A lot of close games today. Yours truly opted for the matchup between the Brasschaat Braves that hosted the Brussels Kangaroos in a close match with a ridiculous score.
Brussels Kangaroos 15 – 16 Brasschaat Braves
As written in the prologue, this game had a ridiculous score. Despite scoring thirteen runs in the third inning, Brussels could not cling on to the lead eventually.
The Brasschaat Braves had to go deep today for the win. They took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With runners on the corners, Lino Ballardini grounded out 1-3 and drove in Harry Deliyannis from third.
Brussels tied the game in the top of the second frame. With two early outs, Jonas Belmans could not get out of the inning, resulting in Brussel loading the bases thanks to a fielding error by the third baseman. A single to right field by Ken Spurgeon drove in Nicolas Pisvin.
Then the dreaded third inning, at least for the Braves.
The defense of the Braves was far from sharp as it committed two errors that led a bases-loaded-situation with no outs. Next to lack of defensive support, Jonas Belmans struggled: a balk, two walks, and a wild pitch allowed the Kangaroos to score three runs. But the Kangaroos’ bats were awake as well. Luis Manuel Luciano led off with a double and when he came at bat again when the Kangaroos batted around, he doubled again.
By the time Belmans was replaced, he had allowed twelve runs, of which only one was earned. But his successor didn’t start his outing very well either. Jasper van Velthoven walked the first four batters he faced, leading to three runs.
With no outs recorded, Van Velthoven was replaced by Robbe de Boey, who allowed one more run before he ended the inning.
That thirteen-run inning was almost the last exploit of the Kangaroos, as they scored only one more run in the sixth inning. The Braves on the other hand inched closer in the bottom of the third and the fourth as they scored two runs on one run respectively. The big inning for the Braves still had to come.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Braves came within one run of the Kangaroos as they scored ten runs. With the bases loaded, Robbe de Boey scored the first of ten runs on a sac fly, hit by Thomas de Wolf. Back-to-back walks led to a bases-loaded situation and another run. Back-to-back doubles by Christoff Peeters and Stefan Thomas Arzaga Leo cleared the bases and added four runs to the Braves’ total. A fielding error, a single by Steven de Lannoy, and another sac fly by Thomas de Wolf, led to four more runs.
The decisive blow came in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded, Lino Ballardini reached on a fielders choice as all runners advanced safely on a throwing error by the shortstop, allowing Harry Deliyannis and Steven De Lannoy to score the game-tying run and go-ahead run.
Lino Ballardini shut the door in the. ninth by retiring the side. Ballardini entered the game in the eighth inning and as a result he earned the win as he didn’t allow a run, walked one and struck out one.
Jade Thorne took the loss. In two innings, he allowed twelve runs (seven earned) on eight hits. He walked six and did not record a K.
Steven de Lannoy was the best hitter for Brasschaat. He went 3 for 3 with two RBI and three runs scored. Thomas de Wolf drove in the most runs for the Braves: 4.
Other results today:
Hoboken Pioneers @ Merchtem Cats: 20-12 ; 14-0 (seven innings)
Phoenix Mont-Saint-Guibert @ Namur Angels: 8-7 ; 12-13
Deurne Spartans @ Borgerhout Squirrels: 16-17
Still two games will be played tomorrow:
Deurne Spartans @ Borgerhout Squirrels
Brussels Kangaroos @ Brasschaat Braves
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