A walk off bunt at the bottom of the 9th inning by centre fielder Nik South, sealed a thrilling 8-7 comeback win for the Bristol Badgers against the Exeter Spitfires on Sunday.
The Bristol team were trailing 7-6 with just three outs left. After Nerius Tamosiunas struck out, a double by Rhian Theaker got things moving before Tom Hollies was walked.
With two men on base, short stop Par Eliasson drove in Theaker to tie the scores with a ground rule double which also moved Hollies to third base.
MVP South then laid down a perfect bunt to score Hollies and seal the last gasp victory for the Badgers.
“This was just a fantastic and nerve racking game of baseball,” said Badgers manager Tom Hollies who pitched a complete game, striking out 13 Spitfires and allowing just three earned runs. “The whole team showed the sort of mental resilience we needed.”
Down in Cornwall, the Bristol Bats ran out comfortable 29-11 winners over the St Austell Claycutters.
First baseman Paul Carter was the Bats MVP who got five hits driving in four runs. Carter also pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game in the seventh inning.
On a day when the Bats’ offense registered 23 hits, newcomers Charlie Coggans and Tom Rowe were outstanding.
Coggans hit a triple and two doubles driving in four runs while Rowe also hit four RBIs without being out during his six plate appearances.
“Whilst we were able to get a lot of bat on ball. it was great to have Ricky Gellatly giving a strong pitching performance,” said Billy Vickery, manager of the Bats. “Both Tom Rowe and Charlie Coggans only started playing this season and it was great to see them make such valuable contributions on and off the field.”
Next Sunday (2nd July) the Bats host the Plymouth Mariners at Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham while the Badgers travel to Newton Abbot to take on the Brewers. Both games start at 12 noon and spectators are welcome.