The last two games of the first round at the European Cup Qualifier in Antwerp, Belgium were played on Friday. It was already known that Nada SSM Split and host Borgerhout Squirrels will meet in the finals. In their preliminary matchup Borgerhout won to gain home field advantage in the title game. The winner of the ECQ secures a federation spot in the CEB Cup next year.
Stockholm Monarchs – Essex Arrows 8-3
The Stockholm Monarchs claimed third place in the final standings with an 8-3 win over the Essex Arrows in the afternoon game. Essex took a 3-1 lead on a three-run home run by Lance Louw in the top of the third. But Stockholm answered with three runs in the sixth, two on a two-run shot by Dylan Driscoll, to regain the lead. A couple of insurance runs then sealed the win. Magnus Pilegard and Pontus Bystrom had three hits apiece. Jakob Claesson struck out eight in seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Driscoll closed it out with a pair of perfect frames. Ben Pearson got charged with the loss, surrendering 11 hits, five runs and a walk in 6 1/3 innings.
Nada SSM Split – Borgerhout Squirrels 1-16 (5)
The final preview on Friday evening was over after five innings with the Borgerhout Squirrels prevailing 16-1 over Nada SSM Split. Five runs in the first and five in the fifth blew the score wide open. Sam Boermans connected for a home run, scored three times and drove in three. Steven De Lannoy had also three RBI, Kenny Celie had four. Jordy van der Heuvel struck out ten in five one-hit innings. Ivica Anic got charged with the loss.
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