By Jeffrey Darrion Siler II
The Portuguese Baseball Federation has begun the National Championship for the 2011 season. The first two weekends of play for the Almada White Sharks and Academica Coimbra were tough fought as each team wrangled for W’s. Here is a short rundown of the games thus far.
April 3, 2011 was opening day at Abrantes field and both teams played great baseball. The first game saw the victory of Academica Coimbra over the White Sharks of Almada in a 5-1 game of solid ball. Late inning hitting by Coimbra gave them the runs to claim victory for game one of the Sunday doubleheader. Game two was just the opposite. White Sharks pitching silenced Coimbra bats as Jeffrey Darrion Siler II recorded a perfect game, fanning 15 Coimbra batters. Great defensive play by João Alves kept the game perfect. Coimbra pitcher Rui Costa held Almada scoreless through 5 innings, showing great control on his first outing of the year. White Sharks player Rui Lopes drove in 2 RBIs in game 2 to take the W, 2-0.
April 10, 2011 was week 2 of the Portuguese Championship featuring a doubleheader between Coimbra and the White Sharks. The White Sharks took an early lead gaining 6 runs through 3 innings, and rookie White Sharks pitcher, Octavian Merineanu, commanded the first few on the mound. Walks, and the sparking of Coimbra bats, led to a rally in the 4thas Academica tied the game 6-6. White Sharks bats answered back in the 5th to put Almada ahead by an insurmountable score 13-6. Rui Lopes and Carlos “Alex” Machado Tavares closed out the game for Almada. While Academica threatened in two late innings, they were not able to score again. Game 2 was a nail-biter right to the end as White Sharks claimed victory 3-0. Jeffrey Darrion Siler II pitched a fine game, fanning 11 Coimbra hitters, allowing only 1 hit and walking 1. Again, strong defensive play, and a few key hits, allowed Almada to take game 2 as the White Sharks of Almada now sit at top of the table with a record of 3-1. Offense from Renato Espírito Santo, João Alves, Carlos “Alex” Machado Tavares helped the White Sharks take 2.
April 17 and 24 were bye weekends as play resumes in the Championship May 1, 2011.