Stockholm – Gefle 12-2 (7), 12-2 (7)
GEF 000 002 0 2 5 3 STO 026 100 3 12 12 1
Joakim Claesson (W 1-0) struck out nine in six solid innings, allowing five hits, two runs and four walks to lead defending Elitserien champion STOCKHOLM to a 12-2 victory in game one of the doubleheader against GEFLE. Thomas Toernbrandt drove in four. Johnny Liljeberg scored three times. Mikael Bostroem (L 0-1) was charged with eleven hits, nine runs (8 ER) and four bb in five innings.
GEF 200 000 0 2 3 3 STO 410 402 1 12 11 3
STOCKHOLM also won the second game by a score of 12-2. This time Claesson led the offense with three hits, two runs and three RBI. Bjoern Johannesen crossed the plate for three runs. Oscar Carlstedt (W 1-0), who was named best pitcher at the MLB Academies Tournament in Toulouse a few weeks ago, gave up three hits, two runs and two walks in seven innings, striking out six. Magnus Hedberg (L 0-1) surrendered seven hits, nine runs (7 ER) and seven bb in 3 2/3 innings.
Sundbyberg Heat – Leksand 12-24 (8), 11-1 (7)
LEK (10)30 014 06 24 19 5 SUN 1 00 502 13 12 13 4
LEKSAND opened the new season in Sweden by scoring ten runs in the first frame against SUNDBYBERG en route to a 24-12 victory. Daniel Farth went four-for-five with five runs scored and five RBI. Hakan Boerjes had four hits and three RBI. Lukas Ohlsson scored four times and drove in three. Philip Gajzler homered and drove in three for the HEAT. Grant Irving (L 0-1) pitched six innings, allowing 16 hits, 18 runs (14 ER) and seven bb. Richard Leander (W 1-0) picked up the win in relief of Per Sjoers, who conceded five hits, six runs (5 ER) and four walks in four innings.
LEK 000 100 0 1 5 3 SUN 220 304 X 11 10 1
LEKSAND apparently had used all of their fire power in game one, as SUNDBYBERG won the second match 11-1. Will Rikard went three-for-three with four runs scored and two RBI. Gajzler, Irving and Eric Mercado also got two RBI each. Carl Sjoelin (W 1-0) held the strong LEKSAND offense in check, allowing just one unearned run on five hits and three walks in six innings. Daniel Hedberg (L 0-1) took the loss after three-plus innings, five hits, seven runs (3 ER) and four bb.
Tranås – Goteborg 6-5, 13-0 (7)
TRANAS got off to a perfect start into the new season, sweeping the doubleheader against the promoted club from GOTEBORG. They are now tied with STOCKHOLM and KARLSKOGA for first place in the Swedish Elitserien standings. The BATS already had opened the season with two victories over RAETTVIK ten days ago.
Box scores available at HeatStat
{mrb-standing:sweden-2009}