by BaseballSoftballUK, www.baseballsoftballuk.com
It was business as usual for the big guns of the National Baseball League on Saturday, June 5, as the favourites emerged victorious in all four nine-inning contests held at Grovehill Ballpark in Hemel Hempstead as part of the NBL Summer Classic.
NBL Special Reporter Simon Fitzjohn provides the details.
London Mets 10, Richmond Flames 7
In the most-anticipated contest of the day, the London Mets maintained their scorching start to the season by seeing off the Richmond Flames.
The Londoners broke out early, cashing in on a number of Richmond errors.
But after a rain delay it was a different matter, with the Flames clawing their way back, only to fall just short.
Jason Roberts claimed the win, pitching a complete game that required over 200 pitches, with Kyle Hickson adding a home run for the Mets.
London coach Alex Pike said: “Richmond have been one of our biggest rivals over the past few years and it is very important to win the games against them. We put a lot of pressure on them early and that paid off.
“After the rain it was a completely different ball game though,” Pike added, “and Jason pitched tremendously. He literally won us the game.”
Richmond coach Grant Delzoppo said: “We made too many errors early and that cost us. We did get back into it, but when you give a team like that a good lead it is always going to be difficult.”
Bracknell Blazers 11, Croydon Pirates 7
Bracknell Blazers kept pace at the top of the standings by seeing off the improving Croydon Pirates.
The game swung to and fro, with Bracknell always ahead but unable to put the pesky Pirates to bed.
Brendan Cunliffe picked up the win, with Tim Ssali saddled with the loss.
Croydon coach Dave Ward said: “If we had cut out the mistakes and silly errors that cost us early, we could have won the game. We were there or thereabouts for the whole game and it was a real nip-and-tuck affair. We are showing that we are back to a competitive standard, and though we lost, we are not too disheartened about it.”
Southampton Mustangs 23, Mildenhall Bulldogs 5
Southampton Mustangs maintained their strong recent form by dispatching the slumping Mildenhall Bulldogs with ease in the day’s only one-sided victory.
Mildenhall were struggling for players and were forced to field just eight men, and were never really in the game.
Chuck Druelson pitched the win, with Oscar Sierra clubbing a home run.
Mustangs coach Ben Davis said: “It is always nice to get yourself a blow-out win. Mildenhall didn’t field their strongest side but we still played a very, very good game. We are finally finding our feet in this league.
“We have had some tough games recently against the stronger sides,” Davis continued, “but that has helped us. We are hitting right through the line-up and getting better week by week.”
Herts Falcons 12, Essex Arrows 11
The real thriller of the day came in the game between the Herts Falcons and Essex Arrows, as the Arrows fell just short in what would have been an incredible comeback.
The Falcons burst out to a healthy early lead, thanks to two home runs from Pete Kikel and another dinger from Kimiyoshi Saionji. Slowly but surely, however, and aided by a home run from pitcher Richard Chesterton, the Arrows edged their way back.
Herts led 12-10 going into the final inning, but Essex plated one run and in a moment of high drama, Dave Shear was thrown out at the plate for the second-to-last out as he looked to score the tying run. Then, with an Essex runner at second base, Herts closer Pete Kikel struck out the final batter of the game on three pitches to seal the deal for the Falcons.
Herts’ Aspi Dimitrov said: “We feel quite upset that we allowed Essex to get so close, but equally there is a feeling of relief that we won. We looked very, very comfortable in the early stages but little by little they came back – and fair play to them.”
Essex coach Phil Chesterton insisted on blaming himself for the loss.
“It was awful to lose that game,” he said. “Our pitcher, Richard Chesteron, was suffering the effects of an arm injury and I left him in the game too long. I also waved Dave home in the final inning – they needed to make a really good play to get him at the plate and they did.
“I take the blame for that,” Chesterton said, “and I have apologised to the team for that.”
{mrb-result:2010-06-05|2010-06-06|GB}
{mrb-standing:great-britain-2010}