Northern Conference: Bonn Capitals – Solingen Alligators 0-13
SOL 412 002 4 13 13 1 BON 000 000 0 0 3 5
The ALLIGATORS blew by the CAPITALS in the first game of the new Bundesliga season. They scored seven runs in the first three frames and added six more later to end the contest due to ten-run-rule. Besides the own offensive capabilities they also got help from the BONN defense, which committed five errors. Christian Nsien reached base four times (three hits) in five trips to the plate against his former team. Dustin Hughes had three hits too.
Starter Enorbel Marquez-Ramirez (W 1-0) struck out eight in six three-hit innings for the win. Mirko Heid (L 0-1) took the loss after giving up four runs in the first, including two through an error by him, when he threw the ball into the dugout, without calling timeout. CAPITALS usual number one starter and former minor leaguer Tim Henkenjohann missed the game, after breaking his pitching hand three days before the opener.
The second part of the doubleheader was postponed due to the rain.
Hanover Regents – Neunkirchen Nightmares 10-0, 5-3
NKN 000 000 0 0 4 1 HRG 060 400 X 10 10 1 NKN 000 210 000 3 3 3 HRG 102 020 00X 5 10 3
The REGENTS had won just one game in the 2007 season. After the first weekend this year, they already have two victories in their fold. HANOVER crushed NEUNKIRCHEN in the first part of the doubleheader, scoring six runs in the second and adding four more two periods later. All nine players scored at least once. First baseman Christoph Mohr had three hits in four at bats. Mike Lantzy delivered a two-run-double. Starter Sean Bakuniec (W 1-0) gave up just three hits and two walks in five scoreless frames, striking out four. Hendrick Tschuschke (L 0-1) took the loss and was charged with all ten runs on ten hits and a walk in four innings.
The second match was not nearly as lopsided then the first one. The REGENTS took a fast 3-0 lead, but the NIGHTMARES rallied for three runs to tie it at 3-3 in the top of the fifth. However it the celebrations were really short. HANOVER answered right away and scored the winning runs in the bottom of the same period on a two-run-triple by Marc Bakuniec. Mike Lantzy (W 1-0) made his pitching debut with five solid innings. He gave up two hits, three runs and four base on balls. P. Reveaud (L 0-1) started for NEUNKIRCHEN and took the loss, allowing five runs on ten hits and two walks in eight innings. He struck out six.
All other games in the northern division of the Baseball-Bundesliga were postponed due to rain.
Southern Conference:
Mannheim Tornados – Mainz Athletics 6-5, 5-0
MAI 103 010 000 5 11 4 MAT 020 100 30X 6 8 3 MAI 000 000 000 0 4 2 MAT 001 002 02X 5 10 1
The TORNADOS got off to perfect start to achieve their high hopes this year. One of the most active teams this winter in Germany, they overcame a 3-5 deficit to win the first game against the reigning champion ATHLETICS. Fred Kraft delivered the tiebreaker with a RBI-single with two outs in the seventh. Rene Franke and Chris Falls scored twice. Martin Kipphan had four hits and tow RBIs in five at bats for MAINZ. British national southpaw Geoff Freeborn (W 1-0) relieved starter Philipp Hoehlein midway through third to take the win. Manuel Moeller (L 0-1) was charged with seven hits, six runs (1 ER) and four walks in 6 2/3 innings.
The second part of the doubleheader saw the highly anticipated debut of Eddie Aucoin (W 1-0) in a TORNADOS jersey. He didn’t disappointed. He allowed just three hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out nine and got enough run support offensive wise to receive the win. Chris Falls provided a two-run-single. Dominik Hoepfner (3 runs) and Fred Kraft (2-3, BB, 2 runs) scored all five runs. The new American starter for the A’s, Daniel Hayes (L 0-1), allowed eight hits, three runs and three BB in seven innings.
Craig Pycock closed out both games for a save.
Neuenburg Atomics – Haar Disciples 4-9, 4-2
The promoted club from NEUENBURG surprised on the first day of the new season with a split against the DISCIPLES. The guest took a fast 5-0 lead in the first frame with the help of infielder Andreas Schwarzl, who made two errors. They hold on to the advantage and added some insurances runs, including a homerun by Adalberto Paulino. Dirk Fries (W 1-0) received the win, Andreas Gerth (L 0-1) took the loss.
The second match was a bit different. Nevertheless HAAR scored first again, bringing two runs on the board in the third. But the ATOMICS came back and tied the game through a sac fly of Michael Niemann in the fifth. Stefan Kolbe scored the go-ahead run through an error. Lars Giesma (W 1-0) earned the win. The Austrian Clemens Cichocki took the loss.
All other games in the south were postponed through bad fielding or weather conditions.