by Johannes Godler
Tigers offensive fireworks take out Vikings – Blue Bats take two close ones – Metrostars destroy promoted Highlanders
Saturday:
Kufstein Vikings @ Schwaz Tigers
The Vikings traveled on Saturday with their B-Team and a long DL down the road to Schwaz, Hoping for a miracle, they came up empty handed: Schwaz needed the wins to remain in the hunt for the top of the standings. The Tigers offense had no trouble with the Vikings pitching, putting up hit after hit and run for run. To top it off, Köchl and Mayr (who later earned the win) put a couple shots sailing over the fence. The game ended with a walk-off grand slam, making the score 26-4 in the sixth.
In the second game, the Tigers picked up where they left off, lighting up the scoreboard. On the mound for the Tigers, American Fronczak dominated the opposing hitters at will, and didn’t allow a single run. From the other side, the bases looked like a merry-go-round, as the Kufsteiner watched baserunner after baserunner cross home. After two innings the Tigers were already up 11-0. The highlights were two round tripper swings by Haisjackl and Vogler. After 7 played, the mercyrule score of 17-0 sent the Vikings home winless.
Schwechat Blue Bats @ Soroptimist Stockerau Cubs
After dropping two last weekend, the Cubs sought to get back in the win column and keep pace in the standings behind the Bats. Michael Schneider gave up three early runs, but was able to get some support from the men behind him, as they took a 4-3 lead. Schwechat, lead by Hirnschal on the mound, bounced back and took a 8-4 lead after 5 innings. The Cubs battled back again, but ultimately were unable to overcome the large lead, and fell 9-8 to their guests.
Moving to the second matchup, the import players were Zsolt Zalabai und Scott Holstein were set to matchup once again. Unexpectedly, the game didn’t turn into a pitchers duel, and by the third time through, the score was knotted 3-3. It was the Cubs who broke the tie, in the 7th inning they put one on the board, but the Bats rallied for three and took the lead. Three additional runs extended the lead to 9-4 in the 9th and final inning. The Cubs weren’t done, however, as they battled back to 9-6 and showed some life bringing the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, just as in the first game the lead was too much to overcome, and game two also went to the guests.
Sunday:
RiCo Highlanders @ Vienna Metrostars
After cutting ties with Player-Captain Josh Steward, the Highlanders set on with the rest of their season down a man.Dominik Gerner started on the mound for the guests, while the Viennese put the ball in the hand of Lutz Rauch. Both teams looked shaky on defense to start; yet the Metrostars were able to take a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd. They set the tone from then on, as well, as the defense regrouped to play clean in the field, while at bat they found their patience and scored often. The defense of the promoted Highlanders was anything but sound, helping their opponent around the bases at a time when they didn’t even need it. The Mercy-Rule score of 23-3 cut the game short.
The Highlanders turned to Bernd Weixlbaumer in the second half of the double header, but just as before the Metrostars had their bats ablaze. With a 7 run lead in the third and JTHillard pitching a gem, they gave him some relief and turned the ball over to StefanLudescher. Even against the releif pitching the guests were unable to get the ball to roll their way, while the Metrostars kept steamrolling their way around the bases. After 6 innings, the 21-1 score brought in the mercy rule, and the Metrostars collected their second blowout on the weekend.
RESULTS
Schwechat Blue Bats @ Soroptimist Stockerauer Cubs
Game 1: 9:8 – WP: F. Hirnschal; LP: M. Schneider;
HR: A. Quirantes;
Game 2: 9:6 – WP: Z. Zalabai; LP: S. Holstein
Kufstein Vikings @ Schwaz Tigers
Game 1: 4:26 – WP: M. Mayr;
HR: J. Köchl, M. Mayr;
Game 2: 0:17 – WP: J. Fronczak;
HR: F. Haisjackl, Vogler
RiCo Highlanders @ Vienna Metrostars
Game 1: 3:23 – WP: J. Simonsen; LP: D. Gerner;
Game 2: 1:21 – WP: S. Ludescher; LP: B. Weixlbaumer;
HR: P. Ferak;
{mrb-standing:austria-2011}