Day one at three of the four Qualifiers for European Cups has been in the books. The Qualifier in Stockholm, as well as the European Cups A in Hoofddorp and Brno will start on Tuesday.
In Antwerp Bryan Bierlein struck out eight in seven innings to lead Nada SSM Split to a 4-2 victory over Austrian champion Vienna Wanderers. Christian Tomsich went the distance for Vienna, striking out 11, but also allowed four runs in the first four innings to take the loss. Marin Tadic hit a solo home run for the Croatian team. In the evening game the hosting Brasschaat Braves celebrated a lopsided 12-2 win over the Leksand Lumberjacks. Jamie Verheyleweghen went 4-for-5 with four runs and three RBI. Sim Ruts had three hits and two RBI.
In Athens there wasn’t much drama on day one. In the opening match the Sofia Blues scored seven runs in the eighth to blow a 14-2 win wide open. Alexandre Nassapov went 3-for-5 with three runs and two RBI out of the leadoff spot. Stefan Beshkov had four hits. Evgenij Chernozesky struck out 11 in seven innings to pick up the win. In the second game Olympic Sports School 42 from Moscow shut out host Maroussi 2004 11-0 in seven innings. Andrej Lobanov collected 13 strikeouts in 5 2/3 three-hit innings, throwing just 80 pitches. Maxim Monakhov hit an inside the park home run and drove in four runs.
In Brest the Angels Trnava scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to celebrate an 8-6 victory over Kaunas Lituanica. Samuel Halgos had the decisive two-run double during the rally. Adam Zverbik pitched 2 2/3 innings of strong relief. Mantas Cernauskas scored three runs for Kaunas. In the second game of the day the Vienna Metrostars were led by Timothy Jones in a 9-0 shutout over Centaury Warsaw. He struck out ten in seven innings. Richard Alzinger had four hits and three runs for the Mets, which had 20 hits overall in the game.
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