after their 8-1 win over Liverpool Trojans.
Bristol Badgers swept into the British Baseball Federation’s AAA national final after beating Liverpool Trojans 8-1 on Sunday at Somerdale Pavilion. Alex Martinson had his best game for the club, striking out 13 Trojans over his six innings pitched from the mound while giving up just one run.
The Badgers quickly asserted themselves on the Northern champions going ahead 4-0 by the end of the second inning. A single from outfielder Seyi Awofadeju scored Tim Singiser before Awofadeju later scored on a Trojans fielding error. The Bristol side took advantage of more errors from the Liverpool side to add two more runs in the second inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning a single from Singiser scored catcher Rhodri Theaker and further errors scored Singiser and first baseman Tom Hollies. In the sixth, Awofadeju singled again to drive in Singiser and complete the scoring for the Badgers. Luke Claflin came in to close and quickly ended the game with two strikeouts and a pop up.
Next weekend the Badgers will face Croydon Pirates in a three match series at Farnham Park to decide the destination of the AAA championship.
The first game is at 11.00am on Saturday with the remaining two games at 11.00am and 2.30pm on Sunday.
“It’s an amazing achievement to get to the final and I am sure that Croydon will be a great challenge over a three game series,” said Rhodri Theaker, manager of the Bats. “Whilst it was a total team effort, Alex deserves the praise that came his way after his devastating pitching performance.
Photograph courtesy of Richard Johnson.
On Saturday, the Buccaneers overcame Weston Jets 15-13 to advance to the next round of the BBF A national playoffs.
The Buccaneers offense was on top form from the first inning as they leapt out an 11-6 lead by the end of the third inning. Although the Jets began to fight back, a four-run fifth inning from the Buccaneers held off the Weston side to secure the win.
Sam Stainsby and Sam Kaiser were in top form with the bat, with eight hits and five runs driven in between them. Starting pitcher Wai Fu Lam and outfielder Jamie Hartley also had good days at the plate with two hits each.
Fu Lam lead the Buccaneers pitching staff, who limited the Jets’ offense, striking out four batters.
“It was a great team performance against a team we have played many times before and I was proud of the way everyone contributed to the win,” said Charlie Deeks, the Buccaneers manager. “We have a tough game coming up against Milton Keynes next Sunday in Hemel Hempstead and will be working hard at training to be in the best possible shape for the game.”
Photograph courtesy of Carie Stainsby
On Sunday in Hemel Hemptead the Bats fell short in their BBF AA quarter final against Richmond Dragons, going down 8-7 in a thriller.
Six errors were crucial and went against the Bats who had taken a 4-2 lead at the end of the first inning. The Dragons scored three runs in the sixth inning but the Bats responded to tie the game at 7-7 through a triple from outfielder Man Hoi Kwan.
Bats pitchers Jake Boyer and Nerius Tamosiunas had good games from the mound, striking out nine Dragons between them, and earned the plaudits from the opposition.
“Despite the defeat, we have had a fantastic season finishing top in our division,” said Bats manager Richard Evans. “It was a game we should have won and it was a shame the errors came at crucial times in the game.”
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Next up: The Badgers’ season ends next weekend, with the BBF Triple A Championship Game at Farnham Park, Slough against the Croydon Pirates. Game one starts at 11am on Saturday and will be broadcast live via the Internet (details to follow). Game two starts 11am on Sunday, with game three taking place at 14:30 the same day if required.
The Buccaneers also travel east on Sunday, to Herts Baseball Club’s Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead. They take on the Milton Keynes Bucks in a Buccs vs. Bucks battle. The winners will progress to the BBF Single A Semi Final and Final at Farnham Park on 20th/21st September.