By: Gabriel Fidler
The race for the pole position of the Lietuvos Čempionatas became a little more interesting on Saturday as two of three unbeaten teams split an exciting doubleheader. In the weekend’s only action, Vilnius travelled to Utena to take on the 2020 champions of Lithuanian baseball and came away with a one-run victory in Game One before the Titans turned the tables in Game Two.
BK Vilnius at Utenos Titanai (7-6, 2-5)
Vilnius got off to a great start, posting a four-run first and adding another run in the subsequent frame. Although the Titans plated two in the fifth and three in the sixth, the score was already 7-1 by their barrage and the hosts failed to close the game. It was the league’s first away victory of the season through 16 games and Ignas Zinkevicius was a catalyst throughout, going 3-for-4 and scoring two runs.
Justas Sadaunikas did his best for Utena with two doubles and a single, while Mantas Aidukas had a two-bagger, a single, and two stolen bases. Although Utena’s Eimantas Zickus (2-1) walked only one, but four of the seven runs he allowed were unearned and both sides had four errors.
Vilnius scored in the first in Game Two, but only a single run, which the Titans immediately equalled. Three more for the home side in the third were more than enough, particularly with Dalius Neliupsis (2-2) dealing out of the bullpen. He tossed 3.2 shutout frames with two hits, three walks, and two whiffs. Sadaunikas had another double and a one-base hit, walking and stealing two bags.
Gytis Morkunas was let down by Vilnius’ five errors, taking the loss (2-1) despite striking out six and allowing only one earned run on five hits and two walks in five. Zinkevicius drew a walk and singled, while Adomas Aleksandravicius and Evaldas Remeika each had a hitting brace.
Lithuanian baseball has a full slate of games in Week 5, with the top three clubs each taking on teams below .500.
Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | H | A | RF | RA | +/- | Str |
| Kauno Lituanica | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | – | 4-0 | 0-0 | 22 | 7 | +15 | W4 |
| Utenos Titanai | 5 | 1 | 1.000 | .5 | 5-1 | 0-0 | 51 | 24 | +27 | W1 |
| BK Vilnius | 5 | 1 | 1.000 | .5 | 4-0 | 1-1 | 36 | 16 | +20 | L1 |
| Utenos Taranai | 2 | 4 | .000 | 3 | 2-0 | 0-4 | 32 | 39 | -7 | L2 |
| FC Minsk | 0 | 0 | – | 4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Kauno SM Gaja-Lituanica | 0 | 4 | .000 | 4 | 0-0 | 0-4 | 10 | 37 | -27 | L4 |
| Vilnius Baseball Academy | 0 | 6 | .000 | 5 | 0-0 | 0-6 | 14 | 42 | -28 | L6 |
Week 4 (May 8) Results
Vilnius 7– Titanai 6 [box]
Vilnius 2– Titanai 5 [box]
Week 5 (May 15-16) Schedule
Vilnius – Minsk
Titanai – Gaja-Lituanica
Titanai – Gaja-Lituanica
Minsk – Vilnius
Minsk – VBA
Lituanica – Taranai
Lituanica – Taranai
VBA – Minsk