The top two teams in the Swedish Baseball League meet this weekend as the Karlskoga Bats (21-4) battle the Sundbyberg Heat (20-2).
The Bats split two games with Tranas (12-13) in their last outing but possess three of the league’s top hitters in Shawn VANCE (.471, 50 hits, 3 HR), Joe RIVIROSA (.413, 38 hits, 6 HR) and Adam SOWELL (.385, 42 hits) who is also 11-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 77 innings. Kent KARLSSON is the workhorse of the staff tallying a 9-3 mark with a 2.08 ERA in 91 innings.
Sundbyberg had its 20-game win streak snapped by Leksand (9-15) two weeks ago in a pair of shockers but rebounded to rout Alby (2-17) in a couple of lopsided wins. Rickard LJUNG (.423, 22 hits), Eric MERCADO (.379, 22 hits), and Philip GAJZLER (.378, 28 hits) lead a potent offensive attack. Ace hurler Nick SOUBIEA is 5-1 (1.80) and Michael ANDERSSON has tallied six win.
Tranas will be looking to clinch a playoff spot when Alby visits this weekend with the league’s worst record. Matt MERRIFIELD (.346, 26 hits), Erik FALKENANG (.345, 28 hits), and Tony DERMENDZIEV (.337, 29 hits) are the offensive catalysts while Ryan Leake (4-3) is the team ace. Tom DUNLOP has fanned 38 hitters in 35 innings for Alby.
The slim playoff hopes of Leksand needs a sweep this weekend against Gefle (4-17). Daniel FARTH (.350, 21 hits), Richard LEANDER (.337, 25 hits), and Simon EMANUELSON (.333, 24 hits) are the offensive leaders. Nicklas MELIN is 4-2 with a 3.04 ERA and Per SJORS (3-3) anchor the pitching staff. Peter JANSSON and Mikael BOSTROM are the top launchers for Gefle.