It was a weekend full of surprises in the Austrian Baseball League. Only the MOSQUITO ATHLETICS ATTNANG-PUCHHEIM impressed from the field of 2007 playoff participants. They defeated the DORNBIRN INDIANS on the road with scores of 18-3 and 13-0 behind strong pitching efforts by Walter Strasser and Wolfgang Strini. Martin Rabengruber was the most successful batter with two homeruns.
The other three from the top four of last season had their share of problems this weekend. The STOCK CITY CUBS upset the SUPERFUND WANDERERS in Vienna winning game one of the doubleheader 3-1 after the gem of starter Harry Kainz (Picture). The WANDERERS got back on track in the second match and earned a lopsided 12-2 victory.
An underdog also beat the other club of Vienna. The promoted SCHWAZ TIGERS overcame a 7-10 deficit in the ninth frame to force extra innings and won 11-10 in walk-off style after ten innings. It was the first defeat for the METROSTARS, who won the championship in 2007. The second game was suspended shortly after the start due to heavy rain.
Rain hindered also the games between the VIKINGS and the BANDITS in Linz. But they played through it. The BANDITS blitzed UNION KUFSTEIN in the first game, winning 8-4, despite a 14-strikeout performance of VIKINGS starter Werner Harrasser. Steamed after the loss, KUFSTEIN crushed LINZ in game two by a score of 22-1.
The results in an overview:
{mrb-result:2008-04-19|2008-04-20|AT}
Complete Results
{mrb-standing:austria-2008}
Photo: © Austrian Baseball Federation