Northern Division:
Paderborn Untouchables – Solingen Alligators 2-9, 2-4
The Alligators made a big step towards securing first place in the northern division of the Baseball-Bundesliga with a sweep against second-ranked Untouchables. In game one Solingen scored four runs in the fifth en route to a 9-2 win. Evan Porter collected four hits. Paul Rutgers stole home. Andre Hughes picked up the win. Eugen Heilmann, who was hit by a comebacker in the back in the third, took the loss after five innings on the mound. In the second game another four-run rally by the Alligators, this time in the third frame, decided the outcome in a 4-2 win for the guests. Daniel Meier hit a solo homerun for Paderborn, but also had to settle for the loss on the mound. Josh Rickards received the win.
Pulheim Gophers – Dortmund Wanderers 15-4, 3-2
The Gophers improved to 9-13 for the season and moved into fourth place in the standings thanks to a sweep over the Wanderers. In game one Daniel Lamb-Hunt hit his fifth homerun of the season to lead Pulheim to a 15-4 rout. In the second match Chris Gentles’ walk-off RBI single with two outs in the ninth sealed a 3-2 win for the Gophers.
Cologne Cardinals – Dohren Wild Farmers 10-4, 3-4
The Cardinals and the Wild Farmers had to settle for a split in their doubleheader on Sunday. In game one Cologne handed out five extra base hits, highlighted by a Jens Warrelmann homerun, en route to a 10-4 victory. Moritz Sckaer going the distance held Dohren scoreless for the first seven frames, picking up the win. In the second match the Wild Farmers built up a 4-0 lead through seven innings thanks to some well-placed hits and strong pitching by Vince DeCoito. But the Cards tried to come back and cut the deficit to a run after the eighth. They had a runner on second with two outs in the ninth, but a heavily discussed out call at third base ended the game with Dohren winning 4-3.
The doubleheader between the Bonn Capitals and the HSV Stealers on Saturday had to be suspended due to rain in the top of the fourth in game one with the score tied 4-4. A make-up date hasn’t been announced yet.
Southern Division:
Heidenheim Heidekoepfe – Haar Disciples 12-5, 9-13, 11-1 (7), 10-3
Due to a rainout earlier in the season, the Heidekoepfe and the Disciples met for four games this weekend. The series started on Friday evening in Heidenheim with the hosts winning 12-5 as Robert Gruber went 3-for-5 with a triple, two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI. Matt Pali hit a two-run homerun. One day later Haar used a seven-run fourth to erase a 4-5 deficit en route to a 13-9 win. Zach Kim scored three times for the Disciples, while Chris Beck went 4-for-5 with a walk, a homerun, two runs and four RBI for the Heidekoepfe.
On Sunday both teams traveled to Munich for the second part of the four-game set. Heidenheim celebrated lopsided 11-1 and 10-3 wins to win the season series three games to one. In game three four runs in the fourth and five in the seventh decided the outcome. Matt Pali hit another homerun. In the fourth match Robert Gruber homered and the Heidekoepfe took a fast 6-2 lead through three frames en route to the win. Chris Beck went 5-for-8 in the twin bill.
Saarlouis Hornets – Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg 2-12 (6), 0-11
With the one loss by the Heidekoepfe on Saturday, the Buchbinder Legionaere secured first place in the southern division with their sweep in Saarlouis on the same day. In game one Regensburg took a fast 7-2 lead after two frames against the Hornets en route to a rain-shortened six-inning 12-2 win. The second match started with a pitcher’s duel before Ludwig Glaser and Klaus Hopfensperger hit homeruns to put the Buchbinder Legionaere on their way to an 11-0 shutout.
Mainz Athletics – Gauting Indians 9-7, 3-4
The Athletics and the Indians had to settle for a split in their twin bill on Saturday. In game one Mainz came back from a deficit to beat Gauting 9-7. The guests prevailed 4-3 in game two. But the lone win on the road probably isn’t enough for the Indians, as they face a 3.5 games deficit in the standings towards fourth place.
The doubleheader between the Neuenburg Atomics and the Mannheim Tornados on Sunday got suspended due to rain with Mannheim leading 8-0 after four innings in game one. A make-up date hasn’t been announced yet.
{mrb-standing:germany-2010}
Photo: Gregor Eisenhuth, www.eisenhuth-photographie.de