Britain over Sweden in opener – by MrBB

If Great Britain’s 12-8 upset over Spain in the opening game of the 2007 European Championships is any indication, the impact of an influx of minor leaguers might signal a new era in Europe’s top baseball tournament.

The British National Team, featuring seven starters playing professionally in North America, scored four times in the seventh inning to break a 7-7 tie and stun the tournament host. Brant UST and Mike NICKEAS connected for back-to-back home runs to seal the win.

UST, a shortstop for the Tacoma Rainers (Pacific Coast League), hit a three-run blast with two outs to give Great Britain a 10-7 lead. The 29 year-old scored three runs and was 4-for-5 with a double, home run and five RBI’s. A catcher in the Florida State League with the Port Lucie Mets, NICKEAS completed the scoring with a homer to deep left.

Spain drew first blood when British starter Brian ESSERY walked leadoff hitter Daniel Figueroa on four pitches before giving up a single to Daniel Martinez. A double steal, balk, and RBI single later the Spanish National Team and an ecstatic home crowd were enjoying a 2-0 lead.

Great Britain cut the lead to 2-1 when Ian YOUNG drew a bases loaded walk in the opening frame before scoring three times in the third thanks to a pair of RBI doubles from UST and NICKEAS to make the score 4-2.

Spain knotted the game 4-4 in the sixth and had a chance to grab the lead. But after singles by Ricardo RODRIGUEZ and Jose CRUZ, and a bases loaded pass to FIGUEROA, MARTINEZ grounded out with the bases full to end the threat.

Great Britain responded with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth and was aided by two wild pitches by Spanish hurler Manuel OLIVERA. UST and YOUNG delivered RBI singles to give the British a 7-4 advantage.

CRUZ continued swinging a hot bat with a two-run triple in the seventh after both Dewis NAVARRO and Alejandro FREIRE reached base after getting hit by British hurler Stephen SPRAGG. The speedy outfielder later scored on a fielder’s choice to tie the game at 7-7.

Spanish skipper Jake MOLINA replaced OLIVERA with veteran pitcher Remigio LEAL to start the seventh inning and the 43 year-old promptly retired the first two batters before disaster struck. A walk, single, and two home runs later and Great Britain had a 11-7 lead en route to the victory.

SPRAGG picked up the win in a shaky outing surrendering five runs on three hits in 2.1 innings. Alexander SMITH looked sharp in registering the final five outs to earn the save. LEAL was tagged with the loss after allowing five hit and five runs in just two innings.