The Bristol Buccaneers came back from a 10-3 deficit at Somerdale Pavilion on Sunday to win the South West Regional Division Four title 12-11 with a walk off single by catcher Tom Rowe. There was more good news for the club as the Badgers claimed their British Baseball Federation (BBF) Division Two title after sweeping Bracknell Inferno.
For the Buccaneers, it was the team’s second consecutive regional championship but will go down as the most dramatic. The Bristol side was trailing Newton Brewers 10-3 at the bottom of the fourth inning but five runs in the next took them to within two. The Brewers scored again in the top of the seventh but the Buccaneers hit back with a run of their own to set up a thrilling last inning.
Pitcher Will Marshall got the three outs without giving up a run thanks to a dramatic play at the plate which nabbed the Brewers’ runner. The Buccaneers then needed three runs in the final inning to claim the title and with one out, Marshall walked before Charlie Ricketts singled to advance Marshall. Marshall and Ricketts then each stole bases before Marshall scored on a passed ball.
Jean-Pierre Bernard worked a walk, before a single by Paul Blackburn scored Ricketts, tying the game and advancing Bernard to third base, 90 feet from the trophy. That brought up veteran catcher Tom Rowe who singled down the left field line, scoring a jubilant Bernard to complete an amazing comeback and secure the title.
Shortstop Sam Lacey and Ricketts both had multi-hit games driving in three runs between them. Starting pitcher Pat Mahoney struck out seven Newton batters over his three innings pitched before Marshall came in to relive him for the remaining five innings.
“It was an amazing performance from the whole team and is a reflection of the effort the whole roster has put in since indoor training in the New Year,” said Marshall, the Buccaneers manager. “Our fielding was the best it has been all season and now we can look forward to the national playoffs in a couple of weeks.”
The Badgers traveled to Bracknell for their last regular season double header and came away with 10-4 and 9-1 victories to claim the divisional title and a third successive playoff appearance.
In the first game, third baseman Deivydas Trinkunas was the Badgers offensive star with four hits, including a double and two runs driven in. Tom Hollies and Michael Comport also hit doubles, while Doug Scriver and Cameron Hunter all had multi hit games. Starting pitcher Andy Bergh threw an efficient complete game and secured the win.
In the second game, the Badgers scored six runs in the first inning with Bergh, Keegan Martinjako and Tim Singiser making good contact. Singiser and Scriver both hit doubles, and Martinjako hit another home run following last week’s brace.
Pitchers Izak Sullivan and Jake Boyer proved too good for the Inferno lineup, giving up just one earned run as the Badgers had a perfect game in the field with no errors.
“Its been a difficult season but the more we have played the better we have got,” said manager Rhodri Theaker. “We wait the confirmation of our semi-final opponents but are confident we can keep our good form going into the final weekends of the season.”
The Bristol Bats took on Cardiff Merlins at Somerdale in the Regional Division Three final, but despite taking an early lead went down 12-5 after nine tight innings.
Catcher Lachie Ng continued his fine season form with three hits, while centre fielder Jamie Hayter registered two hits and a run driven in. Rohan Ninawe, who was outstanding at third base, Katherine Golik and Jocelynn Hernandez also drove in runs but Cardiff’s pitching proved too strong on the day.
“We fought hard against a very good Cardiff side but one inning in which they scored four proved decisive,” said Richard Evans, manager of the Bats. “It’s been a great season and we now gear up for a trip to Cardiff for the national Division Three quarter final in two weeks time.”
On Deck: All the club’s teams will have next weekend off as the league descends on Farnham Park for the annual Summer Cup. Then, for the first time in club history, all four teams will head for the national playoffs which start on 6th September.