The Bristol Bats kept up their challenge to secure a spot in the South West and Wales Baseball League (SWWBL) final with two solid victories over the Bristol Brunels on Sunday.
The Bats won the double header 18-4 and 16-8 with their offense proving too strong for the Brunels.
In the first game, Ben Briggs, Paul Carter and Billy Garrett all had multiple hits for the Bats with Briggs and Garrett hitting triples.
Second basemen Tim Clough also hit a triple as the Bats added to their 18 hits with 18 stolen bases.
The second game was a closer affair with the Brunels providing good run support to pitchers Michele Botta, Becky Cotterell and Denise Grant.
Rachel Everett had a perfect day at the plate for the Brunels with four hits. She was joined by Michael Comport, Rich Evans who had multiple hit games.
“They were two hard fought games despite the scoreline and we were pleased that we got our offense going early and cut out errors in the field,” said Bats first baseman Paul Carter. “We have an important match next weekend against Cardiff Merlins, the division leaders, and we need to put in a big performance.”
Michele Botta made his pitching debut for the Brunels and was looking at a no hitter after his first two innings before the Bats came to terms with his unique style.
“Despite the result, there were some great performances and as a team we have continued to get better every week,” said player manager Rich Evans. “As well as Michele doing such a good job on his debut, the whole outfield was outstanding, making great catches and throwing a runner out at home plate.”
Also at Somerdale Pavilion, the Badgers took on BC Vetra in their latest British Baseball Federation (BBF) AAA match.
It was a tough day with the Badgers going down 10-0 and 11-4 in their double header against their local rivals.
The Bristol team could not get to grips with Viktoras Ratkevicius, the Vetra pitcher in the first game of the double header.
The Badgers responded in the second game, holding the Saltford side to a 3-2 lead in the second inning before a late flurry of six runs pushed the game out of reach.
George Braeger and Carslon Charles were the most successful Badgers’ hitters with Braeger contributing a double and two runs batted in.
The Bristol Buccaneers made the long trip to Newquay to take on the Cornish Claycutters and were disappointed to come away with two defeats, going down 10-3 and 18-1.
“We had a very good defensive performance in the first game with debutant Tom Carr making some great plays at third base and we also managed to make a very good double play to end an inning,” said Josh Williams-Trim. “The second game was tougher but we must continue to learn from our mistakes and will be working hard at training to correct them.”
Next Sunday, the Bats welcome the Cardiff Merlins to Somerdale Pavilion for their all important divisional clash whilst the Brunels host Bournemouth Bears A.
The Badgers travel the short distance to Saltford to take on SW Rebeldes in their AAA double header and the Buccaneers travel to Taunton to play the Muskets.
On Saturday members of the Bobcats, the club’s women’s team, will be in Hertfordshire to take part in the GB national trials.