In the opening match of the 2026 Confederation Cup, the Brasschaat Braves bested the French champions Rouen Huskies. In a close game, the Braves stayed at the right side of the score.
Brasschaat Braves 5 – 4 Rouen Huskies
The Braves took a quick lead on a solo shot to right field by Steven De Lannoy The Braves had a huge opportunity to extend their score when they loaded the bases with just one out, but Christoff Peeters hit into an inning ending 6-4-3.
In the bottom of the second inning, Rouen tied the game on a solo homerun hit by Martin Vissac.
In the top of the third inning the Braves took the lead again. With runners on the corners Lucas Scott grounded out 3-4 and allowed Steven De Lannoy to score from third. A throwing error by Lucas Scott lead to the game-tying run for the Huskies. One at-bat later, Joris Bert doubled home Gabriel Harrison to give the Huskies the lead.
But in the top of the fourth inning, the Braves bounced back as Eamonn Michael Martinez Woods (that’s a mouthful), homered to left field to tie the game at three.
After three scoreless innings, the Braves took advantage of a miscue in the top of the eighth. With runners in scoring position with two outs, catcher Megumi couldn’t get control of a pitch and a passed ball was the result on which Eamonn Michael Martinez Woods reached first base, Christoff Peeters moved to third and Lino Ballardini scored from third. A single by Matthew Joossens drove in Peeters for the two-run lead for the Braves.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Joris Bert drew a leadoff walk, stole seond and third and scored on Oscar Leboucs single through the left side. But there the run production stalled.
Harry Deliyannis shut the door in the ninth to secure the win for the Braves. Deliyannis pitched a complete game in which he allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks as he fanned eight. Arthur Magnien took the loss. In two innings of relief, he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk as he struck out one.
Best hitter for the Brasschaat Braves was Lino Ballardini, who went 3 for 5 with a run scored.
Tomorrow the Braves will take on the French runner up of 2025, Savigny Lions.
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