by BaseballSoftballUK, www.britishbaseball.org
Herts Falcons jumped to the top of the standings in Week 8 of National Baseball League competition after dumping the Croydon Pirates in both games of their doubleheader on June 7 at Roundshaw Playing Fields in Croydon.
The Pirates, who have struggled to field a side of late, showed flashes of their old self but were still put to the sword by scores of 20-2 and 13-8.
Darrin Ward took the win for Herts in Game One, with Nick Goetz claiming the honors in Game Two.
And for lovers of quirky stats, Maikel Azcuy had a home run for the Pirates chalked off after he failed to touch home plate after rounding the bases.
Despite the drubbings, Herts player Aspi Dimitrov was eager to praise the beaten Croydon side.
“I really don’t think the scorelines reflect the games at all,” Aspi said. “Croydon were actually a lot better than we expected and that is great for the league. A few of their players are coming back and they have some decent new players as well. In Game Two they were leading until the sixth inning and we had to rally for victory.
“But now we are top of the league,” Aspi added, “and we can be very proud that for one week at least we are the best team in Britain.”
The other scheduled action in Week 8, a doubleheader between the Richmond Flames and London Mets, was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Finsbury Park.
{mrb-result:2009-06-06|2009-06-07|GB}
{mrb-standing:great-britain-2009}
Photo: © Joe Gray