year.

Herts Raptors at Bracknell Blazers II
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Raptors 0 0 2 2 0 4 4 12 6 1
Bracknell Blazers II 5 5 0 2 6 5 0 23 22 2

Bracknell Blazers II 23, Herts Raptors 12
Bracknell Blazers II Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p-rf 4 2 3 2 Rob Jones cf 1 3 1 0
Player 2 c 6 2 3 0 Ilya Dimitrov ss 0 3 0 0
Player 3 1b 4 2 1 0 Jonathon Lewys p 1 2 1 1
Player 4 2b 3 1 1 2 Andrew Slater c 4 1 2 2
(t5) Sub 1 2b 1 2 1 0 Steve Nippress 2b 4 0 1 2
Player 5 3b 4 4 3 2 Ken Pike 1b-2b 4 0 1 1
Player 6 ss 2 3 2 2 Phil Crooks lf 3 1 0 0
(b5) Sub 3 ss 1 2 1 0 Iwan Evans 3b 2 1 0 0
Player 7 lf 4 1 1 0 Neil Brackley rf 3 1 0 0
(t5) Sub 2 cf 1 2 1 0
Player 8 cf-lf 6 1 4 2
Player 9 rf-p 4 1 1 1
TEAM TOTALS 40 23 22 11 TEAM TOTALS 22 12 6 6

E: Player 2, Player 3, Steve Nippress. LOB: Herts Raptors 7, Bracknell Blazers II 11.
2B: Player 5, Player 6, Player 9, Steve Nippress, Ken Pike. 3B: Player 6. SB: Player
1(5), Player 3(4), Player 5(3), Sub 1(3), Player 9(2), Player 8(2), Sub 3(2), Player
2, Player 6, Player 4, Player 7, Sub 2, Rob Jones(3), Ilya Dimitrov(3), Andrew
Slater(2), Jonathon Lewys, Iwan Evans, Ken Pike, Neil Brackley, Phil Crooks. CS: Iwan
Evans.

Bracknell Blazers II IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 6.00 4 8 7 12 9
Player 9 1.00 2 4 4 3 2
Herts Raptors            
Jonathon Lewys L 6.00 22 23 23 10 2

HBP: by Jonathon Lewys (Player 9). . . . , by Jonathon Lewys (Player 3). , by Player
1 (Ken Pike). , by Player 9 (Rob Jones). WP: Player 1. T: 4:00. A: 34.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 1st:
Rob Jones walked, batted forward to 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
Ilya Dimitrov walked, stole 2nd.
Andrew Slater struck out swinging.
Steve Nippress struck out looking.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Bracknell Blazers II – Bottom of the 1st:
Player 1 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 2 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 3 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Player 4 flied out, 1 RBI.
Player 5 walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player 6 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 7 flied out.
Player 8 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Player 9 hit by pitch, batted forward to 2nd.
Player 1 walked, 1 RBI.
Player 2 popped out.
5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 2nd:
Ken Pike grounded out.
Phil Crooks grounded out.
Iwan Evans grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Bracknell Blazers II – Bottom of the 2nd:
Player 3 popped out.
Player 4 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 5 struck out looking.
Player 6 doubled, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 7 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 8 singled, batted forward to 3rd, stole home.
Player 9 walked, batted forward to 3rd, stole home, 1 RBI.
Player 1 singled, stole 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 2 singled.
Player 7 popped out.
5 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 3rd:
Neil Brackley popped out.
Rob Jones singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Ilya Dimitrov walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Jonathon Lewys walked, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd.
Andrew Slater singled, stole 2nd.
Steve Nippress struck out looking.
Ken Pike struck out looking.
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Bracknell Blazers II – Bottom of the 3rd:
Player 8 popped out.
Player 9 doubled, stole 3rd.
Player 1 walked, stole 2nd.
Player 2 struck out looking.
Player 3 popped out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 4th:
Phil Crooks walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to 3rd, stole home.
Iwan Evans walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward to
home.
Neil Brackley struck out swinging.
Rob Jones walked, advanced to 2nd on error, tagged out going to 3rd.
Ilya Dimitrov reached on interference, batted forward to 2nd, forced out at 3rd.
Jonathon Lewys singled, advanced to 2nd on error.
2 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Bracknell Blazers II – Bottom of the 4th:
Player 4 popped out.
Player 5 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player 6 tripled, stole home, 1 RBI.
Player 7 reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 8 popped out.
Player 9 popped out.
2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 5th:
Steve Nippress walked, picked off.
Ken Pike doubled, stole 3rd.
Phil Crooks struck out looking.
Iwan Evans popped out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Bracknell Blazers II – Bottom of the 5th:
Player 1 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, stole home.
Player 2 walked, advanced to 2nd on error, tagged out going to 3rd.
Player 3 hit by pitch, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Sub 1 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, stole home.
Player 5 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Sub 3 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Sub 2 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player 8 singled.
Player 9 popped out.
Player 1 popped out.
6 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 6th:
Neil Brackley walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Rob Jones walked, batted forward to home.
Ilya Dimitrov walked, batted forward to home.
Jonathon Lewys walked, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Andrew Slater struck out swinging.
Steve Nippress struck out swinging.
Ken Pike hit by pitch, 1 RBI.
Phil Crooks struck out swinging.
4 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Bracknell Blazers II – Bottom of the 6th:
Player 2 singled, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Player 3 popped out.
Sub 1 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 5 doubled, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Sub 3 walked, batted forward to home.
Sub 2 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 8 singled, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 9 popped out.
Player 1 walked.
Player 2 popped out.
5 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Raptors – Top of the 7th:
Iwan Evans walked, stole 2nd, caught trying to steal 3rd.
Neil Brackley struck out swinging.
Rob Jones hit by pitch, batted forward to 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Ilya Dimitrov walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Jonathon Lewys walked, batted forward to home.
Andrew Slater singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Steve Nippress doubled, 2 RBI.
Ken Pike struck out swinging.
4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Bracknell Blazers II – Bottom of the 7th:
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
by Matt Bell

BAPTISM OF FIRE: DRAGONS SLAY RAPTORS

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, JON GAMBLE

 

Raptors took the field against the Richmond Dragons at Grovehill on Sunday with high hopes of continuing their unbeaten start to the 2009 season. These hopes took an early dive as the Dragons raced away to 7-0 lead in a first inning blitz. Aggressive base-stealing proved to be the Dragons stock-in-trade as they indicated an early intention to run away with everything not nailed down in Grovehill.

 

Dragons pitcher Per Nilsson Eklof came out breathing fire in the top of the second and made short work of the Raptors early batting order – sending the Raptors back to the field without scoring. The Dragons second inning picked up where the first left off – Raptors defence having no answer to the Dragons audacious display of base larceny.

 

Raptors managed to get a couple of runs on the board in the bottom of the second. But there was no stopping the torrent of runs coming from the Dragons who piled on the agony in the top of the sixth with another half dozen runs – taking them to an imposing 18-6 lead by the bottom of the third. The bottom of the third proved to be the highest scoring for the Raptors as the team showed that they knew how to steal a base or two with some aggressive running from Messrs Slater, Curtis and Dimitrov.

 

The Raptors managed to put a brake on the Dragons run rate through the middle innings. However,  the Raptors were unable to build a sustained rally in spite of the efforts of Pike, Jones and and Lewys in the bottom of the fourth. Ken Pike survived a heroic collision with the first base bag to bring home the bacon. Yet Eklof had still got some fire in his belly, closing the innings with a couple of  rally-breaking strikeouts.

 

At the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons led by a comfortable 22-10. Dragons relief pitcher Woo Kim proved to be no relief for the Raptors as he kept a clean sheet in the sixth inning. Liam Green made a confident debut as relief pitcher for the Raptors in the top of the seventh. It proved to be a baptism of fire. Unfortunately, a trio of Raptors outfield rookies learned the hard way that a ball is easier to field in front than behind – as a series of errors allowed the Dragons to run rampant – adding 12 runs to their total. The Raptors were put of their misery with a mercy finish at the bottom of the seventh. It was a day of hard lessons for the Raptors. They will have to wait for another chance to slay the Richmond Dragons.

 

 

Richmond Dragons at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Richmond Dragons 7 5 6 2 1 1 12 34 21 5
Herts Raptors 0 2 4 3 1 0 3 13 7 6

Richmond Dragons 34, Herts Raptors 13
Richmond Dragons Herts Raptors
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
John Wilkinson 3b 4 2 2 4 Ken Pike ss 2 1 0 0
Woo Kim 2b-p 7 3 3 1 (b4) Chris Brown rf-lf 2 2 2 1
Nick Hadley 1b-2b 4 4 1 2 Rob Jones 1b-ss 3 1 1 1
Stuart Hendry cf 7 4 4 2 Jonathon Lewys p-1b 5 3 2 2
Grant Bridge lf 7 5 4 1 Andrew Slater 3b 4 1 0 1
Allan Moffat ss 3 5 2 2 Paul Curtis 2b 4 1 1 1
Per Nilsson Eklof p-1b 5 5 3 4 (b6) Jon Gamble rf 1 0 0 0
John Walmsley c 4 4 2 2 Iwan Evans cf 2 1 0 0
Alvin Michael rf 3 1 0 0 (b6) Phil Hynes cf 0 0 0 0
(b5) Talha Akhtar rf 1 1 0 0 Ilya Dimitrov c 0 2 0 0
Robert Crouch lf 1 0 0 0
(t4) Phil Crooks lf-2b 2 0 0 0
Neil Brackley rf 2 0 0 0
(b4) Liam Green ss-rf-p 2 1 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 45 34 21 18 TEAM TOTALS 30 13 7 6

E: Per Nilsson Eklof(2), Allan Moffat, John Wilkinson, Alvin Michael, Andrew
Slater(2), Paul Curtis(2), Ilya Dimitrov, Phil Crooks. DP: Richmond Dragons 1. LOB:
Herts Raptors 7, Richmond Dragons 7. 2B: Allan Moffat(2), Per Nilsson Eklof, Woo Kim,
Jonathon Lewys, Chris Brown. HR: Per Nilsson Eklof, Stuart Hendry. SB: John
Walmsley(7), Stuart Hendry(4), Woo Kim(4), Grant Bridge(4), John Wilkinson(4), Allan
Moffat(4), Per Nilsson Eklof(2), Nick Hadley, Alvin Michael, Talha Akhtar, Jonathon
Lewys(5), Ilya Dimitrov(4), Rob Jones(3), Iwan Evans(2), Andrew Slater, Paul Curtis.
SF: Per Nilsson Eklof.

Richmond Dragons IP H R ER BB SO
Per Nilsson Eklof W 6.00 5 10 4 9 9
Woo Kim 1.00 2 3 2 0 1
Herts Raptors            
Jonathon Lewys L 6.00 13 22 10 13 11
Liam Green 1.00 8 12 8 2 3

HBP: by Per Nilsson Eklof (Rob Jones). , by Jonathon Lewys (Nick Hadley). . . , by
Per Nilsson Eklof (Andrew Slater). . . WP: Per Nilsson Eklof(7), Woo Kim, Jonathon
Lewys(6), Liam Green. PB: John Walmsley(7), Ilya Dimitrov(9). T: 3:51. A: 89.

by Matt Bell

HERTS BASEBALL’S GOT TALENT – LITTLE LEAGUE PLAYER MAKES DEBUT FOR HERTS RAPTORS

The 2009 season of the British Baseball League started in the best possible fashion for the members of Herts Baseball Club.  The Club sent four of its adult teams against tough opponents in the four respective leagues, and picked up five wins out of six games.  Everyone at the club was rightfully pleased, but there was one aspect on Opening Day which pleased everyone connected with the club, more than any of the wins.

 

This was the day when the first player coming out of the Herts Baseball Little League made an official debut with the adult teams.  14-years-old Liam Green has been involved with the Little League, the club’s youth programme, from its inception in June 2007 when boys and girls from Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas, started attending summer baseball camps at the club’s Grovehill Ballpark.

 

Liam went on to win the Herts Little League title playing for the Herts Yankees in the League’s inaugural season last year.  The Club has been very lucky to have very passionate, dedicated and hard-working boys and girls join the Little League over the last 2 years, and Liam is no different.  Many times after the adults end their home games last season, Liam, together with his younger brother, Lewis, and father, Lawrence, would come down to the Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead wait for the league games to end and they would practice various aspects of the game of baseball for hours until the sun goes down. 

 

Liam’s progress has been obvious for all to see and the Managers of the Herts adult teams have been following him closely.  With him becoming 14 this season and eligible for selection with the adults, the Managers decided that it was time to call him up to the Herts Raptors camp, the Club’s Single-A league team.  Last Sunday, he made his official debut for the Raptors in dramatic win against the London Marauders. 

 

The club hopes that this will be the first of many more male and female players coming through the Herts Baseball Little League to join the adult teams.  There already are several other very talented players who are also on the fringe of getting a call-up.  The transition of the players into adult baseball will be done gradually and they will continue to be full members of the Little League during this process.

 

The future is looking bright for baseball in Hertfordshire.  The club’s youngsters have already started their Spring Training in preparation for the 2009 league season.  New players are joining the league every week and it promises to be even bigger and better than 2008.

 

For more details about the Herts Baseball Little League and how to join or come to one of the open training sessions, please visit the official site.

by Matt Bell

OPENING DAY THRILLER AT GROVEHILL

Report from Herts Baseball Newswire Correspondent, NEIL BRACKLEY

 

The London Marauders travelled to Grovehill to face the Herts Raptors on opening day but neither team would have anticipated the momentous 69 run game that was to follow. With both teams dominated by people new to Baseball, this was the first competitive league game for the majority of players who took to the field and a game that most are unlikely to forget. 

 

The Raptors came firing out of the starting blocks and quickly established a lead in the early innings. The game was on the verge of being called in the 7th with the Raptors 7-19 up, but the Marauders put on a remarkable stand in the top of the 7th with 2 outs, sending 18 batters to the plate. The Raptors were just unable to get that 3rd out and the Marauders piled on the runs and took the lead 24-19. The Raptors suddenly found themselves behind in a game they thought was already in the bag.

 

Both teams found themselves pulling together, supporting each other and digging deep as the game see-sawed. Runs came freely as the benches stood to cheer on their teammates on every play. Finally, after 5 hours of play and with the sun already dipping below the horizon, the Raptors found themselves 7 runs adrift at the bottom of the 9th.

 

The inning didn’t start well for the Raptors, with a line drive straight into a glove. However, as the inning progressed, a mixture of hits, walks, stolen bases, and errors allowed the Raptors to slowly pull back the deficit. As the evening gloom descended they finally managed to punch in the winning run, causing an amazing celebration on the Raptors Bench with bear hugs and high fives all round. Little leaguer Marty Jnr found himself the new mascot of the Herts Raptors and was held aloft.

 

The game had been played in a fantastic spirit with good play recognized by both sides. The London Marauders, Herts Raptors and the spectators still remaining all knew they’d taken part in and witnessed great game. Both squads left the field exhausted but stronger and more united because of it.

 

NEXT GAME: Herts Raptors vs Richmond Dragons, (16:00, Sunday, 3 May 2009, Grovehill Ballpark),

London Marauders at Herts Raptors
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
London Marauders 0 0 1 2 4 0 16 1 10 34 20 7
Herts Raptors 4 4 5 1 2 3 0 8 8 35 22 6

Herts Raptors 36, London Marauders 35
Herts Raptors London Marauders
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Ade Orioye 3b-p-pr-rf 6 6 3 0 Player 1 p 4 5 2 1
(t4) Neil Brackley lf 2 0 1 0 Player 2 c 6 4 2 1
Ken Pike ss 6 4 3 2 Player 3 1b 7 4 4 2
Marty Cullen p 3 1 1 1 Player 4 2b 6 4 2 2
(b8) Greg Bochan p 0 1 0 0 Player 5 3b 6 5 4 3
Iwan Evans cf-3b 2 5 1 1 Player 6 ss 4 6 2 3
Andrew Slater 1b 6 7 4 4 Player 7 lf 5 2 1 0
Paul Curtis 2b-lf 6 2 3 6 Player 8 cf 4 4 2 1
(b4) Hunter Devine 2b 4 4 3 2 Player 9 rf 5 1 1 1
Elissa Baird cf 0 0 0 0
(b4) Jon Gamble rf 2 1 1 1
Ilya Dimitrov c 5 2 1 1
Robert Crouch rf 3 1 1 0
(b4) Liam Green cf-rf 2 0 0 0
(b8) Matt Johnston cf 2 2 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 49 36 22 18 TEAM TOTALS 47 35 20 14

E: Matt Johnston(3), Iwan Evans(2), Ade Orioye, Player 5(3), Player 2(2), Player 1,
Player 6. LOB: Herts Raptors 9, London Marauders 10. 2B: Paul Curtis(2), Hunter
Devine, Player 5, Player 2, Player 6, Player 3. 3B: Player 8. SB: Ade Orioye(8), Iwan
Evans(6), Hunter Devine(4), Ken Pike(3), Andrew Slater(3), Ilya Dimitrov(2), Paul
Curtis(2), Matt Johnston, Greg Bochan, Player 3(5), Player 1(5), Player 9(4), Player
2(3), Player 6(3), Player 4, Player 5, Player 8. CS: Elissa Baird, Player 9.

Herts Raptors IP H R ER BB SO
Ade Orioye 4.33 12 22 17 17 5
Marty Cullen 4.00 2 3 2 3 5
Greg Bochan W 1.00 6 10 6 4 2
London Marauders            
Player 1 L 8.67 22 36 20 16 7

HBP: by Marty Cullen (Player 7). . , by Ade Orioye (Player 1). . , by Player 1
(Andrew Slater), by Player 1 (Hunter Devine), by Player 1 (Ilya Dimitrov), by Player
1 (Ade Orioye). , by Player 1 (Greg Bochan). WP: Greg Bochan(2), Player 1(6). PB:
Ilya Dimitrov(4), Player 2(13). Balk: Player 1(2). T: 4:47. A: 78.

by Matt Bell

HOPE SPRINGS, HERTFORDSHIRE

from Newswire special correspondent, Rob Jones

“Spring Training”. It always has to go in those inverted commas — “Spring Training” — because the disparity between the sun-kissed Major League experience and the often rain-soaked British version is stark. An American friend of mine always goes to watch pre-season games in Florida and often sends me smug, if well-meaning, text messages from the stands. I send him back little black clouds of jealousy. But in many ways spring training is the same on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ball-players emerge from months of hibernation to revive aching limbs and slowing reflexes, ready for another summer on the diamond. It's exciting, but also frustrating as you try to pick up where you left off. Baseball is a game which really repays your time – the more you play, the better you get and, to be honest, you can only ever be so good when you’re a casual like me. Last season, I was lucky enough to win the Raptors batting title – and so far this year my hitting has been going pretty well. Chalk one up in the “plus” column.

But in the field, I am trying to convert from an outfielder to a shortstop, and realising that things happen much quicker on the infield dirt! I always try to have realistic expectations, and so I am content with steady and unspectacular progress. But you still want the spectacular! It is so galling when a player is safe at first by just a step, or when you make a good stop then get the ball trapped somewhere in your glove. And in the “minus” column I’ve already had one bungled rundown, and one truly absurd fumble of a simple pop-up. But maybe that’s what “Spring Training” (remember those commas) is for.

For a second year, we have been taking part in a spring league, the HSL, and clubs from all over the region have taken part. The games have a spirit all of their own. There is banter between the two teams, and a tolerance of unusual behaviour – on Sunday, an opposing player shouted out “’Have it!” as he connected with a line drive to centre field, and nobody did anything but laugh. But in the same game a player who had just been called out on the base paths exclaimed “Bo****ks!” and nearly squared up to the umpire. Yes, it’s an exhibition game, but why play if you don’t want to win?

The spring league actually saw some sunshine this year, and some good baseball. The team known as Herts 3 for this tournament even won its division. I think the club is very optimistic entering another big year for us. The Raptors have a big intake of rookies, but they have showed great promise in the HSL games and if they show the same mix of fun and determination as they did during “Spring Training”, there will be no problem. Here’s hoping that the “summer” weather doesn’t need those inverted commas!

by Matt Bell

DRAMATIC END TO 2009 HERTS SPRING LEAGUE

 

The 2009 Herts Spring League ended on Sunday with the races for the Pool 1 and Poll 2 titles coming alive.

 

At the start of the final round of matches in Pool 1 three teams were in with a chance to win it.  The Alconbury Braves knew that in order to jump above the leading Bracknell Blazers, they needed to win their final game by 3 runs.  But in that final game they faced the Southampton Mustangs who were also in with a chance to win the title if they could overcome the Braves. 

 

We were set for a clash between two title contenders and this certainly was no Spring Training game.  Both Southampton and Alconbury went out on the field visibly motivated to win.  There were even some heated clashes between individual players of the two teams when Mustangs pitcher, Ralph, was determined to get to second base and collided into the Braves’ second baseman who simply wanted to apply a routine tag on him for the third out of the inning.  The Braves showed a lot of class by not getting physically involved after what was a slightly overaggressive play by Southampton. 

 

Both teams will probably have their own different views on the incident but it was proof of the desire which both teams had to win the HSL title and that’s the way every baseball game should be played.

 

The Mustangs were holding on to the lead until Braves first baseman, Matt Walker, launched a home run over the right field wall to tie the game at 7-7.  This was also the first home run at the new-look Grovehill Ballpark in Hertfordshire and its new permanent outfield fence.

 

With HSL games being timed, the clock was ticking for both teams as a tie was no good to either of them.  In the top of 9th inning Southampton retired the Braves batters and they had just a few minutes left in the bottom of the inning to win the game.  Alconbury held on and so the game was declared a tie.  This meant that both teams had knocked each other out of the title race and the Bracknell Blazers were declared the 2009 Herts Spring League Pool 1 winners.

 

In Pool 2 the battle was just as exciting.  Braintree Rays, Richmond Dragons and the Herts 3 were all in the running.  Herts 3 were in pole position with a 100% record so far, but they stumbled against a tough MK Bucks team who won 13-5.  This meant that Herts 3 had to rely results of the games played at Connare Field in Richmond.  The Braintree Rays lost to the Kent Mariners and were no longer a threat to Herts 3.  The only remaining contender were the Richmond Dragons.  They were up against Herts 2 who were determined to help their club mates, Herts 3.  After going neck-and-neck for a few innings, Herts 2 opened up a big lead with a devastating 9 runs in the fourth inning.  Richmond were not able to catch up and so Herts 3 were declared the HSL Pool 2 Champions.

 

The second year of the Herts Spring League has proven to be better than the first year with more teams and fans taking part.  Teams are already submitting their applications to enter the 2010 HSL, which is great to see.

 

But right now it is time for all the teams to get set for the real thing as the 2009 British Baseball season is about to get under way this coming Sunday, 19 April 2009, with games taking place across the whole country.

 

Images courtesy of HP2Photographic.com

 

For full list of results, standings and more about this year's Herts Spring League visit the official HSL website.

by Matt Bell

HSL WEEK 3: (POOL 2) MK BUCKS @ HERTS III

Herts' loss to MK Bucks did not stop them winning Pool 2 of the Herts Spring League

MK Bucks at Herts Hawks
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
MK Bucks 1 2 3 1 3 0 3 13 10 3
Herts Hawks 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 5 6 5

MK Bucks 13, Herts Hawks 5
MK Bucks Herts Hawks
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Player 1 p 2 0 0 1 Rob Jones ss 2 2 1 0
Player 2 c 3 2 0 0 Hunter Devine 2b 4 0 0 0
Player 3 1b 5 1 1 0 Marty Cullen p 2 1 1 1
Player 4 2b 5 3 4 2 (t5) Ade Orioye 3b-p 4 0 1 0
Player 5 3b 2 3 1 1 David Baird 1b 4 0 2 1
Player 6 ss 3 3 3 1 Jonathon Lewys rf-lf 0 0 0 0
Player 7 lf 3 1 1 0 Chris Wylie rf-3b 4 0 1 0
Player 8 cf 3 0 0 1 (b4) Tariq Gangari cf 0 0 0 0
Player 9 rf 4 0 0 0 Ken Pike cf 1 0 0 0
(b5) Steve Nippress cf 1 1 0 0
Andrew Slater lf 1 0 0 0
(b5) Jon Gamble rf 1 0 0 0
Ilya Dimitrov c 3 1 0 0
(b6) Kal Dimitrov c 0 0 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 30 13 10 6 TEAM TOTALS 27 5 6 2

E: Player 1, Player 4, Player 8, Hunter Devine(2), Rob Jones, Ilya Dimitrov, Tariq
Gangari. LOB: Herts Hawks 5, MK Bucks 10. 2B: Player 4(2), David Baird. SB: Player
4(3), Player 7(3), Player 2(2), Player 5(2), Player 6(2), Player 1(2), Player 3, Rob
Jones, Hunter Devine. SF: Player 1.

MK Bucks IP H R ER BB SO
Player 1 W 7.00 6 5 1 4 10
Herts Hawks            
Marty Cullen L 4.00 6 7 3 6 4
Ade Orioye 3.00 4 6 4 4 2

HBP: by Marty Cullen (Player 1). , by Marty Cullen (Player 7). . , by Ade Orioye
(Player 5). . . WP: Player 1(3), Marty Cullen(2), Ade Orioye(2). PB: Player 2, Ilya
Dimitrov. T: 2:55. A: 59.
MK Bucks – Top of the 1st:
Player 1 grounded out.
Player 2 walked, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Player 3 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 4 grounded out.
Player 5 grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 1st:
Rob Jones walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, batted forward to home.
Hunter Devine struck out swinging.
Marty Cullen singled, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, advanced
to home on wild pitch, 1 RBI.
David Baird singled, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch.
Chris Wylie struck out swinging.
Ade Orioye struck out swinging.
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
MK Bucks – Top of the 2nd:
Player 6 singled, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error, stole home.
Player 7 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to home on error.
Player 8 reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 9 struck out.
Player 1 hit by pitch, stole 2nd.
Player 2 struck out swinging.
Player 3 grounded out.
2 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 2nd:
Tariq Gangari walked, batted forward to 3rd.
Andrew Slater walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Ilya Dimitrov struck out swinging.
Rob Jones walked.
Hunter Devine flied out.
Marty Cullen grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
MK Bucks – Top of the 3rd:
Player 4 doubled, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, advanced to home on passed ball.
Player 5 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 6 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 7 hit by pitch, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 8 walked, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 9 out by infield fly rule.
Player 1 sacrifice flied, 1 RBI.
Player 2 lined out.
3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 3rd:
David Baird struck out swinging.
Chris Wylie singled, tagged out going to 2nd.
Ade Orioye struck out looking.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
MK Bucks – Top of the 4th:
Player 3 bunted foul on 2nd strike.
Player 4 singled, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to home.
Player 5 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Player 6 singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Player 7 grounded out.
Player 8 walked.
Player 9 struck out swinging.
1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 4th:
Ken Pike grounded out.
Andrew Slater popped out.
Ilya Dimitrov struck out swinging.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
MK Bucks – Top of the 5th:
Player 1 walked, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
Player 2 walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Player 3 popped out.
Player 4 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, stole home, 1 RBI.
Player 5 hit by pitch, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error, awarded home.
Player 6 walked, advanced to 2nd on error.
Player 7 reached on error, forced out at 2nd.
3 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 5th:
Rob Jones singled, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Hunter Devine reached on error, forced out at 2nd.
Ade Orioye singled, tagged out going to 2nd.
David Baird doubled, advanced to 3rd on throw, 1 RBI.
Chris Wylie popped out.
1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
MK Bucks – Top of the 6th:
Player 8 grounded out.
Player 9 grounded out.
Player 1 struck out looking.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 6th:
Steve Nippress reached on error, advanced to 3rd on error, batted forward to home.
Jon Gamble struck out swinging.
Ilya Dimitrov reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Rob Jones grounded out.
Hunter Devine reached on dropped 3rd strike WP, stole 2nd, tagged out going to 3rd.
2 runs, 0 hits, 2 errors, 0 LOB.
MK Bucks – Top of the 7th:
Player 2 grounded out.
Player 3 reached on error, batted forward to home.
Player 4 doubled, tagged out going to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Player 5 walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to home.
Player 6 singled, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch, 1 RBI.
Player 7 singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd.
Player 8 struck out swinging.
3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Hawks – Bottom of the 7th:
Ade Orioye struck out swinging.
David Baird flied out.
Chris Wylie grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
by Matt Bell

HSL WEEK 3: (POOL 1) HERTS I @ SIDEWINDERS

Spring Training is done and now it's time for the Herts Falcons to make their National Baseball League Debut

Herts Falcons at Sidewinders
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Falcons 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 13 11 4
Sidewinders 0 0 2 2 2 0 2 8 11 3

Herts Falcons 13, Sidewinders 8
Herts Falcons Sidewinders
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Jamie Munn cf 4 1 1 1 Player 1 p 4 1 2 1
Jason Greenberg c 4 1 0 0 Player 2 c 3 1 0 1
Lin Yuchih ss-3b 5 2 1 0 Player 3 1b 5 0 2 1
Kimiyoshi Saionji 2b-rf 4 1 1 1 Player 4 2b 5 0 0 0
Darrin Ward p 3 2 2 0 Player 5 3b 3 2 1 0
(t4) Lee Manning ss 0 0 0 1 Player 6 ss 2 1 0 0
Carlos Casal rf-2b 3 2 1 1 Player 7 lf 3 2 3 1
Aspi Dimitrov lf-p 3 1 1 3 Player 8 cf 4 1 2 0
(t5) Andy Cornish lf-ss 2 0 0 0 Player 9 rf 3 0 1 2
John Oliver 1b-lf 3 2 3 3
(t5) Marty Cullen 1b 1 0 1 0
Nick Goetz 3b-p 2 1 0 0
TEAM TOTALS 34 13 11 10 TEAM TOTALS 32 8 11 6

E: Jason Greenberg, Lin Yuchih, Nick Goetz, Kimiyoshi Saionji, Player 6(3). LOB:
Herts Falcons 9, Sidewinders 10. 2B: John Oliver(2), Kimiyoshi Saionji, Aspi
Dimitrov, Marty Cullen, Player 3. SB: Aspi Dimitrov, Jason Greenberg, Darrin Ward,
Player 2, Player 1. SF: Player 2.

Herts Falcons IP H R ER BB SO
Darrin Ward W 3.00 4 2 0 1 2
Nick Goetz 3.00 4 4 2 3 1
Aspi Dimitrov 1.00 3 2 2 2 2
Sidewinders            
Player 1 L 7.00 11 13 8 8 9

HBP: by Player 1 (Jason Greenberg). . . . WP: Nick Goetz, Aspi Dimitrov, Player 1(3).
PB: Player 2(4). T: 2:55. A: 78.
Herts Falcons – Top of the 1st:
Jamie Munn struck out looking.
Jason Greenberg grounded out.
Lin Yuchih grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Sidewinders – Bottom of the 1st:
Player 1 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 2 struck out swinging.
Player 3 grounded out.
Player 4 grounded out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Top of the 2nd:
Kimiyoshi Saionji reached on error, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Darrin Ward singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Carlos Casal walked, batted forward to home.
Aspi Dimitrov doubled, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 3 RBI.
John Oliver doubled, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, 1 RBI.
Nick Goetz struck out looking.
Jamie Munn grounded out.
Jason Greenberg grounded out.
4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Sidewinders – Bottom of the 2nd:
Player 5 struck out looking.
Player 6 walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Player 7 singled.
Player 8 flied out.
Player 9 popped out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Top of the 3rd:
Lin Yuchih reached on error, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch.
Kimiyoshi Saionji flied out foul.
Darrin Ward singled, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, batted
forward to home.
Carlos Casal walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to home.
Aspi Dimitrov struck out looking.
John Oliver doubled, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Nick Goetz walked, batted forward to 3rd.
Jamie Munn singled, tagged out going to 2nd, 1 RBI.
4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Sidewinders – Bottom of the 3rd:
Player 1 singled, advanced to 3rd on error, advanced to home on error.
Player 2 reached on error, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player 3 singled, forced out at 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 4 reached on fielder's choice, batted forward to 2nd.
Player 5 grounded out.
Player 6 grounded out.
2 runs, 2 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Top of the 4th:
Jason Greenberg hit by pitch, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Lin Yuchih flied out.
Kimiyoshi Saionji doubled, 1 RBI.
Darrin Ward struck out looking.
Carlos Casal struck out swinging.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sidewinders – Bottom of the 4th:
Player 7 walked, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Player 8 reached on error, batted forward to home.
Player 9 walked, forced out at 2nd.
Player 1 reached on fielder's choice, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, 1 RBI.
Player 2 sacrifice flied, 1 RBI.
Player 3 grounded out.
2 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Top of the 5th:
Aspi Dimitrov grounded out.
John Oliver walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, batted forward to 3rd, advanced
to home on passed ball.
Nick Goetz walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, advanced to
home on error.
Jamie Munn walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to 3rd on error, batted
forward to home.
Jason Greenberg reached on error, batted forward to 3rd.
Lin Yuchih grounded out.
Kimiyoshi Saionji walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Lee Manning walked, 1 RBI.
Carlos Casal struck out swinging.
3 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 3 LOB.
Sidewinders – Bottom of the 5th:
Player 4 struck out swinging.
Player 5 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 6 flied out.
Player 7 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 8 singled, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on error.
Player 9 singled, advanced to 2nd on error, 2 RBI.
Player 1 flied out.
2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Top of the 6th:
Andy Cornish struck out looking.
Marty Cullen doubled.
Nick Goetz grounded out.
Jamie Munn struck out looking.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sidewinders – Bottom of the 6th:
Player 2 grounded out.
Player 3 doubled, forced out at 3rd.
Player 4 lined out.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Falcons – Top of the 7th:
Jason Greenberg grounded out.
Lin Yuchih singled, batted forward to home.
Kimiyoshi Saionji struck out looking.
John Oliver singled, batted forward to 2nd.
Carlos Casal singled, 1 RBI.
Andy Cornish flied out.
1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Sidewinders – Bottom of the 7th:
Player 5 singled, batted forward to home.
Player 6 walked, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch.
Player 7 singled, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, 1 RBI.
Player 8 singled, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch.
Player 9 struck out looking.
Player 1 intentionally walked.
Player 3 struck out looking.
Player 4 grounded out.
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
by Matt Bell

HSL WEEK 3: (POOL 2) HERTS II @ RICHMOND DRAGONS

Herts Eagles' win against the Richmond Dragons secured the HSL Pool 2 title for the Herts Hawks

Herts Eagles at Richmond Dragons
Score By Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Herts Eagles 0 3 2 9 1 1 1 17 11 2
Richmond Dragons 2 0 3 4 2 2 0 13 10 3

Herts Eagles 17, Richmond Dragons 13
Herts Eagles Richmond Dragons
  ab r h bi   ab r h bi
Rod Ariss ss-3b-p 4 1 1 1 Player 1 p 4 4 3 0
Ilya Dimitrov cf-ss 4 1 1 1 Player 2 c 2 3 1 1
Nick Russell 3b-ss 3 2 1 1 Player 3 1b 4 2 2 2
Dave Westfallen c 3 2 1 0 Player 4 2b 4 0 0 1
(t5) Kal Dimitrov c 0 1 0 0 Player 5 3b 3 2 1 2
Mark Hoffman p-1b 4 2 2 2 Player 6 ss 2 1 0 0
Tim Elkins 1b-cf 4 2 1 2 Player 7 lf 4 0 2 3
Rodney Naghar lf-2b 3 4 3 1 Player 8 cf 2 0 0 0
Paul Curtis 2b-lf 2 0 0 1 Player 9 rf 4 1 1 0
Nick Read rf 2 2 1 3
TEAM TOTALS 29 17 11 12 TEAM TOTALS 29 13 10 9

E: Rod Ariss, Tim Elkins, Player 1, Player 2, Player 6. LOB: Richmond Dragons 8,
Herts Eagles 10. 2B: Dave Westfallen, Nick Read, Player 2. SB: Rodney Naghar(4), Ilya
Dimitrov(3), Mark Hoffman(2), Kal Dimitrov(2), Nick Russell, Nick Read, Tim Elkins,
Dave Westfallen, Rod Ariss, Player 3(4), Player 1(3), Player 9(2), Player 5, Player
2.

Herts Eagles IP H R ER BB SO
Mark Hoffman W 5.00 7 11 6 9 6
Rod Ariss 1.00 3 2 2 0 0
Richmond Dragons            
Player 1 L 6.33 11 17 11 16 5

HBP: by Player 1 (Tim Elkins), by Mark Hoffman (Player 6). . . . WP: Mark Hoffman(3).
PB: Dave Westfallen, Player 2(7). T: 2:55. A: 35.
Herts Eagles – Top of the 1st:
Rod Ariss grounded out.
Ilya Dimitrov struck out looking.
Nick Russell walked.
Dave Westfallen grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Richmond Dragons – Bottom of the 1st:
Player 1 singled, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, advanced to home on wild
pitch.
Player 2 walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, batted forward to home.
Player 3 walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to 3rd.
Player 4 grounded out.
Player 5 grounded out, 1 RBI.
Player 6 walked, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch.
Player 7 grounded out.
2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Herts Eagles – Top of the 2nd:
Mark Hoffman singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Tim Elkins popped out.
Rodney Naghar singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Paul Curtis struck out looking.
Nick Read doubled, stole 3rd, batted forward to home, 2 RBI.
Rod Ariss walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd.
Ilya Dimitrov reached first base, stole 2nd, 1 RBI.
Nick Russell grounded out.
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Richmond Dragons – Bottom of the 2nd:
Player 8 struck out swinging.
Player 9 grounded out.
Player 1 grounded out.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Herts Eagles – Top of the 3rd:
Dave Westfallen doubled, batted forward to home.
Mark Hoffman popped out.
Tim Elkins singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on passed
ball, 1 RBI.
Rodney Naghar singled, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, batted forward to 3rd.
Paul Curtis walked, batted forward to 2nd.
Nick Read out by infield fly rule.
Rod Ariss popped out.
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Richmond Dragons – Bottom of the 3rd:
Player 2 walked, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Player 3 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 4 grounded out.
Player 5 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Player 6 struck out looking.
Player 7 singled, batted forward to 2nd, 1 RBI.
Player 8 walked.
Player 9 struck out swinging.
3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Herts Eagles – Top of the 4th:
Ilya Dimitrov walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Nick Russell walked, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Dave Westfallen walked, batted forward to home.
Mark Hoffman walked, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Tim Elkins hit by pitch, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Rodney Naghar walked, batted forward to home, 1 RBI.
Paul Curtis walked, batted forward to 3rd, tagged out going to home, 1 RBI.
Nick Read walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, advanced to
home on error, 1 RBI.
Rod Ariss singled, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to 3rd on error, batted
forward to home, 1 RBI.
Ilya Dimitrov out by infield fly rule.
Nick Russell singled, advanced to 2nd on passed ball, advanced to home on error, 1
RBI.
Dave Westfallen reached on dropped 3rd strike w/error, advanced to 2nd on passed
ball, stole 3rd.
Mark Hoffman grounded out.
9 runs, 2 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
Richmond Dragons – Bottom of the 4th:
Player 1 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Player 2 struck out.
Player 3 reached on error, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on wild pitch.
Player 4 struck out looking.
Player 5 walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on wild pitch, batted forward
to home.
Player 6 hit by pitch, advanced to 2nd on wild pitch, batted forward to home.
Player 7 singled, batted forward to 3rd, 2 RBI.
Player 8 walked, tagged out going to 2nd.
Player 9 reached on fielder's choice.
4 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Herts Eagles – Top of the 5th:
Tim Elkins popped out.
Rodney Naghar singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, advanced to home on error.
Paul Curtis grounded out.
Nick Read walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball.
Rod Ariss flied out.
1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Richmond Dragons – Bottom of the 5th:
Player 1 walked, advanced to 2nd on error, batted forward to home.
Player 2 walked, batted forward to home.
Player 3 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, 1 RBI.
Player 4 grounded out, 1 RBI.
Player 5 struck out looking.
Player 6 flied out.
2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Eagles – Top of the 6th:
Ilya Dimitrov struck out.
Nick Russell struck out looking.
Kal Dimitrov walked, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, batted forward to home.
Mark Hoffman singled, stole 2nd, 1 RBI.
Tim Elkins grounded out.
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Richmond Dragons – Bottom of the 6th:
Player 7 grounded out.
Player 8 grounded out.
Player 9 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to 3rd, stole home.
Player 1 singled, stole 2nd, batted forward to home.
Player 2 doubled, 1 RBI.
Player 3 grounded out.
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Herts Eagles – Top of the 7th:
Rodney Naghar walked, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, advanced to home on
passed ball.
Paul Curtis walked, batted forward to 2nd, advanced to 3rd on passed ball, tagged out
going to home.
Nick Read walked, advanced to 2nd on passed ball.
Rod Ariss walked.
1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.