The semi-finals in the German Baseball-Bundesliga are set, as the ALLIGATORS, BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE and the HEIDEKOEPFE swept their quarterfinal series, and the TORNADOS prevailed in four games. The best-of-five series between SOLINGEN and HEIDENHEIM, as well as between REGENSBURG and MANNHEIM will start on August 1st at the lower seed. Until then the national team players are going to participate in the World Baseball Challenge in Canada.
(3-0) Solingen Alligators – Mainz Athletics 10-0 (7)
MAI 000 000 0 0 2 3 SOL 340 010 2 10 10 0
The ALLIGATORS scored seven runs in the first two frames en route to an easy 10-0 win in seven innings over the ATHLETICS in game three of their quarterfinal series. They out-scored the champion of 2007 34-7 in the three-game sweep. Third baseman Christian Nsien led the attack with three hits, including a homerun and five RBI. Dominik Wulf scored three times and drove in two. Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez (W 2-0), Jens Cornelsen and Andre Hughes combined to allow just three base runners in the game, two on hits, one on a walk.
(3-0) Heidenheim Heidekoepfe – Dortmund Wanderers 13-0 (7)
DOW 000 000 0 0 1 4 HEI 450 013 X 13 18 0
The HEIDEKOEPFE crushed any hopes for a comeback by the WANDERERS in the first two frames, putting nine runs on the board en route to a 13-0 win and the sweep in the series. Four players collected three hits apiece. Ray Stokes scored three times. Simon Guehring drove in three. Markus Winkler (W 2-0) allowed just a second-inning single and three bb in seven scoreless innings for his second win. He struck out three and led a pitching staff, which conceded just one run in 23 innings quarterfinals against DORTMUND.
(3-0) Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg – HSV Stealers 9-7
HSV 004 010 020 7 7 1 REG 312 002 010 9 13 3
The STEALERS refused to lose, but the BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE also prevailed in game three to complete the sweep. Matt Vance went four-for-four with two runs scored and two RBI to lead the reigning champion to a 9-7 victory. Ludwig Glaser collected three RBI. Especially Brehan Murphy fought for the HSV, driving in four runs with a double and a triple. Martin Almstetter (W 2-0) gave up five hits, six runs (2 ER) and two bb in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out six. Marcel Brede started for HAMBURG, but was quickly replaced after just two innings, six hits and four runs (2 ER). However Daniel Harms (L 0-1) couldn’t stop the bleeding either.
(1-3) Paderborn Untouchables – Mannheim Tornados 6-2 (7), 4-14
MAT 001 100 0 2 7 1 PAD 000 006 0 6 7 1
The UNTOUCHABLES avoided a sweep in their quarterfinal series with a rain-shortened 6-2 win in game three over the TORNADOS. After MANNHEIM took the lead on a RBI single by Billy Hess and a solo homerun by Martin Dewald, PADERBORN rallied for six runs in the sixth, right in time before rain ended the contest early in the eighth. Michael Franke’s three-run double turned the score around. Chris Balatico and Sascha Brockmeyer followed with a two-run triple and a RBI single. Eugen Heilmann (W 1-0) allowed two runs (1 ER) on seven hits and a walk in eight innings. Rene Franke (L 0-1) conceded seven hits, six runs and four bb in 7 2/3 innings.
MAT 302 003 015 14 14 1 PAD 003 000 100 4 5 0
After the rain-filled Saturday both teams met again on Sunday to complete the series. MANNHEIM started strong, taking a 5-3 lead after three innings and added nine more runs in the last four frames en route to a 14-4 win. They won the series 3-1 and clinched their semi-final berth, drawing a rematch of last year’s finals. Marvin Appiah hit his third homerun in four games and scored four times. Craig Pycock drove in four. Martin Dewald (W 3-0) picked up his third win of the series, allowing just five hits, four runs (1 ER) and four bb in nine innings. Chris Balatico (L 0-2) took the loss, issuing three hits, five runs and five walks in 2 2/3 innings.
Photo: © www.eisenhuth-photographie.de