Buccaneers infielder Sam Kaiser’s maiden home run couldn’t save the team from a narrow 16-17 loss to New Forest Knights in the first game of the BBF/SWWBL A double header in Hampshire. Both sides scored freely across the first three innings with Paul Blackburn, Tom Rowe, Rob Horne and Charlie Deeks all shining with the bat for the Buccaneers, however the Bristol side was eventually undone by a walk off single by Knights outfielder Kieran Jewell at the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Buccaneers bounced back to overwhelm the Knights 17-5 in the second game taking advantage of 17 walks given up by the New Forest pitchers while running riot on the bases. Outfielder Jamie Hartley scored four runs with two hits while first baseman Tom Rowe and pitcher Rob Horne drove in six runs between them.
“The first game loss was frustrating after we had batted well to stay level with the Knights until the last inning,” said Buccaneers manager Charlie Deeks. “Sam Kaiser has been exceptional this season and we were all delighted to see his first home run.”
In Oxford, the Bats maintained their position at the top of the BBF AA South West Division after splitting their double header with the Kings. Despite a great pitching performance from Laura Hirai, who stuck out seven Oxford batters while walking just two over her six innings pitched, the Bats were unable to provide the run support eventually going down 2-3.
The second game was equally tight with the Bats coming from behind to win 7-6. The Bristol team were three runs down but launched a six run comeback in the sixth inning to take the lead. The Kings scored twice in the bottom of the fifth before Bats’ outfielder Michael Buser hit a crucial two out double to score Kwan Cheung and push the Bristol team into a two run lead. Jake Boyer struck out eight Oxford batters from the mound to secure the win over his four innings pitched before Cheung stepped in to finish off the Kings.
“Both games were there for the taking and it was disappointing we couldn’t provide the necessary run support to Laura in the first,” said Tim Singiser, the Bats manager. “I was delighted with the way we fought back to score six runs in one inning and give Jake the breathing space he needed to get the win.”
The Badgers welcomed BBF AAA rivals Bracknell Inferno to Somerdale Pavilion for a rare triple header which saw honours split in three close games. The Inferno took the first game 4-3 on a walk off single at the bottom of the fifth inning in a pitchers duel. Outfielder John Brownlee was the pick of the Badgers’ offense with two hits including a double.
The second game saw the Bristol side turn the tables to win 6-5 in five tense innings. A single by Brownlee drove in Luke Claflin before pitcher Alex Martinson got the final three outs to secure the win.
The third game ended in a 4-4 tie after five innings with pitchers again having the upper hand. The Badgers’ fielding was on top form as they completed a double play and cut down two Inferno runners at home plate to keep runs off the board.
“They were three very good games of baseball and we could have won all of them,” said Rhodri Theaker, the Badgers’ manager. “We needed one or two plays to go our way but our fielding was very good when it needed to be.”
The Badgers remain half a game behind the Inferno in the BBF South West Division in the race for a playoff spot.
The Brunels made the trip to Taunton to take on a strong Muskets side and despite going down 0-13 and 4-8 stayed in second place in the BBF/SWWBL Severn Division. In the first game, the Brunels were unable to get to grips with Muskets pitcher Andres Bianco who struck out nine Bristol batters while giving up just one hit over five innings.
Justin Trory and Noah McCurdy led the Bristol teams offense in the second game as the Brunels scored early to push the Muskets all the way with four hits between them. The Muskets were able to score regularly despite Michele Botta have one of his best games from the mound striking out six Taunton batters over this four innings pitched.
“It was always going to be a tough day against a team chasing the title but we showed how far we have come as a team in the second game to push them close,” said Brunels manager, Alex Lane-Kieltyka.
Next Up: Next Sunday, the Bats are at Somerdale taking on the Guildford Mavericks while the Badgers travel to Hampshire to take on the New Forest Thunder. The Brunels make the short trip to Weston to take on the Jets for the first time this season. The Buccaneers have their scheduled bye week.