Athletics und Metrostars face off for top spot – Blue Bats and Vikings battle for position – Wanderers look for a sweep in Gramastetten – Cubs head to Schwaz looking for first win
Saturday:
Schwechat Blue Bats @ Kufstein Vikings
Starting off the 5th round of the ABL are the Blue Bats and the Tigers in Schwaz, who are both sitting at .500 and tied in 4th place. The scene has been set for Werner Harrasser and his 1000th strikeout, if he and his battery mate Thomas Krimbacher can repeat their form from last weekend, then Game 1 should be quick work. Zsolt Zalabai has been showing impressive form for the Bats so far, and has picked up wins against the A’s and Wanderers for the Bats in past nightcaps.
Attnang-Puchheim Athletics @ Vienna Metrostars
The opener for the Metrostars went well last weekend, the result of an impressive offensive exhibition and tidy defense. It will also take some success on the mound to knock off the Athletics this weekend in Vienna. For the Athletics, pitching hasn’t been the problem: Strasser has dominated and American Castanza has recovered from an rough debut. Both games are likely to bring some intensity to the Spenadlwiese field.
Sunday:
Vienna Wanderers @ RiCo Highlanders
The Wanderers make their first trip away from home, and after a disappointing split against Schwechat, they want to rebound in a big way against the Highlanders. The promoted team is comes into the game on a high note however, after winning their first game in the top league. For the Wanderers, Christian Tomsich won’t be available, however former MVP Clemens Cichocki returns from Junior College to Vienna.
Soroptimist Stockerau Cubs@ Schwaz Tigers
In a matchup of teams which have come up unlucky in the past weekends, the Cubs and Tigers will look to overcome some bad breaks when they face each other in Schwaz. The home opener in Schwaz last week could have been better for the hosts, as their performance in the field showed room for improvement. The Cubs played the A’s close last weekend, but went home empty handed regardless, just as they had against the Wanderers the week before that. The guests won’t have it easy, but their performance against the top half of the standings shows they have the upper hand on the road this weekend, against the Tigers.
{mrb-schedule:2011-05-14|2011-05-15|AT}
{mrb-standing:austria-2011}