The Bristol baseball club’s youth team, The Bolts, celebrated their first ever victory this weekend, winning Game Two of a double header against Birmingham Goats.
The visiting Goats took the first game 12-10 at Somerdale Pavilion, Keynsham. Game Two saw the Bolts fight back with some great fielding plays, taking the victory 7-5.
“All our youth section players have been training hard in preparation for their first official game, and the club is absolutely delighted at their success,” said youth manager Andre Shlimon.
Next Saturday, the Bolts Under 14 team travel to Cardiff for their second fixture against Baseball Gwalia.
For the club’s adult teams it was a mixed weekend.
The Bats traveled to Exeter to take on the Spitfires and split their double header in the British Baseball Federation Division Three fixture.
The Spitfires took the first game 11-10 through a walk off hit to overcome a 10-7 deficit at the bottom of the sixth and final inning. The Bats hit well against the experienced Mike Osborn, Exeter’s starting pitcher, with Declan Meads and Sam Kaiser leading the way with six hits between them. Outfielder Man Hoi Kwan and catcher Jocelynn Hernandez both contributed doubles, as the Bats go to grips with Osborn’s variety.
The second game was an 11-0 shutout, dominated by Meads’ four inning, seven strike out pitching performance from the mound. Meads was also top form with the bat, adding a further three hits and two runs to the Bats score. Noah McCurdy, Katherine Golik and Nerius Tamosiunas also had multi hit games with six hits between them.
“It was such a shame we couldn’t finish off the first game with a lead in the last inning, but we batted well and kept fielding errors down to the minimum,” said Richard Evans, the Bats manager. “There are some areas we need to tighten up on but I was delighted with the way we responded in Game Two.”
The Buccaneers also made their way to Devon to face the Newton Abbott Brewers and split their double header. A walk off grand slam by the Brewers dealt a crushing blow, as the Devon side took Game One 15-13.
Ryota Sugawara, was the star of the Buccaneers lineup, going 4-4 at the plate including a big double to centre field. Outfielder Bryan Cromer drove in three runs, with Will Marshall and Sam Lacey also hitting doubles.
The Buccaneers turned the tables in Game Two with a 10-9 victory, as Callum Todd starred with the bat. Todd drove in four runs from three hits, including a double. Right fielder Matteo Weeks also contributed a double to keep the scoreboard ticking, as pitchers Patrick Mahoney and Sam Lacey combined to restrict the Brewers over their four innings pitched.
“The first game was a tough loss but we held our nerve in the second game to keep up push for homers,” said Will Marshall, the Buccaneers manager.
At Somerdale, the Brunels welcomed the New Forest Knights and split their Division Five double header.
The first game was tight with the Knights edging the game 11-9 after the Brunels had taken an early 9-7 lead. The Brunels responded in game two to win 11-9 with Rohan Ninawe and Paul D’Amore driving in two runs each. James Peterson and Ninawe both hit doubles to support winning pitcher Georgia Powell, who struck out three Knights over her two innings on the mound.
“We are still in a good position to make the post season but, we must reduce the number of errors we make in the field if we are to be successful“ said Brunels manager Ryan Harris. “There is a great team spirit within the Brunels and I have every confidence that the number of errors is going to reduce as the season progresses.”
Photo credit: Al Galpin
The Badgers’ game against BC Vetra was cancelled after Vetra forfeited, handing the club’s top team two victories.
On Deck: The club has a busy weekend coming up, with the Badgers hosting Bracknell Inferno and the Bats welcoming Taunton Muskets to Somerdale Pavilion.
The Buccaneers travel to Weston to face the Jets, whilst the Brunels journey to Hampshire to play New Forest Thunder.
On Saturday, the club will host the second round of the BBF Women’s Baseball League, and as mentioned above, the Bolts travel to Cardiff to take on Baseball Gwalia in a youth fixture.