By BaseballSoftballUK, www.baseballsoftballuk.com, BSUK NBL Correspondent Simon Fitzjohn
In Sunday’s BBF National Baseball League action, the London Mets and Bracknell Blazers – the League’s two big guns – stretched further away from the competition.
The Mets eased to a comfortable brace of wins over the Southampton Mustangs, but Bracknell’s victories came courtesy of forfeit after Richmond, who were only able to muster nine players, saw one of their stars injured and found themselves unable to continue.
In the day’s other action, Essex Arrows and Croydon Pirates split their doubleheader.
Southampton Mustangs @ London Mets
London kept up the pace at the top of the standings with 14-2 and 8-6 wins over an improving Southampton side.
Jason Roberts and Rafi Stern took the wins on the mound, with plenty of offensive highlights for the Mets.
Once again Dan Williams was to the fore, smashing a grand slam in Game One and then adding another home run inGame Two.
Hairon De La Rosa also got in on the act, clubbing a homer in the first game.
London’s Alex Pike said: “We hit very well through the order. The second game was a bit tighter but it was just a case of turning it on when we needed to and we did. We were experimenting a bit with our line-up and a few guys put their hands up. Southampton were better than we thought and it is good for the game that these sides are coming through and giving us a challenge.”
Croydon Pirates @ Essex Arrows
Two of the league’s lesser lights combined for an enjoyable duo of games, with both sides happy to take a split.
Essex emerged with a 10-6 win in Game One, with Richard Chesterton taking the honours on the mound. But Croydon bounced back in Game Two, winning 12-6 with Jose Sosa pitching the win while Matt Gilbert was saddled with the loss.
Arrows coach Phil Chesterton said: “It was ok. We were quite short on players and I was pretty happy with the efforts of the guys. A couple of weeks back we had no wins so to now have three is pretty pleasing. I still think we are making progress and that is the aim going forward.”
Richmond Flames @ Bracknell Blazers
The marquee matchup of the day was shortlived, with Richmond forced to forfeit in the bottom of the first inning in Game One.
Bracknell already had a 4-0 lead, only for Richmond’s Rob Unsell to be hit by a line drive. With his face swelling, Unsell was forced to retire, and with Richmond only having been able to call on nine players to make the trip, a halt was called to proceedings.
{mrb-result:2010-06-26|2010-06-27|GB}
{mrb-standing:great-britain-2010}