The Mannheim Tornados beat the Neunkirchen Nightmares 5-1 on Sunday afternoon in Ratingen in the championship game and won the German Softball title for the ninth time in team history. Mona Hoerner struck out seven batters in five-plus innings to pick up the win, allowing just one run on four hits and four walks. Christina Lipp went one-for-four with two runs scored and a RBI to lead the offense. Mannheim built up a fast 5-0 lead through five innings and never was in danger to lose the match.
Mannheim had to beat the Haar Disciples 10-1 in the semi-final game on Sunday morning after having concluded the preliminary round of the final four in second place behind Neunkirchen. Last year’s champion Hamburg Knights was eliminated in the quarter finals a few weeks ago. Also participating in the final tournament were the Brauweiler Raging Abbots. But they only won the opener against the Nightmares before losing to the Tornados and the Disciples to finish fourth.
Sunday’s winning pitcher Mona Hoerner also received the trophy for the Most Valuable Player, going 3-0 in five games (four starts) with an ERA of 1.79 and 21 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings (eleven walks). She also batted .455 (OBP .600/.636). Whitney Humphreys of Neunkirchen got the Best Pitcher award for a perfect ERA of 0.00 in eleven innings. Her teammate Arlene Quinn was named Best Batter, hitting .500 (OBP .467/SLG .714).
Preliminary Round Standings:
- Neunkirchen Nightmares 2-1
- Mannheim Tornados 2-1
- Haar Disciples 1-2
- Brauweiler Raging Abbots 1-2
Complete Results, including box scores
There is also video on demand available of the championship game at Zaplive.tv
More information also on the official website of the German Softball Final Four