The Tigers dominated in Gramastetten against a flat Highlanders club; the Cubs came up empty handed against the Wanderers; Attnang Athletics perform well in Game 1, while Game 2 goes to the Blue Bats in a close one; Sunday’s doubleheader between Metrostars and Vikings rained out.
Stock City Cubs @ Vienna Wanderers
While the Wanderers were satisfied with a split against the defending champs to start the season, they had greater expectations against the Cubs last weekend. Johannes Godler and Michael Schneider kept a pitchers duel going into the 7th inning, when the Wanderers woke up their bats, putting up 5 runs to buffer their lead to 6-0. Christian Tomsich relieved Godler in the 8th to put the game on ice, and the Wanderers finished with a decisive 9-0 win to open the series.
In Game 2 the Wanderers were unable to pick up where they left off, however, and only through some defensive miscues on behalf of the Cubs were the Wanderers able to take a 2-0 lead in the heavy rain. The Cubs bounced back though, knotting the game at 3-3 in the 6th with their first runs of the season. Again the Wanderers got out in front, before the hitters from Stockerau took their first lead of the game in the 7th with the scoreboard showing 5-4 for the visitors. But the home team wouldn’t give up, again turning things in their favor with a 3-run 8th to give closer Hiro Sakanashi breathing room in the top of the 9th. Sakanashi brought home the save and the first sweep of the season for the Wanderers.
Schwaz Tigers @ RiCo Highlanders
In opening Martin Schütz Field in Gramastetten on Saturday, the Highlanders hosted last year’s runner up the Schwaz Tigers. The men from Tirol started strong and took an early lead, while P Paul Astl put forth a great performance on the mound. The Tigers offense tallied run after run, making things easy on Astl. Once he was pulled from the mound, the hosts were finally able to get on the board, but it was too little too late, and the Tigers took Game 1 by a score of 9-3.
The second round was also the debut of the Tigers US import Jason Fronczak on the mound for his new club. Despite the rain, Fronczak was given run support immediately in the Tigers first time up, with two homeruns. Highlanders pitcher Joshua Stewards was no trouble for the visitors, and while the hosts were able to put up 4 runs against Fronczak, the visitors piled on the runs to make it 18-4 and picking up the mercy rule win.
Schwechat Blue Bats @ Attnang-Puchheim Athletics
Familiar faces matched up in Attnang over the weekend, with Coach Arian Quirantes and his Schwechat Blue Bats travelling to play the Athletics. Walter Strasser set the pace in the first matchup, taking the bats out of the Blue Bats hands. His opponent on the mound, Fabian Hirnschal, and the Bats defense experienced some inopportune swoons, allowing the A’s to jump out to a 10-0 lead after just 6 innings, which was also the final score.
Fortunately for the Bats, Game 2 brought new fortune. After giving up an early homer, P Zsolt Zalabai made life difficult for the A’s when they were at bat. Keeping things exciting, both teams were able to put runners on, alas they stranded the majority. Going into the 8th inning, the Bats broke through to tie the game at 2 apiece against Josh Castanza, who had kept his opponents hitters on their heels through 7. After keeping the A’s off the board in the bottom half, the Bats took the lead in the 9th and held on for the narrow win.
The games scheduled for Sunday between the Metrostars and Vikings had just gotten underway when the heavens opened and released their fury on the playing field, turning the infield into a good reason to play another, hopefully drier, day. The game will be replayed at a time to be determined.
Results:
Stock City Cubs @ Vienna Wanderers
Game 1: 0:9 – WP: Johannes Godler; LP: Michael Schneider;
Game 2: 5:7 – WP: Chris Magarian; S: Hiro Sakanashi; LP: Marc Brunnthaler;
Schwaz Tigers @ RiCo Highlanders
Game 1: 9:3 – WP: Paul Astl; LP: Dominik Gerner;
Game 2: 18:4 – WP: Jason Fronczak; LP: Joshua Stewart; HR: B. Hueber, J. Köchl, F. Haisjackl;
Schwechat Blue Bats @ Attnang-Puchheim Athletics
Game 1: 0-10 – WP: Walter Strasser; LP: Fabian Hirnschal;
Game 2: 3-2 – WP: Zsolt Zalabai; LP: Josh Castanza;
{mrb-standing:austria-2011}
The name of the Hungarian pitcher of the Schwechat Blue Bats is correctly Zsolt Zalabai, and the results were 10-0 and 2-3.
Thanks Mako. Fixed.