by Tempo Titans Praha
Apollo Bratislava defeated the Tempo Titans Praha, 13-11, in 10 innings to win the championship game at the Titan Clash Senior International Baseball Tournament in Prague, Czech Republic on Sunday.
In an exciting and back-and-forth game, Apollo struck first with three runs in the top of the first inning on a two-run double by Alexander Vaclavik and an RBI single by Martin Zatko. Tempo, however, would answer with six runs of their own in the bottom frame behind run-scoring base hits by Martin Lukacka and Petr Kruml, then added a run in the second on an RBI double by Lukacka and a run in the third on a single by Petr Susta to take an 8-3 lead behind starting pitcher Lubos Cuhel.
Apollo then slowly chipped away at the lead with one run in the fourth and sixth on singles by Martin Brunegraf and Matus Repasky, then tied the contest with three in the seventh on a throwing error by Titans reliever Robert Medricky and a two-run single by Repasky, setting up an exciting finish over the final three innings.
Tempo’s Vaclav Koci scored in the bottom of the seventh on a double steal as the Titans reclaimed the advantage, 9-8, but Apollo against answered with a run of their own on a single by Denis Patsi in the top of the eighth and took a 10-9 lead with a run in the top of the ninth on a double by Hiraku Masuda off Tempo reliever Andrew Rodgers.
The Titans again had an answer in the bottom of the ninth, tying the game on a single by Jan Valis off the pitcher’s leg to score Koci. After Koci stole second base, Tempo had an opportunity for a walk-off victory with No. 3 batter Susta at the plate, but the catcher flew out to center field to send the game into extra innings.
The 10th inning was played under Czech Baseball Association tiebreaker rules, with runners starting at first and second base. Apollo struck quickly as Rodgers’ throw to first on a bunt by Vaclavik was wild and Brunegraf and Lukas Zilavy both scored to take a 12-10 lead. Vaclavik, who advanced to second on the throwing error, then moved over to third on a bunt single by Denis Paksi and scored on a sacrifice fly by Eric Teslovic to make the score 13-10 before Tempo was able to get out of the inning.
The Titans would score once in the bottom half of the inning when Valis crossed the plate following a throwing error on a ground ball to shortstop by Marek Rejman, but were unable to complete another comeback, and Apollo escaped with the victory.
Brunegraf, Zatko and Repasky each had three of Apollo’s 19 hits, while Rodgers, Lukacka and Martin Novak each had two hits to pace the Titans’ 11-hit attack.
Masuda, who relieved starter Richard Gottschall with two outs in the seventh, earned the victory, while Rodgers, who threw the final three innings, took the loss.
Titan Clash Results
Pool Play:
Tempo Titans Praha 15, Apollo Bratislava 5
Apollo Bratislava 10, Szentendre Sleepwalkers 0
Tempo Titans Praha 7, Szentendre Sleepwalkers 7
Semifinal:
Apollo Bratislava 22, Szentendre Sleepwalkers 8
Championship Game:
Apollo Bratislava 13, Tempo Titans Praha 11 (10)
Tournament Most Valuable Player:
Martin Zatko, Apollo Bratislava
Home Run Derby Champion:
Martin Zatko, Apollo Bratislava