Bristol Buccaneers and Bristol Brunels both swept their opening day opponents to launch the British Baseball Federation baseball season in style.
Defending regional champions, the Buccaneers, overcame Cardiff Merlins A at Somerdale Pavilion 10-9 and 15-3 in their double header.
The Merlins were ahead 9-8 going into the bottom of the last inning of game one, but a single by second baseman Jordan Nichols got things started for the Buccaneers. Nichols then stole second base, before Tom Rowe reached first on a throwing error which allowed Nichols to tie the game. Up stepped veteran Keith Weinberg, making his return to the club. His single drove in Rowe for the winning run.
The second game was dominated by starting pitcher Patrick Mahoney who struck out eight Cardiff batters as the Buccaneers put on a disciplined display with the bat to take advantage of 12 walks. Debutant Ryota Sugawara was in fine form with the bat with three hits, including a double, and driving in five runs.
“Cardiff are always a competitive team and it was really good to get off to this winning start with a much changed team for last season,” said Will Marshall, the Buccaneers’ joint manager. “Our defense was solid and we were great on the bases.”
Also at Somerdale, the Brunels welcomed Taunton Pistols for their BBF Division 5 clash.
In game one, Brunels starting pitcher Rohan Ninawe proved too strong for the Pistols on his debut, striking out eight Taunton batters as he limited them to just two runs off two hits. Rohan was also in fine form with the bat, with three hits – including a double – three runs driven in and three runs scored.
Cesar Torres and Tom Cross also had good days at the plate with six hits between them. Cross hit a double and drove in two runs and the Brunels completed a 15-2 victory.
The second game turned out to be a real cliffhanger with the scores tied at 11-11 going into the final inning. The Pistols managed to score four runs through some controlled hitting to seize a handy lead as the Brunels stepped up to the plate for the last time.
The Bristol team were down to their last two outs before Joshua Flynn, Erin Hart and Georgia Powell worked their at bats to walk and load the bases. Josh Day and Ben Monnox also showed great discipline to earn walks and reduce the deficit. A single by infielder Declan Ryan drove in Powell, followed by a single by Paul D’Amore which loaded the bases again.
Another single by Matt Klein took the Brunels to within two runs of a win before Torres singled to left centre field driving in Ryan and D’Amore for the walk-off 17-15 victory.
“The club is immensely proud of the Brunels performance and it is the first time the team has swept its opponents on opening day,” said the Brunels manager André Shlimon. “For the majority of the team, it was their first competitive game of baseball and their performance in both games was outstanding.”
The Bristol Bats games against Cardiff Merlins AA was called off due the the weather, and the Badgers do not get their campaign underway until next weekend.
On Deck: Next weekend, the Bristol Badgers open their BBF Division 2 season as they host Bracknell Inferno at Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham. The Buccaneers welcome Newton Abbott Brewers, whilst the Brunels make the trip to Yeovil to take on the Whirlwinds.