Thursday, June 17:
SUPERFUND Wanderers Vienna – Buffaloes Blagoevgrad 5-0
The Austrian champion SUPERFUND Wanderers Vienna has reached the finals at the European Cup Qualifier in Karlovac, Croatia after a 5-0 shutout over the Buffaloes Blagoevgrad. The last preliminary round match on Friday against host Olimpija Karlovac already will count as game one of the best-of-three series to determine the winner of the tournament. On Thursday Johannes Godler (W 1-0) and Hiro Sakanashi combined to throw a five-hit shutout. Vienna took the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Christian Tomsich scored on wild pitch. The Wanderers added four more runs in the eighth to seal the deal. Takeshi Fujimori had three hits for the Buffaloes. Martin Andonov (L 0-1) exchanged zeros with Godler in the first six frames, but in the end had to settle for the loss.
Espoo Expos – Kranjski Lisjaki 9-0 (forfeit)
After Kranjski Lisjaki already had to forfeit their Wednesday game against the Wanderers due to a lack of players on the roster, the remaining two matches also will be forfeited. The team was still scheduled to play an exhibition game against the Espoo Expos on Thursday.
Szentendre Sleepwalkers – Olimpija Karlovac 2-13 (7)
Olimpija Karlovac joined the Wanderers at the top of the standings at the European Qualifier thanks to a 13-2 win in seven innings over the Szentendre Sleepwalkers on Thursday. Five runs in the third and six in the fifth blew things wide open. Slobodan Gales went 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Josip Brozinic drove in four. Aleksandar Vuckovic (W 1-0) gave up five hits, two runs (1 ER) and two bb in seven innings. Masahavn Inhoe (L 0-1) was charged with 14 hits, 13 runs and two walks in just 4 1/3 innings.
Complete Schedule European Cup Qualifier Karlovac, Croatia
Standings:
- Olimpija Karlovac 4-0
- SUPERFUND Wanderers Vienna 4-0
- Buffaloes Blagoevgrad 2-2
- Espoo Expos 1-3
- Szentendre Sleepwalkers 1-3
- BK Kranjski Lisjaki 0-4