by Namur Angels, www.namur-angels.be
Squirrels Beat Angels in ‘Grand’ Style
The Namur Angels could not seem to close the door on the game, as the host Borgerhout Squirrels rallied for six runs in the ninth inning for a 9-8 walk off win. It was a low scoring contest for the first six innings of the game before it broke wide open in the seventh and ninth innings.
After scratching a run across in the third and fifth innings, Namur found itself trailing 3-2 heading into the seventh inning. For the Angels, that is where the bats came alive. They would explode for six runs off of six hits in the inning, while also facing three different Squirrels pitchers. Greg Van Sickler leadoff the frame with an infield single. On a pick off attempt from the catcher, the throw sailed into right field and Van Sickler took second base. Williams Rosario then singled to right field, advancing Van Sickler to third. An intentional walk to Jake Hummel loaded the bases for Ludovic Geuquet. However, while at the plate, a passed ball allowed Van Sickler to touch home safely. Geuquet would later walk in the at bat to again load the bases for Nicolas Migeot. The first pitching change for the Squirrels then took place as Yannick Gontier was chased after six plus innings of work. He would give up four runs on five hits, walked four, and struck out seven. In his place was Glenn Hareels, who came on to face Migeot. On a one-hop groundball back to Hareels from Migeot, he elected to make the out at first base rather than home plate, allowing Rosario to score from third. The next batter, Cedric Nauts, then ripped a double down the right field line to score Hummel and Geuquet. Tom Gerard then followed with an infield single. With runners at first and second and one out, Andreas Lastinger laced a double down the left field line, scoring Nauts from second and advancing Gerard to third. The second pitching change of the inning for the Squirrels brought in Tim Veraghtert in replace of Hareels, who was only able to record one out, giving up four runs on three hits, while walking two. The final run of the inning came off the bat of Jerome Sana, who hit an RBI single to left field off of Veraghtert, plating Gerard. The next batter, Van Sickler, hit into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.
As Namur would ride the wave of their explosive six run inning in the seventh, they needed just three outs to secure the victory in the ninth. However, the Squirrels bats would come alive just in time. Angels starter Nicolas Migeot was chased in the sixth inning, after giving up three runs on two hits, walked seven, and struck out one. Adrien Stokart took over from the sixth inning on. With an 8-3 lead heading into the ninth, Stokart looked poised to lock up the win. Dennis Ribbens leadoff the ninth with a single to center, followed by a single to right from Steven De Lannoy. A groundball from Norberto Coste to the Angels shortstop hit off the glove of the infielder and squirted into left field, allowing Ribbens to score from second and advancing De Lannoy to third. The throw in to the infield was wild and Coste advanced to second. With runners at second and third and no outs, Kevin Vervloet walked to load the bases. Tim Veraghtert then struck out for the first out of the inning. However, Sam Boermans would next draw a walk to bring in the second run of the inning. Mathias Group then struck out with the bases loaded for out number two. With two outs and the Angels ahead 8-5 in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded, it seemed they could still pick up the win with an out. Instead, the second pitch that Gianni Russo saw was struck well and lifted over the left field fence for a walk off grand slam, preserving the win for the Squirrels.
Despite the rough ninth, Stokart threw exceptionally well; throwing four innings, giving up all six runs in the last inning, walked two, and struck out three. Both clubs were able to capitalize on a six run inning. However, patience proved to be the virtue, as the Squirrels waited until the ninth to put an unprecedented run together for the win.
The two clubs meet again on Sunday afternoon as the Angels try to even the series and avoid the sweep.
Angels Ousted In Late Innings Again
The Namur Angels were backed by great pitching and solid defense, but could not come up with a win on Sunday afternoon. They fell to the visiting Borgerhout Squirrels 2-1 in a ten-inning pitchers duel. The matchup featured Angels starter Greg Van Sickler, who threw nine innings, giving up one run on eleven hits, walked one, and struck out nine. For the opposition, John Frawley tossed all ten innings, giving up one run on eleven hits, walked two, and struck out ten. Both clubs were presented opportunities to score throughout the game, but great defense and strong pitching prevented a high scoring affair.
The Squirrels jumped on the board in the top of the sixth inning when first baseman Kevin Vervloet hit a one out single. After the next batter struck out, catcher Sam Boermans singled to right field, and Vervloet advanced to third base. With two outs and runners at first and third, Van Sickler picked to first to get Boermans caught in a run down. However, with Boermans breaking for second, the tag was applied late, as Vervloet touched home to score before Boermans was called out.
Namur would answer in the bottom of the same frame when Kevin Desmedt reached first on an infield throwing error. Leadoff Andreas Lastinger hit a high chopper that was fielded by the pitcher, and was only able to retire Lastinger at first. With one out and Desmedt at second base, Jerome Sana hit another high chopper to the Squirrels third baseman, and the throw across the diamond was not in time. Desmedt was held at second base. Van Sickler delivered a single to left field that loaded the bases for Williams Rosario, who laced a line drive double to the right center gap. Desmedt scored from third, as Sana was waived around third to home, as well. However, the relay from the outfield was perfect, and Sana was gunned down at home plate. The Angels were unable to score after that.
The game continued tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, where it looked like the Angels would have a walk off win of their own. Thomas Vandenabeele singled to center field to start the inning. Tom Gerard then laid down a great sacrifice bunt that fell for an infield single. With runners at first and second, Cedric Nauts sacrificed both runners into scoring position. The Squirrels elected to intentionally walk Desmedt, the nine hole hitter, and the lineup turned over to Lastinger with one out and the bases loaded. Lastinger hit a fly ball to center field, but was just not deep enough, as Vandenabeele was forced to retreat back to third base on the throw to home plate from the outfield. Jerome Sana then came up with two outs and the bases loaded, but fell short as he grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
The Squirrels took the lead in the ballgame in the tenth inning. Dennis Ribbens doubled down the left field line off of Angels reliever Jake Hummel, who came in for Van Sickler for the tenth inning. The next batter laid down a bunt to third base, but the throw to first was high and the runner was safe. Faced with first and third and two outs, Jose Coste Nunez took the first pitch from Hummel and hit a deep fly ball to left field to score Ribbens on the sacrifice fly. Hummel was able to finish the inning without any further damage, as the Angels headed to bat in the bottom of the tenth trailing 2-1.
The tenth inning rally for the Angels began when Rosario hit a one out single to center field. He was immediately followed by Hummel, who singled to center. With runners at first and second and one out, Vandenabeele hit a hard groundball right to the shortstop that started a game ending 6-4-3 double play.
Despite their best efforts, the Angels fell short of a victory yet again. They conclude their 2012 campaign this coming weekend as they face the Antwerp Royal Greys.