A complete game no-hitter by Badgers’ starting pitcher Andy Bergh helped Bristol Baseball Club make history on Sunday. For the first time in the club’s history, all of its adult teams have qualified for the British Baseball Federation playoffs. The Badgers, Bats, Buccaneers and the Brunels start their quest for more honours on the 6th September.
“This is an amazing achievement for the club and reflects the efforts of every member to grow the club in terms of numbers and also in the quality of the players we put on the field,” said club chairman Rhodri Theaker.
Bergh’s remarkable performance came in a 2-0 victory over the Birmingham Metalheads which was followed by an 11-2 win in the second game which secured the playoff spot for the Badgers. Over his complete game, Bergh struck out eight Birmingham batters without giving up a hit in a pitching duel with the Metalheads’ Bob Rowe.
The Badgers’ two runs came at the top of the fifth inning when Deivydas Trinkunas walked and then stole second base, scoring on a single by first baseman Doug Scriver. Keegan Martinjko later doubled down the right field line to score Tom Hollies, who had got on base due to a Birmingham fielding error.
Bergh then continued to dominate from the mound making the three outs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.
Game Two was all about the Badgers’ offense and tight pitching from debutant Izak Sullivan and Jake Boyer who struck out eight Metalheads over seven innings. Right fielder John Brownlee drove in two runs from two hits including a double. Catcher Tom Hollies drove in three runs while Tim Singiser and Trinkunas also hit doubles.
The two wins secured a play off spot for Bristol’s top side which travels to Bracknell next Sunday for a double header to decide division winners and seedings.
“No-hitters at any level of baseball is a rare event and Andy deserves all the accolades for his performance on Sunday,” said Badgers manager Rhodri Theaker. “We also played excellent defence in both games and provided the support to all our pitchers.”
At Somerdale, the Brunels completed the double over Taunton Pistols winning 10-6 and 11-8.
In the first game, the Brunels scored in every inning with Alex Lane-Kieltyka hitting double to left field. Outfielder Brodie Back drove in two runs while pitcher Charlie Ricketts kept the Pistols’ bats under control.
The Brunels team for the second game was made up of rookies playing their first season. Olivia Spooner and Ben Monnox had four hits between them while Paul D’Amore and Monnox both hit doubles.
Georgia Powell pitched efficiently over her four innings supported by a double play by Tom Savory, Chris Wan and Lewis French.
“I am so delighted with the way the team has developed and improved over the season and Sunday’s results were a clear example of the strength we have across the team,’ said Ryan Harris, manager of the Brunels. “They are an extremely committed team who support each other and play until the last pitch.”
The Bats also completed their regular season schedule but went down 13-8 and 14-4 to Cardiff Merlins who finished top of South West Division Three. It was an error ridden day for the Bats who despite two home runs by Luca McCurdy could not contain a strong Merlins line up.
McCurdy, Sam Kaiser and Rohan Ninawe drove in six runs between them, with Kaiser hitting a big double to right-centre field. A series of errors by the Bats in the top of the sixth inning left them needing to score eight runs to claim victory but quick outs sealed the team’s fate.
Game Two followed the same story line with the scores close until the top of the fourth when the Merlins scored seven runs to seize a 10-2 lead. The Bats had opportunities to close the gap but a series of bad base running decisions handed Cardiff a 10 run win. McCurdy hit his second home run and drove in four while Paul Carter and Lachie Ng both had multiple hit games.
“It was a disappointing end to the regular season but that’s baseball and we have had a great season so far,” said Rich Evans, the Bats player/manager. “Cardiff are an excellent team but we now have the opportunity to take revenge on Sunday in the regional final.”
On Deck: This coming Sunday, the club will host the regional finals at Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham. The festival of baseball starts at 10am when the Plymouth Mariners take on New Forest Thunder in the Division Five final. On Field Two, the South West All Star game will also start at 10.00am.
Then at 2.00pm, Bristol Bats take on Cardiff Merlins in the Division Three final on the main field while Bristol Buccaneers face Newton Abbott Brewers on Field Two.
Entry is free and spectators are welcome.