Bristol Bats secured a place in the British Baseball Federation (BBF) Division Three national playoffs after sweeping Bournemouth Bears at the weekend. The Bats were in great all round form on the south coast winning 11-0 and 19-1 to stay just two games behind division leaders, the Cardiff Merlins.
The first game was dominated by Nerius Tamosiunas who threw a complete game shutout, backed by an error free defense and some excellent hitting. Luca McCurdy and Tamosiunas led the Bats offense with six hits, including five doubles, and five runs driven in.
The second game was a mercy win after four innings for the Bats who feasted themselves on wayward Bournemouth pitching. Man Hoi Kwan led the way with three hits including a double and he was supported by five other Bats players who had multi-hit games.
“We are absolutely delighted to reach the playoffs after such a good performance on Sunday,” said Richard Evans, the Bats’ manager. “At times we have played some great baseball and Sunday was one of those games. We were error free in the field, our pitching was exactly what we needed and we showed real quality with the bat in hand.”
The Buccaneers are still in contention for a playoff spot after sweeping Cardiff Merlins 2 in their Division Four games across the bridge.
The first game was high scoring with the Buccaneers fighting to secure the 17-15 win. The Buccaneers had built up a commanding 17-7 lead going into the bottom of the last inning and despite the Merlins scoring eight runs, pitcher Sam Lacey held on to get the three outs. Lacey was also been productive with the bat with two singles while Will Marshall, Despaigne, and Anthony Abel all hit doubles.
Game Two ended in thrilling style after a three run home run by Cardiff which sent the game into extras. The Buccaneers hit back with six runs in the top of the fifth through good plate discipline as the Cardiff pitchers faded. Bristol ran out 17-12 winners. Third baseman Yarlandis Despaigne continued his good form with two hits and two runs batted in.
“We had two good games and the victories showed how hard we fight in every inning,” said Will Marshall, the Buccaneers manager. “We have a good blend of experience and youth who are beginning to find their feet in time for the crucial finish to the regular season.”
The Badgers welcomed Birmingham Metalheads to Somerdale Pavilion for their BBF Division Two match up. With each team coming away with a win, the race for the post season is on a knife edge with all the teams involved boasting an identical record.
Six fielding errors in the first game cost the Badgers dearly as they went down 10-4. The Badgers took the second game 7-5 thanks to a five run fifth inning which was started by a single from Tim Singiser. Fellow outfielder Keegan Martinjako doubled and a single by Doug Scriver scored Rhodri Theaker.
Tom Hollies singled to score Martinjako before a double by Cameron Hunter scored Hollies and starting pitcher Jake Boyer, who had walked to reach base. Birmingham scored two runs in reply but relief pitcher Theaker managed to shut down the Metlheads and secure the win.
“We were much better in the second game and the result showed it,” said Rhodri Theaker. “Fielding errors cost us the first game and we need to iron those out if we are to make the playoffs.”
The Bristol Brunels remain in second place in BBF Division Five after their split with Yeovil Whirlwinds in Somerset.
The 13-8 win in game one was the result of some powerful hitting and another outstanding pitching performance from Rohan Ninawe who struck out 10 Yeovil players over his five innings pitched. Ninawe also hit three doubles in three at bats while Charlie Ricketts, Olivia Spooner, Ben Monnox and Declan Ryan registered 14 hits and drove in seven runs between them.
Game Two went the way of the Whirlwinds despite a late fightback by the Brunels. Trailing 10-5 at the top of the fourth and last inning, the Brunels scored four runs through a triple by Ricketts and some disciplined batting which earned three walks. Spooner continued her fine form with another two hits against some excellent Yeovil pitching.
“The team is fighting hard for a playoff spot and when we limit errors and bat well with runners in scoring positions, we are hard to beat,” said Ryan Harris, the Brunels’ manager.
On Deck: Next Sunday, the Brunels travel to New Forest to play the Knights. All other Bristol teams have a weekend off.