North:
Dortmund Wanderers – Berlin Sluggers 6-7, 13-1 (7)
The Berlin Sluggers returned into the Baseball-Bundesliga with a split against the Dortmund Wanderers. In game one the Sluggers used a five-run rally in the second to lay the groundwork for a 7-6 win. Dortmund tried to come back in the ninth, but three weren’t enough. Christian Pfeiffer picked up the win, Dennis Stechmann the loss. In the second match Matt Kemp led the Wanderers to an easy 13-1 victory in seven innings. Eight runs in the fourth sealed the win early. Kemp struck out twelve batters in six innings, allowing just four base runners. Ales Keprta took the loss.
Solingen Alligators – HSV Stealers 8-9, 9-8
After two thrilling games the Solingen Alligators and the HSV Stealers opened the 2011 season with a split. In game one Hamburg erased an early 0-6 deficit en route to a 9-8 win thanks to four runs in the third and five in the fifth. Rene Herlitzius got the win, Thomas Rubis the loss, Max Warren the save. In game two Solingen blew a 8-4 lead in the top of the ninth, but still got away with a 9-8 win, taking advantage of some miscues in the HSV defense in the bottom of the frame. Jerome Burton Jr. started for Solingen, Daniel Harms for the guests. Robin Drache received the win, Jens Hawlitzky the loss. Andre Hughes didn’t pitch for the Alligators this weekend. Hamburg’s Justin Prinstein isn’t scheduled to arrive before mid-April.
Pulheim Gophers – Dohren Wild Farmers 13-3 (8), 10-5
The Pulheim Gophers swept their first two twin bill of the season against the Dohren Wild Farmers. In game one they scored in each of the last six frames in a 13-3 eight-inning rout. Pulheim’s Anderson Alvarez-Echavarria hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5 with two runs and six RBI. Daniel Lamb-Hunt (PUL) and Garrett Rogers (DWF) also went deep. Markus Solbach got the win, Thies Brunckhorst the loss. In game two the Gophers won 10-5 behind a two-run shot by Lamb-Hunt and three RBI from Solbach, who played at first base. Ronny Glunt received the win, Jeff Rustico took the loss. He had to start in place of Rogers, who got ejected in game one.
Paderborn Untouchables – Bonn Capitals 6-1
The Paderborn Untouchables opened the 2011 season with a 6-1 win over the Bonn Capitals. Four runs in the bottom of the fourth decided the outcome early. Craig Pycock scored twice for Paderborn. Last-minute addition Matt Martin stole four bases for the U’s. Daniel Hinz started in place of Eugen Heilmann, who hasn’t been ready yet, and got the win. Tim Henkenjohann was charged with the loss. Game two had to be postponed due to rain and will be made up later this season.
South:
Haar Disciples – Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg 6-8, 1-12 (7)
Defending champion Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg opened the 2011 season with a sweep over the Haar Disciples on Saturday. In game one the Disciples smelled upset, but Regensburg came through in the end for an 8-6 win. Four runs in the top of the ninth, two on hits by Evan LeBlanc and Richard Klijn completed the comeback. Nils Hartkopf (HAA) and Boris Bokaj (REG) were the starters. Philipp Hoffschild received the win, Gregor Klinc the loss. In the second game the Buchbinder Legionaere scored four runs in the opening period against their former player/coach Paco Garcia en route to a 12-1 blowout. Justin Kuehn, Jonathan Eisenhuth and Mike Bolsenbroek combined for hold Haar to one run in seven innings.
Mannheim Tornados – Bad Homburg Hornets 7-5, 10-9
The Mannheim Tornados also started with a sweep into 2011, defeating the Bad Homburg Hornets in their Bundesliga debut 7-5 and 10-9. In game one Rene Franke went the distance, allowing five runs on three hits. A sac fly by Sascha Lutz, who had a three-run triple earlier in the game, and a RBI single by Ian O’Connor broke a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the seventh. Peter Ackermann took the loss. In game two Bad Homburg took leads of 4-1 and 9-6 with big rallies in the second and seventh. But Kyle Botha lifted Mannheim to a 10-9 win, capping a four-run seventh with a bases clearing double. Leroy Ewart received the win, Benedict Ullrich the loss. Philipp Hoehlein (MAT) and Peter Wiggins (HOM) were the starting pitchers.
Photo: © Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de