Two of Bristol Baseball Club’s pitchers, Josh Boulton and Michele Botta, pitched complete games for the Bats and Brunels respectively as the teams completed their SWWBL/BBF A regular season schedule.
In Cardiff, Boulton shut out Cardiff Merlins II in the first game of the Bats double header. He struck out nine Cardiff batters and was one hit away from a rare no-hitter as the Bats claimed a 20-0 win.
Josh joined in the Bats offensive fun with three hits and three runs driven in. Alex Brown, Jamie Hartley and Paul Carter were also impressive at the plate with 10 hits and eight runs driven in between them.
The Bats completed the sweep of the Cardiff team with a 24-5 victory in the second game. Outfielder Ayo-Oluwa Salawu starred with the bat hitting his first career home run and a triple, driving in four runs. Brown was equally impressive driving in six runs in while Adam Weavers drove in three runs as the Bats proved too strong for Merlins II.
“I am absolutely delighted for Ayo who trains hard to improve his performances a,” said Bats player manager Neptal Ortega-Gutierrez. “It was also good to see Paul Carter back on the mound for the first time this season and allowing just two earned runs.”
In Taunton, Michele Botta pitched his first career complete game as the Brunels over powered the Muskets 27-7 in the first game of the double header.
The Brunels offense exploded in the final innings, scoring 16 runs to put the game out of reach of the Muskets giving Botta the win. Four Brunels had multi-hit games with Charlie Turner, Rich Evans, Coral Pike and Matt Dunkley-Roberts combining for 11 hits including four doubles and 12 runs driven in.
The second game was a close affair with the Muskets winning 13-12 to split the double header. Turner, Evans and Dunkley-Roberts all hit well again with catcher Sam Stainsby and infielder Charlie Deeks also impressive with five hits.
“It was a great way to finish the season and Michele deserved his success in the first game,” said Rich Evans the Brunels’ player/manager. “Sam Stainsby and Coral Pike deserve a lot of praise for picking off five Muskets at second and third base. They both had great defensive afternoons.”
Next Sunday, the Bats start their final quest for silverware when they take on Cornish Claycutters in the semi-final of the SWWBL postseason in Taunton. The game starts at 2.00pm at Victoria Park.