By Gabriel Fidler
BRASSCHAAT, Belgium — Olimpija Karlovac made a big statement as play continued in the Federation Cup, blasting Vienna 23-6 and evading the hometown Braves 10-6 in the nightcap. José Herrera was 8-for-8 with two more homers in the doubleheader sweep for the Croatian baseball champions, driving home 11 runs. Brasschaat and the Wanderers now have their work cut out for them to stop the steamrolling Olimpijans.
In the first game of the day, the Croatian baseball power lashed 21 hits, including nine for extra bases. Three balls left the yard courtesy of Karlovac bats, with Kruno Gojković, José Herrera, and Slobodan Gales doing the honors. Herrera continued his scorchingly hot season with a 5-for-5 day that saw him reach base all six times to the dish, score three runs, drive in seven, and finish a triple short of the cycle.
In the nightcap, Olimpija took a 7-1 lead through four, with a three-run jack for Herrera leading a four-run third. The Croatian club looked strong in the middle innings, but after a Lucas Rizzi solo shot in the sixth, Brasschaat broke out for four runs in the seventh, and cut the lead to one. Luis Mendoza buckled down and finished the game for Karlovac and was backed up by three more runs.
The leading hitter, once more, was Herrera, who went 3-for-3 with two walks, sending four runs home. The shortstop is 15-for-19 with four home runs, 10 runs scored, and 17 RBI in the tournament’s first four games. Herrera has homered in each, helping Olimpija march to a commanding 4-0 lead.
Standings
| Team | W-L | RF | RA |
| Olimpija Karlovac | 4-0 | 56 | 21 |
| Brasschaat Braves | 1-2 | 26 | 24 |
| Vienna Wanderers | 1-4 | 29 | 66 |
Results
Aug. 16: Karlovac 7 – Vienna 3
Aug. 16: Vienna 7 – Brasschaat 4
Aug. 17: Vienna – Karlovac (PP: 18/8)
Aug. 17: Brasschaat – Karlovac (PP: 19/8)
Aug. 18: Vienna 6 – Karlovac 16
Aug. 18: Brasschaat 6 – Vienna 7
Aug. 19: Karlovac 23 – Vienna 6 (7)
Aug. 19: Brasschaat 6 – Karlovac 10
Aug. 20: Karlovac – Brasschaat
Aug. 21: Brasschaat – Karlovac
Aug. 21: Vienna – Brasschaat
Box scores available here [link].
Graphic designed by the Brasschaat Braves.