by Embrach Mustangs
The visiting Embrach Mustangs and the Wil Devils battled each other in game one. Despite the great offensive show by the Devils (15 hits) the Mustangs prevailed with a hard fought 13-12 victory. Each team scored one run in the 1st and the Devils took the lead by scoring one run in the bottom of the second to lead the game 2-1. In the top of third, Devil’s pitcher Manuel Keller walked two batters and then Chris Byrnes hit a three run homer to put the Mustangs up 4-2. The Devils countered by scoring five runs on home runs by Ben Wood and Manuel Keller to take the lead again 7-4. The game was tied 7-7 going into the bottom of the 7th. The Devils put together four hits and scored four runs to take a convincing lead 12-8.
The Devils entered the top of the ninth leading 12 to 8 but that would quickly change. Josh Crouse led off the ninth inning with a walk and Christian Klarer hit a home run to left center to make the score 12 to 10 in favor of the Devils. The next batter Casey Auerbach reached on an error and advanced into scoring position on wild throw and scored when Bruno Albrecht reached on an error making the score 12-11. Albrecht representing the tying run moved to third base on another throwing error with no outs. Korey Kovac came to the plate and lifted what seemed to be a sacrifice fly but the right fielder dropped the ball allowing the tying run to score. Kovac advanced to second base on a wild pitch and then to third base with a Tim Jones ground ball to the right side. The next batter Carl Hutchinson delivered a terrific sac bunt and Kovac rushed home avoiding the tag from Devil catcher Gianluca Trüb scoring the go ahead run for the Mustangs. Roger Savoldelli the ace pitcher for the Mustangs struggled all day with his location but found his magic in the last two innings and shut down the Devils to gain his 4th victory of the season.
The Mustangs were led offensively by Chris Byrnes who had a three run home run, double, single and sac bunt on the day. Harry Wischnewski and Tim Jones also added two hits and Josh Crouse had four walks and a double. Ollie Walser also delivered a key RBI single to score a run in the game.
The Devils were led by Ben Wood who went 4 for 4 with a home run and Manuel Keller also delivered a key three run home run for the Devils.
In game two the Mustangs prevailed 3-1 in a pitching duel. The game was shortened to only five and half innings as the rain set in. Once again Tim Jones demonstrated why he is one of the best pitchers in Europe this season by throwing another gem for his fourth win on the season. The Devils gave up three unearned runs behind Devils pitcher John Schmidt who was making his debut in the Devils uniform.