The Bristol Badgers and Buccaneers both completed weekend sweeps over their opposition on Sunday.
In Keynsham, the Badgers overcame New Forest Thunder in their BBF AAA double header to move to the top of the BBF South West AAA table.
The first game was a thriller with the Bristol side running out 5-4 winners after outfielder Rich Green crossed the plate at the bottom of the sixth inning. Badgers pitcher Luke Claflin kept the Thunder’s offense in check over his seven innings on the mound, striking out 12 New Forest batters and allowing just five hits.
Claflin also starred with the bat with three hits, including a double and two runs batted in. Green and first baseman Tom Hollies also succeeded at the plate with four hits and three runs between them. Shortstop Santiago Palmas hit a double, drove in a run and crossed the plate as well as completing a double play with Hollies and Michael Comport.
The second game saw pitcher Doug Scriver dominate as the Badgers ran out 8-2 winners to complete the sweep. Scriver gave up just two hits and struck out six Thunder batters as he pitched a complete game. Rhodri Theaker and infielder Comport each drove two runs in, while defensively the Badgers made crucial plays in the outfield when needed.
“We were up against a good team with excellent pitchers and I was delighted with the way we responded particularly in the first game which could have gone either way,” said Theaker, the Badgers’ manager. “Luke and Doug did fantastically well for us in damp conditions and we managed to get the runs when needed.”
Down in Taunton, the Buccaneers came away with two dominant performances against the Pistols in the BBF/SWWBL A clash. In the first game, the Buccaneers offense was dominant behind a no-hit pitching performance from Jake Boyer. Tom Rowe, Michael Buser, Tim Clough, Sam Stainsby and Boyer drove in 15 runs between them as the Buccaneers racked up the runs to win 23-3.
The second game was a repeat with the Buccaneers sailing to a comfortable 20-1 victory and a place at the top of the SWWBL Severn Division. Lachie Ng, Boyer, Fu Lam, Clough and Stainsby hit well as the Bristol side ran rampant with the bat in hand.
Defensively, the Buccaneers improved on previous weeks with Sam Kaiser making some great plays from third base, while catcher Stainsby provided the highlight of the day, nailing a runner at second with a rocket throw.
“We have to win all our games and I am delighted with the way we stuck to what we had to do to win,” said Buccaneers’ manager Michael Buser. “It was also encouraging to see how well our new pitchers like Tim Clough and Sam Kaiser responded in the second game.”
Next up: The Bristol Bats welcome Bournemouth Bears 2 to Somerdale Pavilion for a BBF AA clash. The Buccaneers are also in Keynsham and face the New Forest Knights. The Badgers and the Brunels are both on the road with the former taking on the Inferno in Bracknell while the Brunels travel to Cornwall for their double header against the Pioneers.
All games start at 12 noon and spectators are welcome.