Bristol Badgers bounced back with two wins over Cardiff Merlins in their BBF AAA double header on Sunday. After a couple of defeats, the Badgers proved too strong for the Welsh team winning 12-2 and 5-2 at Somerdale Pavilion.

Alex Martinson was the star of the first game for the Badgers with a home run and 16 strikeouts from the mound over his six innings pitched. Outfielder Seyi Awofadeju joined in the offensive barrage with a home run of his own in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Martinson, Rich Green and Awofadeju all had multi hit games as the Badgers came from behind to score all their runs in the final three innings. Green and John Brownlee both hit doubles as the Badgers wracked up eight hits on the afternoon.

In game two, the Badgers also came from behind to claim victory after being two runs down at the end of the third inning. First baseman Rhodri Theaker got the scoring started with a double that drove in Doug Scriver. Disciplined batting and walks allowed Tom Hollies to reach first and score Scriver. Awofadeju scored on an infield ground out by Scriver before two more runs were added to complete the scoring.

“We struggled in the early innings in both games, but once we become more disciplined in our approach and swung at good pitches we got good contact.” said Badgers’ manager Rhodri Theaker.

Badgers’ outfielder Seyi Awofadeju’s home run helped team to a 12-2 win against Cardiff Merlins on Sunday – picture courtesy of Richard Johnson

Starting pitcher Phil Midgley got the win as the Brunels walked off the Buccaneers in the second derby to win the first game – picture by Laura Wehner

Also at Somerdale, the Brunels and Buccaneers were involved in the second derby in two weeks. After the disappointment of two losses the previous weekend, the Brunels claimed a dramatic 13-12 walk off victory in the first game.

Trailing 12-8 as they headed to the bottom of the last inning, the Brunels launched an impressive comeback. A double by catcher Dongwoo Jang, scored pitcher Phil Midgley. Some wild pitches and Buccaneers’ errors allowed Jang to score before an impressive double by outfielder Justin Trory drove in two runs.

Trory then moved to third on a passed ball before Matt Dunkley-Roberts singled to left field to drive in Trory for the winning run.

“It was a fantastic effort by the whole team and I am delighted by the way we stuck to the task at hand to get on base and allow Justin and Matt to get the hits required for the win,” said Alex Lane-Kieltyka, manager of the Brunels.

The second game followed a similar pattern with the Buccaneers scoring regularly to lead 16-8 as the Brunels headed to the plate for the final time. Trory brought the Brunels to within striking distance with a two out, two RBI double. Dunkley-Roberts then hit a double to drive in Trory but Buccaneers pitcher Fu Lam got the final out to secure victory. Fu Lam was also productive with the bat in hand with three hits and three runs driven in. Rob Horne continued his fine form with two hits while infielder Tim Clough got three hits, driving in three runs.

“They were two tightly contested games which could have gone either way,” said Buccaneers manger Charlie Deeks. “Derbies are never easy but we showed great character to take the second game and maintain momentum going into the final weeks of the regular season.”

Matt Dunkley-Roberts hit the walk off single to secure the Brunels 13-12 victory – picture courtesy of Laura Wehner

In Bournemouth, the Bats kept their six game lead at the top of the BBF AA D Division splitting their double header with Bears 2. The first game was another classic with the Bats going down 10-9 in seven innings. The Bats led 9-4 in the middle of the final inning but fielding errors cost the Bristol team dear as the Bears took full advantage to claim the victory.

Catcher Kwan Cheung led the Bats offense with two doubles and three runs driven in. Third baseman Neptali Ortega-Gutierrez was also in form with two hits. Starting pitcher, Jake Boyer kept the Bears in check early with eight strikeouts.

The Bats stepped up their efforts winning the second game 9-4 after moving to a 6-2 lead by the end of the second inning. Cheung proved to be the difference maker, not only with another double but also dominating the Bournemouth batter with seven strikeouts. First baseman Paul Carter returned to the team with three hits including a massive double to centre field. Alex Brown and Ortega-Gutierrez also hit doubles as the Bats proved to be too good for the Bears pitchers.

“It was disappointing to lose the first in the way we did after being on top for most of the game, “ said Bats manager Richard Evans. “We didn’t let the loss affect us and we were able to sharpen up our all round play in the second game for the win”.

Next Up: The Badgers host the Merlins again at Somerdale for the final time this season, while the Buccaneers host Bournemouth Bears 3. The Brunels make the trip to Cardiff for the first of two consecutive weeks to face Merlins A in a crucial post season double header, and the Bats travel to Guildford to play the Mavericks in a battle of the top two teams in Double A division D.