Category: Featured

26 May 201211 June 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts and Cobham entertain fans with dramatic games ending with a walk-off home run

Cobham fought back against flame-throwing Liam Green to win game 2. Green had 6 hits with 2 doubles over the course of the two games one of wwhich was inches from being a home run

The Herts Under-17 team is showing signs that it can compete against the top teams in the U17 British Leagues. On Saturday they visited the Cobham Cougars who were the national runners-up last year.

Cobham went into the game as the favourites to win both games of the doubleheader despite missing several of their starting nine. They took an early 1-0 lead but Herts responded with hits form Liam Green and Tom Everex-Armstrong bringing in 3 runs. Herts maintained their lead but the Cougars were always dangerously close reducing the lead to 4-3. In the fourth inning the youngsters form Herts switched up a gear to take the game beyond Cobham. Once again Liam Green and Everex-Armstrong delivered crucial hits to bring 3 runs in. Everex-Armstrong went 3-4 in the game. Starting pitcher Zack Longboy was pitching a gem and despite a late rally by Cobham, he took the win. Marty Cullen Jr closed the game for the visitors to pick up the save.

Click to view Game1 box scores and play-by-play

That win for Herts went contrary to the form book and it was even more surprising when Herts took a 7-1 lead in the second game of the day. Herts maintained the lead all the way to the middle of the fifth inning when they had a 9-3 advantage. Liam Green stood out offensively batting 3-4 with two doubles. One of the two doubles came just a few inches short of being a 2-run home run. Marty Cullen Jr had an impressive performance on the mound allowing only 3 runs over 3 and two-third innings against a very awkward opponent.

Jose Morillo relieved him and although he did his job, Cobham managed to score 4 unearned runs thanks to 3 errors which proved to be very costly at the end. Liam Green then took the mound looking to shut the door in the final inning with a 9-7 lead. He is probably one of the hardest throwing players in the U17 League but Cobham showed why they reached the National Final last season. They managed to deliver crucial hits and took advantage of some passed balls to advance runners and tie the game 9-9. With 1 out and the infield and outfield playing in to stop the winning run scoring from third base, the Cougars delivered a final blow with a hit to left-centerfield which the batter took advantage of and stretched into an inside the park home run to end the game.

Click to view Game2 box scores and play-by-play

This was a spectacular comeback by Cobham which was heartbreaking for Herts but it didn’t overshadow the fact that they had performed exceptionally well to take an away win from the Cougars. There is a break in the U17 league action over the Jubilee weekend. The league games resume on 9 June when the Herts All Stars will face the Feltwell RedBacks at Grovehill Ballpark in Herts.

26 May 201228 May 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Dodgers and Giants resume Herts rivalry. Dodgers come out on top.

Herts Giants 4 Herts Dodgers 10

written by hertsbaseball.com correspondent, Chris Jones

The rains of the last few weeks seemed a distant memory, as the Herts U11s met up on a baking hot Saturday at Grovehill. Given the amount of playing time lost in recent weeks, the coaches felt that it would be worth spending some time on the training ground. The squad went through a variety of drills, working on both offensive and defensive skills.

Once the players had taken a much-needed water break, it was time for the Dodgers to face the Giants in a continuation of this long-running Herts classic.

After a hitless first inning from the Dodgers, the Giants took an early lead. A succession of Giants batters collected base hits, and Jamie Clarke claimed the RBI single.

The tables were turned in the second inning. The Dodgers showed more of their offensive calibre, batting around and picking up three runs. Defensively, the Dodgers then forced out runners at third in two successive plays to shut out the Giants.

The Dodgers piled on the runs in the third – the pick of the batters was Nicholas Durer, who hit a monster ground rule double to the centre field fence. Ozan Martin joined in the fun with a double to left field. The Giants were unlucky to that their batters picked out Dodgers fielders, as Nicholas Durer and Katie Everex-Armstrong claimed outs at first and third.

Six runs down at the bottom of the fourth, the Giants needed to find some hits. Leading off, Lewis Auchterlounie pulled out a double down the third base line, and scored when Oliver Durer made a base hit. Rose Burgess-Van Dort and Talia Martin reached first on a fielder’s choice, while Noah Lynch scored the Giants’ third run. Jamie Clark was called out for leaving the base path between second and third – at one point it looked like he was heading for the car park.

By now, the sun was beating down, and at least one supporter had retired to seek a shadier spot. But the players refused to wilt. In the final inning, a powerful line drive from Katie Everex-Armstrong produced another ground-rule double. Ozan Martin and Katie scored after Alex Jones, Nicholas Durer and Rory Vangundy got on base, and Alex Jones reached home to claim his third run.

In reply, Lewis Auchterlounie hit his second double of the day, into his favourite spot over third base. Noah Lynch picked up a single, and Jamie Clark hit into right field to bring home Lewis for the RBI. But it was too little, too late for the Giants as a final strikeout brought the game to a close with the Dodgers 10-4 winners.

In truth, there was little between the two sides, and on another day with a little more luck for the Giants the scoreline could be reversed. This was a fun game, and it was good to see everyone making a contribution, from the youngest members of the squad to the more experienced players.

GAMECAST – IN CASE YOU MISSED THE GAME OR WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN

To relive the full game with full statistical analysis fans can view a new facility which Herts Baseball Club is testing at the moment. CLICK TO OPEN THE GAMECAST AND PRESS REPLAY IN TOP RIGHT CORNER

Herts Giants Batting Stats

Name	PA	AB	R	H	1B	2B	3B	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	AVG
Christian Lynch	4	4	1	3	3	0	0	0	0	0.750	0.750	0.750
Alex Trautman	4	4	0	3	3	0	0	0	0	0.750	0.750	0.750
Lewis Auchterlounie	4	4	2	3	1	2	0	0	0	0.750	1.250	0.750
Noah	4	4	1	2	2	0	0	0	0	0.500	0.500	0.500
Oliver Durer	4	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0.250	0.250	0.250
Jamie Clark	4	4	0	3	3	0	0	0	2	0.750	0.750	0.750
Rose Burgess-Van Dort	4	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0.250	0.250	0.250
Talia Martin	4	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0.250	0.250	0.250
TOTALS	32	32	4	17	15	2	0	0	4	0.531	0.594	0.531

Herts Dodgers Batting Stats

Name	PA	AB	R	H	1B	2B	3B	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	AVG
Jonathan Wakelam	5	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.000	0.000	0.000
Ozan Martin	4	4	2	3	2	1	0	0	1	0.750	1.000	0.750
Katie Everex-Armstrong	4	4	1	2	1	1	0	0	2	0.500	0.750	0.500
William Morillo	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.000	0.000	0.000
Alex Jones	4	4	3	4	4	0	0	0	1	1.000	1.000	1.000
Nicholas Durer	4	4	2	2	1	1	0	0	0	0.500	0.750	0.500
Rory Vangundy	4	4	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0.250	0.250	0.250
William Ahern	4	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.000	0.000	0.000
TOTALS	33	33	10	12	9	3	0	0	8	0.364	0.455	0.364

25 May 201229 May 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Black Sox snatch Michels from Falcons

Jake Michels was wearing the Herts jersey last Sunday. This weekend he will be wearing the pinstripes of the New York Black Sox (photo of Michels with Herts jersey by British Baseball Magazine, click on image for more)

The New York Black Sox have acquired Herts Falcons right handed pitcher and third baseman, Jake Michels. He was one of the big additions to the Herts roster this winter adding power to the batting lineup as well as a very solid glove at third base and a reliable arm as part of the Falcons pitching rotation.

No one knows how far the Falcons will go this season, but Michels has certainly played a vital role in the season so far contributing in the team’s very successful start . He leaves with the Falcons sitting on top of the NBL standings with 8 wins and 2 losses.

Michels joins the New York Black Sox who play in the Hudson Valley National Adult Baseball Association (HVNABA) which is the same league he played in prior to his move to Herts this winter. He previously played for the Athletics but now he will be wearing the Black Sox jersey.

Fans of Herts and British baseball will be following Jake Michels’ progress in his efforts to be selected by the Great Britain National Team in what is expected to be one of the most exciting years for GB Baseball in recent history.

24 May 201228 May 2012 by Rob Jones

Back to the ballpark

It was a cold, grey and wet Monday morning as I took the children to school. It was like many other days for the past month (not all of them were Mondays, though a disproportionate number felt like a Monday!) But I was sure that just hours before, I had been playing baseball at a sun-dappled Grovehill ballpark. Was that just a hallucination? A mirage?

Maybe not… The evidence is there to back up the mental images. There is the uniform, smeared with red dust, piled in front of the washing machine. There are my aching legs and arms. And there is the typical collection of bumps and grazes. Yes, it was real. Finally, for the first time in 2012, I had played baseball.

After a cancellation and a couple of washouts, this was –in effect — Opening Day for the Raptors. The resurrected south coast franchise, Hove Tuesday, was coming to visit Hemel Hempstead. And Arnie Longboy’s men were ready to meet them. So prepared were they, that most of the players had chosen their own songs to boom out of the PA as they walked up to bat. This was Major League, baby.

Rob Jones archive — Rob Jones pops one up in his younger days

I started my tenth season of baseball positioned out in left field, amid the daisies and buttercups which still festooned the playing field. It started pretty quietly, but in due course an arcing fly ball came my way. The alert centre fielder shouted me back, but part-way through my retreat I slowed, thinking I had gone far enough. I had not. When I headed backwards again it was too late and the ball went past my despairing glove.

A frustrating start, then, and I hope that my weeks of inactivity don’t do too much damage to my rusty “skills”. Not long afterwards I was able to securely catch another hit to the outfield which, as a line drive, was probably much harder to judge. But there you go — this game doesn’t always make sense.

I hadn’t got as far as choosing an At Bat Anthem for 2012. When Arnie suggested it I thought jokingly about “He’s Not There”, or “The Invisible Man”, since I had never showed up to training or pre-season. But instead I left it, so against Hove I came up to bat listening to someone else’s random selection of heavy rock.

And I made my traditional start by getting a walk. In fact, my batting season started by receiving eleven straight balls — adding up to two walks and a 3-0 count. After the pitcher finally grooved a strike, I then made an error by swinging at the next offering, which would probably have been ball four high and away. I had put myself in a hole which I duly finished digging by striking out. Respect to the pitcher for his recovery, but as I said earlier, baseball doesn’t always make sense — and neither did my batting line of two patient walks, and then a flailing strikeout.

This was an odd game. The Raptors started badly, giving up a stack of runs. But they immediately got them back, with both starting pitchers giving up a lot of walks. Raptors were ahead after the first, but bit by bit Hove took control. The Herts bats were unusually quiet, and there were some unwise choices on the base paths. Perhaps the weeks washed out by rain had affected other players too, and I fully expect the machine to click into gear as the season gets going.

I had to leave before it was over, but it had been an enjoyable start. There were some good points, both for me and for the team. There is a lot of will to win, a lot of creativity in how to achieve it, and I think this will be a very interesting year.

21 May 201223 May 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Herts unveil upgraded BSUK-funded baseball facilities

Earlier this year Herts Baseball Club completed the latest stage of development of Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. The wettest April on record halted the British baseball leagues but finally on Saturday the rain stopped and youth baseball teams and fans from across the country came down to the ballpark to officially unveil the upgraded facilities.

Teams from Horsham and Leicester made the long trip to Hertfordshire to join teams from Herts for a day of baseball in the Under-17, Under-14 and Under-11 British baseball leagues.

During the opening ceremony the teams had the opportunity to recognise the fantastic support from BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) who awarded a £10,000 grant for the Grovehill Ballpark project in line with their 2009-2013 Whole Sport Plan and Sport England’s strategic aims for the sport. This grant, together with nearly £7,000 raised separately by Herts through various fund-raising activities, was invested in the installation of perimeter fencing along the first and third base dead-ball lines of both diamonds, making each diamond a fully-enclosed baseball venue. Further fencing was installed to create four fully-enclosed team dugouts for home and visiting teams on both diamonds.

Teams from Herts, Horsham and Leicester observe the national anthem

Herts Baseball Club President, Aspi Dimitrov, said: “This is just one of so many Herts projects which BSUK has supported. Apart from the ballpark development, BSUK was instrumental in starting our club’s youth programme in 2007 and it is very fitting that the upgraded facilities are being unveiled by the members of the youth programme”. Dimitrov added: “In addition to BSUK’s £10,000 grant there have been so many members and parents involved in raising the additional £7,000. Without them this would not have been possible. It was also very appropriate that Horsham and Leicester were present as they have also contributed over the years by taking part in events such as the Herts Futures Tournament and the Herts Spring League which have generated additional funds for the ballpark development. Everyone has played a part in building these baseball facilities and teams from around Great Britain will be able to enjoy them for many years to come”.

After the opening ceremony fans enjoyed four baseball games. For full reports, box scores, gamecast, photos and more from these games follow the links below:

U17 League: Horsham Hornets @ Herts All Stars U17

U14 League: Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U14

U11 League: Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U11

U11 League: NEW GAMECAST Leicester Blue Sox @ Herts All Stars U11

20 May 201222 May 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Clark 2-run blast takes Falcons back to the top of the NBL

Phil Clark launches a home run in the sixth inning to give Herts the lead (photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view more)

The Herts Falcons are back on top of the NBL after sweeping the Croydon Pirates. Game one was a blow out win but game two required some outstanding pitching and late-inning heroics form Herts to secure the win.

The team returned home to their ballpark in Hertfordshire after spending the previous 6 weeks on the road. They jumped on top of the Pirates quickly taking a 16-0 lead after just 3 innings. Two-time League MVP, Ryan Bird, was on fire going 3-4 with two doubles and a triple (2 RBI). Robbie Unsell, Jake Michels and Kevin Niedringhaus also had a multiple-hit game. New signing Jeff House made his debut on the mound pitching a complete game allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 8 in the process.

Click to view Game 1 box scores and play-by-play

After such convincing victory for the home team it was hard to imagine what Croydon could do to avoid defeat in the second game, but the Pirates once again proved that they are a very stubborn opponent.

They took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. All of the runs were unearned after Herts uncharacteristically committed 3 errors. Jose Sosa took the mound for the Pirates. Despite tying the game at 2-2 the Herts bats were kept very quite. Sosa has always been a fighter and he enhanced his reputation further with today’s performance. Thankfully for the Falcons, starter Louis Hare was pitching a gem. He went the distance pitching a complete game allowing only 5 hits, 1 walk and no earned runs.

Dave Tretheway representing the go-ahead run is greated at home plate (photo by British Baseball Magazine more available on their website. Click image to view more)

Another 3 errors allowed the Pirates to regain the lead. It was 3-2 now and the Falcons needed a spark to get back in the game as time was starting to run out. Jake Michels provided that spark driving in Robbie Unsell with a double to tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth. It came down to the bottom of the sixth. With Tretheway reaching base on four balls, up stepped left-handed batter Phil Clark to launch a 2-run bomb over the right field fence and put the Falcons in the lead for the first time. Another 3 runs scored in the inning after a 1-run single by Unsell and a second double by Jake Michels driving in 2 more runs. Louis Hare completed the game with three-up-three-down final inning. He allowed only one Croydon player to get on base in the critical last three innings of the game.

Click to view Game2 box scores and play-by-play

After the final pitch Herts Falcons Manager, Lee Manning, commented on the games: “Dominant hitting won us the first game with a strong outing from Jeff House. Game 2 was challenging as Croydon played very good baseball. We were chasing the game from the start and if it wasn’t for Phil’s bat we could have ended up on the losing end like we did against Lakenheath last week” He added that “Louis also pitched great not allowing any earned runs”.

The two wins put the Falcons half a game ahead of the chasing pack in the NBL race which is proving to be the most exciting for years. In their 4 seasons as an NBL team the Falcons have been top of the table only once. That was back in 2009 and lasted for 1 week only. Will the team manage to sustain the current impressive run all the way to the end? One thing is certain – the rest of the league is starting to notice that something is happening at Herts.

Next game for the Falcons is a home encounter versus the surging Essex Arrows next Saturday, 27 May. First pitch 12:00pm.

CORRECTION: The report from last week’s NBL game between the Herts Falcons and the Lakenhetah Diamondbacks incorrectly stated that the losing pitcher was Mike Osborn. Osborn started the game but was later relieved with a “no decision” situation and the game going to extra innings.

20 May 201222 May 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Hawks prevail in a Mammoth clash at the top of the table

Jon Lewys's power could be critical as we get closer to the postseason. He went 3-4 RBI

The Herts Hawks came up against the unbeaten AA League leaders the London Mammoths with a chance to overtake them. To do this they needed to win both games of this doubleheader.

Nic Goetz started game one on the back of his complete game shutout against Kent seven days ago. He started in similar fashion allowing only 1 run in the first 3 innings. The Herts offence was also on form and they quickly put up 5 runs on the scoreboard. The Mammoths closed the gap temporarily but the Hawks kept responding with runs of their own.

In the sixth inning the visitors tied the game 8-8 after 4 hits and 3 errors, but the Hawks responded once again in the bottom of the inning when Tim Elkins drove in Seth Lipstock and Andy Cornish with a vital 2-out single. There were no more complications in the final inning as Nic Goetz completed the game with a three-up-three-down-inning.

: Nick Russell was unhittable against the London Mammoths

Click to view Game1 box scores and play-by-play

Nick Russell started on the mound in game 2 and produced one of the most dominant pitching performances of the season. He shut out the Mammoths over 6 and 2/3 innings allowing only 2 hits. He needed just one more out for a complete game shutout but a single for London scored 2 runs to confirm a final score of 7-2.

Jonathan Lewys had a good day with the bat. He went 3-4 with an RBI. Ilya Dimitrov submitted his candidacy for Play of the Year with a spectacular diving catch in centerfield.

Click to view Game2 box scores and play-by-play

Hawks Co-Manager, Andy Cornish was pleased with the results, but was keen to keep his team’s feet firmly on the ground. He said: “today we have shown what qualities we have, and what we don’t have. Our pitching once again proved that we can win close games with the correct pitch choice and location and the battery was again a huge positive. At the moment, we are top of the league, and the squad should be very proud, but I, and the squad, should appreciate we have a very long way to go yet.” He added: “In our league any team can beat any team, and we need to work on our communication to improve our chances. We cannot win a title by making mistakes. I expect the squad to work hard to remove those. I am very happy with how we played today, but we are under no illusions as there is still a lot of work to be done”.

20 May 201223 May 2012 by Rob Jones

Scheepers stars as Eagles beat Redbacks

Herts Eagles 18-16 Essex Redbacks III

So far this year, whoever wins the first inning of an Eagles game has gone on to claim the victory. The early exchanges have decisively set the tone. But, in a windswept field in Essex, that was about to change.

Theo Scheepers was on the mound as the Eagles visited Essex Redbacks III looking to bounce back from a defeat by the Old Timers, and to even their record for the season. Senna Ashida had driven in the only run in the top of the first, but when Essex came in to bat, the normally solid Scheepers had trouble finding the zone. Without the home side ever recording a big hit, they ran up a clear lead. After one inning, it was 4-1, then 7-2 after three.

But the Redbacks had not been allowed to pull away. The Eagles struck back in the fourth inning, scoring 6 to swing the game back their way and take the lead. There were runs for Oz Kemal and Craig Le Roux, and the second of three hits for Theo Scheepers, who had also found his rhythm on the mound.

Adrian Smithers comes home after his home run

The biggest hit of the day came from catcher, Adrian Smithers, who opened up the fifth inning with a booming home run over the left field fence. After trotting round the bases, he was met with applause and high fives from a jubilant team. As well as being solid behind the plate all day, his bat was a threat every time he came up.

The measure of the match was perhaps shown in the fact that the Redbacks hit a home run of their own immediately afterwards, with the lead off man clouting a pitch over the same stretch of fence. The lead seemed to change hands constantly as the two sides traded blows. There were some miscues but some good plays too.

And it was Duncan Hoyle’s Eagles who stepped up their defence to cling on to the lead decisively. The manager helped his own cause, turning a neat double play from his post at second base. Hoyle took a grounder and stepped on the bag before lobbing a throw to retire the batter at first. Joseph Osborne added to his three runs scored by saving runs, with a running outfield catch on a line drive which could have been dangerous. And Oz Kemal — who started the game out of position at first base to cover for missing starters — recovered from tough throws to get runners out at vital times.

Leading 15-14 going into the eighth, Herts desperately wanted to pad their lead. But although runners got aboard, some bad luck on the base paths meant that Smithers was the only man to cross home plate. 16-14 now, and then Essex nibbled one back. 16-15. Then in the ninth the Eagles were able to produce more goods. Hoyle was driven in by Tak Ashida, who finally secured a deserved hit with a double, before he too came in to score a run.

Herts were left with a 3-run lead to protect in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. Tak Ashida — after what had been, for him, a quiet game — was suddenly the centre of the action. First a pop-up came his way. Then a sharp grounder, which he hauled in to get the second out. One run had come in on a ground-rule double, but would it be enough for the Redbacks?

At this point, the story returns fittingly to Theo Scheepers. He struck out the final man with his bat on his shoulders, and completed a tremendous win for the Herts team. He had pitched all nine innings, fielded his position flawlessly, scored 3 runs, and clubbed three hits. It was a great win for the Eagles, and one which takes them back to 2-2 for the season. Manager Duncan Hoyle said: “I think that was the most enjoyable game I have ever played in. Theo definitely earned a beer. And it was a great team effort.”

19 May 201223 May 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Leicester win the Under-11 battle in Hemel

Written by hertsbaseball.com correspondent, Chris Jones

On Saturday 19th May Herts U11 faced the Leicester Blue Sox in a friendly on the freshly-mown second diamond at Grovehill.

The Blue Sox established their Junior section earlier this year, and this was their first ever road trip. As it is early days, the club lacks the numbers to field U11 and U14 teams simultaneously, and so their U11 team contained a mix of younger and older players. They turned out to be more than a match for Herts.

Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable, fast-paced game with hits galore and some moments of high quality fielding. The final score of 19-3 perhaps flattered the Blue Sox; the hit count was 28-13 and it was only in the last inning that the game finally ran away from Herts.

Coaches were pitching. The Sox made a strong start, scoring five at the top of the first inning. Herts batters Blake Edwards, Theo Longboy and Thomas Garton then hit successive singles, with Oliver Durer hitting another to bring Blake home for Herts’ first run.

Herts shut out the Blue Sox in the second, thanks in part to a fine catch by Blake Edwards at third base. At the bottom of the second, Herts were unlucky to have both Lewis Auchterlounie and Cameron Manning tagged out running for home.

Leicester chalked up three more runs in the third, with no reply from Herts, moving the score to 8-1 to the Blue Sox. In the next, Herts restricted Leicester to two runs, with some smart defense, Alex Trautman and Joshua Jones combining for a 1-3 ground-out which would not have looked out of place at Fenway. Frustration again for Herts, though, as once again they left runners on base at the end of their inning.

To the fifth and last inning, this time with no five-run limit. Blake Edwards took another fine catch, but some good hitting allowed the Sox to pile on the runs – a fly ball double to the centre field fence produced three runs; another line drive brought home another two runners, and four more runs were scored before the innings closed. Playing largely for pride by this point, Herts picked up two runs: Oliver Durer and Lewis Auchterlounie made base hits, and Alex Trautman ran them in with a line drive single. But with bases loaded once again, Herts struck out to leave the final score 19-3 to the Blue Sox. Four Herts batters emerged with two hits from two plate appearances: Blake Edwards, Oliver Durer, Lewis Auchterlounie and Alex Trautman.

Coach Mike Wakelam commented “Full marks to the Blue Sox – they batted and fielded well and thoroughly deserved the win. We wish them all the best as they develop the club. But I was encouraged at the progress our U11s are making – we are a young team, but we’re working hard, improving our skills and having a lot of fun.”

GAMECAST – IN CASE YOU MISSED THE GAME OR WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN

19 May 201223 May 2012 by Herts Baseball News Editor

Dramatic win for Herts versus Leicester. Herts U17 lose to Horsham

HORSHAM SWEEP HERTS

The Herts U17 All Stars clashed with the league leaders from Horsham knowing that winning both games of this doubleheader would bring them level with the Hornets in the U17 League standings. From the start it was clear that this would be a very difficult task.

Horsham jumped to an early lead in game 1 and never looked back. Herts managed to keep within reach in the first 3 innings but never seemed to match the Hornets. There wasn’t much disparity in terms of hits (Horsham-11 Herts-7) but 4 errors and 5 walks put too much pressure on the home team’s defence. Carlos Casal Jr went 2-2 with a double and scored 2 runs. RBIs for Kyle Lloyd-Jones (2), Marty Cullen Jr (2) and Brodie Caress (1) helped Herts put 5 runs on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough. The Hornets won it 12-5.

Click to view Game 1 box scores and play-by-play

The visitors continued the relentless pressure in the second game. Starting pitcher, Dean, didn’t give Herts any breathing space allowing only 3 hits by Carlos Casal Jr, Liam Green and Brodie Caress. 7 walks allowed and 4 errors by Herts made it a very difficult afternoon. Final score 16-2

Click to view Game 2 box scores and play-by-play

Herts travel to RAF Daws Hill next Saturday, 26 May, for a doubleheader against the Cobham Cougars.

HERTS U14 SECURE WIN IN LATE INNINGS

The Herts U14 team picked up their second win of the season. It turned out to be a very dramatic game against the visiting Leicester Blue Sox.

Callum Vangundy was the hero of the day for Herts both defensively and offensively. He started on the mound and proved to be very effective. Late in the game he blasted the ball over the centerfield wall for his first home run of the season. Leicester tried to rally the late in the game scoring two runs in the sixth and seventh inning, but the Herts defence closed the door to secure a 10-8 win. An exciting game and a wonderful opportunity for Herts to meet Leicester for the first time. It is good to see Leicester starting their youth programme this year and developing it so quickly. Members of Herts Baseball Club are already looking forward to seeing them again soon.