The Mainz Athletics used a Max Boldt grand slam to upset the favored Bonn Capitals in the first game of their playoff series, with the weekend’s remaining contests going as expected as the three-time defending champions Heidenheim twice scored 13 runs against Hamburg and Regensburg dominated Dohren on the clubs’ way to 2-0 leads in their best-of-five series.
Mainz v. Bonn
With Mainz leading 2-1 in the fifth inning, Boldt’s grand slam chased Bonn starter Noah Lindt from the game. The Capitals’ bullpen righted the ship, however, limiting Mainz to a sole run and just three hits in 4.2 innings of strong relief. Bonn’s bats responded to the challenge, with one run in the seventh and four more in the eighth cutting the Mainz lead to just one, and the bottom of the ninth began with promise after an Erik Brenk leadoff single. Two outs later Brenk was caught stealing at second, however, to give Mainz the Game 1 victory, 7-6.
Sunday’s Game 2 saw the clubs each score twice in the first frame, with Mainz’s runs coming on a Thomas Joyce two-run homer. Those runs would be the first and last for Mainz on the day as Bonn’s arms shutout the visitors the rest of the way, with two additional runs by Bonn giving the hosts the eventual 4-2 victory. Bonn starter Zack Dodson was awarded the W after 6.2 strong innings (5H, 2R, 7K), with Paul Schmitz earning the save after striking out the side in the ninth.
Hamburg v. Heidenheim
Heidenheim began its Bundesliga title defense with two strong offensive showings, with late runs required to claim the victory in a back-and-forth Game 1 that saw Mike Bolsenbroek pitch the scoreless final three innings (1H, 6K) for the win. In a four-hour contest that saw the two teams combine for 24 hits and a total of 347 pitches, Heidenheim scored three runs in the eighth to break a 10-10 tie, with Bolsenbroek silencing the Hamburg bats in the ninth for a the hard-fought W. Mitch Franke contributed a home run and four RBI for the hosts.
In Game 2, Heidenheim again scored 13 runs, but starter Jared Mortensen limited Hamburg to just one run on five hits, pitching all seven innings of the game that was called early by mercy rule. On offense, Heidehein collected 16 hits, with Phillip Schulz going 4-for-5 with one RBI and Luca Hörger going a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBI.
Dohren v. Regensburg
The Bavarian hosts dominated their northern visitors in Game 1, needing just five innings to complete a 15-0 victory, with starter Christian Pedrol no-hitting the Wild Farmers in the abbreviated contest. Regensburg, in turn, churned out 15 hits, with six players recording multi-hit games, including third baseman Marcel Mariette who went 3-for-3 and catcher Elias von Garßen who went 3-for-4.
Game 2 saw Regensburg triump as well, 5-0, with starter Kaleb Bowman striking out seven while allowing just one hit in his seven innings of work. Mariette contributed two more hits, with Devon Ramirez driving in two runs.
Haar v. Paderborn
The first round’s final match-up was postponed due to a number of Covid-19 infections in the Paderborn team.
Results (box scores provided in the links)
Mainz Athletics v. Bonn Capitals (7-6, 2-4)
Hamburg Stealers v. Heidenheim Heideköpfe (10-13, 1-13)
Dorhen Wild Farmers v. Guggenberger Legionäre Regensburg (0-15, 0-5)
Haar Disciples v. Untouchables Paderborn (ppd, pdd)