Bristol Badgers sweep Cardiff Merlins in AAA after all NBL games are rained off
Bristol Badgers pitcher Luke Claflin threw a complete game shutout, striking out 12 batters over seven innings in game two of the double header against Cardiff Merlins at Pontcanna Fields in the Welsh capital.
Bristol Badgers’ Luke Claflin threw a complete game shut out striking out 12 Cardiff batters on Sunday.
In the first game, a strong third inning from the Badgers' offense saw them take the lead from the Merlins courtesy of runs from Man Hoi Kwan, Santiago Palmas, and Luke Claflin.
Two more scoring innings saw them take the game away from the Welsh side in an eventual 8-3 victory.
Centre-fielder Jamie Cunningham scored two of the Merlins’ three runs and now leads the division in total runs scored with eight overall.
Cunningham was unable to help his team in the second game as Badgers pitcher Luke Claflin cast his spell to guide the Badgers to the sweep.
Bristol Badgers once again smashed eight runs past the Merlins led by the efforts of centre-fielder Seyi Awofadeju, who scored two runs and drove in another in an 8-0 victory.
Badgers @ Merlins was the only match in either of the top two divisions of British baseball to go ahead this weekend after heavy rain saw all fixtures in the National Baseball League called off, along with many other matches throughout the different divisions.
Next weekend, the Badgers welcome New Forest Thunder to Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham while Cardiff Merlins return to Pontcanna Fields in two weeks time to face the team from Hampshire.
BBF-BBL Higher
The BBF-BBL Higher Opening Day saw Long Eaton Storm and Liverpool Trojans split their double header.
A ten run first innings put the Trojans in control from the off with second baseman Victor Juarez-Tiran going four for four at the plate including a home run, a double and four RBI as the Liverpool team took the first game 16-6.
Liverpool’s outfielder Jairo Erasmus also hit a home run as the Trojans ran riot.
The Trojans Jairo Erasmus who cleared the fences in game one of the double header against Long Eaton Storm
In the second game, the Storm took an early four run lead before the Trojans fought back to within one run courtesy of home runs by Edgar Huerta and Hansel Christopher.
The fightback was short-lived as the Storm responded with four runs in the top of the fourth and three in the fifth to take the game 11-4.
Next weekend the Trojans host Manchester A’s and Long Eaton travel to Sheffield to take on the Kodiaks.
BBF AA
Brighton Brewers v Kent Buccaneers
Kent Buccaneers' high-scoring two-game affair with Brighton Brewers at Williams Field was the only match to take place in the AA division.
It was a poor day for both bullpens as a huge 45 runs were scored by both teams over the two games which ended as 18-12 and 13-2 wins for the Brewers.
Brewers third-baseman Ryan Gulliver scored a hat trick of runs in each game. Liam Gulliver and Rob Bristow also recorded three-run games in game one.
The south coast side return to action in a fortnight when they take on city rivals Brighton Aces while Kent Buccaneers travel to Borley Field to play Tonbridge Wildcats.
BBF A
Cornish Claycutters 16-4 & 11-8 Bristol Brunels
Cornish Pioneers 6-11 & 5-20 Bristol Buccaneers
Bournemouth Bears (3) 15-16 & 11-14 New Forest Knights
Cardiff Merlins (A) 15-0 & 8-9 Taunton Muskets
BBF- BBL Lower
Manchester Bees 25-3 & 27-5 Halton Trojans
Wragby Warhammers 0-0 & 5-2 Sheffield Bladerunners (1)
Canal League
Suez Tomb Raiders 14-15 London Mayhem
London Mayhem 5-9 Limehouse Cutters
Limehouse Cutters 6-0 Suez Tomb Raiders
