The Bristol Bats overwhelmed Bournemouth Bears 2 in Keynsham on Sunday, sweeping their south coast opponents in the BBF AA double header. Neptali Ortega-Gutierrez led the offensive onslaught as the Bristol team ran out 11-3 winners. Outfielder Ortega-Gutierrez drove in three runs while infielder Tim Singiser drove in two as the Bats surged to a 10-0 lead by the end of the second inning.
The team’s offense provided the support to pitchers Sean Wilkins and Jess Hastings who struck out eight Bears as they combined for a no hitter.
The bats scored early again in game two on their way to a 15-7 victory, with first baseman Paul Carter and Wilkins leading the way, driving in five runs. Centre fielder Man Hoi Kwan continued his fine form at the plate with two hits and two runs. The Bats’ pitchers, Jake Boyer and Kwan Cheong kept the Bears offense quiet with seven strikeouts between them.
“I was really proud of everyone, with the whole team keeping such a positive attitude and team-first mentality,” said the Bats manager Tim Singiser. “Everyone stepped up to perform and produced great team wins.”
The Buccaneers cemented their place at the top of the SWWBL A Severn Division with a sweep of the New Forest Knights at home, winning 15-5 and 20-6. Sam Stainsby had a great game at the plate, with three hits and two RBI, as the Buccaneers took advantage of some wayward New Forest pitching to record 17 walks. Defensively, the Buccaneers were solid with Niamh Cogley-Rock taking a low diving catch in centre field to support pitcher Charlie Deeks who struck out four New Forest players over his five innings pitched.
In the second game, the Buccaneers racked up five runs in every inning with Sam Kaiser, Jamie Hartley and Ting Hin Kui doing the most damage, driving in nine runs between them. Kaiser and Stainsby were too strong on the pitchers mound for the Knights, striking out six New Forest batters.
“We were very disciplined with the bat in hand and were able to support our pitchers with some solid defence,” said Charlie Deeks, the newly-appointed Buccaneers manager. “We have some important games coming up and will be concentrating on them one at a time.”
In Cornwall, the Brunels split their double header with the Pioneers. The Cornish side struck early in the first game, scoring five runs in the first inning and holding on for a 6-3 win. Phil Midgley and Harley Jones led the Brunels fightback with four hits and two runs driven in, while Midgley and Declan Ryan combined for a double play. Pitcher Michele Botta had one of his strongest performances of the season for the Brunels, giving up just three hits whilst striking out four Pioneers.
In game two, the Brunels blasted the Pioneers for 15 runs in the third inning to secure a welcome 24-10 victory. The Brunels were very disciplined at the plate as the Pioneers pitchers gave up 23 walks which allowed the Bristol side to steal seven bases and walk in 21 runs.
“We played really well and if a few bounces had gone our way we could have won both games,” said Brunels manager Alex Lane-Kieltyka. “I was delighted by how Noah McCurdy and Harley Jones performed at the start of their careers which bodes well for the rest of the season.”
The Bristol Badgers had a heartbreaking weekend against Bracknell Inferno in their BBF AAA fixture. In the marathon four hour first game, the Badgers fell just short going down 14-13 after a long battle in the heat.
The second game was also tight where a late three run Badgers comeback just failed to catch the Inferno who secured a 8-6 victory. In the first inning, John Brownlee hit his first home run of the year driving in three runs while George Braeger and Tom Hollies both hit doubles to bring the Badgers close to the win.
“It was disappointing to get so close in both games,” said Rhodri Theaker, the Badgers manager. “The return is next week and we will be looking for revenge.”
Next up: Next weekend, the Badgers return to Bracknell for their rematch, while the Bats host Oxford Kings at Somerdale. The New Forest Knights are back at Somerdale, this time taking on the Brunels, and the Buccaneers travel abroad to take on Severn Division rivals Cardiff Merlins A.
All games start at 12 noon and spectators are welcome.