by A.P. Beauregard, www.namur-angels.be
On Saturday, June 5th, the Namur Angels met the K. Mortsel Stars in Flanders and the contest would prove to be a see-saw tale of two games, both clubs controlling halves of the match in what would end up a 10-6 Star victory.
The first half of the game, namely the opening five innings, were all Namur. The visitors jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and starting pitcher Shouta Ichinoseki silenced the opposition in support of his teammates’ offensive onslaught. What seemed headed for a rout would prove, however, to be a prime example of the home team chipping away while simultaneously holding down the fort.
Over the ensuing four innings the Angels would strand countless base runners as Mortsel relief pitcher Jake Huffman prevented Namur from tacking on any more to their lead. While Huffman was doing his part in keeping his team in the game, the offense was doing theirs. A 6-2 game became 6-3 in the sixth, then 6-5 after seven, all setting the stage for a flood of offense in the bottom of the eighth that would prove to be the difference. Following a walk, a pair of singles, and a sacrifice bunt that had put the home team ahead 7-6; Mortsel first baseman Scott Bolcoa homered to right field to run the margin to 3 and produce the final tally of 10-6.
Bolcoa led Mortsel at the plate with a 3-5 showing, while teammates Lieven Buerms and Cedric Vandensompele recorded 2 hits apiece. Huffman picked up the win, pitching sixth and two-thirds in relief.
For Namur, newcomer Matt Brunnig turned in an impressive debut going 2-4 at the plate with a double and a single. Nicolas Migeot and Cedric Nauts both hit 2-5, while Ludovic Geuquet, Jerome Sana, Gracjan Kraszewski, Theodore De Bellefroid, and Thomas Vandenabeele each had one base hit apiece. Ichinoseki threw the ball well but was credited with the no-decision.
Sunday’s game, June 6th, was over before it began as Namur won on the account of forfeit. Next weekend the Angels (7-9) will travel to Brasschaat to face the Braves (7-8), winners of four in a row.
{mrb-result:2010-06-05|2010-06-06|BE}
{mrb-standing:belgium-2010}