Wanderers and Highlanders split, thanks to a strong effort by Ough, and the Tigers show no bite against the Athletics.
Saturday:
Vienna Wanderers @ Rico Highlanders
The RiCo Highlanders hosted the Wanderers from Vienna on Saturday, and in the first game the visitors made themselves right at home, putting up a few runs in the first inning. The hosts tied it up in the bottom half of the fourth, 2-2, and put in the young pitcher David Wolfmayr in hopes of keeping the score close. He had trouble with his control, however, and some mistakes behind him in the defense allowed the Wanderers to take advantage to the fullest, scoring in every inning for the remainder of the game. Clemens Cichocki, starting for the Wanderers, shook off the early unearned runs, and shut out the Highlanders for the rest of the game, earning his sixth win of the season.
Game two had Wayne Ough facing off against Chris Magarian for the Wanderers, with a pitchers duel expected. But while the Wanderers had trouble against Ough as expected, the Highlanders were able to strike against Magarian. Coupled with some defensive errors, the Highlanders used steady offense to build the lead to 6-0, while Ough was still shutting down the Wanderers on his way to a 21 strikeout performance and another win.
Sunday:
Attnang-Puchheim Athletics @ Schwaz Tigers
The defending champs from Attnang switched things up on the weekend, giving wildcard pitcher Wolfgang Strini the start on this day. The Tigers, deciding to give usual game one starter Paul Astl a break, sent Mathias Mayr to the mound, but this was proven to be the wrong decision. Martin Rabengruber knocked a 3-run homer to take a 4-0 lead, and the floodgates were permanently open from then on. Astl was brough in to do damage control, but the A’s were already well on their way to a dominant 22-6 crushing of the Tigers.
Game two had both import pitchers on the mound, Fronczak for the Tigers and Castanza for the A’s. The latter was stellar for the guests, throwing a strong performance once again. The Athletics took advantage of a scattering of hits, while the Tigers tried to stem the tide by bringing in Franz Haisjackl, but to no avail. Castanza helped his team take home the second win of the weekend, which was also a preview for the first round of the playoffs, as the A’s have pulled away from the Wanderers atop the standings, and it appears they’ll take on the Tigers in the semifinals.
Results:
Saturday:
Vienna Wanderers @ RiCo Highlanders
Game 1: 15:2 – WP: C. Cichocki (CG); LP: D. Wolfmayr;
HR: W. Ough;
Game 2: 1:7 – WP: W. Ough (CG); LP: C. Magarian;
HR: D. Gerner;
Sunday:
Attnang-Puchheim Athletics @ Schwaz Tigers
Game 1: 22:6 – WP: W. Strini (CG); LP: M. Mayr;
HR: J. Kashuba, M. Rabengruber; P. Moser;
Game 2: 6:1 – WP: J. Castanza; LP: J. Fronczak;
{mrb-standing:austria-2011}