Bristol Bats overcame Cornish Claycutters 16-4 to reach the final of the SWWBL/BBF Baseball Championship.
The victory was built on a strong all round game by the Bats who scored heavily from the first inning and supported pitcher Ty Porter with some high quality defense.
A home run by outfielder Adam Weavers was the highlight of a five run first inning and set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Bats registered 19 hits in total with shortstop Alex Brown leading the way with four hits, three doubles and four runs driven in. Third baseman Michael Comport drove in three runs and made some excellent plays throwing out several Claycutters. Weavers continued his excellent display with two more hits, including a double, while Paul Carter had two hits and two runs driven in.
The Bats fielding was impressive too. Paul Gardiner and Weavers took spectacular catches in the outfield and Jamie Godwin ended the game taking a full stretch catch at second base.
Ty Porter struck out six Claycutters over his six innings pitched and threw four scoreless innings to keep the Claycutters offense quiet.
“It was possibly our best all round performance of the season,” said player/manager Alex Brown. “We hit well from the off and made some excellent fielding plays at crucial times to support Ty who pitched extremely well in the heat. The win puts us in a good position for the final next Sunday.”
The Bats travel to Cardiff to take on defending champions Merlins I in the final. The game is at Pontcanna Fields with first pitch at 2.00pm. The final will be preceded by the SWWBL All Star game with the Severn Division taking on the Wessex Division.
The Bats All Stars are Josh Boulton, Alex Brown, Michael Comport and Ty Porter but will not play as they will be in the final. Henry Mcnamara, Eric Hiller, Sam Stainsby and Jen Bramhall will represent the Buccaneers in the Wessex Division team while Jake Boyer, Becky Cottrell, Charlie Deeks and Charle Turner will represent the Brunels in the Severn Division team.
The Badgers conclude their BBF AAA regular season at Somerdale Pavilion on Sunday with a double header against Bournemouth Bears. Already assured of a place in the post season wild card, two wins against the division leaders could put the Badgers straight into the semi-finals. The game starts at 11.00am and spectators are welcome.