by Namur Angels, www.namur-angels.be
The visiting Antwerp Royal Greys shut out the Namur Angels Saturday 7-0. Namur could not find an answer to Greys starter Luke Wilkins, who went the distance in the contest, giving up no runs on six hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out ten. The Greys took advantage of 11 walks issued by the Angels pitching staff, while also turning three key double plays to hand Namur their sixth loss of the season.
Angels starter Cedric Desmedt surrendered the first run of the game in the top of the second inning. After an infield error put the leadoff runner aboard, Desmedt plunked left fielder Nicky Mertens to put runners at first and second and no outs. A failed bunt attempt by Kevin Claeys resulted in the leadoff runner being thrown out at third base. The next batter then walked to load the bases. A line drive by Sam Van Extergem was caught by Angels second baseman Williams Rosario for the second out of the inning, advancing no runners. However, with two outs and bases loaded, Desmedt walked third baseman Lorenzo Oeyen to allow the first run to come across. He induced a groundball out to second base to retire the inning.
The Angels best opportunity to score came in the third inning, with runners at first and second and one out. However, shortstop Greg Van Sickler hit a groundball to third base that started an inning ending 5-3 double play. An inning later, third baseman Jake Hummel laced a one out double to the right center gap to start another rally. His efforts were unfortunately cut short as Wilkins struck out the next two Angels batters to end the threat.
The Royal Greys scored one run in the third inning, one in the fifth and sixth, two in the eighth, and one more in the ninth to seal up their victory. Angels starter Desmedt was touched up for four runs in his six innings of work. He surrendered just two hits, struck out three, but walked nine. Nicolas Migeot came on in relief of Desmedt to work the last three innings of the game. Migeot gave up three runs on three hits, walked two, and struck out two.
With the loss, the Angels fall to 15-6 on the season.