FINAL HEARTBREAK FOR BADGERS

It was heartbreak for the Bristol Badgers, who lost a thrilling three-game BBF AAA National Championship final 2-1 to Croydon Pirates at Farnham Park at the weekend.

The Badgers took the first game on Saturday 5-4, behind another stunning pitching performance from Alex Martinson who struck out 14 Pirates during his complete game performance. Martinson has now struck 101 batters over the whole season.

The Badgers went 2-0 down in the first inning, but three runs at the top of the second put them ahead. Disciplined batting put two runners on base before a single from outfielder Tim Singiser scored Michael Comport. A single by Tom Hollies advance Laura Hirai and Singiser before a Pirates fielding error allowed Hirai and Singiser to score.

Although Croydon levelled the score in the next inning, another throwing error allowed Martinson to score and give Bristol the lead once again. A sacrifice fly by John Brownlee drove in Hollies to give the Badgers a two run lead and despite another Croydon run, Martinson got the three outs in the final inning to grab the win.

Sunday’s Game Two was equally tight, with the Badgers moving to a 3-2 lead at the end of the fourth inning with pitcher Luke Claflin keeping the Pirates attack quiet. Croydon scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning through good base running and taking advantage of a crucial Badgers fielding error to establish a lead the Bristol side couldn’t overcome.

With the series level, the two teams battled it out for the title in the deciding third game. The Badgers moved into a 4-0 lead, taking advantage of errant pitching and fielding errors in the first inning. In the third inning, a single by Comport drove in Seyi Awofadeju and Brownlee, who scored from second with a dramatic slide at home plate after a throwing error.

Tight Croydon relief pitching and fielding errors from the Badgers in the fourth and fifth innings allowed the Pirates to establish a one run lead, before two more runs in the sixth gave them a three run lead heading to the last frame. Despite making good contact with the bat, the Badgers were unable to make a dent in the Croydon lead.

“We are obviously disappointed to lose the final but all three games were exceedingly close and I want to congratulate Croydon on their title and for the way they played the game,” said Rhodri Theaker, the Badgers manager. “Every player gave it their all over the three tough games and the effort cannot be faulted. It’s been a great season and we can hold our heads high for what the team has accomplished.”

In Hemel Hempstead, the Buccaneers took on Milton Keynes Bucks in the BBF A National Championship playoffs.

Despite a fightback from being 11-5 down, the Buccaneers fell just short, eventually losing 12-10 in the seven inning contest. Third baseman Sam Stainsby led the Buccaneers offense with three hits, including a double, while Niamh Cogley-Rock, Charlie Deeks and Tom Rowe were also in fine form with the bat each hitting doubles among their combined six hits.

The Bristol side began their fightback in the fourth after Rowe’s double and a single by Jean-Pierre Bernard allowed Rowe to score on a fielding error. In the fifth, a two run single by Tim Clough narrowed the gap further and a single by Harley Jones scored Bernard and put the Buccaneers just two runs behind. Milton Keynes scored another in the bottom of the sixth and despite Deeks’ double in the seventh, the Bristol team were unable to make up the gap.

“The whole team has to be applauded for the way we fought back after going behind and with a couple of bounces going our way we could have overhauled a very good Milton Keynes team,” said Charlie Deeks. “Despite the loss we can look back on a divisional title and successful season.”

The two losses bring to an end a successful season for the club with the Badgers, Bats and Buccaneers all making the National Championship playoffs and the Brunels having their best ever season regionally.