A pair of high-scoring games on Day One of the Baseball Champions League (BCL) Europe at Rotterdam’s Familiestadion produced wins for Heidenheim Heidekoepfe and the host club, Curaçao Neptunus. The competition is modelled after a similar tournament of domestic champions in the Americas, and has essentially replaces the former CEB and WBSCE Champions Cup [link].
Heidenheim Heidekoepfe 9 – Nettuno 1945 7
In the BCL opener, Heidenheim jumped out to an 8-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth, but Nettuno started a comeback attempt with a three-run home run by designated hitter Lorenzo Barbona. Nathanael Batista added a solo shot of his own. In the fifth, German manager Klaus Eckle brought in Game Two starter Logan Hofman to close things out, and his 3.1 innings of one-hit relief iced the game. Former Mariners’ farmhand and long-time Hoofdlkasse ace Lars Huijer earned the win. [Game Wrap]
Curaçao Neptunus 15 – Tenerife Marlins 4
Tenerife’s leadoff hitter — and ex-Cubs farmhand — Frank Hernández homered on the first pitch he saw, but Dutch veteran Shairon Martis settled in for the next 6.2 frames to earn the victory. Dwayne Kemp mashed a four-bagger and two doubles to lead the Dutch lineup, and Neptunus went on to win by mercy rule in eight. Lesther Galvan smashed a solo shot for the Spanish club. [Game Wrap]