The 2010 European Cup in Brno, Czech Republic started with rain. The first two games, which were planned for the morning and the afternoon between Konica Minolta Pioniers and the Rouen Huskies, as well as the Heidenheim Heidekoepfe and Fortitudo Bologna, were rained out. Heidenheim and Bologna will make another try on Thursday afternoon. In the evening Baseball finally was played with CB Sant Boi defeating host AVG Draci Brno 3-2 in a nail biter.
CB Sant Boi – AVG Draci Brno 3-2
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A sac fly by Jose Luis Riera in the bottom of the eighth lifted the Spanish vice champion and current Division de Honor leader CB Sant Boi to a 3-2 win over AVG Draci Brno. It was the first loss of the 2010 season for the reigning Czech champion and host of the 2010 European Cup.
Brno had the better start into the game, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a solo homerun by Radim Chroust. But Sant Boi answered right away, plating two runs in the bottom of the same frame through a RBI single by Daniel Sanchez and a RBI groundout by Juan Manuel Salazar. AVG Draci tied the contest in the fifth thanks to a throwing error by third baseman Marc Carrillo.
Jose Estebin Cruz (W 1-0) picked up the win after eight strong innings, in which he allowed just two runs (1 ER) on three hits and five walks. He struck out eleven. Former New York Mets prospect Junior Guerra closed it out, striking out the last two batters with a runner on second. Former Major Leaguer Pat Ahearne (L 0-1) surrendered seven hits and three runs in seven-plus innings.
Schedule Brno, Thursday June 3:
- 10am Fortitudo Bologna – Konica Minolta Pioniers
- 2pm Heidenheim Heidekoepfe – Fortitudo Bologna
- 2pm Rouen Huskies – CB Sant Boi (Kravi Hora Stadium)
- 6pm AVG Draci Brno – Heidenheim Heidekoepfe
I saw the pregame-photos. Very big respect for the Brno-players because of their hard work against the water on the field and for the good game after that.