by BaseballSoftballUK, www.baseballsoftballuk.com
The National Baseball League moves to a thrilling conclusion next weekend, with one round of games to be made up, and the play-off scenario still not resolved.
The top five spots are now secure, but both Herts and Mildenhall could take the prized sixth spot, and both sides are set for a winner-take-all showdown this Sunday at RAF Feltwell.
All of this after a weekend of sweeps, splits and stunning performances on August 15.
LONDON METS @ RICHMOND FLAMES
The division-leading Mets were forced to accept a split at the battling Flames.
London took the first game 10-2, thanks to yet another dominant pitching display from Jason Roberts, but Richmond bounced back in game two with a 5-2 win, Cody Cain taking the mound honours.
Flames coach Grant Delzoppo said: “I am happy with that. It was great to see us come back in game two like we did. It was a really good team effort. It is really important for us to know we can beat teams like the Mets heading into the play-offs.”
BRACKNELL BLAZERS @ CROYDON PIRATES
The Blazers toughed it out in Croydon, earning a sweep with 9-6 and 6-5 wins.
The first game was more straightforward, Henry Collins easing to a win, but Bracknell needed ten innings to get the verdict in game two.
Bracknell’s Rob Rance said: “Game one was a lot closer than it should have been but we made far too many errors. In game two Croydon really hung in there and credit them for that. But these games did not really mean anything to us and it is nice to come away with two wins. We did not play well but we scrapped and battled and I am happy about that.”
SOUTHAMPTON MUSTANGS @ MILDENHALL BULLDOGS
Mildenhall kept things interesting in their battle to make the play-offs, thanks to a sweep of Southampton.
The Bulldogs earned 6-0 and 3-2 decisions, keeping them in touching distance ahead of their big clashes this weekend.
ESSEX ARROWS @ HERTS FALCONS
The Falcons maintained a slender advantage in the battle for sixth spot thanks to a split with the rock-bottom Arrows.
Essex claimed a 7-3 win in game one, but Herts bounced back with a 15-4 game two triumph.
Matt Gilbert out-dueled Pete Kikel in game one. Nic Goetz took the hill for the Falcons in game two, and helped Herts to bounce back in a game that also saw Brandon Deal club a monster three-run home run. Herts’ Aspi Dimitrov said: “It is going down to the wire. We had chances to take the first game as we led 3-2 going into the final inning, but credit to Essex – they came to win and they deserved it. It is very simple for us – we just have to go to Mildenhall and win and we will be in the play-offs.”
{mrb-result:2010-08-14|2010-08-15|GB}
{mrb-standing:great-britain-2010}