by BaseballSoftballUK, www.baseballsoftballuk.com
The top teams in the BBF’s National Baseball League pulled further away from the others on Sunday, May 23 as the London Mets, Bracknell Blazers and Richmond Flames all swept doubleheaders on the hottest day of the season so far. The Mildenhall Bulldogs, Southampton Mustangs and Essex Arrows were on the receiving end as the NBL’s established sides flicked aside their expansion rivals.
Special NBL reporter Simon Fitzjohn provides the details.
London Mets @ Mildenhall Bulldogs
The Mets made the long journey to Mildenhall and returned with their impressive record intact after 8-4 and 10-7 victories.
The London side moved to 11-1 for the season after edging two closely-fought contests, bringing to a halt the Bulldogs’ strong home form.
Jason Roberts pitched the win in Game One, with Reed Wilson picking up the mound verdict in Game Two in a battle of the big hitters.
For London coach Alex Pike, emerging with a doubleheader sweep was a major bonus.
He said: “It was a couple of really good games of baseball and we are delighted with the two wins. We put pressure on them and they put pressure on us and it really could have gone either way. Both sides hit well and it was a case of which team could last the longest.
“Out of all the teams in the league,” Pike added, “Mildenhall have the biggest home advantage, so to come here and win both games is very pleasing.”
Richmond Flames @ Essex Arrows
Richmond enjoyed the easiest brace of games on Sunday, easing to 9-0 and 12-2 victories over the still winless Essex Arrows.
Cody Cain pitched a complete game shutout in Game One, with Dan McAneny taking the honours inGame Two.
For Flames coach Grant Delzoppo, it was a case of job done for his side.
“We are definitely improving week by week,” Delzoppo said, “and to be 7-3 is pretty satisfactory. We have a pretty settled bunch of guys playing week in and week out and that can only be good for us. Winning on the road is vital in this league, and it is never easy with all the travelling. But we still have the big sides to play and so we are not getting ahead of ourselves.”
For Essex’s Phil Chesterton, it was simply a case of accepting his side had come off second best.
Chesterton said: “Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap and say well done. We were beaten by better pitching – plain and simple. We just could not score runs and they were getting them in bunches.
“This is very much a development period for us,” he added, “and as long as we don’t lose our enthusiasm we will be fine.”
Southampton Mustangs @ Bracknell Blazers
The Blazers welcomed the misfiring Mustangs to Bracknell and sent them packing back to Southampton with a brace of defeats.
The 6-4 and 10-3 triumphs were by no means easy, though, with Mike Trask locking down the win in Game One while Matt Maitland pitched the win in Game Two.
Blazers coach Rob Rance said: “These games were a bit of a wake-up call and showed that maybe we’re not the best thing since sliced bread. Southampton came at us and all credit to them for that.
“We made some silly mistakes,” Rance continued, “and it almost cost us. We were incredibly loose and lucky to get away with the two wins.”
{mrb-result:2010-05-22|2010-05-23|GB}
{mrb-standing:great-britain-2010}
{mrb-schedule:2010-05-29|2010-05-30|GB}