
Bristol Badgers scored 43 runs on Sunday to sweep Cardiff Merlins AAA in their BBF AAA double header. In the first game the Bristol side soared into a 7-1 lead after the first inning, taking advantage of Cardiff errors while being disciplined at the plate. The Badgers then scored freely throughout the game, eventually winning 16-6.
Third baseman Michael Comport was the star of the offensive show with three hits and two runs driven in while catcher Anthony Desgardin drove in three runs. Rhodri Theaker put in a great performance on the mound striking out 11 Cardiff players and giving up no walks over his five innings pitched.
The second game was practically over at the end of the first inning with the Badgers racking up 17 runs before adding a further six in the bottom of the third to complete the sweep. Comport was again in good form with two hits, including a double, and three runs driven in.
Outfielder Tim Singiser, first baseman Tom Hollies and shortstop Alex Martinson drove in nine runs between them with Martinson hitting the second Badgers’ double of the game. Singiser and Theaker then combined for a thrilling 9-2 double play which finished with a tag at home plate to end the game. Kwan Cheung made an impressive debut for the Badgers and limited the Merlins to just four runs during his four innings pitched.
“Every win is important now as we move into the final month of the season and the chance to progress in the post season,” said Theaker, the Badgers manager. “We were very disciplined with our batting and we need to keep that up during the run in.”

In Cardiff, fielding errors cost the Brunels dear as they lost both games against Cardiff Merlins A. The team’s 12 errors played a significant role in the 16-8 defeat in the first game despite matching the Welsh side with 12 hits.
The Brunels’ Justin Trory continued to star with the bat, hitting a double and driving in three runs. Declan Ryan and Alex Lane-Kieltyka also hit doubles but the 12 run deficit proved too much.
The second game was much closer as the Brunels tightened up their defense but eventually went down 11-8 to the playoff chasing Merlins. The Brunels scored early to lead 4-1 at the end of the first inning. Outfielder Tom Baker drove in three runs with Jordan Nichols, Ryan and Phil Midgley all having multi-hit games. The Merlins fought back to score 10 runs in the second and third innings and then limited the Bristol side to four in the last to secure victory.
“It was really disappointing to commit so many errors in the first game as we had improved our fielding during the course of the season,” said Lane-Kieltyka, the Brunels manager. “I was proud of the way we responded in game two to push a good Cardiff side all the way.”
The results from the South West & Wales Baseball League mean that the Bristol Buccaneers have been crowned champions of the Severn Division and will face Cardiff Merlins in the postseason semi-final on Sunday 18th August at Somerdale Pavilion to decide who will go forward to the final in Cornwall a week later.

Neither the Bats nor Buccaneers were in action this weekend, with the Bats’ top-of-the-table clash with Guildford being called off and the Buccaneers taking a forfeit victory over the Bournemouth Bears 3.
Up Next: Next weekend the Badgers take on New Forest Thunder in Hampshire, while the Bats are again scheduled to travel to Guildford for their BBF AA top-of-the-table clash. At Somerdale Pavilion, the Buccaneers and Brunels are both at home and will take on Weston Jets and Cardiff Merlins A, respectively.