Bristol Bats swept Guildford Mavericks at Somerdale Pavilion on Sunday to bring their regular season to a victorious close. In two weeks time, the team travels to Hemel Hempstead to take on either Richmond Dragons or Bournemouth Bears 2 in the British Baseball Federation AA national playoffs.
With top spot in the division and post season qualification already secured, the Bats ended on a high in the double header beating the team from Surrey 8-3 and 15-4.
The first game was decided in the fourth inning with the Bats breaking open a 2-2 tie with four runs. Michael Buser showed discipline at the plate to get a walk and with Jess Vernon getting hit by a pitch, runners were aboard. Outfielder Man Hoi Kwan also walked before shortstop Alex Brown singled to left centre field to drive in two runs. Infielder Laura Hirai singled with one out to drive in two more runs, to give the Bats a lead they didn’t surrender.
Starting pitcher Declan Meads had his best game of the season, striking out four Guildford batters over his five innings pitched. Kwan Chun Cheung came in to close the game out giving up no runs in the final inning. Meads also returned to form with the bat with two hits and one run driven in.
The second game was over by the bottom of the first inning after the Bristol side racked up 11 runs, taking advantage of wayward Mavericks’ pitching. Brown was again devastating from the plate with three hits while third baseman Tim Singiser drove in three runs from three hits including a double.
Picture courtesy of Richard Johnson
First baseman Gus Robertson and Cheung also had multiple hit games scoring four runs between them. The Bats pitchers were again dominant, with Nerius Tamosiunas and Hirai striking out six batters while giving up just four hits.
“It was a great way to go into the playoffs and we played some really good baseball over the two games,” said Bats manager Richard Evans. “Our success this season has been as the result of playing as a team and everyone putting in crucial performances when they were needed.”
In Cornwall, the Buccaneers were unable to force their way past a strong Cornish Claycutters side in the final of the BBF South West & Wales Championship, going down 15-4. The Claycutters scored throughout the five inning game as the Buccaneers’ pitchers struggled to contain the aggressive Cornish offense.
Jamie Hartley, Paul Blackburn and Tom Rowe were the only Buccaneers to register hits, with Rowe driving two runs in late on.
“Of course it is disappointing to lose a final but the Claycutters have been the top regional side this year and as a team we are delighted with our success in making the final and winning the Severn Division,” said Sam Kaiser, who managed the team on the day. “We are now looking forward to the nationals and concentrating on one game at a time.”
Despite the disappointment, the Buccaneers join the Bats and Badgers in national playoffs.
Up Next: With the Buccaneers and Bats having won their divisions, and the Badgers being awarded the AAA South West title due to administrative penalties to other teams, all three Bristol teams skip next weekend’s Wildcard round and will next be in action during the weekend of the 7th and 8th September.
The Badgers will host Liverpool Trojans at Somerdale on the Sunday, whilst the Buccs (Saturday) and Bats (Sunday) will take part in their respective Quarter Finals, taking place at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.