by Christophe Dassy, head coach of the Namur Angels
Hoboken was hosting game one of the Belgian Series this Saturday. Despite a week of terrible weather, the field was in good enough shape and baseball gods had just left a window of blue sky so the game could take place.
Kenny Vandenbranden was on the hill for the Pioneers and Sven Timmermans was back from injury in time to start at third base.
In the second inning, back to back hits by Wybo and Herssens were getting the Pioneers’ ace in an early jam. With two outs, a walk to number nine hitter Kevin Roevens loaded the bases for the Greys before lead-off hitter Filip Vandermeiren also worked walk to bring in the first run. Dennis Van Hoof then hit a grounder to second base to end the inning.
In the third inning, a fielding error allowed Bryon Bell reach base safely.
After a fly ball from clean-up hitter Knollenburg, Wybo and Rosiers singled to load the bases again.
The red-hot Dave Herssens then hit a double to right field to score Bell before Gert Rosiers got thrown out at the plate.
With two outs, the young Nick Vanthillo broke the game open with a single to left, scoring Wybo while the misplayed ball allowed Herssens to score the Greys’ fourth run.
The Pioneers’ defense settled down and allowed only one more run in the eighth on consecutive hits by 7, 8, 9 hitters Herssens, Vanthillo and Roevens.
On the other hand, Dan Howard was cruising through the first four innings allowing only two runners on an error and a hit batsman.
In the fifth, he got himself into a jam by walking Diamond and Timmermans with nobody out.
The Pioneers failed to execute a sac bunt and remained with first and second loaded with one out. The next thing was a given, a 3-6 double play to get out of the inning.
In the eighth frame, the Pioneers threatened again. A hit by pitch to number 9 hitter D’Oliveira, before DeLannoy broke the no-hit bid with a single to centerfield. Howard escaped the jam with another big strikeout.
The final score was Pioneers – Greys 0-5.
Hoboken fielders committed two errors and, unfortunately for them, it was in the same inning that Greys collected three hits.
Offensively, they only really had one opportunity to get back in the game but failed to execute and got punished right away.
The Greys 1 through 4 hitters went 0 for 16 but the 5 through 9 guys picked them up going 10 for 20. And with Howard as dominating as he was on Saturday, that was more than they needed to take the lead in the Series.
Game two was rained out and will be rescheduled this next Saturday with probable starters Dennis Van Hoof for the Greys and Brett Diamond for the Pioneers.
Results :
Hoboken Pioneers – Royal Greys 0-5
Schedule:
Saturday, October 11
14:00 Royal Greys – Hoboken Pioneers
Sunday, October 12
14:00 Hoboken Pioneers – Royal Greys
Saturday, October 18
14:00 Royal Greys – Hoboken Pioneers*
Sunday, October 19
14:00 Hoboken Pioneers – Royal Greys*
*if necessary
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