(2-0) Heidenheim Heidekoepfe – Solingen Alligators 14-4 (7), 8-5
SOL 202 000 0 4 10 0 HEI 003 402 5 14 15 3
Defending champion Heidenheim Heidekoepfe had a perfect start into the semi-finals against the Solingen Alligators and is now just one win away from another finals appearance. In game one they overcame an early 0-4 deficit after a two-run homerun by Dominik Wulf and a two-run single by Dustin Hughes en route to a 14-4 ten-run rule shortened win. Three runs in the third and four in the fourth put Heidenheim in front. Seven more in the last two frames blew things wide open. Simon Guehring and Robert Gruber picked up three RBI each. Chris Beck and Sam Whitehead crossed the plate thrice. Markus Winkler (W) went the distance, allowing just four runs on ten hits and a walk in seven innings. Andre Hughes (L) issued eight hits, seven runs and four bb in four innings.
SOL 001 003 000 5 13 3 HEI 101 050 10X 8 10 1
In the second game the Heidekoepfe already led 2-1 when they scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth en route to an 8-5 win. Simon Guehring and Chris Beck put them in front with a solo homerun and a RBI groundout. A two-run double by Matt Pali, RBI singles by Sam Whitehead and Andy Janzen plus an error sealed the win in the fifth. Solingen had tied the game in the top of the third with a RBI single by Dominik Wulf (4-5, 2 RBI) and also rallied for three runs in the sixth, but couldn’t complete the comeback. Dusty Bergman (W) gave up 13 hits, five runs and five walks in 8 2/3 innings. Josh Rickards (L) surrendered eight runs (7 ER) on nine hits and four bb in 6 1/3 innings.
(1-1) Paderborn Untouchables – Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg 2-3, 10-6
REG 001 000 002 3 9 1 PAD 100 000 001 2 6 2
The Paderborn Untouchables and the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg split the first two games of their best of five semi-final series. In game one a two-run double by Matt Vance broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth to lead the guests to a 3-2 win. Paderborn cut the deficit to a run in the bottom of the frame thanks to back-to-back two-out doubles by Daniel Meier and Bjoern Schonlau. But pinch hitter Octavio Medina struck out to end the game. Philipp Hoffschild (W) started in place of the injured Boris Bokaj for the Buchbinder Legionaere and allowed five hits, two runs and a walk in 8 2/3 innings, striking out seven. Eugen Heilmann (L) took the loss after nine innings, nine hits, three runs and three bb.
REG 102 012 000 6 5 2 PAD 200 040 04X 10 11 2
In game two the Untouchables rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the series with a 10-6 win. A hit by pitch with the bases loaded and a RBI fielder’s choice by Daniel Meier put them in front. Bjoern Schonlau, who already had a RBI single and two-run double earlier in the game, sealed the win with another two-run double. Petr Cech scored twice for Regensburg. Daniel Hinz received the win in relief. Rene Herlitzius took the loss. Starters Daniel Meier (PAD) and Eric Faint (REG) lasted five-plus respective six-plus innings to pick up no-decisions.
Photo: © Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de
