The Blue Bats forfeited both games over the weekend, ending any hopes of making the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Wanderers went in to Kufstein and cleaned up, taking both wins by blowout scores. The Metrostars and Cubs split their series, and the series in Schwaz scheduled for Monday was rained out.
Saturday:
RiCo Highlanders @ Schwechat Blue Bats
On Friday, the Blue Bats informed the Highlanders that they would be unable to play on the following day, and the Highlanders were awarded two important 9:0 wins to move closer to Kufstein in the standings.
Sunday:
Vienna Wanderers @ Union Kufstein Vikings
From the first pitch, it was the Wanderers show in Kufstein, as the favorites jumped to an early lead and rolled from there. Werner Harrasser, starting for the Vikings, wasn’t able to keep the Wanderers bats in check. On the other side, the Wanderers starter Clemens Cichocki had a great performance, allowing an infield hit over seven innings. His defense backed him up with a solid performance on the day, and the offense tallied run after run with the help of more than a few extra base hits. Alex Neulinger was brought in to stem the Wanderers offensive flow, but couldn’t find a solution, as the Wanderers rolled to a 21-0 victory.
Game two saw Bernie Eidherr, who has had history of success against the Wanderers, take the mound. Yet he was also unable silence the Wanderers offense, as they marched to an easy 8-0 lead through the first three innings. Chris Magarian got the start for the Wanderers, and was able to breeze through the Vikings lineup without much trouble. The hosts were kept scoreless through five innings, but the Wanderers lead was never in doubt. In the eighth inning, the Wanderers took a ten run advantage into the bottom half of the inning, and were able to keep Kufstein from extending the game another inning. Final score: 13-3
Soroptimist Stockerauer Cubs @ Vienna Metrostars
In Sunday’s other matchup, the Cubs travelled to Vienna to take on the Metrostars. Michael Schneider was tabbed to start as he often has, taking on Hubert Weiser for the hosts. The pitchers kept the game close, retiring their opponents off the board through four innings. The Stars were the first team to make it once around, taking a lead in the fifth. Jakob Simonsen came in to pitch for the hosts in the sixth, and the Cubs were able to take advantage of walks and a double to go out in front 4-1. The Metrostars clawed back, tying the score a few innings later against the Cubs bullpen, eventually handing a lead over to their own closer Dominik Löffler. Löffler pitched a solid ninth to get the save and the Metrostars a win.
The teams both had problems getting on base again in game two, with pitchers JT Hilliard and Scott Holstein combining for an exciting pitchers duel into the sisth. The Cubs took a 2-0 lead, before the Metrostars reversed it and brought in Tezak to keep the Cubs from reclaiming the lead. It wouldn’t be enough, however, as the Cubs had no problem hitting him. In the ninth inning, they brought in the go-ahead run, and kept Vienna off the board in the bottom half to clinch the win.
Monday:
Attnang-Puchheim Athletics @ Schwaz Tigers
Due to heavy rains flooding the Schwaz field, the series was cancelled and will have to be made up later in the season.
Results–
Saturday:
RiCo Highlanders @ Schwechat Blue Bats
Game 1: 9:0 (Forfeit)
Game 2: 9:0 (Forfeit)
Sunday:
Vienna Wanderers @ Union Kufstein Vikings
Game 1: 21:0 – WP: C. Cichocki; LP: W. Harasser
Game 2: 13:3 – WP: C. Magarian; LP: B. Eidherr
Soroptimist Stockerauer Cubs @ Vienna Metrostars
Game 1: 6:4 – WP: D. Löffler; LP: M. Brunnthaler;
Game 2: 4:5 – WP: S. Holstein; LP: J. Tezak;
Monday:
Attnang-Puchheim Athletics @ Schwaz Tigers
Rainout
—
Ty Eriksen