by Joe Gray
The MANCHESTER EAGLES swept the MENWITH HILL PATRIOTS on Sunday, aided by their second one-run win in three games. The scorelines were 6-3 and 8-7, and this leaves the EAGLES two games ahead of the LIVERPOOL TROJANS (who did not play), with the PATRIOTS a further 1.5 games back.
There are still a good number of games to go, but at the moment the EAGLES are looking like strong contenders to qualify for the National Final, and if they did it would be the first time for the club.
In the inaugural season of the National League North, back in 2004, the EAGLES finished with an unenviable 0-20 record, but they have improved greatly since then. In 2006, they were knocked out in a playoff for the National Finals, while last year they finished just one game back from the PATRIOTS, who claimed the final automatic qualifying spot.
Meanwhile, in the South, the LONDON METS had a comfortable victory in game one of their double-header against the RICHMOND FLAMES, but in game two they were made to work harder in order to preserve their unbeaten record this season.
In game one, Brian Essery, who pitched six strong innings, and reliever Mark Rigby combined for LONDON’s third shutout win of the season (11-0). Rigby also contributed with the bat, recording five RBI, including a three-run homer off FLAMES reliever Adam Roberts in the seventh.
In game two, METS starter Troy Kantor took a no-hitter and a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but with one out RICHMOND strung together a walk and three singles to close the gap to a solitary run. On the third single (which came off the bat of Martin Visser), Brad Crinion, who represented the tying run, was held at third by the base coach as the ball came in from right field. And Crinion had to watch from third as Kantor extinguished the FLAMES’ rally with strikeouts number ten and eleven, sealing a 4-3 win for LONDON.
The BRACKNELL BLAZERS and CROYDON PIRATES had a week off, but all four National League South teams will be back in action this Sunday.