Lithuania began its season over the weekend and 2020 title-winners Utenos Titanai (Titans) were one of three clubs to sweep its two-game set. However, four of the games provided quite close game. The Championship expanded to seven teams, the most in the league since 2013. Belarus’ FC Minsk joined the circuit after playing other clubs from Lithuania in northeast Europe’s “Interlyga”, while Utena added a second club, Taranai. Most intriguingly, though, is the addition of the Vilnius Baseball Academy.
Vilius Paikovas stood out among pitchers, whiffing seven in three scoreless frames for BK Vilnius and allowing only two baserunners. Meanwhile, Eimantas Zickus helped the Titans earn the win on Opening Day with five innings of one-run ball, striking out eight and permitting only three hits. BK Vilnius’ Gytis Morkunas (3IP, 0H, 4K) delivered an excellent relief performance on Sunday.
Elvinas Nagurka (Titanai) and Domas Kamandulis (Kauno Lituanica) were the only players with three-hit games, while no balls left the yard. Donatas Maciulevicius (Lituanica) joined them with four hits on the weekend and was the only player with two doubles. Titanai’s Lukas Sirgedas led players in walks (3) and stolen bases (4).
Standings
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | H | A | RF | RA | +/- | Str |
Utenos Titanai | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | – | 2-0 | 0-0 | 18 | 6 | +12 | W2 |
BK Vilnius | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | – | 2-0 | 0-0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | W2 |
Kauno Lituanica | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | – | 2-0 | 0-0 | 13 | 5 | +8 | W2 |
FC Minsk | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Vilnius Baseball Academy | 0 | 2 | .000 | 2 | 0-0 | 0-2 | 3 | 11 | -8 | L2 |
Utenos Taranai | 0 | 2 | .000 | 2 | 0-0 | 0-2 | 6 | 18 | -12 | L2 |
Kauno SM Gaja-Lituanica | 0 | 2 | .000 | 2 | 0-0 | 0-2 | 5 | 13 | -8 | L2 |
Week 1 (April 17)
Titanai 11 – Taranai 1 (5) [box]
Lituanica 6 – Gaja-Lituanica 5 [box]
Vilnius 4 – VBA 1 [box]
Vilnius 7 – VBA 2 [box]
Lituanica 7 – Gaja-Lituanica 0 [box]
Titanai 7 – Taranai 5 [box]