by Namur Angels, www.namur-angels.be
Pioneers Rally Late Atop Angels
The Namur Angels could not hold on to a late game lead as they fell to the visiting Hoboken Pioneers 5-3. The Angels had a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the eighth inning, but a timely rally by the Pioneers spoiled Namur’s chances for a victory on the day.
The Angels rode the coattail of starting pitcher Adrien Stokart into the eighth inning. Stokart was relieved after 7.2 innings of work, giving up four runs, on seven hits, three walks, and he struck out two. Stokart was masterful in his performance, as he was backed by tremendous defense in the field. Although he was chased in the eighth inning, Stokart had not allowed a run in his first seven innings of work. His successor was Nicolas Migeot, who would come on to finish the game.
Namur jumped out to an early two run lead in the bottom of the first after Greg Van Sickler drew a two out walk. Jake Hummel then reached on a single to put runners at first and second. On a two out, full count to Rosario Williams, both runners were in motion as he ripped a fastball into the right center gap, scoring both Van Sickler and Hummel all the way from first.
The Angels would tack on another run in the bottom of the fifth when Van Sickler lead off and reached safely on an infield error. Hummel then sacrificed him over to second. With one out and a runner at second base, Williams hit a high chopper to the left side of the infield that jumped over the third baseman’s head. The ball was fielded cleanly by the Pioneers shortstop, but no throw could be made to first in time. On the play, Van Sickler was able to sneak into third base safely, as the third baseman was well off the line trying to make the play. With runners at first and third and one out, Migeot stepped to the plate and delivered a groundball to third base that looked to start a 5-4-3 inning-ending double play, but a good hard slide by Rosario broke up the transition and Van Sickler scored from third.
As the Angels headed to the field in the top of the eighth with a three run lead, the game looked nearly over with Stokart comfortably settled in. However, he lost a little command late in the game as he hit Ben Van Nuffel with one out to put a runner aboard. The next batter, leadoff Randy Giorgiadis, singled to left field. Alberto Valerio then hit a single of his own to left field to load the bases with one out. Stokart looked like he was going to get out of the jam when he got Pioneers starting pitcher Thomas de Wolf to pop out to shallow left field. However, the devastating blow came from Dennis Dequint, who ripped a two out double to left field scoring two. With runners at second and third and two outs, Tornike Nikolashvili hit a slow groundball to third base that was fielded cleanly, but the throw to first was wide of the bag, and two runs came in to score. Stokart was relieved by Migeot in the eighth with two outs. The Pioneers would add one more run in the inning courtesy of an outfield error. Hoboken took of advantage of the errors as it capped a five run eighth inning. The Pioneers sent their starter, Thomas de Wolf, back onto the mound for the ninth. He finished the complete game giving up three runs on five hits, walked three, and struck out eleven.
The Angels will conclude their final 2012 matchup with the Pioneers on Sunday afternoon in Antwerp.
Angels Fall to Pioneers
The Namur Angels fell just short of a victory Sunday afternoon against the host Hoboken Pioneers. The game turned out to be quite the pitcher’s dual as the Pioneers clinched the sweep with a 3-1 win. Both starters went the distance for their respective clubs. For the Angels, Jake Hummel threw eight complete innings, giving up three runs on six hits, walked one, and struck out ten. His opponent, TJ Antonacci, threw all nine innings, giving up the one run on three hits, no walks, and struck out three.
The Pioneers jumped ahead early in the bottom of the first as Thomas de Wolf drew a two out walk. He advanced to second base on a passed ball. Dennis de Quint then singled to center field to bring home de Wolf. The next batter, Tornike Nikolashuili, hit a line drive down the left field line that just stayed fair, good for a double and RBI. Hoboken added one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Alberto Valerio hit a one out triple to the right field corner. He was brought in when de Wolf hit a shallow fly ball single to center field.
Namur would score its lone run in the top of the eighth inning. The Angels were held hitless for the first seven innings, but Williams Rosario broke up the no hitter with a laser single to center field. Cedric Nauts then hit a groundball to third base, but the throw to second was wide and sailed into center field, allowing Rosario to advance to third. With runners at the corners and no outs, Ludovic Geuquet hit a groundball to third base that started a 5-4-3 double play. However, the out was made at second, as Rosario was held at third, but no throw was made to first as Geuquet reached safely. With runners again at the corners and one out, Nicolas Migeot delivered a single through the left side into left field for the only run of the game for the visiting team.
Antonacci was dominate the entire ballgame, but appeared to run into a roadblock in the top of the ninth. Theodore de Bellefroid led-off with a double down the left field line. With the game 3-1 in favor of the Pioneers, the tying run with Jerome Sana stepped to the plate. However, Sana was retired with a fly ball to center field, unable to advance de Bellefroid. Greg Van Sickler followed with a hard line drive to center field that was caught for the second out of the inning. Hummel stepped to the plate with a runner at second and two outs, down by two runs. He hit a towering fly ball to deep left center that was caught ten feet in front of the fence for the last out of the ballgame, nearly tying the game.
The Angels will compete this coming weekend against the Borgerhout Squirrels on Saturday with a 15:30 start time.