The German Ben’s Bundesliga will continue play this weekend, with the top matchup occurring in Mainz, where the defending champion Heidenheim Heideköpfe will take on the Athletics.
Both teams swept their opening series last weekend, with Heidenheim dispatching the Haar-München Disciples (13-3, 12-4) thanks to strong pitching by Dutch ace Mike Bolsenbroek (5 IP, 7 K, 3 H, 0 R) and U.S. import Ross Vance (5 IP, 6 K, 2 ER). The Athletics had a tougher go of it, needing a two-out base hit in the bottom of the ninth inning of the second leg of the doubleheader to secure their sweep of the Mannheim Tornados.
The two clubs have deep and talented rosters, with Mainz suiting up a number of German internationals, including Max Boldt, Lennard Stöcklin, player-manager Nici Weichert, Kevin Kotowski, and Tim Stahlmann. Boldt and Weichert both launched round-trippers in the 10-9 victory over the Tornados last Saturday, as did Swedish outfielder Peter Johannessen, who homered not once, but twice. On the mound, Stahlmann allowed just four hits and one walk in his seven innings of work against the Disciples.
Heidenheim is led by the aforementioned pitching duo of Bolsenbroek and Vance, with the 46-year-old ageless wonder Enorbel Marquez providing relief out of the bullpen. The offense is provided by the club’s own string of German internationals, including captain Simon Gühring, Sascha Lutz and Luke Sommer. The reigning Bundesliga Player of the Week also wears the Heidenheim blue and white: Shawn Larry. The outfielder, who like Marquez has also represented Germany on the international stage, hit a four-bagger and drove in nine runs last weekend.
The two clubs have combined for five of the past six Bundesliga championships, with Mainz claiming the 2016 title before Heidenheim seized the crown in 2017, 2019, and 2020. The two clubs met in the 2019 semi-final, with the Heideköpfe knocking off the favorite Athletics on their way to the championship.
Both games of the compelling match-up will be streamed live. First pitch on Saturday is at 15:00 (CEST). Sunday’s contest begins at 13:00 (CEST).
Bundesliga South (April 10)
Heidenheim (2-0) at Mainz (2-0)
Stuttgart (2-0) at Munich-Haar (0-2) (DH)
Regensburg (2-0) at Ulm (0-2) (DH)
Tübingen (0-2) at Mannheim (0-2) (DH)
Bundesliga South (April 11)
Heidenheim (2-0) at Mainz (2-0)
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