The Bristol Badgers, Bats and Buccaneers all swept their opponents in the latest round of the British Baseball Federation (BBF) domestic baseball season.
At Somerdale Pavilion, the Badgers beat Division Two opponents Bracknell Inferno 4-3 and 13-3 to cement their place at the top of the West Division.
The first game was dominated by pitchers, with the Badgers’ Andy Bergh striking out 11 Inferno batters over his seven innings pitched, holding on in the final innings despite two late Brackell runs. Keegan Martinjako and Kwan Chun Cheung both hit doubles, driving in the four Badgers’ runs.
Game 2 saw Jake Boyer produce his best pitching performance of the season for the Bristol side, with four strikeouts over his five innings pitched. Shortstop Alex Martinson went four for four at the plate, including a double to centre field. Tim Singiser, Martinjako, Anthony Desgardin and Qisheng Chen drove in eight runs between them, as the Badgers cruised to victory.
“Bracknell are always a tough opponent and we showed real character, particularly in the first game to get the sweep,” said Rhodri Theaker, manager of the Badgers. “Both Andy and Jake pitched very well but our defence was excellent and gave them the support we need to see.”
Also at Somerdale, the Bats took on the Taunton Muskets, the regional defending champions, and came away with 12-2 and 13-9 victories. In the first game, the Bats excelled in all areas of the game, with starting pitcher Nerius Tamosiunas at his efficient best over his five innings, throwing 50 strikes out of just 70 pitches.
in the victories over Taunton Muskets at the weekend
(Photo: Fu Lam)
He was backed up by some superb fielding particularly in the outfield where man Hoi Kwan and Luca McCurdy pulled off some spectacular catches. Declan Meads & Kwan were great with the bat in hand, whilst Noah McCurdy, Darius Tamosiunas and Sam Kaiser kept the scoreboard moving with six runs batted in between them.
Multiple fielding errors by the Bats in Game 2 resulted in increased pressure throughout however, the Bats’ offense proved too strong for the Muskets. Debutant Cameron Hunter starred with a double & two runs driven in from two hits, with Jocelynn Hernandez and Darius Tamosiunas also contributing big doubles. Right fielder Jamie Hayter hit a stand up triple to deep left field as the Bats took control. Meads and Noah McCurdy were in good form from the pitchers mound, striking out seven Muskets between them.
“The team was so efficient and on top of their performance in the first game, that victory was never in doubt,” said Bats’ manager Rich Evans. “Some aspects of our defensive work was sloppy in Game Two, but our hitting was excellent and allowed us to move away by the end of the game.”
(Photo: Fu Lam)
In Weston the Buccaneers took on local rivals the Jets, coming away with two wins on a high scoring afternoon.
The Buccaneers took the first game 15-7 on the back of consistent hitting, with five players having multi-hit games. Grant Mathieson and Will Marshall both hit doubles, while first baseman Jean-Pierre Bernard drove in three runs. Marshall kept the Jets offense under control from the mound, supported by a good defensive team display.
The second game was a run fest with the Buccaneers running out 23-12 winners, after a 10-run final inning took the Bristol side out of reach. Marshall continued his excellence with the bat in hand with four hits and six runs driven in. He was supported by Yarlandis Despaigne and Paul Blackburn with six hits between them, driving in six runs. Blackburn and Nicholas Teo hit doubles on a day where the batters dominated.
“We know the Jets well and the type of game they are capable of playing,” said Will Marshall, manager of the Buccaneers. “Our fielding has improved week on week and proved decisive in the second game when the pressure was on.”
The Bristol Brunels traveled to Hampshire to take on a strong New Forest Thunder and came away with a split double header. Despite the defeat in game one, Matthew Klein provided the highlight of the afternoon with two home runs for the Brunels in the 10-5 defeat.
In the second game, the Brunels took revenge with a 17-10 victory on the back of a strong pitching performance from Rohan Ninawe, who also starred with the bat with three hits, including a double. Tom Savory, Andre Shlimon, Charlie Ricketts and Klein, kept up the pressure on the Thunder’s pitchers driving in eight runs between them.
“The team has just been fantastic so far this season and we can see the game by game improvements,” said Ryan Harris, the Brunels manager. “It was great for the team to witness Matt’s two home runs, but credit must go to everyone for the way they fought back in game two.”
(Credit Laura Wehner)
Also at the weekend, the club hosted the second round of the BBF Women’s baseball League with 20 players from across the region taking part. Bristol’s Olivia Spooner made her debut and shone with the bat with three hits, including a stand-up double.
On deck: The club has next weekend off before resuming competition on the weekend of the 30th May, when the Bats cross the Severn Bridge to take on the undefeated Merlins.