The Bristol Badgers’ offense exploded for 18 runs in Birmingham in Sunday’s sweep of the Metalheads to keep the team at the top of its BBF AAA division. The two Bristol wins also came on the back of two dominant pitching performances by Deivydas Trinkunas and Doug Scriver.
A late nine run surge in the first game drove the Badgers to an 11-1 victory with Mattia Papini and Anthony Desgardin leading the way with four hits, two runs driven in and five runs between them. Papini also hit a big double while the Badgers upped their running game with five stolen bases. Trinkunas pitched a complete game with four strikeouts while allowing just two walks.
The second game was a pitchers battle that remained scoreless until a single by Carlson Charles drove in Alex Martinson in the top of the fourth inning. The Badgers then extended their lead in the top of the fifth with Trinkunas hitting a three run home run after Tom Hollies and Papini had scored on another Martinson single.
Another run in the top of the sixth inning, courtesy of Martinson’s sacrifice fly, completed the scoring with the Badgers running out 7-1 winners. Scriver struck out seven Metalheads over his seven innings pitched giving up just one earned run to maintain his excellent 2025 form.
“It was our best all round performance of the season and all aspects of our game were very solid,” said Rhodri Theaker, the Badgers’ manager. “We hit well when it was needed, our pitching was excellent and one error over the two games showed how much we have tightened up our fielding.”
On Saturday, the club hosted opening day of the British Baseball Federation’s Women’s Baseball League with the South West Serpents taking on Belles Baseball and Manchester Jetts. The Serpents came out on top beating the Belles 13-2 and the Jetts 10-7 during the three game fixture.
In the first game, catcher Artie Herbert was in good form with the bat with three hits while Niamh Cogley-Rock and Olivia Burlinson registered four hits and seven runs driven in between them. Pitcher Emma McLean dominated from the mound striking out five Belles.
The second game was tighter with McLean and Bella Wood leading the way with the bat to ensure the Serpents remained undefeated. In the other game, the Jetts overcame the Belles 10-7.
Also on Saturday, the club saw 15 girls attend a BBF/SWWBL Girls in Baseball Festival.
Up Next: Next Sunday, the Bristol Bats welcome the Cornish Claycutters to Somerdale Pavilion for their BBF AA clash while the Brunels and Buccaneers hit the road to take on New Forest Knights and Weston Jets respectively.