by Michael Perkins, www.namur-angels.be
The Namur Angels won their third and fourth consecutive games this weekend, combining to score 21 runs in 2 games to outlast the Mortsel Stars. The offensive onslaught began Saturday when Namur visited Mortsel for the first game of a two-game set. First baseman Ludovic Geuquet proved that he is more than just a veteran presence on the team by having a perfect day at the plate, going 5-5 with 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, and a run scored.
“It feels great to help the team,” noted Geuquet after the game. “I was just seeing the ball so well today. Every pitch looked like it was in slow motion, and I was fortunate to put a together a bunch of good swings.”
Geuquet wasn’t the only Angel with a good offensive day Saturday; the team combined to tally 18 hits in the contest. Angel Rosario Williams continued swinging a hot bat, going 4-5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Thomas Vandenabeele, Theo De Bellefroid, Mike Perkins, and Cedric Nauts all had multi-hit games. Newly acquired American Nicholas Frederick tripled in the 6th, scoring two runners, for his first hit in the Belgian League.
Justin Latta continued mowing down hitters for the Angels, allowing only 2 runs in 8 innings of work. He struck out a season high 12 batters and allowed only 2 walks and 7 hits in the game. Frederick pitched the 9th without surrendering a run and striking out 2. Final score: Angels 11 Stars 2.
Game 2 against the Mortsel Stars was played Sunday afternoon in Namur. The teams fought through tough field conditions early because of numerous passing rainstorms. The game got off to a shaky start for the Angels when the Stars plated 6 runners in the top of the first inning. Spot starter Adrien Stokart got the nod for Namur. Stokart settled down after the rough first inning and didn’t allow another run for the remainder of his outing (5.2 IP, 6 runs, 8 hits, 1 K, 5 BBs). Nicolas Migeot finished the game; he threw 3.1 innings and allowed one unearned run on 4 hits while striking out 1.
Namur showed a lot of heart by clawing their way back into the game after being down 6 runs at the beginning of the game. The Angels rallied to score 3 in the first, 2 in the fifth, three in the seventh, and 2 in the eighth to eventually take the lead and defeat Mortsel.
The Angels showed great discipline at the plate, drawing 11 walks in the contest off of pitchers Steve De Saedeleer and Ben Van Nuffel. Thomas Vandenabeele and Angel Rosario Williams each had 2 hitsin the game while Nicolas Frederick and Florentin Goyens provided the run production with 2 RBIs each.
The comeback victory concluded with a 10-7 victory for the Namur Angels. The win marked their 4th straight, and it looks as if the team is playing some of their best baseball of the season. A win next weekend against the Merchtem Cats would tie their longest win streak of the season (5 games).
The Angels travel Tuesday to Borgerhout to top off an unfinished game with the Squirrels. The game will pick up in the top of the 10th inning with a tie, and will continuing until either side scores or a winner is declared.
{mrb-result:2011-06-18|2011-06-19|BE}
{mrb-standing:belgium-2011}